how fast is a 69 vette?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: CA
how fast is a 69 vette?
hi,
What type of power should i expect from the 69my. Were there different engines for that year? If so, which would be the most desirable. Also what are the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times like.
Thanks!
What type of power should i expect from the 69my. Were there different engines for that year? If so, which would be the most desirable. Also what are the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times like.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
350/300hp, 350/350hp, 427/390hp,427/400hp, 427/435hp, 427/430hp The 430 engine is the L-88 which actually developed 560HP. There were gear ratios from3.08:1 thru 4.56:1 so acceleration varied as you ca see from the options. 1/4 mile times from the low 12's to the 15's
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (silvervetteman)
thanks for the info
silvervetteman, i see you have the 427/390. Are you satisfied with the performance of that engine? Is there an upside by going for the lower hp engines.. for exampe less maintanance, more reliable?
thanks
silvervetteman, i see you have the 427/390. Are you satisfied with the performance of that engine? Is there an upside by going for the lower hp engines.. for exampe less maintanance, more reliable?
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Thomson Georgia
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
thanks for the info
silvervetteman, i see you have the 427/390. Are you satisfied with the performance of that engine? Is there an upside by going for the lower hp engines.. for exampe less maintanance, more reliable?
thanks
silvervetteman, i see you have the 427/390. Are you satisfied with the performance of that engine? Is there an upside by going for the lower hp engines.. for exampe less maintanance, more reliable?
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
Well... If 100 octane fuel was readily available the choice would be more difficult. 93 octane is just barely enough for the 390 but it realy needs about 97- 98. The 390hp has a lot of torque... A/C wasn't available on the two higher HP engines and since I drive my car, A/C was a mandatory option for me. The 390 hp 427 will eat up any most anything around without thinking twice.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 473
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From: Raleigh NC
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (silvervetteman)
I have got the 427/390 also. Pretty much stock except for a slightly larger cam. She is pretty strong. I am sure there are others on the road that are stronger, but the 390 is pretty docile until you want it to go. Then it goes.
I have got to run the 100 octane mix. 7-8 gallons to the fill up. Expensive, but well worth it.
Is it "scary". Not really. Is it a strong big block that can be driven like a street car and then provide plenty of excitement at the blip of the throttle. Absolutely.
[Modified by hudman, 4:58 AM 7/12/2002]
I have got to run the 100 octane mix. 7-8 gallons to the fill up. Expensive, but well worth it.
Is it "scary". Not really. Is it a strong big block that can be driven like a street car and then provide plenty of excitement at the blip of the throttle. Absolutely.
[Modified by hudman, 4:58 AM 7/12/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (hudman)
The More docile engines produce more torque at low RPM and more vacuum to work all of the vacuum goodies. They also idle smoother and are more suited for daily driving. If really depends on how you use you car as to what engines are best for you. A side note here... The 390/427 has a higher red line than the base 300hp/350. :chevy
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Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
A good reference for a base engine automatic is Sophia (Juliet's bone-stock '70). Ran a 15.3 @ 91 mph
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=317537
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=317537
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
so this car needs higher octane? I don't think i can get more than 91 where i live. How will the car react to that? are there other years(like the 70s) that don't require hi octane fuel?
thanks
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
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Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
My '77 took whatever I put into it stock. I tried all 3 unleadeds (up to 91, which is most i can get around where i live). Now that I have the aluminum heads, I put only 91 in. Never had any problems.
I think you can do work on those big blocks to get them down to todays normal octane gas. Or just adjust timing.
-terry
I think you can do work on those big blocks to get them down to todays normal octane gas. Or just adjust timing.
-terry
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
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From: Guam
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (terryrudy)
I have the 435hp 427 with the 4spd close ratio and 4.56 rears in my 69 convertible. It runs in the twelves depending on what tires and fuel you decide to utilize. I have the optional airconditioning with no problems. I had to install a better radiator and twin electric fans to keep it cool in bumper to bumper traffic. But besides that, it is very streetable. For less maintenance, I am running an Elebrock Victor intake and an 850cfm double pumper carb. The three deuce set up is left stored for car shows days. Overall, I think that the specs on the 69s were very underated and have alot of unleashable horsepower.
I have a friend with an LT1 that does high 13s in the quarter. His car is also very streetable with no mods and stock wheels and tires.
:) :) :seeya :seeya
I have a friend with an LT1 that does high 13s in the quarter. His car is also very streetable with no mods and stock wheels and tires.
:) :) :seeya :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (terryrudy)
You can retard the timing BUT....Don't do that..... The engine will loose a whole lot of it's performance plus it will run hot. The best thing is limit the total advance while keeping the initial at around 4deg. It will run lots better on 97-98 0ctane. You can mix 110 racing fuel or add toluene or? I found that mine run's acceptable with Amoco 93. No other 93 premium works nearly as well. I have the total timing limited to 28 deg. and it still pings on any premium except Amoco. We have no Sunoco stations around here so I can't compare.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (silvervetteman)
okay this really puts a damper on my plans... If i want a C3 in CA will it have to be a late 70's model like terryrudy's? What would you guys do if you only had 91 oct fuel around.. Which MY and engine would you go for?
