1971 LT-1 vs. 1969 L-46 Opinions anyone?
 

Hey Everone!

What do you think is faster, a '71 LT-1 (330 hp) or a '69 L-46 (350 hp)?

Thanks! :smash:

:lurk:

The car with the better driver

They are close but I think that the '71 might have the edge as its powerband is broader with its 6500 rpm redline. You also get a better shot at sucessively higher gears keeping in the meat of the powerband better.

For top speed if both were geared optimally, more HP means more speed so the 350/350 would have the edge there.

I agree , also the gearing will make a difference.

But in the real world 20HP is not a hughe difference.

David

:iagree:

I've owned both an L46 and '70 LT1 (although rated@370hp). Even with a bit lower HP rating on the '71 LT1, I'd give the edge to the LT1 by a hair only because it feel like - and I may be whacked here - that the solid lifters wind harder to a slightly higher redline. But it'd be close.

I just never was that impressed with the L46/m21 combo... :rolleyes:

Back in the "day", 1973, I had a stock '71 LT1 with side pipes, it was about .5 sec. faster than the 350/350's around the Fredericksburg area.
I was running mid 13's at 105 mph.

The 69 350/350 L-46 is a tremendous motor and a strong runner.Sure do miss my 69 vert.

The L-46 is easier to live with day in and day out. The LT-1 sounds more radical (because it is) , but is a little tougher to keep right.
Regards,
Alan

What about the torque curve for the L46, compared to the standard engine and the LT-1? I'm in the process of restoring my -69 350/350, so i've not been able to drive it yet...:cry

I believe the torque curve of the L-46 is better suited to the street than the LT-1. The torque of the LT-1 comes in at higher RPM like the Z-28 motor. The LT-1 just sounds so great at idle that it gives me chills!!! I wish I had one.
Regards,
Alan

69 L-46 with 3.55 and m-20 vs 70 LT-1 with 3.70 and m-21, slightly better gear multiplication with 70. close in 1st gear from 15mph roll but after hitting 2nd no contest, 70 kicked 69s butt badly, personal experience:D with me in 70:thumbs:

You "believe" BUT!, I have OWNED several 302 Z/28s and LT-1 Vettes (currently 2 LT-1s at the moment) and I will tell you that the TORQUE of a 350 LT-1 is good enough for any street car (302 Z/28 on the other hand IS better than it's Ford counterpart the Boss 302.) The LT-1 (even the low compression 71-72 version) will be FAR FASTER than a 350HP 350 Vette. I have had several "stock" 330HP/255HP (SAE NET for 72) LT-1s with std M-21/3.70 gears and they have never had any trouble running 14.00 in stock trim on a new tune-up (at least 0.3-0.5 seconds faster than a 350HP Vette in the 1/4 mile.) The 350HP wins in one regard, it is maintenance "free" if you don't count changing the ignition pionts in the chores (or Quadrajet carb rebuilds.) Me, I MUCH prefer the sound of solid lifters and a free revving motor and actually enjoy the labor aspect of my Vette.

I'm just wondering; how does the L46 feels compared to the LT-1 and the standard engine? I mean; since the L46 and the LT-1 share many parts, does it have any of the race-caracteristics of the LT1-motor?. I have read that the differences are:

Hotter camshaft
highrise manifold with 800-cfm Holley
solid lifters

Does the L46 have a more rumbling sound at idle than the std. engine?

Just for references on my 69 L46 that was rebuilt to 9:1 compression using original heads with 220rwhp and 3.73. I did the 1/4 mile at 14.00 @100mph and that was with severe wheel hop. I recently re-ran the quarter mile just for 60' times comparison and dropped from 2.21 to a flat 2.00 after I finally solved my wheel hop. I now have a huge dragging clutch problem so my shifts are not worth a darn (1.0+ secs) therefore my 1/4 mile times were pointless after I had to shift. Pending a proper shifting tranny I should be in the 13.5~13.8 ET given I ran a 14.00 flat with the timing not optimized, severe wheel hop, etc. I believe the LT1 would seriously kick my a$$ though.

But aren't there any point in high compression numbers then? You're saying you lowered the comp to 9:1, aren't you getting a much "tamer" engine then?

Unfortunately my engine was rebuilt(1989) 4 owners prior to me and had only 8,000 miles on it over 14 years. In 2.5 years I have an additional 15,000 miles very hard miles on her by me of course. I tried my hardest to track down the engine builder but ran into a dead end. A mechanic locally her checked it out and said compression was lowered although the mechanic could not tell me how much without a tear down. Also he said that the heads inside looked orignal something about using some kind of viewing tool through the spark plug hole. The previous owners all state its at 9:1 and I found some very old docs that came with the car stating compression after rebuilt was between 9~9.5:1. I can run 87 or 93 octane and not have a problem with pinging so I imagine the compression had to be lowered from the original 11:1 especially since I have full timing of 48* in at 2,500rpms.

LT1 no question would kill a 350/350.

I'd say that it would be a close race. I think the gross hp's would be close. The leaded gas LT1's were IIRC 11.1 and 370 hp. The low compression LT1's couldn't have made even 350 gross hp IMO. I'd take the 350/350 - even without solid lifters, a great motor.