Big Block Party with the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 - Tire Kickers by Ross Cameron (2025)

Just as the ‘70s were lighting up, General Motors lifted their engine displacement ban on midsize cars. The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 is the perfect example of a rebellious uprising after years of oppression. Welcome to the age of muscle.

To celebrate the independence of the muscle car era, why not roll out a big block beast with redesigned styling? That’s exactly what Chevy did for the 1970 Chevelle model year. In 1969, the Chevelle was “America’s most popular midsize car” but the changes in 1970 became legendary.

Not only does it feature classic American muscle car styling, Chevelles with the 454 cubic-inch V8 can back it up. The Super Sport, or SS package was available for both hardtop and convertible versions of the Chevelle.

There are two different tiers of SS packages for the 1970 Chevelle, the SS 396 and the SS 454. Obviously, the numbers correlate to the engine displacement, somewhat. The SS 396 features a 402 cubic-inch V8 while the SS 454 actually has a 7.4L 454 cubic-inch V8.

To add the SS 454 package onto the Chevelle, you only had to cough up an additional $503 in 1970. Yet there is still some confusion, there are two different versions of the 454 V8 engine throughout 1970 Chevelles.

At first, the ‘70 SS featured the LS5 454 V8 engine producing 360 horsepower. This is the $504 SS 454 package.

Eventually, for a little over $1,000, you could add the LS6 454 V8 featuring Holley four-barrel carburetors. This 454 V8 produces 450 hp, more than any other factory engine ever before in the world at the time. If you wanted to add positraction, you had to fork over another $42.

The more powerful LS6 454 engine uses aluminum for the manifold and pistons. It also has a different compression ratio, solid lifters, and other modifications from the factory. You could choose from the Rock Crusher 4-speed manual or the Turbo 400 automatic transmission for the LS6 SS 454.

Big Block Chevelle SS 454 Performance

In some ways, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 with the LS6 V8 engine was a supercar of its era. Although it is a bit big and heavy, the Chevelle SS 454 has formidable handling. Striking fear in both rivals and public perception of powerful cars, the SS 454 Chevelle was larger than life.

There is plenty of torque coming from the LS6 454 V8, as you would expect from such a massive engine. It produces 500 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. As for peak hp, those 450 horses are running at full speed right around 5,600 rpm.

All this power translates to impressive performance at the drag strip. A 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 with the LS6 can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds. It will run a quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds with a trap speed of 103 mph.

With a front-engine-mount, rear-wheel-drive layout, the Chevelle offers a familiar driving experience. This is the way a muscle car should feel. It is also how a classic muscle car should smell and sound.

At wide-open-throttle, the LS6 454 V8 engine roars with the fury of hell. When you kick this baby down, the rear-end shakes with a lot of torque twist on the chassis. You do feel it at the helm and it is equally satisfying to see as a spectator.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Dimensions:

Wheelbase – 112 inches or 2,845 mm

Length – 197.2 inches or 5,009 mm

Width – 75.4 inches or 1,915 mm

Height – 52.6 inches or 1,336 mm

Curb Weight – 3,836 pounds or 1,740 kg

Browsing the 1970 Chevelle Market

Unfortunately, Chevrolet only made a total of 8,773 Chevelle SS 454 models in 1970. It’s anyone’s estimate as to how many feature the LS5 V8 versus the LS6 engine. Most collectors and enthusiasts seek the more desirable LS6 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454.

It is not impossible to find a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 for sale but there are some things to note. Sadly, it can be difficult to find an authentic, all-original ‘70 Chevelle SS 454 with the LS6. As a result, you will see many ‘70 Chevelle SS 454 “Tribute” models on the market.

Tribute 454 SS models are really just another way of saying replica. Many builders and restoration experts will drop a 454 LS6 crate motor into a 1970 Chevelle chassis. If the builders do an exceptional job, many of these 454 replicas can fetch anywhere from $70,000 to over six figures.

You will also see many other engines under the hood of restomod Chevelles. Sometimes you will even find some 1970 Chevelles with modern engines under the hood. This is becoming very common in the classic car community.

Should you insist on finding a numbers-matching, authentic 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 with the LS6, they do exist. It will take a little patience. For right around six figures, you should be able to find one in good to excellent condition, eventually.

