Performance Review: Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet El Camino Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Chevrolet El Camino has a 7446cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The El Camino shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the El Camino's Rear Wheel Drive, Pickup combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1742 kgs (3840 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 in the same weight category as the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet El Camino shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 7446cc 16V V8 engine produces 450 bhp (335 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 502 lb-ft (680.6 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet El Camino you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 (283.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet El Camino.

The Chevrolet El Camino has a Power to weight ratio of 258.3 bhp per ton and 288.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 El Camino competing with the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 (283.0 bhp per ton) or the 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello (282.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet El Camino generating around 288.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1967 AC 428 Coupe 7.0L V8 (311.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 (311.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the El Camino and the 2008 Audi TT S 2.0T 270

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet El Camino on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.8 secs @ 106.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Audi TT S 2.0T 270 (12.74 secs), the 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (12.74 secs), and the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM Wagon (12.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 has a maximum speed of 105mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 El Camino equals the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (116 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 then how about the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (116 mph), the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (116 mph), or the 1986 Renault 11 1.4 Turbo (116 mph).

Related Links:

1970 El Camino Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison