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whats the best right from the factory engine???

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
hi i was jsut thinking what was the best or better engine at the time ie lets say 1970. Even though this is a chevy site so bear with me.. and compariable engines..

the 302(not sure when they stoped making this) chevy vs the 302 Ford

or the 302 ford vs 350 chevy
351 vs the 350
or any other engine, what was the best bang for you buck right from the factory.
ok and now today the..
5.0 or now 4.6L vs the 350 or LT1 chevy
and so on. im jsut woundering really, whats the best buy out there.


DAn
 
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#2 ·
That's way too subjective! Don't forget to throw the Mopar engines ito the mix. This is a discussion that could go on forever!! You'd also have to consider the selection of crate engines from both the factory and aftermarket.
 
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#4 ·
thats the engine i talked my dad into buying for our 69 impala. it screamed and i broke the motor mount holding the brake and gassing it to smoke the tires!!
remember those old non-interlocking mounts? the throtle stuck!
regards dick
 
#5 ·
For the today:
The 5.0 and the 4.6 are two different animals. So lets scratch the 4.6 as its a pile of junk anyway.
5.0L vs. LT-1 I'd have to give it up to the 5.0L from the X brand. Spend 10grand on the 5.0 mustang and you have a loooow 10-9 second car spend 10 grand on the LT-1 car and you have maybe high 12's - low 13's. Now thats without purchase of the car. The bang for the buck for a super reliable fast motor nowadays is definately the 5 liter ford.

------------------
Russ (or Steve)
1965 Malibu 283/PG/A/C
Now 350/TH350 with some goodies
My Homepage **(Updated 5/16/2002)**
Team Chevelle Member #71

[This message has been edited by Steve D 64 SS (edited 11-04-2002).]
 
#6 ·
I don't think the LT1 should be held as the paragon of technology for the general. The LS1 and the LS6 that are in the SS Camaros (RIP) and the corvette ZO6's respectively. Both are small block motors. With an LS1 and basic bolt ons you have a 12 second car.
 
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#7 ·
IMO, the best motor ever would be the ZR-1 Corvette. Not made since 1995 this 4 valve, 4 cam, aluminum motor was built for GM by Mercury Marine in Oklahoma City. They've lost a lot of value since the Z-06 came out and are selling in the high 20k's for a low mileage near perfect car. A bargain for certain.

------------------
Bob Von Kaenel
70 SS 54k orig miles
My car.
The red interior.
The engine.
Hood trim.
 
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#8 ·
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SS3964N8:
1969 L48 300hp/350
193,000 miles and still counting !
Never had the heads or intake off. Top that !
Nate<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay. My original 350 in my 70 went 335,000 miles before I decided to pull it and just do the heads. Mistake. The machine shop screwed up, gave me the wrong heads back.....a long story. But, anyway, 335,000 miles! Oil changes every 2000.



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MalibuJerry350
TC Member #1279
Original owner '70 Chevelle.
591,000 miles on car.
Hey, if it's got wheels, DRIVE IT!
My Chevelle: http://hometown.aol.com/erie614/myhomepage/index.html
 
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#9 ·
If you were around in 1970, and wanted a Chevy engine (who wouldn't?
Image
)...

I would say the best factory engines for performance were probably the ZL1, L88, LS7, L72 and the LS6, of course, there was also the L89, L78 and L71... and the "DZ" 302 was a pretty wild piece...

Realistically, for the masses, probably the LS6 or L72... Not too exotic or expensive, compared to the others...

Of course, all of these are solid lifter motors...

Hydraulic lifters, maybe the 1970 LS5...

To be fair, the Chrysler Hemis and 440-6 barrel engine were pretty strong too...

Ford... Did they even put out anything performance wise? 428SCJ?, SOHC, 427, 429...

