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70-72 LT-1 upgrades?

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Old Jul 16, 2013 | 12:42 PM
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Default 70-72 LT-1 upgrades?

Any suggestions on how to improve what many thought was the best Vette of that time?
I am thinking about making it a better street car, using parts binning and a few aftermarket parts. No major fabrication please.

I see where the post on better 350 didn't go far. lol
I'm thinking a car that can be driven hard and safely,
but not a race car.
A stk 350 w/better heads and cam would be fun.


How about starting out w/a few parameters?
350 rwhp max. After that things break.
Better handling than stk, w/ equal ride.
Man or auto overdrive.

I already have the removeable rear window.

What mods did or did not work for you?

TIA

R
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Old Jul 16, 2013 | 01:13 PM
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as for the engine, the only thing i would recommend are headers, the advance curve set up, and maybe jetting the carburetor. might want to make sure the valve lash is right. it is a good running engine no mater what year.
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Old Jul 16, 2013 | 01:21 PM
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TKO600 5-speed, major overall improvement.

- 2.87 first gear ratio, compared to M21 of 2.20, gives a major boost to first gear performance.

- .68 overdrive, nice for cruising, (low noise, high gas mileage)

Mild porting of the heads yields a nice performance boost. Cheap power if you do it yourself.
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Old Jul 16, 2013 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Barry's70LT1
TKO600 5-speed, major overall improvement.

- 2.87 first gear ratio, compared to M21 of 2.20, gives a major boost to first gear performance.

- .68 overdrive, nice for cruising, (low noise, high gas mileage)

Mild porting of the heads yields a nice performance boost. Cheap power if you do it yourself.
Real porting is both a science and an art, and takes a lot of experience to get good at, but a quicky "pocket porting" or "bowl blending" of the heads is very easy, most anyone can do it, and can make a real difference in power.

Scott
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 05:36 PM
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Default Restomod!

I was thinking more of turning a mid year C3, into a LT-1 Gen II.
Better engine, 5 sp, L88 hood, mini-flares and the VB&P catalog. lol
Don't forget better wheels/tires, reduce weight, both sprung and unsprung.

I wasn't advocating cutting up a collectors car.

I would like to see a bang for the buck special though!

R
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 05:47 PM
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Bang for the buck ,number one bang for the buck would be a supercharger.At one time i had a engine setup like a lt1 and all i did was put a small weiand 142 supercharger and it was just about the fastest thing around ,super fast ,quick.This would be the best mod you can do and the cheapest .you would have to go with a after market hood though.look at my avatar.You also will have to get a bigger carb or rejet your carb.100 hp power just bolting it on,a BIG seat of the pants feeling.

Last edited by Billysvette; Jul 17, 2013 at 05:50 PM.
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 06:41 PM
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now i am confused, a gen 2 would be a lt1 the original version is an LT-1 i have no idea what the new version is . but given my choice the LT-1 is the best of them all
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 7t9l82
now i am confused, a gen 2 would be a lt1 the original version is an LT-1 i have no idea what the new version is . but given my choice the LT-1 is the best of them all
He's talking about building a restomod. Starting with the "concept" of the original LT-1 engine but improving it. Sort of a home brew 2nd generation version of the original but better performance by using modern better flowing heads etc.

DC
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 07:05 PM
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oh, now i get it. wish chevy would stop naming new engines after old ones.
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 08:07 PM
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Yank the original drivetrain and store it. Drop in a 383, a TKO, and don't worry about breaking valuable parts. An LT-1 should already have 3:70's or 4:11's.

Get a nice VBP suspension kit and you have a bad hot rod. Plus you have the ability to make a stock LT-1 if you need to sell at some point.
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