How fun an engine is an LT1?
Even if you keep them mostly stock, a bolton LS1 will outdyno a bolton+cammed LT1. Just something to think about, you could have just boltons and make more power than an lt1 with boltons+ a cam, and not lose any driveability, and not have to deal with cam surge. Then if you do boltons+cam on an LS1 you will outdyno most heads/cam LT1's. 

There are alot of cam + bolt-on lt1s making well over 350rwhp, i've seen quite a bit making well over 370rwhp. There are H/C LT1's making over 500rwhp. But yeah keep spreading your BS.
Recently helped with an 02 cam swap. Put a 228 in it. Made 37x through an unlocked auto.
Some cam only ls1 cars are making ballpark 450 to the wheels. Not many LE H/C lt1 cars getting anywhere near that.
That being said its still all about cost to me. And I am keeping my lt1 for my new setup too, just ditching the opti finally after 6 years.
Some cam only ls1 cars are making ballpark 450 to the wheels. Not many LE H/C lt1 cars getting anywhere near that.
That being said its still all about cost to me. And I am keeping my lt1 for my new setup too, just ditching the opti finally after 6 years.
You can have a lot of fun with either motor.
The LS1 is quite a bit faster if both cars are stock. It usually takes all bolt ons in an LT1 to be on par with a stock LS1. However, when you talk about modding both heavily, the sky really is the limit on either one and at some point it doesn't really matter which one you have.
The LS1 is quite a bit faster if both cars are stock. It usually takes all bolt ons in an LT1 to be on par with a stock LS1. However, when you talk about modding both heavily, the sky really is the limit on either one and at some point it doesn't really matter which one you have.
Well i would get the car that has the least amount of miles and that is in the best shape that i could find in your price range and worry about mods later.As far as LT1 or LS1 they are both great engines and can be modded to be faster,but the most important thing is to get a car that is in as good a shape as possible and that is the right colour and has all the options you want.
I have driven both. I had a '95 TransAm M6 with boltons:
4.10 gears
Moroso CAI
Flowmaster catback
Hurst shifter
Hypertech PP
While I had it, I drove a 2000 Camaro SS convertible M6 and I was quite dissapointed. I would say for "fun" the LT1 had ALOT more grunt down low, say if you stabbed in from a 20 roll in 1st., it would break 'em loose through 2nd. gear. The LS1 car had more pull high in the RPM range. The LT1 just "felt" faster because of this. I'm sure if both cars were lined up, the SS would pull away at high speed, but I didn't buy the LS1 car because I liked the way my mostly stock LT1 pulled down low.
4.10 gears
Moroso CAI
Flowmaster catback
Hurst shifter
Hypertech PP
While I had it, I drove a 2000 Camaro SS convertible M6 and I was quite dissapointed. I would say for "fun" the LT1 had ALOT more grunt down low, say if you stabbed in from a 20 roll in 1st., it would break 'em loose through 2nd. gear. The LS1 car had more pull high in the RPM range. The LT1 just "felt" faster because of this. I'm sure if both cars were lined up, the SS would pull away at high speed, but I didn't buy the LS1 car because I liked the way my mostly stock LT1 pulled down low.
You're comparing a car with gears and a shifter to a boat with several hundred more pounds.
I have driven both. I had a '95 TransAm M6 with boltons:
4.10 gears
Moroso CAI
Flowmaster catback
Hurst shifter
Hypertech PP
While I had it, I drove a 2000 Camaro SS convertible M6 and I was quite dissapointed. I would say for "fun" the LT1 had ALOT more grunt down low, say if you stabbed in from a 20 roll in 1st., it would break 'em loose through 2nd. gear. The LS1 car had more pull high in the RPM range. The LT1 just "felt" faster because of this. I'm sure if both cars were lined up, the SS would pull away at high speed, but I didn't buy the LS1 car because I liked the way my mostly stock LT1 pulled down low.
