I'm considering buying a Camaro but I'm not sure what year has the strongest engine. I recently test drove a 96' V-8 with a Powerdyne supercharger, but I'm not sure if the supercharger is stock from the factory or if its an aftermarket item that's been installed.
Can I install a supercharger on an LS-1? I read in another forum that these engines are supposedly faster. I'd prefer a later model just for the sheer fact of having something newer but will the later model stock LS-1's compare to the supercharged 96' LT-1?
Which would blow the other off the line? I'm not concerned too much about top end since I don't plan on going 140MPH down 95 on the way to work.
I know a lot about fixing cars but you people are berzerk when it comes to indepth engine knowledge and I'd like to get some info so I can compare what years and engine options to look for to get the quickest stock Camaro I can find.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

well the s/c is not stock.... but grab any ls1 (98+) the 01-02 have ls6 intake, but its all near the same... any low millage 98+ id say go for...

cory

 

98 and up had the ls1 engine. A supercharged LT1 would beat a stock LS1...even though I've heard Powerdyne is a joke. You can put a supercharger on a LS1 just like an LT1. A stock LS1 and a stock LT1 are pretty comparable off the line, but when it gets into 3rd gear the LS1 starts pulling. Stock LT1 cars usually run around 13.6-13.8 I've heard, while LS1s run 13.2-13.4.

 

Also, from what I hear the LS1 respond like crazy to minor boltons...and put a cam and heads on there....your looking at 400rwhp easy

I dont know ha=ow the LT1s respond to mods but I know it doesnt take much to make an LS1 fast...Im in the process of upgrading mine right now.

But the LT1s have more torque down low and are cheaper to mod if you plan on really going all out.

BUT the LS1s in my opinion look a little better and are more than likely going to have less wear on them(mileage) because of the newer year...

Find a low mileage (under 50K LT1 and youv got a winner) then you still have some cash that you saved to mod the heck out of it and smoke those LS1s...they'll never expect it.

Some LS1 guys think they are sooo much better than the LT1s (Mostly the younger guys) so it fun to surpise people who are uneducated.

No offense to anyone...as you can see in my sig I OWN an LS1 but I have noticed that a lot of people I have run into just shrug off LT1s, which is a no no because "an engine is an engine is an engine". and honestly...an LT1 will be cheaper to mod out, but if you like the looks of the LS1 and are willing to spend the initial amount of money, its worth it (to me..)

I like the newer look of the 98+ but just wish the internals(cranks, rods, pistons, etc) werent so expensive. Not to mention the newer the car, the more cash you are going to lose on it in the long run. Also, some shops charge more to work on LS1s than LT1s.

my .02....ok .03

 

Mod for mod, an LS1 would be faster. A supercharged LT1 would be faster than a stock LS1. You CAN put a supercharger on an LS1, but since the compression on them is high you would need to keep the PSI on the charger kinda low. Now put some low compression pistons in an LS1 and then supercharge it!

 

u dont even have to replace the heads if u dont want to there is a guy runin 10.90s on the stock heads with a big cam, stock bottom end, stock heads no nitrous, goes to show u the LS1 gets great **** from the factory. there is a procharged LS1 WS6 convert that runs 8.50's @ 160+. factory weight. to give u an idea of the LS1 powerplant

 

Why do a piston change when you can get LQ9 (6.0L) heads that'll drop compression?