personally, i had the same choice as you. Reasons i chose the LT1:
cheaper insurance
liked the interior more
liked the nose end more

Although my car has some mods now, i can beat quite a few LS1s, but i also have a really good tune, and after my 383 is done, i should be able to beat quite a few LS1s. LT1's are getting a better aftermarket lately, making it easier to make up the difference between LT1s and LS1s

 

How have you had 3 camaros but only two f-bodies? All camaro/firebirds are f-bodies.

 

You mean this nose:


But that LS1 is wicked fast.

 

It's all in what you like. I like torque that I can use stop light to stop light. I also enjoy the look on LS1 guys faces as I pull on them. no payments are nice also. Don't let the optispark scare you its not a part that is made to last for ever like people seem to think. It's what people warn you about to make them selfs feel better about there car payments.
yes a ls1 will make more power. I have a ls1 for sale if you really want one. I'm goining to stick with lt1's for now.

 

yup
8-10 grand gets you a stock or mildly modded high mile LS1 that will likely go down in value.
6-10 grand will get you a nice well modded fast ?? mile LT1 that can only hold or go up in value as it gets older and history repeats itself. This is "buy time" for these cars.
Start throwing money at either car and it will be whatever you can afford it to be.
Some guys love 67-69 Firebirds, some the 70-73, others crave a Smokey & Bandit T/A while we like 93-02 cars. I love 'em all! I've owned 'em all!
Shop within your budget for a car that you'll want even after you own it

 

I like that, I think that everytime I go outside an look at my car or someone comes up and tells me how much they like my car. Just makes you feel good to not be sick of something that you stuck soo much money into.

 

camaro ls1's are ugly...formula's are nice as well as the t/a's

ls1 is the way to go however.

 

Make more power without taxing the hell out of the motor/valvetrain? More power from the factory, with all OEM parts? The choice is obvious, isn't it?

 

Um if anything its the opposite. The LSX aftermarket exploded in the last year where the LT1 is pretty much holding steady where the big news this year was a POS edelbrock intake manifold thats not worth 1 hp.

 

When they see an older LT1 Camaro they think i can beat this guy. If you drive a Vet no one want to race you so if you like the a sleeper model the LT1 wins. I want people to think they have a chance and then disappoint them.

 

...except there is nothing 'sleeper' about a big *** cammed LT1

It's the sprayed C6/LS2 with a stock cam that will rape you before you've realized what's happened.

 

Hell an untuned intake/header LS3 C6 would take care of 99% of the heads/cam cars on here. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1749988

 

I have to differ - I had a heads/cam/long tube/tuned, stall/gears LS1 Formula. 232/232 at .050 and .563 lift I think.
That car was very noticably a hot car.

I never liked that waddy, over designed nose and sold it to pay the bank note and start fresh. 14k car.
Bought a 383, LT4 heads with a similar cam in an LT1 Formula.
It sounds just better than an aftermarket exhaust around town - until it winds up to 7 grand screaming Has same stall but more gear (4.10)
It IS a sleeper and turns nearly identical 1/4 mile, same handling, stopping, interior and only $8500
And every time I go in the garage or drive it - I'm thinking I'd buy it again - no need to sell it for something else!

It's achievable to have speed and driveability regardless the engine platform. Go with a car you like within your budget.
If everyone else wants an LS1 - why do most all have an LT1 car in their sigs? Did everyone propping the LS1 over LT1 actually own, modify and enjoy BOTH to compare?
Can't afford it?

 

Too much $$ into my car to sell it I would take a HUGE loss.

 

look at all the new cams, brodix heads, the edelbrock intake, etc. Sure, the LSx aftermarket has exploded, but the LT1 market is far from dead.
Remember the time when nobody knew how to port LT1 heads for crap? Now look, we have lloyd, AI, TEA, GTP or w/e, and they all keep bettering their port jobs. Compare it to the LS1s, people knew how to work on those right away. The playing fields are slowly starting to level out, although sure, the LS1 will always be a little further ahead, but the LT1 is slowly gaining on it.
Also, look at rick abares car, theres a LT1 that will put a hurting on most of the LS1s out there