I'm not sure what to go for. Should I get a LS1 or buy a 97 LT4. LS1 guys what do you think is better to upgrade and make faster for less. I know about LT1s but my brother has one already. Which engine is better stock? I have talked to some LT4 guys and they tell me that thier engine is much stronger than a LS1. Is this true?

Manny.

[This message has been edited by wickdracer (edited August 29, 2002).]

 

If only you knew the can of worms you just opened.

------------------
Little red light on the highway; big green light on the speedway, hey,hey, hey!

2002 Formula, GMMG cat back /1983 Z28-sold

 

what are the cars?
lt4 obviously a vette...

 

Manny,

I had a 1996 LT4 vette and now I have a 2002 WS6. My vette pulled 105mph trap bone stock. My WS6 pulled almost 102, but it had been over a year since I raced when I drove my ws6 at the track and my driving was terrible. It probably has another mph or 2.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. But a 97 lt4? I guess your talking an f-body which will probably be expensive. I'd get a 96 6spd vette, should be cheaper then a 97 lt4 f-body (total of 130 made or something like that)

Good Luck

Chuck D
2002 WS6
1990gsx

[This message has been edited by Behemoth (edited August 29, 2002).]

 

Wrong sir. It could also be a '97 LT4 Camaro SS. They are few and inbetween, but they are out there. I would also say that the price range for them would be even with a new '02 SS, thats loaded (around 30'ish).

 

I believe there were only 104 LT4 SS camaros built, and my buddy has one. If I had the choice, I'll take the LS1 all day long. I am running far, far away whenever I see an optispark.

 

Thanks for the info guys. The reason that I was asking is cause I saw a LT4 firehawk for sale which was about the same as an new ls1 01+. Its just that I have a lot of LS1 friends that tell me that the LT4 is not as good as the LS1. So I decided to ask you guys. So newer is not always better right, except for the optispark.
Manny

 

LT4= modded LT1..
It has LT4 heads and 1.6 RRs and a few other parts..

I wouldnt go that route. It thought about it..
I decdided that I wanted it all to be new and went with the '02 Z28. For an all aluminum block.. got a much better all around more technologically advanced motor. I am happy..

Its just whether you want to do the mods yourself of buy one modded.

The car I got rid of only had a few major issues.. Like a spun bearing.. but it has NuTek heads and Comp Cams 1.6 pro mags..
before heads and roller rockers it was at 270rwhp.. prolly was in the nice 300-310's with that combo.. (friend of mine had the same mods I did and the only difference was that his car didnt have head work. He dynoed at 315 with his roller rockers..)

I say go for the LS1.. be happy...
I am..


------------------
Psycho Cabbage
2002 Camaro Z28
(6 sp) Bone stock
Webmaster for RaceHer.com
Check out the current polls and vote!
by the prìcking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes

-Traded in- 1995 Camaro Z28 (A4 (#6 I might add!),ES tranny mount and torque arm bushing,SLP CAI,ASP 34% Underdrive,Strange 3.73's (shredded Auburn),1LE alum driveshaft & intake elbow,Yokohamas AVS Intermediates,160-stat,MAF screen removed, HPP+(for shift points only),Borla Y-pipe, Flowmaster Force-II catback, Gutted Cat, Airlift Airbag, !TB Bypass, J&M LCA's, Bosch Platinums, Moroso BlueMax Wires, Free RamAir, Meziere Electric H2O pump, MAC 3point STB, BMR Panhard, SCR SFC's
Just installed:Nu-tek Heads (mild port) and Comp Cams 1.6RR's! New track and dyno #'s to follow!
best 13.44 @103.26
0-60ft 1.96
270 RWHP/296 RWTQ
0-60MPH 4.8sec
1987 Porsche 944S (waiting on LT1 mod)

 

Some people touched on the differences, but to put it simple, the LT4 is really an LT1 with a diff intake runner, 1.6 Crane Roller, rockers, some small improvements in the exhaust and intake ports in the heads. I had a 94 LT1 vette, I did about $1200 in mods, RRs, catback, TB, etc. Stock I ran 13.7s all day, after the mods, 13.2s. My buddy with an LT4 ran 13.1s (96 Collector vette) . After getting my SS, the power difference (power throughout the whole rpm range) was very noticeable. The LS1 doesn't suffocate at 5000 grand like the LT1 based engines do. It is important to note that the STOCK LS1 heads outflow ported LT1 heads. The LS1 heads are the main key to success for this motor, they flow like crazy. Its the reason people get 40,50,60 HP from cams too, the potential is there you just have to unleash it....! I beleive the LS1 is a far better motor, than the LT4, with much more potential. And this is from someone who has owned 2 LT1s.