------------------

"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
The Chevelle
Dual Quad 396
Side View
 
#10 ·
It's already been proven. ZL-1 PERIOD! Put any FACTORY engine up against it. All aluminum big block with over 600 HP easy. It was available in Corvettes and Camaros in 1969 for any Joe Blow. Yes it was expensive but available none the less.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
im not really sure why i brought this up in the first place, but jsut seeing how ppl say ford sucks, dodge sucks, and so on every brand lover has its arch rivel. so heres the next one i asked this befor but not sure if the answer i got was a 5.0 with mods or what, but here i goes.

a new 2003 Vette with highest performance options aginest a 2001 (or the best one befor the 4.6l came out) 5.0 Cobra , right from factory, which is better, ive never priced these cars befor are they about the same in cost?? Hope I dont start any wars in here lol


Dan
 
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#12 ·
Yup, username after the king of the hill, well the po'boy version, the ZL1 was the DEAL back then. And then the LS7 454. Hemis were neat but not "king shouit". BBC's were.

Of course, at the same time, I worked as an apprentice at a machine shop that did quite a few Cosworth Twins. I think they may have been "king shi.." in the twin cam 4 banger arena. And the Mazda Rotary was quite the deal among Formula racers at the time.

[This message has been edited by 427L88 (edited 11-05-2002).]
 
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#14 ·
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steve D 64 SS:
For the today:
The 5.0 and the 4.6 are two different animals. So lets scratch the 4.6 as its a pile of junk anyway.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't know what you are basing that on. 4.6 liter was for a long time F's lowest warranty cost engine.

With a decent intake and the right A/F and spark, a 4.6 liter will put out nearly 1hp/ci in otherwise stock trim. Only problem is that it is only 4.6liters! The 5.4 liter on the other hand.....
Image


[This message has been edited by Unclepennybags (edited 11-06-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Unclepennybags (edited 11-06-2002).]
 
#15 ·
I will throw something exotic into the mix just to be different. You were talking 60's and 70's engines, but I see we've crept into the 80's and 90's and we haven't touched the foreign competition. Here's one of my bids: From 1989-1998 Ford produced the SHO. Until 1996, the car had a dohc 3.0 or 3.2 liter 200-220hp 6 cylinder engine with a screaming 7000 RPM redline. The all aluminum engine was a motorcyle inspired design and was built in Japan by Yamaha and shipped here because Ford didn't have the production technology to make it. The engines have been known to live into the 300,000 mile range and give incredible performance while delivering 26 mpg in a heavy sedan. The newer DOHC v-6s are just garden variety Ford built engines, but the Yamaha mills were truly unique. Check out SHOforum.com. It is a Great engine. Trust me.
 
#16 ·
I'm not sure that I would throw out the 4.6 just yet. The new Cobra is going to be quicker than the Z06 vette, with less cubes and about 2/3 the price, maybe even less. But if you're just talking basic factory engines I don't think you can beat the chevy 350. Early or late, same motor, same parts, year after year, all kinds of aftermarket upgrades available at reasonable prices and just about every old car either has one in it now, or has in the past.
 
#17 ·
In 1970 my favorites were the Mopar 340 and 440 six-pacs. You could also get them as stripped factory race cars in 4 barrel configuration (check the "high performance" engine option and "power delete" boxes to start with). At the time I was driving a 57 chevy 210 sedan with one of my all time favorite engines, 365hp 327 out of a vette with headers, factory intake and carb, M22 trans. Favorite Chevy was the 350/350 Z28 engine, not as windy as the 302's but more lowend power.

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OrrieG
64 Malibu HT Survivor
 
#18 ·
Gatkins don't forget that ford needed a blower to make decent power from their "SVT" cars and truck the lightning. And last time I checked a 405hp Z06 was still faster than the 380hp Supercharded Cobra. And put the 2 on a track and you'll know where the extra money went.

I admit 5.0L stangs and 32v Cobras can be fast sweet cars. But sometimes they are just too generic with all the same mods, NOS blowers etc. Thats a personal preference I have since I like to be different than most guys. I have a 65 Chevelle with 6 speed and a 406. For want I spent I could have one fast Mustang, but thats not what I want.

my vote goes
60s ZL1
70s pinto w/ a 4cyl
80s Buick GN Turbo
90s LT5 Vette
2000 LS1/LS6

------------------
Team Chevelle Gold
1965 406 6speed
1998 Tahoe LT 4x4
My Web Site


[This message has been edited by David Nafarrete (edited 11-08-2002).]
 
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