Lt1 had the dreaded optisparks, so, what does the LS1 have that fail and make life miserable?

 

Damn I can't think of anything.

 

more power out of the box makes it that much easier to break the 10bolt rear, with fewwer mods than an lt1.

they tend to drink oil, but this seems to be a "one car does, the other doesn't" situation.

piston slap, which really isnt a problem, unless it's REAL bad

 

The pedal on the right always sticks and it seems to go through an awful lot of gas .

Honestly, except for a power window motor (not engine specific), a rear defroster grid that burned out (not engine specific) and a front wheel bearing (nothing to do with engine), I've had NO problems with my car that I can attribute to the engine, unless, like Teke said, I want to blame a busted diff and blown 4L60E on the LS1?!

Mine has some mild piston slap (when cold) and lifter/rocker clatter (been there ever since new ..... some guys say it's the injectors, not the valvetrain? ) but those noises have never been proven to be anything more than "nuisance", and mine has never been hard on oil either .

On the same token, I don't think that every LT1 suffers from failed Opti-sparks, but that's probably the only major problem anybody can really name for those motors ..... it's really a win/win either way, except with an LS1, you've actually got the overall "win" .

 

only issue i had (so far) was an ignition relay went. $63 repair. drinks oil, but i contribute that to previous owner beating/spraying the hell out of the car. rings are worn i think from that

 

Wheel bearing?!!? I've had some vibration problems/wandering lateley. Prolly bad wheel ballance that I can't seem to solve. (Damn AR) Have had it aligned too.



A weak T56.. Mine has 33k on it, and 2nd gear is smoked....Oh, and inferior clutch system hydraulics in 98-99... Was a recall about it in 98. Stamped '00' slaves. Stamped '01' and up hydraulics are better.

 

The wheel bearing wasn't really THAT bad, but when I was doing the brakes, the passenger side bearing was making a "clicking" sound that I didn't like. Since the car was still under warranty, I saved myself the ~$200 for the bearing later on.

 

Well, from owning both, I think the LS1 is just much more user friendly to work on. I was able to change out the plugs, waterpump, intake, ect. w/o any other help. What I mean is, you don't necessarily have to have 2 people to work on the LS1.

The LT1 on the other hand is just a demon waiting to be opened compared to the LS1. But I haven't had any real issues w/ either. Just that one is harder to work on than the other.

I find it much easier to get headers on a LS1 than a LT1. Among other simple mods.

I like the reusable gaskets/seals. And the fact there is NO OPTI. I can reach the plugs, and so many other things. Either way, they are both fun cars to own

 

Oh, I agree that both cars are great, no pissing contest ere, I just do not want to be in my driveway every week changing an opti or other crap, I am looking for something dependable out of the two.

 

Get the LS1.