beside cost as far as lt1 can be had cheaper is ther any advantage to getting a lt1 over and ls1?

 

other than being cheaper and mabee if you like the lt1 body style more. I cant think of any accept the OBD1 PCM from 94-95 for tuning. You can get an Lt1 cheap and also do mods to it cheaper but in the long run, I think the Ls1 is a better choice. Its has a better head design, can make great power, is lighter than the Lt1 and it has better brakes and no stinking opti to name a few....If I was shopping for a F-body now and did not already have a Blown Lt1, I would jump on the Ls1 instead of the Lt1.

Thanks,
Claude

 

The price of aftermarket parts is generally cheaper since the LS* series is the top dog right now.

LT1 has a broader powerband, anywhere from 2k to 5k you have plenty of power for the street.

They sound better IMO, although I have heard some pretty sweet LS1s too...

 

Besides the price factor I can't think of many advantages. The block might possibly be stronger without it being aluminum. But I'm just throwning out thoughts. In the end an LS1 block can be made just as strong as any other one anyway I bet. An LT1 car would be a good starter project though. Very cheap and mostly reliable from the start.

 

I like the reverse flow if your serpetine belt breaks you can still drive it way since the wp is shaft driven therefore its safer imho. But ls1 are good, if you got the money go ls1

 

That's a good point. I've never even thought of that. But I've never been stranded by the Z before either. So never really had to.

 

Low-end torque. That's a major one. I also prefer the sound of an LT1 over an LS1.

 

The LT1 feels faster (throws you back) and sounds meaner (most cases), cheaper to mod and still looks pretty damn cool.

 

lt1 cons; optispark, stock for stock usually slower then an ls1, not as good a cylinder head design as the ls1.

ls1 cons; valvetrain problems, shortblock problems, more expensive to fix or mod.

As both cars get similar mods (heads/cam) the difference in power output becomes less and less.

 

I'm not sure I buy this one... (maybe accurate verbatum, but in the end, they're still quite a distance apart) I've got a Lingenfelter 383 (granted with a mild cam) and I'm just trying to keep up with the LS1 with Heads/cam/header package. There are TONS of LS1s with H&C dipping into the 11s on motor. Tough task for an LT1...

I sure like the sound of an LT1 though...

 

everybody i have known with heads/cam lt1s has made over 400rwhp and ran 11.70-11.80s@117-118. and that was back in 1996-1997. god, by now the technology should be there to run low11s at 120 mph on a stock shortblock if you took the time to sort out the combo.last friend of mine that had a 383 made 440rwhp on a mild heads cam combo and ran 11.30s@123. that was w/ lt1 heads and intake and an old technology cam in 1998 w/ an m6 car on a slow 1.7 60ft w/ a 10bolt. who knows.

 

I'm really not crazy about the LS1's un-boreability. I know it can be resleeved, but everytime I see an article in GMHTP about resleeving the block, I hate that the cylinders are seperated by hardly anything. Besides that, defiently LS1. The LT1 seems kinda tougher to me, with the iron block, but the LS1 does have 6 bolt splayed mains so what the hell. Plus the LS1 feels MUCH smoother throughout the mid to upper rpms. Awesome engine. I love the LT1, just hate the stupid ignition design.

 

yeah, you Texas boys have got a great advantage. No Calif. smog police...

It is all in what you build for. I'm running LPE's crate motor, and it has been one reliable motor. Completely turn key, and no maintenance/tuning issues since day one. I'm putting out 390RWHP, and it is on the same old technology as the motor was built in 97. I think a cam swap (which I'm planning) will get me considerable gains, but I still have smog to worry about.

There are guys building LT1 race motors with 13-14:1 compression that aren't worrying about smog, and their putting out close (if not over) 500rwhp. So, not to say it can't be done, just that it takes a LOT more, to get to equal HP on an LT1 than an LS1, and you'll have to sacrafice more driveabiltiy in the LT1 to get there.

-Keith

 

Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the LT1 lends itself to more (and less expensive) car show mods and is basically a more attractive engine for that purpose. Yes, I have a LT1 that is car show prepped (and therefore may be biased), but I have heard this observation from LS1 owners on several ocassions.
The power debate is another issue...

 

Totally agree here... Love that polished aluminum.