The L71

[JeffKeryk]

I have owned several Corvettes and am a fan of the 67 and 68 drivetrain options, which were the same. The L71 was presented as top dog; Chevrolet "hid" the L88 by rating the output well below RPM redline. It is also thought the 3-2 BBl carbs were more of a marketing thing than performance thing.
My old car, an L36, was actually a good driver in comparison, as the L71 used a solid lifter valve train which needed periodic adjustments.
Plus, the Q-Jet was a sophisticated card as compared to the Holley fuel dumpers. Of course fuel dumpers are great for top HP numbers.

I almost bought one of these back in the day instead of the L36. Who knew?

 

[Astro14]

A thing of beauty, indeed!

 

[Dinoburner]

View attachment 241243

Now I`m missing the big block in the 77.

 

[meep]

You shoulda warned! NSFW

 

[ATex7239]

Love it!

 

[addyguy]

Chev big-blocks are beautiful engines, with the chrome valve covers and triangle air cleaner.

 

[JRay’07]

If only you had this L36 back in the day!

 

[JeffKeryk]

Chev big-blocks are beautiful engines, with the chrome valve covers and triangle air cleaner.

Chrome valve covers started in '68. I fell in love when I 1st lifted the hood of a C2 and saw the orange BB. Here's the '67 L71; a big dollar car today. The '65 396 with the Holley 4BBL changed the game.

TBT, the small block cars are better "sports cars" because they are better balanced. So fun to drive! The BB cars are piggy.

 

[meep]

Agree. I personally prefer at least decent weight distribution - at 51 I still strive to get the apex right. The ease of finding boost today admittedly pays back some of the power penalty for a smaller engine. I know, I know, a turbo 6 still can’t touch the sound and feel of a NA 8.

 

[97prizm]

I have owned several Corvettes and am a fan of the 67 and 68 drivetrain options, which were the same. The L71 was presented as top dog; Chevrolet "hid" the L88 by rating the output well below RPM redline. It is also thought the 3-2 BBl carbs were more of a marketing thing than performance thing.
My old car, an L36, was actually a good driver in comparison, as the L71 used a solid lifter valve train which needed periodic adjustments.
Plus, the Q-Jet was a sophisticated card as compared to the Holley fuel dumpers. Of course fuel dumpers are great for top HP numbers.

I almost bought one of these back in the day instead of the L36. Who knew?
View attachment 241243

From reading the triangle air filters are a pain to source. Not sure if it's still this way. Apparently on early Corvettes i you knew the right dealership or people you could get custom "options" not normally listed. This is how the Yenko Camaro came about.