L46 350cid engine
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 38
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From: Dorado Puerto Rico
L46 350cid engine
I have a question about the 350cid L46 engine in 1969-72 Corvettes. Before going to my question, however, I would like to take the time to say some things about the L46 engine.
The L46 is a better engine than many people realise. I know that the LT1, LS5, LS6 and others are ranked above, and have more hp than the L46, but the L46 is still one heck of an excellent engine ! People rave about the LT1, and with justified reason, but the L46 is truly excellent ! In 1969 and 1970, the L46 pumped out 350hp, one per cubic inch ! The L46 is a small block engine, lighter, nimbler, for better weight distribution and handling than the relatively cumbersome big block counterparts. People rave about big block engines, but they result in heavy-nosed cars. The L46 could be had with AC, not available with the LT1 (except for 1972, when the LT1 finally could be had with AC). The 1970 Corvette L46 pumped out 50 more hp than the 1970 Camaro SS 350. There was a 1970 Camaro SS 396 that pumped out 350hp, just like the 1970 Corvette L46, but the 1970 Corvette L46 is better, because it delivered the same hp in a smaller block engine.
Now, here is my question about the L46 engine. Was the L46 limited to a manual transmission, or could it be had with an automatic as well ? Somebody here please tell me. Thanks.
Happy new year 2013 !
José, from Puerto Rico
The L46 is a better engine than many people realise. I know that the LT1, LS5, LS6 and others are ranked above, and have more hp than the L46, but the L46 is still one heck of an excellent engine ! People rave about the LT1, and with justified reason, but the L46 is truly excellent ! In 1969 and 1970, the L46 pumped out 350hp, one per cubic inch ! The L46 is a small block engine, lighter, nimbler, for better weight distribution and handling than the relatively cumbersome big block counterparts. People rave about big block engines, but they result in heavy-nosed cars. The L46 could be had with AC, not available with the LT1 (except for 1972, when the LT1 finally could be had with AC). The 1970 Corvette L46 pumped out 50 more hp than the 1970 Camaro SS 350. There was a 1970 Camaro SS 396 that pumped out 350hp, just like the 1970 Corvette L46, but the 1970 Corvette L46 is better, because it delivered the same hp in a smaller block engine.
Now, here is my question about the L46 engine. Was the L46 limited to a manual transmission, or could it be had with an automatic as well ? Somebody here please tell me. Thanks.
Happy new year 2013 !
José, from Puerto Rico
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
I have a question about the 350cid L46 engine in 1969-72 Corvettes. Before going to my question, however, I would like to take the time to say some things about the L46 engine.
The L46 is a better engine than many people realise. I know that the LT1, LS5, LS6 and others are ranked above, and have more hp than the L46, but the L46 is still one heck of an excellent engine ! People rave about the LT1, and with justified reason, but the L46 is truly excellent ! In 1969 and 1970, the L46 pumped out 350hp, one per cubic inch ! The L46 is a small block engine, lighter, nimbler, for better weight distribution and handling than the relatively cumbersome big block counterparts. People rave about big block engines, but they result in heavy-nosed cars. The L46 could be had with AC, not available with the LT1 (except for 1972, when the LT1 finally could be had with AC). The 1970 Corvette L46 pumped out 50 more hp than the 1970 Camaro SS 350. There was a 1970 Camaro SS 396 that pumped out 350hp, just like the 1970 Corvette L46, but the 1970 Corvette L46 is better, because it delivered the same hp in a smaller block engine.
Now, here is my question about the L46 engine. Was the L46 limited to a manual transmission, or could it be had with an automatic as well ? Somebody here please tell me. Thanks.
Happy new year 2013 !
José, from Puerto Rico
The L46 is a better engine than many people realise. I know that the LT1, LS5, LS6 and others are ranked above, and have more hp than the L46, but the L46 is still one heck of an excellent engine ! People rave about the LT1, and with justified reason, but the L46 is truly excellent ! In 1969 and 1970, the L46 pumped out 350hp, one per cubic inch ! The L46 is a small block engine, lighter, nimbler, for better weight distribution and handling than the relatively cumbersome big block counterparts. People rave about big block engines, but they result in heavy-nosed cars. The L46 could be had with AC, not available with the LT1 (except for 1972, when the LT1 finally could be had with AC). The 1970 Corvette L46 pumped out 50 more hp than the 1970 Camaro SS 350. There was a 1970 Camaro SS 396 that pumped out 350hp, just like the 1970 Corvette L46, but the 1970 Corvette L46 is better, because it delivered the same hp in a smaller block engine.
Now, here is my question about the L46 engine. Was the L46 limited to a manual transmission, or could it be had with an automatic as well ? Somebody here please tell me. Thanks.
Happy new year 2013 !
