Anyone have a factory LM-1 350 A/G-body?

[Mikej89]

I think those factory 350 4bbl A/G-bodies are really cool. I'm guessing over half of them have a built small block now but I'm curious who still has an original 350 LM-1. A lot of enthusiasts don't realize that early on from '78-81 you could still option out the larger 350 motor. Most enthusiasts that aren't really into these cars think the 305 was the top engine.

These were 165-170hp 350's. For their time and for the size of the vehicle, that was good. Still a lot of low end torque. The Corvettes at the time only made 10-15hp more.

 

[307 Regal]

(I can only read your post in Carl's voice, and I have an urge to throw "Fry-man" in here somewhere.)
Speaking of factory 350 cars, have you ever read-up on the Mexican SS? 1984 only I think. 350/4-speed with GP interior, checkered wheels, no duck tail, and I think some might have even had the flat style chrome side views painted black.

 

[Mikej89]

(I can only read your post in Carl's voice, and I have an urge to throw "Fry-man" in here somewhere.)
Speaking of factory 350 cars, have you ever read-up on the Mexican SS? 1984 only I think. 350/4-speed with GP interior, checkered wheels, no duck tail, and I think some might have even had the flat style chrome side views painted black.

Haha didn't think anyone else watched Aqua Teen Hunger Force!

I haven't heard of a Mexican SS in 1984 only... Which models were they? I have heard that Mexican cars didn't have the smog restrictions that the American equivalents had so they were higher power. I remember reading the Mexican 350 2bbl was rated at 195hp which was high for the time, especially with a 2bbl carb. An engine builder I talked to suspects they put Targetmaster 350 crate motors in them which were made in Mexico.

 

[87National]

Aside from the 84 Mexican mcss, the 350 olds in the 79 hurst, and the 350 diesel cars.......I wasn't aware of a 350 option.

Is it documented anywhere? Not saying I don't believe you......just surprised I haven't heard of it in nearly 25 years of g body ownership.

 

[Streetbu]

Dont forget the Mexican SS also had a Dana 44 rearend. Those are rarer than hens teeth!

 

[Ribbedroof]

According to GM literature, LM1 was not available in 1980 or 81 in the Malibu line, and only available in wagons and Caminos for 78/79, and only with high altitude emissions and not in California.

So, odds of a Malibu with an LM1 are going to be pretty slim, but there might be some Caminos out there.

 

[Mikej89]

According to GM literature, LM1 was not available in 1980 or 81 in the Malibu line, and only available in wagons and Caminos for 78/79, and only with high altitude emissions and not in California.

So, odds of a Malibu with an LM1 are going to be pretty slim, but there might be some Caminos out there.

Right. I think some of the Police Malibus had the LM1 350 though.

 

[clean8485]

As Ribbedroof has said, the only vehicles that were available to the general public with the 350 sbc were the El Caminos early on, and a few of the wagons. I think that Ben's (Pumpkinator) son found a Cutlass that was a factory 350 sbc car. You could get it in the 9C1 police package, but most of them were fleet vehicles, and only available to police forces. I know that Vanrah (Ole Bob) got his hands on one when it was new, but I think he went through a special ordering process to get that car.

 

[Mikej89]

Aside from the 84 Mexican mcss, the 350 olds in the 79 hurst, and the 350 diesel cars.......I wasn't aware of a 350 option.

Is it documented anywhere? Not saying I don't believe you......just surprised I haven't heard of it in nearly 25 years of g body ownership.

Yup, they definitely did. I used to own a '78 El Camino that originally had the LM-1 350. Like another poster said, it was mostly in El Caminos and Wagons and maybe only til' 1979 not 1981 like I said... So it really was just a transitional thing with the early A/G-bodies. GM didn't completely get rid of the 350 yet and some buyers still wanted the larger motor.

 

[87National]

Yup, they definitely did. I used to own a '78 El Camino that originally had the LM-1 350. Like another poster said, it was mostly in El Caminos and Wagons and maybe only til' 1979 not 1981 like I said... So it really was just a transitional thing with the early A/G-bodies. GM didn't completely get rid of the 350 yet and some buyers still wanted the larger motor.

cool. learned something new today.