Top 5 Most Powerful Chevrolet Corvette Engines of the 1970s

The 1970s was a lost decade for car enthusiasts. Horsepower ratings took a big hit, but GM did their best with these powerful V8s.

Someone decided that we were all having way too much fun in the 1960s. At least that is how it seemed when the 1970s rolled around. The days of ever more powerful Corvette engines came to a screeching halt. It was the perfect storm for car enthusiasts. Leaded gas was going away which meant so did the high compression engines. Horsepower ratings were measured in net values starting in 1972 compared to the gross ratings previously. And stricter emissions standards were also introduced during this period. None of this was good news for the Corvette driver.

Unlike the 1960s where the most powerful engines were produced towards the end of the decade the 1970s was the opposite. The higher rated engines were produced in the first few years. By the mid and late 1970s things were bleak. Base Corvette engines made less than 200 horsepower. Ouch. But GM tried to make the most of these sad times. There were a few engine bright spots. Below are the most powerful Corvette engines you could buy from 1970 through 1979.

5. LS4 454 V8 – 275 Horsepower

The year was 1973 and the 454 cubic inch LS4 was the most powerful engine you can option in your Corvette. It was capable of producing 275 horsepower and a stout 390 pound-feet of torque. It was a far cry from the monster L88 from the prior decade. But it was a decent powerplant. It was enough to propel the Corvette from 0 to 60 mph in a little over 6 seconds. Not too shabby considering the times.