LT1 vs LS1 for turbo daily driver project

I'm in what I'll call the "initial planning" stages of my 450 whp daily driver project. I know I want to put a turbo on it along with all the bolt-ons.

What's the best platform to start from? I can get LS1 cars with 60-80k miles for like $8000-$10,000 or I can get a LT1 car with 100k+ miles for $4k-6k.

Anyone have any recommendations or recommended reading?

Thanks...:bow:

Well an LS1 will make more power easier in general. And I know this isn't always the case so don't you all start screaming at me;)

But as you already know the LS1 cars are more expensive, so there's your trade off.

However, you don't need a turbo to make 450rwhp in an LS1, or an LT1 for that matter.

i spent ~$3k in parts to put down 420 rwhp, 11.87@118. another $600 will get me a good torque converter to cut some more time down. only mods are in sig, all else stock. i have sfc's, but they are just sitting in the garage waiting to be welded on

for another $1k, you can do n20 with most of the bells and whistles, or skip that and do a forged 383 stroker for ~$1700 parts, and h/c will put you over 450rwhp

I have a question? What would be the benefits of your way vs a stroker, I see the price difference, but I am looking for a new setup for my SS, and I really don't know what route to go. Thanks.

There are two ways to make power N/A, cubic inches and high rpm. The reason to do a stroker is simple, more cubes equals more power ceteris paribus.

But you can also go forced induction to make more power.

I vote for a combination of all 3:D

In theory a stroker should be a better daily driver, assuming your horsepower goals are the same.

A stroker motor doesn't have to turn as high to make power and has a broader torque band. Makes it more fun to drive on the street.

Just build a 383 man, its been done so many times there is virtually no problem you would encounter that someone else hasn't already dealt with. The combos out there are numerous and proven aswell.

But then, bigger is better in my opinion, so if you wanted to build a monster 472 small block I wouldn't stop you:D

SSlither you have a PM.:)

Sorry to jack your thread a bit aintnomyth, but you already have my opinion:)

That's cool, thanks for the replies. I think I have quite a bit more research to do before I start. :D

A 450-500rwhp "stroker" wont be good for daily driving. To make that kind of power from a LTX setup, there will need to be quite a bit of cam... and a big cam = crappy driveability. Something to think about....

A 450-500rwhp "stroker" wont be good for daily driving. To make that kind of power from a LTX setup, there will need to be quite a bit of cam... and a big cam = crappy driveability. Something to think about....

I think a 396 has enough cubes to make it driveable. And you can always use bigger aftermarket heads.

But he was also talking about a turbo setup, with which the car would be very street friendly, and probably better on gas.

This is all assuming he goes LT1, but I think an LS1 would be easier to make that kind of power.

I think a 396 has enough cubes to make it driveable. And you can always use bigger aftermarket heads.

But he was also talking about a turbo setup, with which the car would be very street friendly, and probably better on gas.

This is all assuming he goes LT1, but I think an LS1 would be easier to make that kind of power.

If ya do a search on here you'll see that 383-396ci LTx with 450-500rwhp will need a stout package... definitely not daily driver material. Now an LS1 with 450-500rwhp heads/cam setup will need a pretty lopey cam to get there too, but it can be done with a heads/cam package. I would go FI for nice street manners and power when you want it.

Assuming I went the turbo route on a M6...

Would the internals or tranny need to be beefed up to make that kind of power reliably on either an LT1 or LS1?

Assuming I went the turbo route on a M6...

Would the internals or tranny need to be beefed up to make that kind of power reliably on either an LT1 or LS1?

No such thing as reliable FI with stock LT1 or LS1. If you choose to keep the engine stock for awhile then run 6psi intercooled and you should be ok with a good tune. You will need a new clutch, but can keep the M6 stock. If you havean auto tranny, you may burn that up.