fried_ride

I know this is an Ls1 forum, but I'm sure there are plenty of Lt1 guys out there so here it goes...I'm about to get my first car, about friggin time... so now I have a choice to make. I will have about 7500- 8000 to spend on a car. I want a camaro, problem is, I don't know exactly which knid I want. I know the Ls1 has the "wow" factor, It is practically a power- making legend. If I got an Ls1, I would have to leave it stock for a little while I scrape together cash for an exhaust/ lid and then build from there. I could find an Lt1 though for cheaper and spend the money I saved on mods. So, question is, what would you do? I do not know much about the lt1's, so any for or against a particular model please explain. I kinda lean toward an Ls1 just for bragging rights, but I am still vary much undecided. Thanks a lot!

like the view?

mods for the lt1 are more expensive in general than the ls1 from what i have heard.

SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

Go ls1, more reliable. You can spend alot on the lt1 and it still might be slower that a stock ls1.

98hardtopZ

iTrader: (7)

no doubt, go with ls1 man, itll last you so much longer and just try to find one with a few miles on it...around 100k, i picked mine up for 4500 and its lasted me all year and 10k miles without the slightest problem, except for that shitty a/c compressor

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

LT1's are reliable.. just the opti is hit and miss.

im at 148k on the original engine... i just hope i dont get jinxed

LT1 bolt ons are cheaper than LS1's.. headers are cheaper, clutch, etc.

but my vote goes to the LS1

SVTH8R

Listen to this guy, I had a full bolt on superchared 95 formula, and my freinds 01 SS with full bolt ons would still put a car on me

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

It depends on your goals for the car, if you get the LS1 will you mod it or leave it? Same with the LT1 if your not touching either then... actually I'd go LS1 either way!

Nope, LS1 mods are quite a bit more expensive.

Camaroz

iTrader: (2)

LT1 LS1 Can't go wrong with either IMO LT1's and LS1's are both very reliable motors, Also both respond well to mods.

BTW All this LS1 parts are cheaper.. Wrong LT1 parts are far cheaper considering the motor has been around longer.

darrensls1

My observations have lead me to believe two things to be true.

1). When someone asks if they should get an auto or a manual then they really want the stick shift.

2). When someone asks if they should get a LT1 or LS1 they really want the LS1.

They may settle for the A4 or the LT1 but then they always have that little regret. My advice is get the LS1 and make sure you get the transmission you want as well.

gyrene2003

if ur tight on cash, i would start with an LS1!! Plain and simple, im in a position myself where i cant spend the money i want cause i have a family to support so im happy to have a car that makes over 300whp stock and can eat gts all day long!!

kdstang

iTrader: (3)

Wow, talk about deja-vu. I had a 95z with heads and cam, long-tubes, true-duals and all. Now have a 98 TA. The LT1 is an excellent motor, and takes a beating, but the LS1 kills it stock for stock, and the LT1 will never get an edge mod for mod. Whereas I was at 390 rwhp on my LT1, with the same mods on an LS1, I would be easily pushing 430-450.

LS1's will be sinking to your price range soon, and like said above, if you have to decide, don't settle for anything less than what you really want or you'll never be happy. LS1 > LT1, that's just how the chips fall. The LS1 has more street cred, but a built LT1 like my old Z can definitely suprise people.

LS1Formulation

iTrader: (13)

Comparing my buddies '95 LT1 to my '98 LS1 - He runs the exact same ET's as me, but he's got a 3000 stall, ported heads, comp 306, 1.6 RR, and LTs. Mine is as it says in my sig. ALWAYS get an LS1 over an LT1. You'll be forever happy.

98Camarod

iTrader: (43)

You can get an LS1 with 100,000 miles on it in your price range or below if you get the right person who needs cash. LS1's are the way to go. My dad had a 96 z with exhaust and cold air intake and I bought my 98 ls1 with no mods and beat him by 2-3 cars. I got ceramic pacesetters and ory for 600. LS1 all the way, its got 6 bolt mains how can you go wrong with that? and its aluminum.

burnzilla

iTrader: (3)

No regrets here. Soon to be an LE1 2007 or 08'

I hate the Catfish look.
Interior's are ugly.
Just my opinion.
____
The LT1 is as, if not more reliable then the LS1.
_____

LS1's are faster stock for stock.
I looked at a couple, but they where twice as much as the LT1, and my Z is very clean, never seen a winter, adult owned.
For the 4K I saved, I'll make my Z much faster than I could have made the LS1...
If you have the money go LS1, then mod.
I liked the LT1 body style better, and the LE1 package for a mere 1200 will put anything but a nicely modded LS1 behind me..

just my .02

darrensls1

You are definately an exception to the rule.

I'll agree that LT1 is as reliable but lets not go down the more reliable road. This thread does not need to be 20 pages long.

bjamick

iTrader: (31)

def go with an ls1 night and day difference. i wish i had the money for an m6 TA or z28.

ptime54

Couldn't have said it better. I still regret to this day getting the stupid auto trans. but at least I got the LS1. I vote LS1.

darrensls1

I agree. Which is why I bought a Formula

Lets elaborate on this one. LE1 is a heads/cam package so don't say it like you only have to spend $1200 and you're GTG. You still need supporting mods like intake and full exhaust to get the best performance out of any heads/cam combo.

From what I read the LE1 with all the supporting mods lays down 370-400 rwhp. You can do that cam only in a M6 LS1 if you go with a decent size cam and likewise have all the intake and exhaust mods covered.

LE2/LE3 on the other hand are much more stout setups from what I hear. That will definately take a nicely modded LS1 to keep up with it. Not sure what those packages cost but the LE2 might be worth the extra cash.

Just my .02

burnzilla

iTrader: (3)

What is your deal? Sheeit.

I have a couple friends with LS1's, and one LS2 Goat.
I love the engines... they are better than LT1's. so..?

My LT1 runs great. I love my car and with Full Bolt on's and gears ive handed it to a couple of them. Plus the lowend grunt is one of my favorite things about the car.

So what if you need full bolt ons to run a heads/cam package... what car doesnt?
I got my Moroso used off here in like new shape for 100, my Loudmouth used in perfect shape for 250, and my Pacesetters for 500. I put it all on myself. The Strange 3.73's where 190 plus the $50 basic kit. 200 to install.
It would cost 300-400 to have the LE1,LE2 kit installed and another 300 for a nice tune.
So for around 2K I can make my Z touch around 400rwhp.
Yes of course an LS1 heads/cam the same or better will smoke me... you think I don't know this?
I love my LT1 Z28 for what it is, how it sounds, and what it looks like. I'll have under 7500 into my car when im done, and it will be a reliable 400 hp Daily Driver.

Many of my buds with LS1's love my car... ( can't forget AJ's Mach 1 )and its just a full bolt on geared car right now. No stall, no valvetrain work, no N20, and im almost in the 12's right now.

I think thats pretty good.
Want some other inquiries?



Im not gonna sit here and tell you that the majority of people will choose the same... I know more people prefer the LS1.. its ****** awesome... hell I almost bought one...

But don't sit there and diss the LT1... There's alot of guys on here with both and they will tell you the same thing I am... just ask brett...
( ive been drinkin... but damnit kid... )

Camaroz

iTrader: (2)

LT1 vs LS1 low end torque there really isn't much difference(Don't believe me look at a dyno graph stock vs stock). Honestly the LT1 vs LS1 argument is old. Both can make awesome power both are just as reliable as eachother. End of story! But to Burnzilla.. Some people like both front end styles, Some like the LS1 interior much better (me included).

To the poster, Buy what's cheaper... More mod money