durability: LT1 vs LS1
08-02-2003, 01:21 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Staunton, Illinois
Posts: 656
durability: LT1 vs LS1
i would just like to compare these two cars in terms of durability. how do the rear ends compare in strength? how about the transmissions, both auto and manual? the engine itself?
08-02-2003, 02:09 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 126
i would say that the LT1 is a little more reliable. it is an all iron block that can stand a good amount of spray stock. also somthing to think about. LT1's have been around longer than the LS1. plenty of people have LT1's with 120+k miles on them and are still going strong. i dont think the LS1 has been around long enough to really see how long they will last. also i would say that the rest of the car i.e tranny, rearend.... would go out before the engine will. it is hard to say which is more reliable.
08-02-2003, 02:24 PM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 2,195
from a power making standpoint, LS1 all day long, the heads are awesome, they have 6 bolt mains (beefy) they're just awesome, but they do use oil, usually an easy fix tho.
opti sparks suck on the LT1 some guys have no problems and others have nightmares with it
like said there are lots of guys with LT1's in the 150k plus mileage range still running strong, dont be scared of a high mileage car as long as its been well documented and taken care of!
opti sparks suck on the LT1 some guys have no problems and others have nightmares with it
like said there are lots of guys with LT1's in the 150k plus mileage range still running strong, dont be scared of a high mileage car as long as its been well documented and taken care of!
08-02-2003, 03:29 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 219
You have to remember that LS1s haven't been around as long as LT1s, so keep in mind that we haven't seen nearly as many high mileage LS1s. I think it will be easier to compare a few years down the line.
08-02-2003, 03:41 PM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: I-L-L-I-N-O-I-S
Posts: 603
Originally posted by 1994CamaroZ28
From what ive seen lt1's hold up a hell of alot better, im pushing 160k miles running strong.
From what ive seen lt1's hold up a hell of alot better, im pushing 160k miles running strong.
BTW, there is this guy who owns a '99 C5 and currently has over 250,000 miles on it without any problems.
His info has been all over the net and was recently on LS1 or LS1tech .com. Not to mention I personally know of tons of LS1's(heavily modified) that get the living $hit beat out of them at the dragstrip and they seem to hold up quite well to that abuse.
I personally think the durability thing has more to do with maintanence/care than just saying one is gonna be a lot stronger than the other...
Mike
08-02-2003, 03:43 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Pgh, PA
Posts: 2,628
They used different 6 speeds when they switched to LS1's. The LS1 guys complain alot more often of tranny issues then LT1 M6 owners ... Not a clue about the Auto's tho. LS1's SUPPOSEDLY have a piston slap issue. If your going to keep it stock, id say your better off with a LS1 if you got the $$$ ... If your gunna tear into it and build yourself a stroker or something, then an LT1 will be cheaper all the way around. Also the stock LT! bottom handles spray a little better then the LS1. LS1's can bend rods or so i hear ? ... Both are an awesome engine.
08-02-2003, 04:43 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Posts: 2,521
Well I'm biased but I think the LT1 motor is a little more durable. I have 127k miles and just did heads and cam, the car runs like new!! I've seen/heard of 1 LT1 in the area blowing up, and three LS1s......
John
John
08-02-2003, 06:08 PM
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Staunton, Illinois
Posts: 656
any other opinions would be great. i would also like to know about the rears and tranny's. i have also heard that the borg warner in the LT1 may be a little less maintenance than the (i think) tremec in the LS1's. are the 10 bolts in the LS1's the same exact as in the LT1's? what about the automatic transmissions? i know the LT1's auto is not the strongest but i have no clue on the LS1's. i would also agree with you, the more you keep up on the maintenance, the longer everything should last.
08-02-2003, 08:55 PM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Pgh, PA
Posts: 2,628
haha like i previously said, the LS1 Tremec 6 speed is ****, the LT1 6 speed, the borg is better ...
Autos, I've never drove either, however jsut from reading on the boards, they both seem like decent trannys, Theyll hold their share of power ...
The rear is what sucks on both LT1 and LS1 cars ... Dont get stickys and a hard grabbing clutch/high stall inless you have the money for a new rear too ...
Be a real man, buy a Honda
... well if you wanna go around looking like some *****-*** mega-doosche 
Autos, I've never drove either, however jsut from reading on the boards, they both seem like decent trannys, Theyll hold their share of power ...
The rear is what sucks on both LT1 and LS1 cars ... Dont get stickys and a hard grabbing clutch/high stall inless you have the money for a new rear too ...
Be a real man, buy a Honda
... well if you wanna go around looking like some *****-*** mega-doosche
08-02-2003, 09:20 PM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Peoria, IL...Champaign, IL for college
Posts: 245
from what i've seen, the LT1 can take more actual abuse to the engine. I know I beat the crap out of mine a few times and it kept going, the same cant be said for a friend of mine's ls1.
08-03-2003, 02:29 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Kansas City suburb of
Posts: 2,734
These are all just opinions and you will get different ones basically depends on what motor the person owns.
Just my opinion but I have seen many LT1s have the living SH** beat out of them and run fine, and I have seen LS1s puke there guts out after seeing one or two over revs. The LS1 is a wonderful motor, the heads are awesome but I think they are more fragile than an LT1.
Just my opinion but I have seen many LT1s have the living SH** beat out of them and run fine, and I have seen LS1s puke there guts out after seeing one or two over revs. The LS1 is a wonderful motor, the heads are awesome but I think they are more fragile than an LT1.
08-03-2003, 03:04 AM
#15
S.E. Region Moderator
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 439
The transmissions are the same, the only difference is the name stamped on them. What is different is the LS1's crappy clutch setup 
But yeah, I'm biased towards LT1's as well.
I think what it boils down to is that as long as it is well maintained, either should serve equally well.
But yeah, I'm biased towards LT1's as well.
I think what it boils down to is that as long as it is well maintained, either should serve equally well.