Im looking for a camaro/bird and am having trouble finding a low mile(trying to stay under 80k) and good condition LS1 car for a good price. I can find lower mile, and almost better condition LT1 cars for a much better price. So my question is What are the advantages and disadvantages of both, how does performance/handling compare, and would you stay away from a LT1 car just because of the LT1?

I posted this in this in the LS tech because thats what I was leaning towards, if this should be moved to LT tech I will do that.

Thanks

 

I have owned both,get the LS1,my 121,000 mile 99 TA went 13.37 at 106 with just a lid.

I had every bolt on and a 2800 stall before my LT1 went that quick.

Headers a tune and some sticky tires and this thing is going 12's all day long.

 

Welcome to the site. This topic has been covered in 10+ page threads at least twice a year for over a decade now. Click around the forums and do some reading.

 

Agreed, a search would be best. We should really just have a sticky on this somewhere.

Having had both I like the LS1 more, and that's usually most other people's consensus as well. But LT1s can be fun too, I had a 95 for several years, had a blast in it. Sometimes it's more about cost and what catches your eye- a 97 SS might be more desireable to you than a 99 Z28.

Here's a good article on some of the technical aspects of the LS1, mostly noting improvements over the LT1:

http://www.autospeed.com/A_110695/cms/article.html

 

Handling is basically identical between LT1 and LS1 cars.

LS1 cars have better front brakes, but it's pretty simple to upgrade an LT1 car to LS1 brakes.

The interior was redesigned in 1997. I like the new design; others like the old. Make your own decision on this.

Both engines respond very well to modification. The LS1 has a pretty substantial advantage in stock form, but LS1 mods generally cost more, so dollar for dollar, the LT1 will catch up -- especially if your modding intentions are fairly modest.

The LT1's OptiSpark distributor system is a source of much frustration -- it fails easily and is generally not very reliable. There are plenty of people having no trouble with their OptiSparks, but the LS1 has no such weakness.

Many people like the sound of the LT1's exhaust better.

There are a ton more things to talk about, but what matters depends on your priorities. What are your plans for the car? Drag racing? Daily driving? Autocross? Do you live in a region that gets snow regularly? If so, will you be driving it in snow? Will you be modifying the car? How extensively?

 

Ok, sorry for not searching, I don't want to go into the which is better argument. So let me rephrase the question.
60k, mint, loaded LT1: $6-8k
Same in a LS1: $10-12k
Is the LS1 car really worth that much more, and would a LT1 be a big improvement over the 3.8 V6?
It would be a daily driver in the summer, and mods would only be intake and exhaust, Headers MAYBE in the future.
Thanks

 

Exactly what years are we talking about? A '97 should be selling for more than a '93, and it makes a difference. Likewise, a 2002 should be selling for more than a '98 (unless it's a rare '98).

If you find a listing for a mint-condition 2001-2002 LS1 M6 car with 60k miles for $10k, offer the seller 9k and run don't look back when he accepts.

 

Probably part of the price difference is, as mentioned above, the difference in model years- newer similar cars will be worth more. The other aspect if the LS1- it was an improved design over the LT1, and aluminum block. More potential if you are looking to mod it- either one can be plenty fast- and the opti is a weak point, aftermarket solutions available for big dollars.

I wouldn't turn down a great deal on an LT1, but, if you can swing the LSX engine, I doubt you would have regrets.

 

Get the LS1 if you can. You will be happier. It takes a stubborn person to not want an LS1. But LT1s do have a disadvantage in hp to LS1s. If you crudely chalk out the hp differences, the stoock LS1 already has 1.7 rockers on better flowing heads, shorty headers, and a better airfilter housing. If you get a Ram Air LT1 Trans Am, you will have the best intake for the LT1. But you will still be down from power.

In the end, you will not keep cars stock and will always want to go faster. The LT1 will play catch up most of the time, handling is the same, so really it should come down to which body style you prefer.

 

if only they put the ls1 into the 97 camaros as I did not like the move to the round headlights in 98.
They are better lights I just didn't like them when they came out as they looked different and usually changes have to grow on you.
So this was my actual reason for buying an lt1 powered car, not motor

oh that and the limited amount of ss production cars.

 

I have both. the LS1 is sick, if you don't want anything but the best engine then go for an LS1. In the longrun, the LSx mods will cost you probably double what you would spend on LTx parts. If you want to have a fast fun car and you dont care if there is a better engine out there, and more importantly saving a ton of $, then go LT1. The LT1's drawback is the optispark and how it HATES moisture, but that's honestly not bad. I have picked up two working spare opti's for under 50 dollars on this board, so its hardly a drawback.

If you want any advice, 93's are obd-1 so stay away if you dont like cars that are different, and 2001+ have ls6 intakes

Buy the car that feels right and the price is right, or if you NEED the best then get a 2001+

 

well i think the LT1 Sounds better. its a little slower but nothing heads and cam cant fix (:

 

Id definitely hold out for the LS car