1972 LT-1 engine

[Andy Abbagnaro]

I am doing some research on the purchase of a 1972. The owner states all ogiginal 350 "upgraded to a LT-1 at 40,000.What is the LT1 exactly and what would the upgrade be? Aluminum heads?? and what??? Thanks Andy

[Tom R.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 engine

A 350 "upgraded to an LT1" is a Corvette makeover so it is no longer original...keep that in perspective as you view the car. Having said that, if the current owner has upgraded to an LT1..ask him what year he upgraded to? All three versions had different compression ratios and parts...have him tell you what he did. He may not have done anything but add an LT1 hood, name plate and speedometer.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 engine

Andy-----

In order to "upgrade" a base engine 1972 to LT-1 standards, the following parts would have to be replaced:

1) cylinder heads and valves

2) pistons

3) camshaft

4) lifters

5) connecting rods

6) crankshaft

7) timing cover

harmonic balancer

9) intake manifold

10) carburetor

11) air cleaner

12) distributor

Do you think that the previous owner replaced all of these parts?

[jim34671]

Re: 1972 LT-1 engine

And not to mention a 4 bolt main....

[Jeremy D.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 engine

....and add an already painted LT-1 hood, because I believe the seller states the car has original paint....hmmmm.....

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 engine

That statement is used quite often and means almost nothing in most cases. The horspower of the engine may have been raised by the rebuild to more or less than a LT-1and that is all they did. Lyle