Bill17601

I have driven many LS3 engined cars. Plenty of horsepower , loads of torque, and fun to drive. Now if my new C7 has the same amount of power as an LS3 I will always be a happy camper. If it has more that is fine but not necessary for me to be happy with my Corvette.

C5Z

Right, only a couple aluminum blocks were built, but there were some 216 iron block L88's produced. In 67 & 68 the iron L88 was a $947 option, and in 69 went up to $1032.

lt4obsesses

The story I understand is that the L88 was grossly under rated on the order form for sole purpose of discouraging the general public from ordering it. The engine was built for racing applications, forget which series they said, but the class had to use a 'factory' engine. The story I read was that it was fairly close to 600hp.



http://www.thel88corvette.com/

http://www.supercars.net/cars/349.html

http://corvettes.about.com/od/histor...te-L88-427.htm

JoesC5

GM just chose a lower point on the dyno graph to "see" the horsepower rating. the 11:1 CR 427 was rated 435 HP at 5800 RPM, and the 12.5:1 CR 427(L-88) was 430 HP at 5200 RPM.

If GM had chosen to "see" the peak horsepower on that same L-88 dyno graph, it would have been much higher than 430 HP at 5800 RPM.

Big Dan 427

Those were the days of 98 octane! Leaded of course.

svtkeith

07 GT500 was advertised as 480 hp it was certified at 500 hp...ZR1 was supposed to be 620 hp then certified to 638 hp...013 GT500 was 640 but it was certified at 662 hp so I have no doubt the advertised 450 hp C7 will be in the 470 plus hp area.

JoesC5

Today's 93 octane is the same as 1967's 98-99 octane, but not leaded as it was back then. The L-88 required 101-103 octane back then.

Big Dan 427

I remember guys getting Cam 2 that had hi perf. motors.

JoesC5

I don't remember a product called Cam 2 back in the sixties.

Daniel White

It's only speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if the SAE rating is the same as the publicly released estimated numbers, 450 HP/TQ. They probably have had the numbers dialed in for some time but elected not to release it.

Big Dan 427

Didn't say 60's. There were lots of 427's in the 70's too.

RussM05

40-50 years ago, the marketing department published HP numbers that sounded good rather than based on fact. Also, there was the Gross vs. Net ratings that came into play in 1972. But that was 4 generations of Corvettes back and this is the C7 forum. So if you want to post stuff about HP ratings back then, go to the C3 forum.

Manufacturers can't play games with the ratings today. It will be published based on estabilished SAE rating method.

C5Z

True, the ratings these days are pretty regulated and accurate. But the title of this thread feeds suspicion and intrigue that conspiracy theorists love to thrive on; and the L88 shows a precedent of GM underrating, so if you don't want to hear about it don't read on. I'll publish all the figures I care to that are relevant to this thread in regards to the precedent set by GM in the past.

Chicago1

I agree and it seems like some insiders have been saying 475. Forgot what BG said but it was that or 482 between those numbers. Ill put money on it if anyone wants to in on a pool?

Frizzle86

GM will most likely sandbag the HP ratings a bit. Then as always during the mid cycle re-fresh they will bump up the HP.

I don't really understand all of this worry about the "numbers". Just sit back and wait... I

The numbers that I really can't wait to see, is what happens when some of the tuners like England Green, Cartek, Vette DR's. Get these LT1 engines and see what real numbers they can put down.

BlueOx

Sandbagging...

HollywoodC7

Yup...............be like that mount....jump in....strap yourself to a 400HP engine V8 and pin it and hold on.....No, not straight line it....take it around a road coarse FUll throttle all the time.....NOW? you want to try that with 480?................Id like to see what some do with a mere 400.....these numbers are so chest pounding.....its hilarious....450 will be awesome....

red2012

So whats your point.

speedlink

Hey we might agree. I've been pretty sure for some time now, that they were holding back. Yes, some of it marketing reasons. Also, to help get rid of existing C6 inventory.

speedlink

Partially agree. I think if the Z06 comes in at 525HP, you will hear a lot of complaining. Why only 20 HP increase etc. Same with ZR1. Would need more than a 12 HP increase. Wouldn't you agree?