Solid LT1

I'll stand by my statement a 71-72 low compression LT-1 will OWN a 69-70 L-46 Vette and not "death rattle" on today's garbage pump gas. The LT-1 will have a 3-5 tenths 1/4 mile time edge if both are in a good state of tune. Tune-up bounus with the 71 is K-66 TI ignition and fiber optics while, the 72 has VIN code for legitimacy of engine type otherwise, both have the same performance potential. The LT-1 will make knowledgeable Muscle Car enthusiasts take notice while a L-46 will not turn heads (no solid lifter clatter.) The best way to RUIN a LT-1 Vette in my book: put a hydraulic cam in it (I will give an exclusion to 72 C-60 equipped Vettes as those valve adjustments are a BIT*H! with that A/C compressor in the way.) My humble opinion after owning more than six different LT-1 Vettes since 1985.

vette442

I'll find out soon in a "seat of the pants" manner. I had a '71 LT-1 from 2003-2006, and I sent a deposit last week to buy a '69 L46 from another forum member. I have a feeling I'll spend more time driving and less time swearing at disabled garage art with the L46 than with the LT-1. My LT-1 had factory 4:11s and was almost scary at hard throttle. I'd love to have another LT-1 but I'm pretty much priced out of that market now unless I sell off some of my other cars....
Terry

1996Z15

Throw and aluminum hi-rise intake, a Holley carb and a solid cam and you basically have yourself a 1970 LT-1. I have a 1969 L46 that has the K-66 ignition so it's one step closer; I just can't bring myself to make those changes as the car is 100% stock and I don't want to mess with it.
Personally I think the L46 Corvettes are not given their just due and are a great car. Good luck with your new purchase; I can't wait to hear your comparison opinion.

egonL46

Hello,
I read a comparison test in SuperChevy (Edition not available, Title Chevy Small Block Testing) with results as follows:
L 46 Peak Power 351 Hp Torque 393 lb-ft 3800 rpm
L 79 Peak Power 345 Hp /5400 rpm Torque 381 3900 rpm.

Hot Rod tested LT1 1970, Peak 353 Hp/5600 and 392 lb-ft Torque at
4100 rpm. LT1 1971 359 Hp at 5900 but lower torque 376 lb-ft
at 4100 rpm.
That suggests, that the real performance differences are a bit academic and both are only different behalf of the sound of the engine.
Maybe theoften higher axle ratio of the LT 1 (often 1:4,11) evokes the
imagination of more power.
Interesting, the L 79 327 is not far off.

R1234

I think it's the seat of the pants feel of the solid lifter motor that keeps right on revving up while the hydraulic motor runs out of gas.

LS4 PILOT

Compression is king . The old 327/350 was good runner too . Edge is very slight for the lower compression HP versions of LT1 . Tires , weight from more safety equip , driver , smog , all play a part too.

GM realized the options were almost redunant and chopped the L46 . Then to save a few pennies and keep the base cost down they axed the LT1's ALum intake and mech lifters and brought back the L46 as the L82.

Most magazines had the 72 LT1 or 71 for that matter only 2-3 tenths quicker. Nothing to get too excited about totally stock. To me a LT1 ...without 11.0 compression is just barely better then L46 or L82 . The 1970 Model LT1 was a BEAST though in a vette or Z28.

1996Z15

I owned a 1970 Z28 that had a factory LT1 in it and that car would run. Mine was an automatic and it would chirp second gear with ease; that was a great car that I wish I had hung onto.
I now own a 1969 L46 Corvette, 4 speed with 3.70:1 gears and I am not impressed at all. I have a feeling my car needs a good tune up or something, I expected so much more from the L46 after reading how good of an engine it is.

Easy Mike

Yes.

LS4 PILOT

Good combo ..... for spirted driving.......sounds like some stuff maybe be getting old.
Rebuilding the 2.02 heads , with new seat, springs and attention to every detail and complete overhaul of my Q-Jet ( not a simple rebuild , but a professional restoration , I sent it away ) really woke up my little Z28 350 245hp. It was a struggle to rev to 5K , now it zip right to 6K in a and a tad further ...she'll now put a hurting on those skinny old Firestones

Yankeededandy

Interesting thread. I got a 69 L46 myself and "believe" it runs great. Never got a chance to drive a LT-1. My guess: The L46 will be just about the same if not a bit quicker than the 330HP LT-1. The really interesting comparison would be to have a '70 LT-1 thrown in. With its 370HP engine it should gobble up the rest of the Small Blocks.

Still, the LT-1 is my "dream engine".

AvRog

Dude , that is one tough question. Depends on what you want.
I would suggest for me I would go with the LT-1. same awsone looks, similar performance and I suspect the lighter motor in the LT-1 would give better handling. For collectability I would think the LT-1 would win out there too.
If you find either in an acceptable condition, you will have an awsome car.
If someone drove a specific car and says it was a dog or it was awsome, it means nothing as the original setting for the car is rarely represented.

Later, Rog.

Ed Campbell

A 71 LI-1 with 4:11 gears will kill the 350 every time in any gear. Besides the 350HP was gross not net. Ed

Billysvette

I will throw my 2 cents in and say the engines are almost the same,but its the solid cam that makes the difference,i have a 69 l46 and ran a couple different hydraulic cams in it and then i tried a solid crane cam and it was like night and day ,the solid cam out performs by a long shot,BUT!!!! if you are not a mechanical type of guy and dont know how to adjust valves ,solid lifters,then stay away,they tend to get out of adjustment now and then ,depending on how you run the car of coarse Hydraulic cam is alot better for street driving,but it was hard to take the solid cam out,it performs so well.Drivability on the roads was the same for both cams,solid cams are very drivable on the street,just depends on how big a cam you get,but that also goes for a hydraulic too.solid roller would be the ultimate cam to run and depending on how big the cam is ,also goes for the solid roller also.

JW3101

One of the former owners of my '69 L46 did just that, plus had the original engine bored .30 over - it has the 3.70 rear and runs like a champ. Would prefer stock - for restoration reasons, but she looks stock under the hood to a novice as he painted the intake engine color and you can't see the Holley without taking the air cleaner lid off.

LT-1 kid

seems to be a moot point, I meen who is going to red line there original L-46 or LT-1 motor to get top performance any more, I do have a 69 L46 and a 72 LT-1, but my 68 427 390 will stomp on both of them and not go past 4500, it seems torqe always wins.

JW3101

Good point, as I would never come close to red lining it anyway. Obviously, one of the former owners wanted to make it more like an LT1. I know that the owner before me used to take it to the track - which I have no interest in doing.

I'm jealous - you have 3 C3's!

boat196

Your correct, the 350 HP cam has a late closing intake valve. That's why the compression was 11:1. I'm currently rebuilding, 1970 L46 with a measured 10.3:1 compression. 91 Octane.

I've made every possible upgrade,with original number matching motor. I hope, for 300 rwhp.

Bob

Easy Mike

Exactly.
Everybody has an opinion. 50 folks will reply; 25 will go with the LT-1; 25 will go with the L-46.

AutoX-Z06

And the 25% of guys with the LT-1's will rock the L-46 and 427/390 cars all day long.

LT-1 kid

I do love the LT-1s BUT there not going to rock a 427-390, like I said I have all 3, and the BB torqe takes it, the L46 is a very good motor.