SolidLifters
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2003
- Messages
- 89
- Location
- Georgia
- Corvette
- 59 60 62 63,63,63 65 67,67 69,69,69,69,69 70
Theoretically, the second design L88, which was the same engine as the ZL1, except for the aluminum block should be the highest horsepower factory installed Corvette engine. Many engineers have long contended that a cast iron block would outhorsepower an aluminum one, all other things being equal, because of heat retention. Of course any such advantage would be offset by the lighter weight.
I have an original 69 L88. In the early 90's, I also owned a 90 ZR1 which I bought new and a 90 Callaway, which I bought used in late 90. I've owned the L88 since the mid 80's. Mine is the first design engine, which all the L88's were during 67, 68, & 69 up until late in the year, so it's slightly down on power from the second design open chamber design. The open chamber motor not only had the compression dropped from 12.5:1 to 12:1, but had a more radical camshaft which it shared with the ZL1 (as well as the LS7 crate motor the next year) From personal experience I can say for sure that the 2 late models were no match for the L88 from a roll, through the gears, but outside of those parameters, the advantage goes away. With both the other cars .5 overdrive ratio, it'd be hard to get an L88 geared tall enough to run on top, and still have anything down low with the M22's 2.20 first gear. I wouldn't consider driving the old car as fast as the other two would run on top anyway.
From a pure horsepower standpoint, there's no question in my mind that the nod goes to the L88, but with the new cars' overall advantages it would be impossible for the old car to match the new stuff overall.
As far as the horsepower rating on these old motors, the upper 500's rumors have been flyin' for years with 560 being commonly quoted for the L88. Needless to say this was with open headers and the stock manifolds were chokers in this case especially.
One other super star that got so close, but so far was the LS7, which GM never got around to installing in a car sold to the public. It's arguable the baddest of the bad and was essentially a second design L88 with 454 inches and cast iron heads, instead of the aluminum ones on the L88. I've got one of these original crate motors in a 69 Camaro with headers and a 3" exhaust system and it's definately the quickest car I've owned with any roots to stock stuff.
I have an original 69 L88. In the early 90's, I also owned a 90 ZR1 which I bought new and a 90 Callaway, which I bought used in late 90. I've owned the L88 since the mid 80's. Mine is the first design engine, which all the L88's were during 67, 68, & 69 up until late in the year, so it's slightly down on power from the second design open chamber design. The open chamber motor not only had the compression dropped from 12.5:1 to 12:1, but had a more radical camshaft which it shared with the ZL1 (as well as the LS7 crate motor the next year) From personal experience I can say for sure that the 2 late models were no match for the L88 from a roll, through the gears, but outside of those parameters, the advantage goes away. With both the other cars .5 overdrive ratio, it'd be hard to get an L88 geared tall enough to run on top, and still have anything down low with the M22's 2.20 first gear. I wouldn't consider driving the old car as fast as the other two would run on top anyway.
From a pure horsepower standpoint, there's no question in my mind that the nod goes to the L88, but with the new cars' overall advantages it would be impossible for the old car to match the new stuff overall.
As far as the horsepower rating on these old motors, the upper 500's rumors have been flyin' for years with 560 being commonly quoted for the L88. Needless to say this was with open headers and the stock manifolds were chokers in this case especially.
One other super star that got so close, but so far was the LS7, which GM never got around to installing in a car sold to the public. It's arguable the baddest of the bad and was essentially a second design L88 with 454 inches and cast iron heads, instead of the aluminum ones on the L88. I've got one of these original crate motors in a 69 Camaro with headers and a 3" exhaust system and it's definately the quickest car I've owned with any roots to stock stuff.
4LT GS Roadster
That is one hot ride! Perfect colors. And the LT-4 to boot!