Its looking like the 69 is out.
Thanks
p.s. maybe i should start a new thread on this subject? yes no?
Its looking like the 69 is out.
Thanks
p.s. maybe i should start a new thread on this subject? yes no?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 49
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From: CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
okay i did some more researching around and found that the compression ratio was change in 71, allowing for lower octane fuel. I guess my goal will be a 71 to later model unless one can convince me otherwise.
Thanks all for the very helpful infomation offered sofar.
bardarse
Thanks all for the very helpful infomation offered sofar.
bardarse
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
Wait.... There are plenty of options here. The small blocks are much more tolerant of lower octane fuel.. A lot of older corvettes have non original engines which changes the entire perspective. Even if found an original Big Block car that you really liked, there are many ways to make them streetable on 91 octane albeit a little more involved. I certainly wouln't rule out any car based on fuel requirement of the "stock" engine. Engines can be replaced or modified. This thread so far has talked ONLY about Stock 69 engines and has leaned toward big blocks. I drive my stock BB every day. Amoco staions are closing around here and the BP's are farther away so ..... I can deal with it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (silvervetteman)
I didn't really think about that. As you can tell I'm really green to all of this. My mechanical know how is also bismal, but I will take training if and when i do plunge into all of this. So, what non original engines do people usually throw into these cars? Crate engines? I don't mind non original unless it will completely disctract from the car's heritage.
thanks
-----------
Wait.... There are plenty of options here. The small blocks are much more tolerant of lower octane fuel.. A lot of older corvettes have non original engines which changes the entire perspective. Even if found an original Big Block car that you really liked, there are many ways to make them streetable on 91 octane albeit a little more involved. I certainly wouln't rule out any car based on fuel requirement of the "stock" engine. Engines can be replaced or modified. This thread so far has talked ONLY about Stock 69 engines and has leaned toward big blocks. I drive my stock BB every day. Amoco staions are closing around here and the BP's are farther away so ..... I can deal with it.
_______
thanks
-----------
Wait.... There are plenty of options here. The small blocks are much more tolerant of lower octane fuel.. A lot of older corvettes have non original engines which changes the entire perspective. Even if found an original Big Block car that you really liked, there are many ways to make them streetable on 91 octane albeit a little more involved. I certainly wouln't rule out any car based on fuel requirement of the "stock" engine. Engines can be replaced or modified. This thread so far has talked ONLY about Stock 69 engines and has leaned toward big blocks. I drive my stock BB every day. Amoco staions are closing around here and the BP's are farther away so ..... I can deal with it.
_______
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
Basicly any Chevrolet (V-8) is essetially the same. Small blocks are usually easier to find and a lot cheaper. Lot's of interest in crate engines. Or simply a Camaro, Chevelle, chevy, etc engine that was put in years ago when the original engine gave out. This was a very common thing . A non- original engine car seems to be more common and less costly. Even in the event of finding a rare original car you could remove and store the original engine and drive it with the replacement and when it comes time to sell... You've got the original egine! I Have been around and owned Corvettes since the late 60's.... My advice is get the nicest corvett you can find regardless of the year. You can learn as you go which years/options you may want. The better your first experience with Corvettes, the more you will enjoy the hobby and the great people that are involved.. A bad first car can turn you against corvettes as well as being a real PIA. So look for a Corvette instead of a certain year. You will see a wider selection. It's kind of an overall picture. Do as much research as you can first...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: South San Francisco CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (bardarse)
427/435 is all I know really well. It's fast, very fast and personally....I wouldn't want any more power. With the crud gas we get here in Kalifornia, I'm just happy the poor thing will run as good as it does. Even with all these restrictions, I can still blow the doors off any Porsche on the road and look of "their" faces is.....priceless.
When I want to go really, really fast, I bring out "Old Betsy"...the 2400 lb. '62 Jag pictured below. It's got a 450 hp .030" over balanced and blueprinted LT-1 engine coupled to a M-22. The car does 0-60 in just a hair over 3 seconds (with the bad gas) and it beats anything on the road except those hot motorcycles we see.
When I want to go really, really fast, I bring out "Old Betsy"...the 2400 lb. '62 Jag pictured below. It's got a 450 hp .030" over balanced and blueprinted LT-1 engine coupled to a M-22. The car does 0-60 in just a hair over 3 seconds (with the bad gas) and it beats anything on the road except those hot motorcycles we see.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: CA
Re: how fast is a 69 vette? (fontking1a)
great advice silver, I think i'll do just as you say. I've been talking to gearhead friends of mine and they said they'll help me when time comes.
fontking1a I really dig your selectin of vehicles.
fontking1a I really dig your selectin of vehicles.