4.10 gears
Moroso CAI
Flowmaster catback
Hurst shifter
Hypertech PP
While I had it, I drove a 2000 Camaro SS convertible M6 and I was quite dissapointed. I would say for "fun" the LT1 had ALOT more grunt down low, say if you stabbed in from a 20 roll in 1st., it would break 'em loose through 2nd. gear. The LS1 car had more pull high in the RPM range. The LT1 just "felt" faster because of this. I'm sure if both cars were lined up, the SS would pull away at high speed, but I didn't buy the LS1 car because I liked the way my mostly stock LT1 pulled down low.
Now I have 8k cash.
I can get a high mile LS1 and not be able to mod it
I can get a decent mile already modded LT1
I also prefer the cleaner look of the 93-97 cars.
Is an LT1 fun to drive?
YES - espescially when you have gas money left to do it with
I used to have an AOD 90 LX Mustang with an AOD tranny, I managed to build it with stock CI and no power adder to beat lightly modded LS1's. The LT1 I have now has a 10 mph advantage stock over that car, and it is a fun car to drive even though it is almost stock. If you do the right mods you will be able to hang with the LS1's and the entry price is much cheaper with the LT1. I only paid $2500 for mine and after I have fixed a few issues am ready to start the mods.
I think it comes down to $$ in the end. If you have a good hunk of cash go for an LS1. But if you just want a fun engine to work on with a budget in mind the LT1 is the obvious choice.
Because you asked for whats a good engine to work on.. from a price/things to do perspective an LT1 is the way to go.
If you mean what engine to work on from a what is a better platform technology wise, LS1 hands down. But you have to pay for it....
Because you asked for whats a good engine to work on.. from a price/things to do perspective an LT1 is the way to go.
If you mean what engine to work on from a what is a better platform technology wise, LS1 hands down. But you have to pay for it....
You want proof? Look at bolt-on MPH/ET's between the LS1/LT1.
You can't sit there w/ a clear conscience and state a bolt-on LT1 performs as well as a bolt-on LS1.
Really it's time to let go. You sound like a ricer more than anything.
If you're going to make statements like demanding proof and then go on to say the above, don't you think showing proof also applies to you?
You want proof? Look at bolt-on MPH/ET's between the LS1/LT1.
You can't sit there w/ a clear conscience and state a bolt-on LT1 performs as well as a bolt-on LS1.
Really it's time to let go. You sound like a ricer more than anything.
You want proof? Look at bolt-on MPH/ET's between the LS1/LT1.
You can't sit there w/ a clear conscience and state a bolt-on LT1 performs as well as a bolt-on LS1.
Really it's time to let go. You sound like a ricer more than anything.
Did i say that? Please show me where i said that? Your really starting to **** me off with your junk *** replys to my posts. First time you called me a n00b, with my dec 04 join date. Now you try to call me a ricer. Call me another name, and my next reply wont be as nice.
The guy said bolt on ls1's are faster then cam + bolt on lt1s. Learn how to read before replying to and trying to diss me. I never once said bolt on lt1's will beat bolt on ls1s, i said a bolt on + a cam lt1 will beat a bolt on ls1.
If you can afford and LS1 get an LS1. I have had 2 LS1 f-bods and 6 LT1 f-bods and there is already a huge gap stock power wise but when you start bolting on the gap grows bye leapes and bounds. My Nearly stock 99 M6 TA had a Lid,catback and an HP3 tune running thrue cats,stock gear ratios and stock manifolds and I was trapping 109 all day long running 13.0 on street tires with 2.2 sixties...... nearly stock. My 98 formula ran a 13.5 stock automatic. My LT1 has LT's,gears,cai and a Catback and runs a 12.8 and still dont trap nearly as high as My LS1 did. On top of that the LS1 weighed more and got way better MPG. Was much easier to work on. Modding the LS1 is a cake job. Not that I dont love my LT1 dollar for dollar you cant touch it unless your stepping up to an LS1.
In short, buy an LS1 throw on a catback and a lid and go run 12's and get @29MPG.
That is unless you find a really good deal on an LT1. Either way your headed in the right direction.
In short, buy an LS1 throw on a catback and a lid and go run 12's and get @29MPG.
That is unless you find a really good deal on an LT1. Either way your headed in the right direction.


