Could a '69 Chevelle be ordered w/ a 454?

[Postsedan]

Jeff,

Great story! Man I wish I was your Dad for only that one special day!

Dan.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Dyno figures vary widely depending on the equipment and various "human" factors...I have seen a number of L78 motors producing 420-430hp. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the 427's made 450hp or more...others may have different ideas.

wilma

[hubleyman]

Just out of curiosity.....

What is the approximate latest build date of the 1969 Chevelle model run (from any plant)?

What is the earliest known casting or assembly date of any HP version of the production line 454 engine?

[WILMASBOYL78]

Calling Mr70...calling Mr70...please come in.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

[ QUOTE ]
Just out of curiosity.....

What is the approximate latest build date of the 1969 Chevelle model run (from any plant)?

What is the earliest known casting or assembly date of any HP version of the production line 454 engine?

[/ QUOTE ]
i remember reading on one of the chevelle forums that the earliest 454 motor from a documented chevelle was november of 1969.

[markjohnson]

I recently ran across an old Bill Jenkins article where he spoke of running a totally stock L-78 396-375 HP on the dyno and it made a real 430 HP. That's actually pretty believable as people forget that when the L-78 was released in 1965, it was rated at 425 HP. Then naturally, we have the 1966 L-72 427-425 HP that was really 450 HP as shown on early production cars before they were "stickered" down to 425 HP after only a few months. Back to the 427 vs. 454, my own totally stock LS-6 ran 11.80's in an early Camaro I used to own. Through the exhaust with headers and a 4.10 Posi but that was with stock intake, camshaft, rockers, etc. Pick your own poison whether it's an L-78, L-72, or LS-6, they all enjoyed that same camshaft where you could drive to work everyday Monday thru Friday, go to the Dragstrip on Sunday and run 12's or faster with some simple tuning. They did something right becuase we're still driving, racing and talking about these things 40-45 years later!

[1970Bluel78]

When I was a 19 year old kid not knowing too much I ran 12.48 at E town with my 70 L78 Nova. It was not stock (but close ) had some bolt on's and 456 rear and a pair of re-tread Kelly Springfield cheater slicks.

[chevy427450]

I can tell you guys that the day I ran the 12:42 against the LS6, we both were young guys and not really able to tell the difference between a well tuned engine or one that was not. The only changes made to the car was a set of headers and a Hurst shifter. The slicks were a set of "hard as a rock" recaps from McCreary and 7 inches wide.
As far as tuning, the best we could think to do was advance the timing so the mark was somewhere under the waterpump. We didn't dare open up the carb, becaues in those days, holley's came with cork gaskets that broke when you looked at them. A tool box full of spare parts was not around in those days. As a matter of fact, tools were not very abundant either. We just happened to be lucky enough to live "back in the day", not very mechanically inclined but had a blast. We trusted the Generals decision to built that type of car so we just drove them. Those certainly were the days!!!!

[SUSQ]

[ QUOTE ]
Mark,

I agee with you 100%.... the Buick 455 is a true torque monster.


Dan.

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I couldn't agree more. Had a high school buddy who had a bone stock GS455. It was an absolute beast (an pretty darn luxo too!). The 350 hp rating wasn't even close. Anybody know what a base GS455 engine dynos at? Gotta be 400+? How would a stock GS455 fare when matched up against full-sized, stock Hemi car in the quarter mile?

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
We just happened to be lucky enough to live "back in the day", not very mechanically inclined but had a blast. We trusted the Generals decision to built that type of car so we just drove them. Those certainly were the days!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

AMEN!