I'm not really posing any sort of question here. Just venting... maybe looking for a little feedback from some other LT1 drivers. I bought my 96Z about a year and a half ago. Found one that was garaged, only had 18k on it. Beautiful car. Had done some research about LT1/LS1s prior to my purchase. Was aware that that LS1 made a little more power stock (didn't find out until later that it made 30-50 more hp stock). But, I thought at the time that I wanted iron block/heads. Anybody who has ever had to re-thread an aluminum head because the spark plug blew out might agree w/ me. I also knew that the LT1s were cheaper and that I much prefer the look of the front end on the 93-97 cars. So, I made my purchase. Switched all the lubes over to syn. Did my first intake man gasket replacement. Start researching this board, slowly discover that that cam/heads on the LS1 make the LT1 look prehistoric, and that the LS1 design seems to have less mechanical problesm (opti anyone?). To be honest, the thought of spending another weekend replacing my manifold gasket again make me want jump on autotrader.com and pick up the first low mileage LS1 I come across. But, at the same time, I love my LT1 (despite the inevitable problems that are sure to arise). I will also have it paid off much sooner than if I traded it in and financed a $15k to $20k LS1. Of course, it doesn't help that there is a kid in my town that is selling a 2000 SS w/ only 7300 miles on it for $20k. Choices... Choices. I'm thinking that I just need to buckle down and stick w/ my LT1. If I want to pi$$ some money away... I can always upgrade my cam and heads. Right?

 

I wish I would have bought a ls1 when i bought mine. However at that time i couldnt afford it, never saw one under 17k or so at the time.

 

LOL, did you ever realize the LT1 heads are aluminum? That sort of defeats your purpose in avoiding aluminum heads...

There are dozens of cam choices for the LT1 and lots of head porters out there. The LS1 is a very impressive engine but its nothing you can't equal or surpase with your LT1 and enough cash.

Don't get discouraged.

 

I dont like to generalize but i think its fairly safe to say that a good chunk of us LT1 owners would have a LS1 if we had the money, i know i would. However for $575 you can have LS1 power at the touch of a button There are certainly other options like heads/cam as well. It all comes down to personal preferance, and the amount of money you can/want to spend.

 

i wish i had known more about f-bodies when i bought my 97 z, but now that i know what i know. I am selling my z and buying an ls1. I like the looks of the ls1 body for both camaro and trans am and i like the engine .

 

Yes I was wondering to if you realized that the heads on an lt1 are aluminum?
Scott

 

I just rode in my friends 98 auto TA with HAL suspension. Low to mid power wasn't any better than mine, but his pulled much harder up top. I'd say wouldn't take much to LT1 to equal the extra HP and topend of the LS1. Longtubes, catback, RR, CAI, free mods and a tune and I would say you should pull harder than an LS1. I am right in this assumption?

 

I'm an idiot. I read in a magazine somewhere before I purchased the car that the LT1 was all iron. D@mnit... Yet another reason to get an LS1.

 

Like I said in my earlier post, I do love my car. It may not be a top end monster like the LS1s. And isn't it true that LT1s have a little more low end torque anyway? I'm just going to save my money and keep my car until the engine craps out. Maybe by then I'll have enough $ for an LS6.

 

vette and camaro LT1s are the alum heads. The imp SS got the iron head. If you really want some iron heads i have set complete that will bolt right on.

 

Don't think the LS1's are problem free by any means:

Common LS1 issues:

1. Piston slap
2. Excessive oil consumption
3. Brake rotors warp easily
4. Clutch problems/weaker clutches
5. T56's have many more problems after switch to Tremec
6. Overreving on a missed shift is much more likely too cause major damage than you will on an LT1

The LS1 does have anywhere from 30-50hp more in stock form, but how many keep their LT1's stock anyway

 

w/ just my mods alone, I put a car length on a stock ls-1 35th anniversary SS...Although I can't begin to tell you how much I spent in modifications
But atleast my car is paid off.

 

uh maybe i misread this but if you want something all iron the ls1 aint the place for you to be shopping the ls1 has an aluminum block and heads.

 

Some good points, but as far as the last comment; Who keeps their LS1's Stock???

Sorta like Honda's braging about beating a Stock Mustang.

If I had the money I'd take an LS1 all black wiht T-Tops

 

I would rather have an LS1 because the LT1 looks like an old beat up lawn mower compared to the engine compartment of an LS1, that and it has a redline of 6k, and the WS6 LS1 is so bad ***