------------------
99 SS, Dark Metallic Blue, M6
SLP lid, KN, TBB, SLP Y-pipe, SLP loudmouth
ported MAFs, Nitto 315 DRs
Currently: 1/4 13.06@113.8 (gtech runs high in mph by about 4mph), 0-60 4.77 (w/passenger) Gtech'd
12.99@110.2, 2.06 60ft - Tazzo.
Also, 331 rwhp as measured on the Gtech

 

Ditto. LS1 will make you happy.

------------------
2001 SS: 12K, M6, All SLP power options, Loaded, NO t-tops

SOLD:
Red '95 Formula (95k):
M6(3.42), Firehawk SZ50 EP's, Home-made CAI w/ K&N, LT4KM, some ACCEL coil, LPE Aluminum DS, and... muffler bypassed.

 

Everything Btchslp said.



------------------
1983 Monte Carlo, 307 Stroker, TH350, 3.73 10-Bolt - SOLD 8/19/02

Future F-Body Owner

 

Something else to keep in mind: while the LT1 and LT4 use a cast iron block which some people say is stronger than the aluminum LS1 block, the LS1's have 6-bolt mains holding the crank in place. They're certainly not a "weak" motor, and as others have mentioned, the increased head flow of the LS1 is a big advantage. Start adding other bolt-ons, and the LS1 takes to them nicely.

------------------
2002 Z28 - A4, 2.73's, Blk/blk, leather, T-tops, sport appearance package - just bought on June 26, 2002! - Pics

1981 Z28 - 383, TH350 trans., 3.42 posi - sold August, 2000 - Pics

1973 Camaro - Dad's & my project in the works - to be built: 355 Chevy, 11.5:1 pop-ups, "camel hump" heads (w/2.02 valves), solid cam, 4-speed.....it should be quick! - Pics

 

I would buy the 97" LT4 car. It will only increase in value as time passes. If I'm not mistaken, there were only 9 LT4 Firehawks made.

------------------
BLACK 97' RAM-AIR TRANS-AM, DEEP TINT,
LINGENFELTER 383 LT4,
6 SPD. TRANNY, CENTERFORCE CLUTCH, HOOKER LONGTUBES, FLOWMASTER CAT-BACK, STOCK WS6 HIGH POLISHED WHEELS WITH THE REARS WIDENED TO 11 INCHES WEARING 315-35-17
G-FORCE TA's, 2 INCH SUSPENSION DROP VIA EIBACH SPRINGS AND KONI SHOCKS, HARDER DUROMETER BUSHINGS EVERYWHERE ON THE CAR, LS1 CALIPERS AND 13 INCH CROSSED-DRILLED ROTORS, DOUBLE DIAMOND SUB-FRAME CONNECTORS, LG MOTORSPORTS REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS, STRUT TOWER BRACE, TORQUE ARM, AND ADJUSTABLE PANHARD ROD

 

Or better yet, you could try to get your hands on an LT5 .

Good luck...

------------------
1983 Monte Carlo, 307 Stroker, TH350, 3.73 10-Bolt - SOLD 8/19/02

Future F-Body Owner

 

good luck at getting your hands on an LT5...but thats a seperate discussion all its own.

the LS1 is superior to the LT4 pretty much anyway you look at it. not that the LT4 is a bad motor, the LS1 is just better. i would most certainly go the LS1 route.

------------------
1999 Camaro SS A4 Black/Black/Dark Gray w/ Torch Red Hood Scoop and Torch Red Rear Stripe... 3:23 || SLP Loudmouth || SLP AirBox Lid w/ K&N || SLP Bowtie Grille || SLP CAI || SLP SFC || SLP STB || AZP&S Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator w/ 3psi Boost || Sullivan Aluminum Racing Pedals || Yank ST3500 || B&M 24K Tranny Cooler || Jet-Hot Hooker LT Headers w/ ORY || Dual 3'' Summit Cutouts || Hypertech 160 T-Stat || SLP Fan Switch || MAF-Translator || 17 x 9.5 Aluminum Z06 Wheels || Nitto 555R's || Macewen White Faced Gauges w/ Red Dash Bulbs & White Shift Selector Overlays || Xenon Headlights.

Me <------- Saving EVERY PENNY from now (Aug. '02) until summer '03 to TURBOCHARGE the SS!!