i know this is old, but...been looking at a camaro/firebird/trans am,and this is my problem: it looks like i can afford either a low (70-80k) milage lt1, or a high (100-120k) ls1. opinions?
how reliable is the ls1 vs the lt1? i don't to expect to have it more then 4-5 yrs (if that), but i need it to be reliable.
i won't abuse it, more than a little racing, and i have about $7500 to spend.

 

tough to say... either engine can easily see 200,000 miles if it's well kept... but when buying used there's no way to tell how the previous owner treated it.

 

does anyone ever search..................ever, I found like 10 threads on this

 

i think either would be ok (depending on how many miles you put on it as well)
but as others said, the key to it being reliable is finding a previous owner who has really taken care of the car (tune-ups, oil at 3000 miles, etc.)
good luck

 

i know, but it's so hard to know. i just drove 1010 round trip for a 2000 z28 to find out that she "didn't know" it was burning oil. 95K $6900. knew it was to good to be true. bitch.

 

lt1 is more reliable but ls1 is already started with good heads.

 

I saw a 98 Z, M6 full power going for 7500 with 85k. I'd say that's pretty reliable. I'm sure you could find a lower mileage LT1 for cheeper, and have some extra cash for mods

 

i agree completely. find one with receipts of workdone oil changes factory paperwork .if buying a modded car make sure the original parts go with it and check for missing emmissions devices things unhooked e.t.c these kinds of things can be very difficult to diagnose if car not running properly!

 

i would say that you are probably not find a good condition LS1 for the money you have. i would go with a low mileage LT1 because you can find a Good condition LT1 for 6500. my vote is LT1

 

I'd go with the LT1. A $7,500 LS1 is going to be very high miles, have problems, or have been wrecked.

 

LT1 more reliable? Didn't know that.

 

Yep its true, LT1 can take more abuse. At least ffrom everything ive seen.

 

most ls1's burn a little bit of oil
it's just the nature of the engine really

and the durability issue is debated constantly, i know some ls1s have taken some real hard abuse as well and did just as well as some lt1s

 

this was a lot. there was quite a bit of smoke coming from the pipes.

 

Personal opinion doesn't count as fact ... sorry .

Both engines are well built, and while I realize that the LT1 is based off the old "tried-and-true" Small Block Chevy, the LS1 doesn't share its"fantastic" opti-spark system, and so far, LS1's have proven to be very reliable as well.

Don't knock an LS1's reliability without evidence to back it up. The only "weak link" that comes to mind with LS1's is their reputation of bending pushrods if over-revved. Again though, that could probably be grouped under the same "nuisance problem" category as the opti-spark problem on LT1's. Everything else is a pi$$ing contest, and noone will win IMO.