Which enigine is considerd to be more reilable. I getting ready to switch over to the V8. I like my body style of my 94 but I dont want the LT1 one if the LS1 is a better enigine. The LS1 might be easier to find with less miles but I do see a few Lt1's with low miles.

 

I would get the LS1.

#1) Top end is crazy

#2) Newer

If I'm not mistaken, no opti to worry about in the LS1 either.

 

I would go LS1, newer... More Power, More efficient, would look cooler in a older ride..

 

Yeah LS1 has no opti. But I believe some of the later LT1s were vented. If you like 93-97 body style I would look into when they started putting in vented opti spark and buy one of those cars and just mod it to be as fast as a LS1. It would probably cost the same and you will get the body style you like better.

 

I'd just go with the body style you like. You can always mod your lt1 with the money you saved by buying an older car.

 

93 and 94...non vented opti
95-97...vented

 

So explain this opti. Does it make that big of a difference.

 

I would go with the LT1 for now,its cheaper

 

are you plannin on getting a new car, or just swapping engines? if so, the ls1 wont clear stock 93-97 camaro hood. also, you will need new tranny etc, but i guess that doesnt amtter since you would anyway going for a 6

 

It's the distributar part of the ignition system (full name is an optispark) on the LT1. They seem to be somewhat unreliable. People have had them go after a few thousand miles. The non-vented are the worst because the water pump is right on top of the opti (great move GM ), and if it leaks you're screwed. It is possiable to swap in a vented version.

Mine is the orginal with ~100k miles on it, no problems, just depends on your luck.

 

LS1 prices are coming down....go with the LS1....i had both and one of the best parts about the LS1 is it responds to mods better than the LT1, plus u start about 8 tenths of a second faster. if u do go with an LT1 try to get a 97 IMO. it has the newer style interior and taillights and stuff. best of both worlds i think.

 

LS1 engine.i believe is some 70lbs. lighter than that of the lt1, due to more aluminum being in it, the heads are not that of the lt1, they are not iron like the ones on the impala ss's and cars of the like.........

 

Well if your anything like me just go with the lt1. My situation was buy a 98 with the ls1 for 10000 and be in debt to my parents or by a 94 with the lt1 and have 4 grand to spend. I decided to go with the lt1 4 grand sounds a lot better to me than debt, but go with whatever is available to you.

 

LS1's have more base HP, crazy top end pull and get insanely good gas mileage. I have seen some M6's report 30 MPG on the highway. That's just crazy for a high performance V8. Gotta love technology.

I would make money the deciding factor. If you can afford it then get the LS1. They love mods and respond very well to N20. But it's also nice to get a LT1 for under 7k and use the money saved for mods. Lots of LT1's out running mildly modded LS1's with a decent heads/cam package. Plus having a title and no car payment is a beautiful thing. But I still wouldn't trade my LS1 as I love it way too much.

Good Luck

 

The only way to find an 98 V8 or V6 here is to find one that is in poor shape. If I could find an SS at $10,000 I would buy it on the spot. Maybe I should go car shopping out of state.