How much horsepower does a 1970 Chevy 350 have?
There isn't a single horsepower figure for the 1970 Chevy 350. Depending on model and configuration, output ranged from roughly 255 horsepower in the standard small-block to about 300 horsepower in higher-performance versions, with the Corvette LT-1 option reaching around 370 horsepower.
In 1970, Chevrolet offered several 350 small-block configurations across a variety of models. Horsepower figures cited at the time were gross ratings, which makes direct comparison to modern net ratings tricky. The landscape included entries meant for everyday street use as well as high-performance variants designed for performance-minded buyers.
Variants and Their Horsepower
To illustrate the range, here are the most notable 350 small-block configurations Chevrolet offered in 1970.
- L48 350 small-block V8 — 255 horsepower gross (4-barrel carburetor; common in base and mid-range Chevrolets).
- L34 350 small-block V8 — 300 horsepower gross (high-output version used in performance-oriented applications such as certain Chevelle and Camaro models).
- LT-1 350 V8 — 370 horsepower gross (top-of-the-line Corvette option).
Note: These figures reflect Chevrolet’s gross horsepower ratings from 1970. Real-world output could vary with configuration, exhaust, gearing, and wear. After 1972, GM began using net horsepower ratings, which typically read lower than the gross numbers of the early 1970s.
Context and Variation
The 350 engine family encompassed a range of cam profiles, compression ratios, and carburetor setups. This meant a single 350 cubic-inch displacement could be tuned for different performance levels: four-barrel carburetion, higher compression, and more aggressive cam profiles tended to push horsepower toward the 300 hp mark, while more standard street configurations settled in the mid- to upper-200s.
Summary
The 1970 Chevy 350 did not have a universal horsepower figure. Most common configurations fell in the 255–300 hp gross range, with the Corvette LT-1 version delivering about 370 hp. These numbers reflect the era’s gross horsepower ratings and the broad spectrum of 350 options Chevrolet offered that year.
