71, 330hp with an AT?

[Bill K.]

Helping a colleague in Germany who is interested in purchasing a chrome bumper. He looked at a 71 in Austria and gave me the VIN and other information. The data plated on the console states it is a 330hp, but when looking at the black book and the NCRS spec book, they say there are two variations of the 330hp and both would have had a manual transmission. The car he looked at has an automatic. I came up with two possibilities:

1. At some point in its life someone swapped out the manual for an auto. I would be very surprised if that happen.
2. The data plate had been changed at some point.

Any other possibilities?
Thanks Bill

[Dave S.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Helping a colleague in Germany who is interested in purchasing a chrome bumper. He looked at a 71 in Austria and gave me the VIN and other information. The data plated on the console states it is a 330hp, but when looking at the black book and the NCRS spec book, they say there are two variations of the 330hp and both would have had a manual transmission. The car he looked at has an automatic. I came up with two possibilities:

1. At some point in its life someone swapped out the manual for an auto. I would be very surprised if that happen.
2. The data plate had been changed at some point.

Any other possibilities?
Thanks Bill

i don't believe any LT-1 was ever produced with an Auto. Possibility #1 is what happened.

[Jim T.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

The engine stamping will verify if it is a 330HP engine. LT1 was CGZ and the ZR1 was a CGY. Does it have a Holley carburetor R4801A stamping?

[Joe L.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

The engine stamping will verify if it is a 330HP engine. LT1 was CGZ and the ZR1 was a CGY. Does it have a Holley carburetor R4801A stamping?

Jim and Bill------


...and does it have an LT-1 hood? However, the engine suffix code will be the best indicator of what the engine actually is. Be sure to let us know what he finds out.

[Larry M.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

i don't believe any LT-1 was ever produced with an Auto. Possibility #1 is what happened.

Splitting hairs I know, but IIRC, LT-1/M40 combination was available in Z-28 Camaros.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Splitting hairs I know, but IIRC, LT-1/M40 combination was available in Z-28 Camaros.

Larry--------------


A Corvette LT-1 with M-40 would have required a specific engine suffix code. As soon as I learn of such a code I'll believe that combination could ever have existed. I have no expectation, whatsoever, that I'll ever learn of such a code.

[Larry M.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Larry--------------


A Corvette LT-1 with M-40 would have required a specific engine suffix code. As soon as I learn of such a code I'll believe that combination could ever have existed. I have no hope, whatsoever, that I'll ever learn of such a code.

Joe,

Agreed. Every resource I've ever seen has clearly indicated no M40 with LT-1 in Covettes.

In Camaros, the LT-1 could be paired w/M40 (again, IIRC).


Added - Code CGR is 350/330 w/M40 in 1971 Camaro. Maybe an engine/trans swap?

[Joe L.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Joe,

Agreed. Every resource I've ever seen has clearly indicated no M40 with LT-1 in Covettes.

In Camaros, the LT-1 could be paired w/M40 (again, IIRC).

Larry-----

Yes, Camaro Z-28's could be had with M-40. However, Camaro LT-1 engines were somewhat different than Corvette so the same suffix code could not have been used.

[Terry M.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

It

Helping a colleague in Germany who is interested in purchasing a chrome bumper. He looked at a 71 in Austria and gave me the VIN and other information. The data plated on the console states it is a 330hp, but when looking at the black book and the NCRS spec book, they say there are two variations of the 330hp and both would have had a manual transmission. The car he looked at has an automatic. I came up with two possibilities:

1. At some point in its life someone swapped out the manual for an auto. I would be very surprised if that happen.
2. The data plate had been changed at some point.

Any other possibilities?
Thanks Bill

Bill
Your #2 suggestion was quite common "back in the day."
As others have said the engine suffix code will tell the tale.

[Edward J.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Bill another way to confirm if this transmission is part of the original car would be to remove the shifter cable bracket under car(two bolts) on the transmission, and the VIN is stamped on the case, also the transmission code tag on the transmission (pass. side) the tag has a date code and a two letter code. this will tell you what the transmission came out of.

[Duke W.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Larry-----

Yes, Camaro Z-28's could be had with M-40. However, Camaro LT-1 engines were somewhat different than Corvette so the same suffix code could not have been used.

My understanding is that the only difference is the exhaust manifolds, and the "log" type manifolds use on Camaros are less efficient than the Corvette "ram horns", which is why the LT-1 for the Z-28 was rated at 360 instead of 370 GHP.

But, given the availability of TH400 pm the Z-28 one wonders why it wasn't offered on the Corvette - maybe it was a matter of expected demand because offering the TH400 with the LT-1 on Corvette would have required complete emission certification for that configuration.

Duke

[Ron G.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

Our peers are correct!!! It never happened.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

My understanding is that the only difference is the exhaust manifolds, and the "log" type manifolds use on Camaros are less efficient than the Corvette "ram horns", which is why the LT-1 for the Z-28 was rated at 360 instead of 370 GHP.

But, given the availability of TH400 pm the Z-28 one wonders why it wasn't offered on the Corvette - maybe it was a matter of expected demand because offering the TH400 with the LT-1 on Corvette would have required complete emission certification for that configuration.

Duke

Duke-----


Yes, the only difference I know of is the exhaust manifolds. However, that would have required a different suffix code since the exhaust manifolds were installed at the engine plants.

I forgot. Another difference is the waterpump. The Corvette used a short leg pump; the Camaro used a long-leg pump.

[Larry M.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

My understanding is that the only difference is the exhaust manifolds, and the "log" type manifolds use on Camaros are less efficient than the Corvette "ram horns", which is why the LT-1 for the Z-28 was rated at 360 instead of 370 GHP.

But, given the availability of TH400 pm the Z-28 one wonders why it wasn't offered on the Corvette - maybe it was a matter of expected demand because offering the TH400 with the LT-1 on Corvette would have required complete emission certification for that configuration.

Duke

I recall reading somewhere that the different air cleaner styles (open element on the Corvette vs dual snorkel on the Camaro) may have played a part in the different horsepower ratings.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71, 330hp with an AT?

I recall reading somewhere that the different air cleaner styles (open element on the Corvette vs dual snorkel on the Camaro) may have played a part in the different horsepower ratings.

Larry------


It's possible but that would not have affected engine suffix codes since the air cleaners were installed at the vehicle assembly plants.