exolution

I'm looking into buying a camaro in a few weeks and there are a few questions I'd like to get simple, straight-forward answers to so I know a little bit more about what I desire here.

What exactly is the difference between an LS1 and an LT1 engine? The basics please. Is there a horsepower difference? (obviously there is.. but what is it)

I'm under the impression an LS1 engine comes stock with a 98 or above camaro (or is it z28 camaro?), is this true? If not, what does come stock?

What is an "F-Body?" Is it just the camaro style in general?

Thanks for all these answers in advance.

mullettour

The ls1 is a completely new engine. Aluminum heads and block, 1 coil per spark plug, completely different from previous small block chevy engines. lt1 is an iron block with aluminum heads, has opti, based on gen1 sbc.

The lt1 is generally regaurded as a more classic v-8 (lots of low end but runs out of steam up top and they most people think they sound better) where the ls1 starts out smooth and builds up on big end. The stock hp diffence in factory ratings is about 30 hp, but ls1's are know to be underrated by quite a bit (not sure about lt1's). If you are budget limited the lt1 is a good choice because they are cheaper to buy and mod, but it would be easier to find a ls1 in good condition.
ls1 comes in 98-02 z28 camaro's non z28 got the 3.8 v6.

F-body is gm's designation for the camaro and firebird. They have codes for all models (corvette y-body, caprice b-body, cavalier j-body, etc.)

No problem. Hope I helped.

WazzuZ28

another major difference is that the LS1 comes with a composite intake manifold, that doesn't really get that hot. The 98-00 models have the "normal" LS1 intake with and EGR and the 01-02 models have the LS6 intake from the Z06 corvette w/o the EGR and dyno about 15 more rwhp on average. Also the LS1 is about 70 pounds lighter than the LT1.link to LS1 info

Capn Pete

Basically, what he just said!

The real key to why LS1's perform as well as they do is based on the new head technology..........the LS1/LS6 (LS6 being the Z06 engine) heads are a completely different design than traditional small block heads were, and due to this, they flow incredibly well, even at high RPM's, so that's why the LS1 feels like it has less torque off the line because it starts pulling like a bat-out-of-hell above ~3500 RPM! Just FYI, the GM truck engines (4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.0L) are all Gen-III engines as well, and therefore parts are interchangable same as parts were interchangable between all old SBC's. In fact, many guys have swapped on the 5.3L truck heads because they have smaller chambers, so they boost compression on the LS1. Also, '98 - '00 LS1's used a true "LS1" intake manifold and the same camshaft as the Corvette's LS1, while the '01 - '02 LS1's used the LS6 intake manifold and the 6.0L truck cam.

LT1's are good engines also, but not nearly the same performance stock-for-stock.

Zerocool

LS1 also have 1.7 RR's VS. LT1 1.5 RR's
LS1 has 2.00 intake/1.55exhaust alloy heads VS LT1 1.94intake/1.55exhaust alloy heads *i think..

LS1 Alloy block 346CID VS LT1 Iron Block 350CID
LS1 Coil Pack VS LT1 optispark

basic stuff like that, not to mention the over all more advanced camaro platform of the 98+ years with their SCV, Daytime runing lights, steering wheel controls, etc and stuff like that.

rpm4lalo

If you can afford the LS1 equipped fbody. Then I would recommend it over the LT1.

I drive an LT1, and it cost alot less, and is cheaper to mod than had I purchased an LS1.

The LS1 however is the superior car, and it going to cost more you accordingly.

But in the end, it depends what your buget and goals are.

I bought an LT1 and heavily moddifed it for less than what I would have just paid for a stock LS1 equipped Trans AM.

exolution

So every 98-02 z28 camaro has a LS1 engine, stock? If that's true, why do camaro owners advertise having LS1 engines in their cars?

Also, thanks a million for all the answers. More than what I was looking for.

mullettour

Yes. Every real Z28 Camaro and Trans Am or Formula Firebird have ls1 or lt1 depending on year. 93-97 lt1 and 98-02 ls1.

Capn Pete

Instead of listing all the F-bodies that DO have the LT1 or LS1, it's easier to list the ones that DON'T:

- Camaro
- Firebird
(base models)



I think the reason guys advertise their cars with the LT1 or LS1 is in case people (like yourself) don't know that every V8 F-body of a given year would have one of those engines, so it's just a reminder that "yes, I have a kick-a$$ engine!". But even if the car only lists "5.7L V8", you know what engine it has.

exolution

This kind of brings up a funny story. Apparently this isn't a commonly known fact (the LS1 being stock and all) because I was having a big argument about it.. me thinking it was stock and all these people "knowing" it wasn't. A guy actually said he bought his '01 z28 camaro brand new and he had to put in an ls1 engine.

Capn Pete

Really? Maybe he either bought a base Camaro and put an LS1 in place of the V6, or he put an LS6 (405HP Corvette Z06 engine) in place of the LS1, but the LS1 is definitely the stock engine for '98 - '02 F-bodies.

It's okay. I also argued with a guy who swore that his "buddy" had a '95 Trans-Am with a 305 in it. I said to him "no, it would be the LT1 350", but he said "nope, it's a 305". So I told him the guy must have replaced the factory motor at some point, but he told me the car was all original?!.................how can you argue with that?!?!?