70 LS5 and A.I.R.

[Chris H.]

Did any 70 LS5s come without AIR? I thought every Vette after 67 came with it. The seller of this car says that because his car has an early 70, VIN (531), that "it didn't come with AIR". He also says that he has two different style exhaust manifolds, one with the plugs for the AIR, and one without. This car was sold new in Connecticut.

Is there any validity to his claims?

Thanks, Chris

[Dave S.]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

Chris, I had a 70 LS-5 car VIN #11756 and they did not have AIR unless they were California cars. Mine did not have any holes and /or plugs in the manifolds. My 70 came from Connecticut as well.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

Chris,

Not every post-67 Corvette had it. In fact, until 1973 most didn't. The LT-1 and LS-6 did, as did most of the optional solid lifter motors. The hydraulic lifter motors did not.

Patrick

[Mark Anderson]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

Chris,
Per the 70-72 Judging Manual, the 70 LS5 did not come with A.I.R.

Patrick,
The '72 LS5 did come with A.I.R.

Mark

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

OK, looked it up myself. That motor is the exception as are the California 200hp 1972 small blocks.

Should have possibly changed the year to 72, but I'm so familiar with the 49 state 200 hp small block, which has no A.I.R. and is a near-twin of my 71.

Patrick

[Mark Anderson]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

Well, to be honest, I only knew this because I have a '72 LS5.

[Pat Bush #35083]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

Chris -

My 70 LS-5 is a Virginia Car and DID NOT have AIR with original manifolds and engine. I've been through this before.... you are good to go!

Pat

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 LS5 and A.I.R.

Chris,
You have received good advise re Air Injection Reactor equipment for your 1970 LS5. The exhaust manifolds on this early car should have no ports for AIR fittings either. There was a relatively narrow band of LS5s built in 1970 with exhaust manifolds drilled for AIR, and that information is in the 1970-1972 TIM&JG.
Be cautious because for some time service replacement Mark IV exhaust manifolds all came with the holes for AIR fittings (one-size fits all practice) and some (perhaps all, I am not sure) reproduction manifolds come with the holes as well.
Terry