As for the LS5 version of the ‘70 Chevelle SS 454, they are a little easier to find. Although the price does not reflect the 2021 collector’s car market, this LS5 Chevelle sold for $41,450 in 2020.

One thing is for sure, the classic Chevelle market is booming right now. Many non-original and even non-SS Chevelles from 1970 are currently listing for over $60,000. Even in this golden age of modern muscle, the vintage ‘70 Chevelle continues to stand the test of time.

Big Block Party with the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 - Tire Kickers by Ross Cameron (2025)

FAQs

What was the 1 4 mile time for a 1970 Chevelle 454? ›

Performance
0 - 100 kph5.4 s
1/4 mile13.8 s
Top speed215 kph (134 mph)

What is the most powerful stock Chevelle? ›

The 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6, a holy grail of muscle cars and the only GM production car with a higher horsepower rating than the Corvette, was the most powerful Chevelle to roll off factory lines during the model's production run from 1964 through 1977.

What year did Chevy put the 454 in the Chevelle? ›

1970 also saw the introduction of the 454 cu in (7.4 L) engine which was only available with the RPO Z15 SS Equipment option.

What is the biggest Chevelle motor? ›

The monster 454-cubic inch Chevy engine became one of the biggest guns in the muscle car arms race (beaten in cubic inches only by the Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Buick 455 engines), easily larger than the rival 426 Street Hemi or Boss 429, as well as the biggest mill Chevrolet ever threw into a passenger car.

How much is a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 worth? ›

Detailing
Vehicle:1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
Years Produced:1970
Number Produced:4,475
SCM Valuation:$75,000–$237,000
Tune Up Cost:$500
6 more rows
Jan 18, 2023

How much horsepower does a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 have? ›

The Chevelle SS 454 put out 360 hp when buyers chose the LS5, but the top dog LS6 made a whopping 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The notable hood pins, racing stripes and functional cowl induction hood system were all part of the ZL2 hood option, and did not come standard on either version of the SS.

What is the best year of the SS Chevelle? ›

Externally, it carried the SS badging, prominent cowl-induction hood, muscular lines, and federally mandated bumpers. Inside, it featured a driver-centric cockpit, offering performance-oriented features and comfort. This 1970 model remains the best year for Chevy Chevelle muscle cars.

What year was the most powerful 454? ›

The most powerful variants of the 454 were in the year 1970 because this was before the oil embargo and tightening emissions restrictions. The 1970 LS5 came with 360 horsepower, and the 1970 LS6 came with an impressive 450 horsepower.

How many 1970 Chevelle SS 454 were made? ›

Chevrolet built more than 600,000 Chevelles that year, but only 4,475 examples were fitted with the mighty 454 V8, mainly because the LS6 was an expensive option. This figure includes hardtops and convertibles, as well as El Camino pickups. And all three are rare and sought after nowadays.

What was the best Chevelle ever made? ›

The Chevelle was in production from 1964 to 1977; here are the top three models from that halcyon time of American automobile manufacturing.
  • 1970 Chevelle SS 454. The “SS” in this gorgeous car stands for Super Sport. ...
  • 1964 Malibu SS 327. ...
  • 1965 Malibu SS 396.

What year Chevelle was the fastest? ›

Just how fast was a stock 1969 L78 Chevelle right out of the box? Hot Cars magazine tested one in their February 1969 issue, recording a 14.07/101 mph.

What size engine is in the 1970 Chevelle SS? ›

With the base 350 cid V8 engine and optional 396 cid big block having been offered in earlier models, the 1970 Chevelle SS benefitted from a change in GM corporate policy that would now allow the Divisions to install engines larger than 400 cid in their mid-sized cars.

What is the top speed of a 1970 Chevelle 454? ›

1970 Chevelle 454 performance

You can expect it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just around 6 seconds, clear the quarter in around 14 seconds and hit a top speed of about 133 miles per hour.

What is the top speed of a 1970 Chevy El Camino SS 454? ›

Performance
1/4 mile13.2 s @ 105.0 mph
Top speed229 kph (142 mph)

What was the fastest Chevrolet in 1970? ›

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 was a brute of a car. Its 7.4-liter V8 engine cranked out 450 horsepower and a jaw-dropping 500 lb-ft of torque. With its potent engine and muscular appearance, it could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, making it one of the quickest muscle cars of its time.

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