1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Identification, Specifications, and Guide

1970 is largely considered to be the best year of the Chevelle. This world-famous muscle car has become the iconic image of the muscle car era. In 1970, the Chevelle came with a wide array of options from the factory, from the base Malibu package, all the way to the LS6 454 Chevelle. In 1970, the name of the game was pure horsepower.

The LS6 option Chevelle's came with a 454CI engine and used the same engine block as the LS5, however, an 800 CFM Holley (Holley List #4492) carburetor was bolted to the aluminum intake manifold. The LS6 also had an 11.25:1 compression ratio due to its forged steel crankshaft and forged aluminum connecting rods. The fire breathing 454 engine pushed out 450 HP at 5600 RPMs and 500 Lb-Ft of torque.at 3600 RPMs.

With the LS6 engine, you could order a Muncie M22 "Rock Crushed" 4-speed transmission or a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic, with its rear gears going up to 4.33:1. Although nearing $4,000 with all the mandatory options required with the LS6 package, all LS6 Chevelle's came standard with bench seats. The LS6 cars also had a different instrument cluster than the standard Chevelle or Malibu packages. Buyers could order buckets seats and a center console at an additional cost. 

All LS6 cars also had a new A.I.R system, mandated by federal regulations to reduce emissions. This was one of the first items removed by the LS6 owners.

In total, it is agreed that roughly 4,475 LS6 cars rolled off the factory lines, but it is unclear how many went in El Caminos vs Chevelles. 

Here are some detailed images below. The photos below are from Paul Zazarine of Collector Car Magazine, LLC. The car shown below is owned by Rob Timken. This is a 66,000 original mile LS6 car.