José, from Puerto Rico
For MY '69 an optional performance ratio of 3.55 was available with the wide ratio trans, and a 4.11 could be had with the close ratio trans.
For MY '70 the only optional performance ratio was 4.11 with the close ratio trans. No optional ratio was available with the wide ratio transmission.
The L46 was only available in MY '69 & '70. No automatic was available with the L46.
The cam in the L46 was similar to the L79 327/350 and also similar to the cam in the later L82.
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
L46
I have a question about the 350cid L46 engine in 1969-72 Corvettes. Before going to my question, however, I would like to take the time to say some things about the L46 engine.
The L46 is a better engine than many people realise. I know that the LT1, LS5, LS6 and others are ranked above, and have more hp than the L46, but the L46 is still one heck of an excellent engine ! People rave about the LT1, and with justified reason, but the L46 is truly excellent ! In 1969 and 1970, the L46 pumped out 350hp, one per cubic inch ! The L46 is a small block engine, lighter, nimbler, for better weight distribution and handling than the relatively cumbersome big block counterparts. People rave about big block engines, but they result in heavy-nosed cars. The L46 could be had with AC, not available with the LT1 (except for 1972, when the LT1 finally could be had with AC). The 1970 Corvette L46 pumped out 50 more hp than the 1970 Camaro SS 350. There was a 1970 Camaro SS 396 that pumped out 350hp, just like the 1970 Corvette L46, but the 1970 Corvette L46 is better, because it delivered the same hp in a smaller block engine.
Now, here is my question about the L46 engine. Was the L46 limited to a manual transmission, or could it be had with an automatic as well ? Somebody here please tell me. Thanks.
Happy new year 2013 !
José, from Puerto Rico
The L46 is a better engine than many people realise. I know that the LT1, LS5, LS6 and others are ranked above, and have more hp than the L46, but the L46 is still one heck of an excellent engine ! People rave about the LT1, and with justified reason, but the L46 is truly excellent ! In 1969 and 1970, the L46 pumped out 350hp, one per cubic inch ! The L46 is a small block engine, lighter, nimbler, for better weight distribution and handling than the relatively cumbersome big block counterparts. People rave about big block engines, but they result in heavy-nosed cars. The L46 could be had with AC, not available with the LT1 (except for 1972, when the LT1 finally could be had with AC). The 1970 Corvette L46 pumped out 50 more hp than the 1970 Camaro SS 350. There was a 1970 Camaro SS 396 that pumped out 350hp, just like the 1970 Corvette L46, but the 1970 Corvette L46 is better, because it delivered the same hp in a smaller block engine.
Now, here is my question about the L46 engine. Was the L46 limited to a manual transmission, or could it be had with an automatic as well ? Somebody here please tell me. Thanks.
Happy new year 2013 !
José, from Puerto Rico
I have an L46 in my 70 convertible and it runs very well.
That being said I would take an LT-1 all day long
L46 in 69 and 70 only with 4 speed. L82 cam is identical to L46. L79 is very similar but the L46 generates a little more hp and torque due to larger displacement. Remember the hp rating methodology changed from gross at the flywheel with no accessories up to 71 and went to rear wheel hp in 72 and beyond. Realistically, by todays measure, the L46 would be lucky to be rated at 300 RWHP and the LT-1 330.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
the L-46 was a great engine. i saw them beat many LT-1 cars back in the day, mainly due to people not keeping there valves adjusted and points set properly. it came out of the gate a little better i think. while it was better the LT-1 wasn't that much better. a set of headers would make up most of the difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 284
From: cary Il
my two favorite engines are the L46 and the L36, both deliver good power and good low end torqe . set up with a 3:70 and they make the best street cars, however the solid lifter cars get more press, I do love the LT-1 hood.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
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L46 in '72 worth $20k?
First time poster, let me know if this should go elsewhere. Thoughts on picking up a '72 that has an L46 swapped into it? Everything else on the car works, overall great condition. Current owner has no history/didn't know it's a mismatch. Too much power for the '72 chassis, suspension, etc? Looks like they tried to make it look like an LT-1. Has the excellent LT-1 hood for example.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 2,151
From: Minnesota
First time poster, let me know if this should go elsewhere. Thoughts on picking up a '72 that has an L46 swapped into it? Everything else on the car works, overall great condition. Current owner has no history/didn't know it's a mismatch. Too much power for the '72 chassis, suspension, etc? Looks like they tried to make it look like an LT-1. Has the excellent LT-1 hood for example.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
First time poster, let me know if this should go elsewhere. Thoughts on picking up a '72 that has an L46 swapped into it? Everything else on the car works, overall great condition. Current owner has no history/didn't know it's a mismatch. Too much power for the '72 chassis, suspension, etc? Looks like they tried to make it look like an LT-1. Has the excellent LT-1 hood for example.
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