Any one hear of a 70 LS6 Vette

[BB wowbagger]

Did you have the numbers on the engineblock?

 

[JohnZ]

More.....

Information: Block is stamped with " T V".

Is "TV" the suffix after the "TXXXX" date code? Is there a VIN derivative on the inboard end of the pad that matches the car's VIN number? What's the car's VIN and the engine stamp pad date code? This is essential info to analyze the car.

The "TV" suffix was never used on any Chevrolet engine, and all Chevy engines after 1969 had 3-digit suffix codes. The engine in the photos has been modded, and has been apart at least once (shows a lot of incorrect non-original fasteners and unpainted areas that were painted originally on production engines).

 

[ChuckG]

I've followed this thread, but haven't posted till now. This could be easily solved by simply posting the casting date of the block, and the info on the "stamp pad".

In looking at the engine pix, I too see lots of factory "incorrect" items. No smog, apparently no drippers in the valve covers, painted stamp pad, wrong clamps, etc. NOT things one would expect on such a low mileage car. Chuck

 

[joevette57]

Agree

Chuck,
I have done the same as you, kept up with the tread, and withheld comment. Without a casting date and an accurate pad stamp, I don't see any way possible to even start to judge this car as legitimate.

 

[Bullitt]

I really don't care if this car is rare or not. What I don't want to see is another big block car stuck on an auction block so that some guy will overpay for it and never drive it. I know there are people out there who own '60s era Ferrari GTOs and drive them, so let's just all hope that this owner does the same. I'll sleep better at night knowing that this car is cruising the highways and lightin' the skins, whether it's ultra-rare or not. That's my opinion.

--Bullitt

 

[a69vette]

What I don't want to see is another big block car stuck on an auction block so that some guy will overpay for it and never drive it.

I can tell you that Darren is going to DRIVE this car. This is his first Vette, and he has already bought a '72 to fix up for his girl friend to drive.

Last I heard, Darren was going to try to make it to the NCRS event in Orlando this month.

Rick

 

[jsimpson]

There were no 70 LS6 Corvettes. There were reported in 1970 a few LS7 Corvettes built for press review. They were apparently destroyed when GM decided against production. There are build sheets for the LS7 Corevettes (I have copies), none for a LS6 Corvette. There is no debate on LS6's in Corvettes. The debate on LS7's in Corvettes will likely never be settled. Enjoy your car, regardless of its engine's origin.

 

[WhalePirot]

I bought a '70 LS-6 crate motor from Chevy

I have followed this thread and enjoyed all but the sniping. Darren's engine looks other than factory original, as one member stated. Also, it looks to have an aftermarket shifter.

As an Air Force Academy cadet, I bought a crate motor, a 1970 LS-6 from Williams Chev. in Colorado Springs, I believe, in early 1972. I doubt that I still have the receipt. I installed it in my 1971 coupe project. The car had been totalled enroute from Denver, rolling five times.

That car, originally Bridgehamptom Blue, but customized with tilt front end and fastback rear window, ended up in South Carolina. The engine went to a boat racer; the car to an autocrosser in Myrtle Beach.

Darren's intake appears to be a stock, aluminum Chevy HP, as came on my crate motor. The heads on my LS-6 were open chambered cast iron. At one time, I had the special order aluminum, open chambered heads, but cash a shortage aborted further work.

I have a few pictures, someplacee, of my engine in the crate and out, with the Hooker header/sidepipes. I'll look if anyone is interested.

Yenko was building the very limited Stinger Camaros in NY about this time. I wonder if they might have done this car. I would expect a much more factory look, however.

Mike

 

[LIRacer]

I have reading this thread. Any more news omn this mystery. It's better then watching "Joe Millionaire".

 

[Tom Bryant]

Re: I bought a '70 LS-6 crate motor from Chevy

I have a few pictures, someplace, of my engine in the crate and out, with the Hooket header/sidepipes. I'll look if anyone is interested.

Yenko was building the very limited Stinger Camaros in NY about this time. I wonder if they might have done this car. I would expect a much more factory look, however.

Mike

I would like to see the LS6 engine pictures. It might help some of the less experienced readers better understand what we are dealing with here. Yenko is a possibility too. I remember seeing some of the Camaros that Yenko, Nicky and Burger built and they did look like factory installations. Some of the Baldwin-motion stuff had a few obvious aftermarket parts on their conversions though.

 

[Red79EB02]

So is this car real or not? The suspense is killing me.

 

[Tom Bryant]

It's still up in the air Ron. If Mike has a picture showing the number pad on the crate engine he bought it might help to carify things. I would like to know if these engines purchased over the counter had anything stamped on the pad. From what I gather the only thing on the pad are the letters TV. They could very easily be the initials of the mechanic that installed the engine. I have stamped my initials on blank pad replacement blocks I installed in the '60s. At the time it just seemed like I should sign my work. Maybe this guy did too.

Then again since this engine seems to have '71 parts maybe TV means test vehicle if it was built by Chevy as a prototype for the 1971 production. Lots of maybes. Lots of speculation. Not many solid answers yet.

Tom

 

[Rob]

I'm skeptical as I think several people have already pointed out various aspects that are either present or missing that are inherent to LS6 engines.

In a nutshell, it's easy to pull head and block numbers off an engine. Until I see a greater effort made to research and document this car, I will reserve final judgement.

 

[fwsports]

Very interesting reading.......just found this post and staying up late tonight to get caught up in reading. I am an old 'Drag Racer' from the 60's and this Corvette does look as it has been raced....Note in some of the pictures, blocked off water pumped to heater.......fuel line (and it is a Holley).......it was very popular to order a new car or buy a used Corvette, Chevelle, Nova or whatever.... put in a bigger motor and claim to have something smaller....back then not many around and if you did not know, well......hope it ran some good numbers.

Anyway, it is a nice looking Corvette, and even if 'Not Original'...still worth whatever........Darren, it is your Grandfather's old Corvette, no matter what it turns out to be........enjoy it!!!

 

[jsimpson]

I found it interesting as well. It struck a note with me because I have an old 70 convertible in the garage, also an ex-drag-racing car. 454, 4 speed, scatter shield, headers, single plane Holley intake, big Holley double pumper, electric fuel pumps on frame rail next to tank. For a number of years, I considered following the ZR2 build sheets and making an "original" LS7-powered car out of it. Found the aluminum square port heads, LS-6 intake and air cleaner bottom, and even a Doug Nash 4+1 for good measure. But then I decided the project was beginning to own me. I sold the 5-speed, the heads, the intake, and now all I have is the old Vette still in the barn. I'm sure it would be an awesome project car for someone, but I barely have time to keep up with the horses and mororcycles! Just think, I could have had everyone arguing about whether or not my 70 is a "genuine" ZR2 car by now!

 

[Brett]

I would like to second the fact that there was not an LS-6 made for Corvette in 1970. The "mystery" 454 of '70 was called the LS-7. Both are different engines. I think many people have mixed up the LS-6 with the LS-7 in this case. So, right off the bat, I can say for a fact this car is not the legendary missing high-ouput 454 of 1970.

However, did someone say an LS-6 engine was made for Chevelle in 1970? To me, that is the answer right there. This engine was clearly swapped in.

Either way, the LS-6 was not made for Corvette in 1970, nor was it ever planned to be, so this is not a factory built setup, and therefore probably not anything of particular value.



Brett