What engines were available in the 1970 Corvette?
The 1970 Corvette offered a blend of small-block and big-block V8s, including a rare high-performance option and a top-tier big-block. In short, buyers could choose from a 350 small-block, a 427 big-block, or a 454 big-block, with notable high-performance variants such as LT-1 and LS6.
Engine lineup by displacement
The following breakdown shows the main engine families and their commonly offered variants for the 1970 Corvette. Availability varied by model, options, and transmission pairing.
- 350 cubic inches (5.7 L) small-block V8
- Base 350 V8 with about 255 horsepower (SAE net) in most 1970 Corvettes.
- LT-1 high-performance 350 V8 offering around 370 horsepower (SAE net) for the rare performance-oriented builds.
- 427 cubic inches (7.0 L) big-block V8
- L68 427 V8 approximately 390 horsepower (SAE net) as a standard big-block option.
- High-performance variants around 430 horsepower (Tri-Power/other configurations) used in select setups.
- 454 cubic inches (7.4 L) big-block V8
- LS5 454 V8 around 390 horsepower (SAE net).
- LS6 454 V8 around 450 horsepower (SAE net) in the most performance-oriented examples.
Not every Corvette in 1970 carried the most powerful options, but the lineup gave buyers a clear path from a robust base V8 to extreme performance with big-block power.
Notable high-performance and rare options
For enthusiasts seeking peak performance, a few special powertrains stood out, often priced higher and produced in limited numbers. The key high-performance and rare options included the LT-1 and the two 454 variants (LS5 and LS6), sometimes bundled with manual transmissions and other performance-oriented equipment.
- LT-1 350 V8 — high-performance small-block capable of strong, livelier acceleration for the era.
- LS5 454 V8 — robust 454 cubic inches with substantial torque and horsepower.
- LS6 454 V8 — the top-tier 454 option, typically delivering about 450 horsepower in the most capable configurations.
These engines denote the apex of the 1970 Corvette’s power spectrum, reflecting the late-muscle-car era just before tightening emissions and insurance restrictions reshaped performance.
Summary
The 1970 Corvette offered a diverse engine lineup spanning 350 small-block, 427 big-block, and 454 big-block options, with notable high-performance variants like LT-1 (350) and LS6 (454) available on select builds. Engine choice depended on trim, options, and production date, but the range provided strong performance across a broad spectrum of Corvette buyers.
