1969 Corvette Stocker

[S/ST4707]

If you were building a 1969 Corvette for Stock what engine combination do you think would be most competitive? Also, if you were to go to a big block which combination would have available head and manifold castings.

[Jeff Lee]

I don't know about competitive but I'd build a '68 L88. Stick only. Real mans car!

[S/ST4707]

Jeff, Thanks for the input but if I go with a big block it will be an automatic. I will leave the stick to you guys that can handle it! Sid

[Terry Cain]

Sid,
Make a 70 out of it and put the LT-1 350cu. 370hp stick combo in it. That motor is rated at 340 hp.Should be a NICE combo.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Sid,
Make a 70 out of it and put the LT-1 350cu. 370hp stick combo in it. That motor is rated at 340 hp.Should be a NICE combo.

Terry is right on. Although big block wise in a 68-69 I would suggest a 390hp 427. the 3x2 motors are a challenge (both Terry and I can attest to that), the L88 will be very expensive to be competitive with, and catching the CJ's is pretty hard to do

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

Terry is right on. Although big block wise in a 68-69 I would suggest a 390hp 427. the 3x2 motors are a challenge (both Terry and I can attest to that), the L88 will be very expensive to be competitive with, and catching the CJ's is pretty hard to do

Chad,
I don't know of anyone running the LT-1 combo in the 70 Vette. Do you? I know Greg Hill is running it in the Camaro (maybe others). When I hit the powerball lottery I'm going to build one.
See ya,

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Chad,
I don't know of anyone running the LT-1 combo in the 70 Vette. Do you? I know Greg Hill is running it in the Camaro (maybe others). When I hit the powerball lottery I'm going to build one.
See ya,

No I don't. I know that the 69 LT-1 needs to be brought back into reason (thats not a 400hp combo, the LS1 is clearly a better motor than the old LT-1). Dad and I would consider it if we could get the hp right.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by S/ST4707

If you were building a 1969 Corvette for Stock what engine combination do you think would be most competitive? Also, if you were to go to a big block which combination would have available head and manifold castings.

If it was me just starting out in stock I would go with the 300 HP version. It has been de-rated to 290 HP and the 69 Corvette coupe breaks (10.87) good for F and G. Going to E might be tuff although the car can get really light. The one I ran back in 1970-72 could get to 2950 lbs with steel cragar spoke wheels on the front and the OEM ralley steel wheels on the rear. This was with the radio, heater, windshield wipers, etc. still in the car and I had to carrry the steel wheeled spare tire and some balist to make weight (3152) as we couldnt go to the min. weight back in 1970.. Its a less expensive combo to assemble and you can still get away with the swing axle assembly with an automatic (Turbo 350 or 200 metric= less weight). We had to use a 400 turbo back in the stone age although mine was a 4-speed (muncie). If you beef up the rear axle assembly with larger u-joints and a 12 bolt ring and pinion (cut down to fit the 10 bolt rear) it will live. The big blocks really need the 12 bolt conversion although some are getting away with the swing axle (pure luck) with an automatic. If money is no object then Id build an L-88 for AA and A with an automatic. A 12 bolt solid axle would be mandatory with the big "KHAHUNA" All of the engine combos are set back in the chassis approx 10% and the wheelbase is only 98 inches. GREAT for a race car. Its one bad Mo Fo. Those Mustangs wont keep their HP rating forever as some inflated egos will come into play sooner or later. Its all a mater of how fast do you want to go and how much do you want to spend.

[S/ST4707]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I really am looking at the Corvette due to engine setback. The only drawback I see is the use of a transverse spring with a solid rear and short trailing arms.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

If it was me just starting out in stock I would go with the 300 HP version. It has been de-rated to 290 HP and the 69 Corvette coupe breaks (10.87) good for F and G. Going to E might be tuff although the car can get really light. The one I ran back in 1970-72 could get to 2950 lbs with steel cragar spoke wheels on the front and the OEM ralley steel wheels on the rear. This was with the radio, heater, windshield wipers, etc. still in the car and I had to carrry the steel wheeled spare tire and some balist to make weight (3152) as we couldnt go to the min. weight back in 1970.. Its a less expensive combo to assemble and you can still get away with the swing axle assembly with an automatic (Turbo 350 or 200 metric= less weight). We had to use a 400 turbo back in the stone age although mine was a 4-speed (muncie). If you beef up the rear axle assembly with larger u-joints and a 12 bolt ring and pinion (cut down to fit the 10 bolt rear) it will live. The big blocks really need the 12 bolt conversion although some are getting away with the swing axle (pure luck) with an automatic. If money is no object then Id build an L-88 for AA and A with an automatic. A 12 bolt solid axle would be mandatory with the big "KHAHUNA" All of the engine combos are set back in the chassis approx 10% and the wheelbase is only 98 inches. GREAT for a race car. Its one bad Mo Fo. Those Mustangs wont keep their HP rating forever as some inflated egos will come into play sooner or later. Its all a mater of how fast do you want to go and how much do you want to spend.

I beg to differ on that. A properly set up Swing Axle will live behind a big block just fine. Greg Eaton runs mid to high 8's on a Tom's differential IRS. You do have to know what you are doing but the Tom's stuff is 100% reliable in a stocker. Its also an advantage on a marginal race track.