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Most Powerful Stock Chevy Engine?

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Eleanor's Nemesis

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Just kinda curious about your opinions.

Which engine do you think was the most powerful that Chevrolet built in the musclecar era? Pre 1973. Not talking about what they were factory rated at....I mean which one had the most juice at the crank?

The LS-6? ZL-1? L-88? L-89? Or something else.

Thought this might be interesting.
 
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#5 ·
We know all were under rated, I've heard the LS6 rated at 450hp actually made well over 500hp. You can't forget the never released in production LS7 rated at 500hp when sold as a crate engine. How under rated was it?
 
#6 ·
Don't know what the L code was , if it had one but what about the '66 409? It was rated at 450 hp with dual quads.

Dave
 
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#7 ·
Chevy's last year for the 409 was in 1965. That engine was a low horsepower hydraulic lifter, single 4 barrel engine only. That same year the 396 was introduced. The high horse engine in the full size car was 425 horse with a single 4 barrel, same engine available in the Vette.
The last high horse factory 409 was in 1964, the horse rating was 425.
 
#12 ·
1970 chevelle ls6...most horsepower and torque...true king of the muscle car era!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#13 ·
Bill, he wanted real HP at the crank, not the factory rating. For that, it's L88. Same as ZL1 but with less heat loss.
 
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#17 ·
Eleanor's Nemesis said:
Just kinda curious about your opinions.

Which engine do you think was the most powerful that Chevrolet built in the musclecar era? Pre 1973. Not talking about what they were factory rated at....I mean which one had the most juice at the crank?

The LS-6? ZL-1? L-88? L-89? Or something else.

Thought this might be interesting.
Click to expand...
LS6, then a L72 as far as a common engine goes, exotic would be LS7 although never put into a production car, then a second design L88 then a ZL1
 
#18 · (Edited)
Well i had an LS-6 and dropped it in my 68 RS, ran 11:16 spinning the 10" slicks, spun the tires off the line and then again when i hit 2nd. I had a hi rise dual quad intake and 4:56 gears. I can honestly say the car was scary fast. This was around 1990 so i was 23. I often wonder how much power that engine made. I really think it was over 500 from my experience.

If i can find the time slip for top mph maybe someone can do the math. I seem to remember 123 MPH but not sure.
 
#19 ·
LS6 buddy in 1973 bought a 70Chevelle with that 454 and my gawd did that thing chase down the highway, it was scary to drive, he let me once. But Id like to try a ZL1 someday ;)
 
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