Shackleford

iTrader: (12)

Of course, if you take care of the engines, they should last a very long time but what about all of the peripheral parts and what not? Are there fewer headaches with LS1 Camaros? I have this notion that when I get an LS1 Camaro it'll be more reliable overall than the LT1 I have now.

SHINER

iTrader: (18)

LS1s are more reliable b/c we dont have to deal with a optispark distributor, and are more "user friendly" to work on than the LT1 in my opinion.

Both engines will last a long time as long as you take care of them.

But Iron blocks seem to handle more mileage/wear and tear

Shackleford

iTrader: (12)

You want to start an LS1 charity fund for me, T?

SHINER

iTrader: (18)

nope but you can sell your car wait a couple of months while saving up and buy a high mileage LS1 like i did and maintain it.

Shackleford

iTrader: (12)

I don't have a substantial amount of steady income. The place where I was making SOME money closed.

Y2K Z28

iTrader: (1)

Get another job then. An yes ls-1's are more reliable and if and when it does break it's alot easier to fix.

ChocoTaco369

the LS1 ENGINE is generally more reliable than the LT1 engine, and it is also generally easier to work on in most respects. however, you must also realize that the transmissions and rear ends will be less reliable with an LS1 than an LT1.

you must also realize that the LS1 makes 65 more horsepower than the LT1, and it makes its power higher in the RPM range, so the the rear ends, which are the same in the LS1 as they are in the LT1, will be more likely to break in an LS1 equipped car.

also, realize that both the LS1 and LT1 automatics are both 4L60E's and are very similar. obviously, the 4L60E will last longer in the LT1 in most cases since it is dealing with 65 less stock horsepower and deals with a lower powerband, and the 4L60E doesn't like high rpm power. the manual trans must deal with the same problem. the LT1 T56, made by borg warner, is actually stronger than the LS1 T56 made by tremec. while the difference isn't that huge, again, it's 65 more high rpm horsepower in the LS1 going through a marginally weaker transmission.

so in short, the LS1 is generally a more reliable engine, it's easier to work on, the aftermarket is larger and parts are usually cheaper since you can swap them from the LS6 and LS2, but the LS1 is also more capable of breaking transmissions, rear ends, clutches and anything else that doesn't like power. it's a give and take relationship.

5_02ls1

iTrader: (20)

ive worked on more lt1 cars than ls1 cars.i cant say they are more reliable but the performance is way worth the trade.

1994Z28Lt1

iTrader: (1)

if you take the distributor out of the equation the lt1 and ls1 or both very reliable motors like anything it depends on how you maintain and take care of it

they both have their problems a lot of ls1's have sick piston slap some not so much whether that effects longevity it shouldn't but if its making noise its hard to believe its not causing unneeded wear on something, lt1's tend to have oil leaks at the back of the intake due to the routing of the egr tube they both have their problems, not only that the lt1 cars are also a bit older with more miles which will skew things but honestly i have seen many many more lt1 with over 200,000 with untouched motors than ls1's but we will have to wait a few more years to see how more of the ls1's hold up to 200,000 plus miles

i hate topics like this because it depends on so many things i know of people with 350,000 mile gm 3800's with untouched motors still running good and i've seen people mess them up in less than 150,000

gm makes reliable motors it just depends on how you take care of them

SHINER

iTrader: (18)

137K and Cammed with NO PROBs on my LS1

2QUIK4U

iTrader: (7)

As a past owner of an LT1 car and current owner of an LS1 car my opinion is that they are both reliable motors but the LS1 is definately better for performance.

bjamick

iTrader: (31)

Ive got both an LT1 and an LS1 they both seem reliable the LT1 has 160k on it and the LS1 has 109k.

BaD AZz Z28

iTrader: (2)

LT1s are small blocks, they are some of the most reliable engines around. LS1s have done well, but since LT1 cars are older, ofcourse they are going to have more mileage and some need more general repair. LS1s had weak rod bolts, esp in 98, along with oil consumption and piston slap in certain cars. The opti can be an issue in LT1 cars, but there are aftermarket options available now to make it a one-and-done change. LT1 cars got stronger rods 95-97. LS1s got stronger rod bolts after 98. LT1 cars got a better starter in 97. LS1 engines are more expensive to rebuilt or have machine work done to them. The cars are otherwise the same from a reliability standpoint. The manual of the LT1 is slightly better, the autos, rears and suspensions are mostly the same. Performance is better from an LS1 stock, but either is just an air pump and can go fast. My LT1 beats up most LS1s in the area, and my next LSx will take down my current LT1 setup. There is more that is similar about these cars than different - you can go fast in either, with similar reliability - its as much about how you set up and take care of the car as what is moving it.

ReFtheMC

iTrader: (6)

My Friend Has A 94' LT1 And It Just Hit 200,000 Miles. He Checked Everything And It Was Perfectly Fine, The Only Thing He Had To Change Was The Transmission On His Car...Bout It .....

jewbacca

iTrader: (5)

Well when I had my 95 there were times when I hated it so much I wanted to burn it to the ground. Mostly when I was changing those damn plugs. I spent around 12 hours total changing them, then I had to take it down to a mechanic to get the #7 plug put in and the pass. side plug wires installed because I couldn't, lol. But after all that it was a pretty reliable car. When I traded it in on my 99 it had 116k miles. The only reason I traded it in was that fact that the tranny was goning out on it, and the rear end was poping with every shift. Guess a shift kit and a tuned pcm will do that.

My1st Truck

iTrader: (8)

I have had two LT1s and three LS1s. I would say they are both very good motors. Having said that I can say a LT1 is a SBC and will go for 100s and 1000s of miles if you take care of your opti.
I have never had a problem with either one. Maintanance is key!

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

LT1 is more reliable considering BLKWS.6's posts

i think both are equal. LT1 is easier to work on to me than the LS1. and parts are a little cheaper for the LT1.

Splitz

iTrader: (1)

He's got what is known as a "Friday Night Car".

Sharpe

iTrader: (7)

You're ******* shitting me.

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

when i was browsing headers, and clutches the LSx clutches are a little more than the LTx. the headers were like $40 more.

my car has been easy to work on. i even found the plug wires to be easy to do. did all but #7 from the top. only removed the alternator.