Chevrolet LT-1
The LT-1 is a Chevrolet small-block engine produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors between 1970 and 1972. It was available exclusively in the Corvette and Camaro and was produced in relatively small quantities. It is regarded today as one of the greatest of the Chevrolet small-blocks, an engine that has been in production since 1955.
History
Chevrolet introduced the LT-1 in 1970, making it available in both the Corvette and Camaro. It was an optional engine in the Corvette, and available as part of the high-performance ZR-1 option. Between 1970 and 1972, only 53 ZRs were produced, making it one of the rarest Corvettes. In the Camaro, the engine was available only through the high-performance Z/28 option, replacing the engine designed to compete in Trans Am racing's class installed in 1967-1969 cars.The LT-1 had an 11.0:1 compression ratio, Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and solid lifters. For the first year the LT-1 was rated at in the Corvette and in the Camaro, both of these being brake horsepower gross hp ratings. Despite the disparity in these horsepower ratings, there was no difference between the engines.
In 1971, the compression ratio was decreased to 9.0:1 and horsepower decreased to, then the same in Corvette and Camaro. A net horsepower rating of was also given. In 1972, the rating decreased again, then to a net of. Gross horsepower was not given in 1972.
In 1970, a Nova could also be ordered with an LT-1 via a Central Office Production Order. Fifty of these were ordered by Don Yenko at Yenko Chevrolet and were converted into Yenko Deuces. Yenko also converted another 125 L65 Novas into LT-1 Deuces.
Production numbers
- * 25 of these were ordered with RPO ZR1.
- ** 8 of these were ordered with RPO ZR1.
- *** 20 of these were ordered with RPO ZR1.
- **** 50 of these were converted into Yenko Deuces.