LS1 vs. LT1 conversions
LS1 vs. LT1 conversions I have been looking into a late model EFI conversion for my 67 project for a while and I still cant decide what to do. I will be the first to admit that $$$$ is a factor in my decision. The less $$$ i spend the sooner i get to drive it 
I plan for it to be a daily driver so a carb is out of the questiona nd i prefer OEM equipment. I ahve been searching and it seems that i can get a LT1 / 6 speed for 2000-3000 dollars less then a LS1 version. So is the LS1 worth the extra $$$$? How much HP can i get out of the LT1 if i build it up at a later date? I already have a 9 second street car and an 11 second street car (both fords) so i know the HP bug will hit me soon. I have done ford EFI conversions so that part does not bother me. I like the fab and wiring work 
so what are the pros and cons of going the LT1 route?
thanks
chris
I plan for it to be a daily driver so a carb is out of the questiona nd i prefer OEM equipment. I ahve been searching and it seems that i can get a LT1 / 6 speed for 2000-3000 dollars less then a LS1 version. So is the LS1 worth the extra $$$$? How much HP can i get out of the LT1 if i build it up at a later date? I already have a 9 second street car and an 11 second street car (both fords) so i know the HP bug will hit me soon. I have done ford EFI conversions so that part does not bother me. I like the fab and wiring work so what are the pros and cons of going the LT1 route?
thanks
chris
I have a friend that did a LT1 swap in his S-dime. The LT1 is a good engine choice. Alot of factory parts or off the shelf conversion parts will work with a LT1 just the same as they did with a SBC because a LT1 is about 3/4 a old SBC anyways. Out of the box the LS1 is gonna be stronger hands down. But once you start into heads and cam on both motors the gap evens up some. Once you start on strokers and so on it closes up even more. You can build a decent LT1 for about 1/2 you can do a LS1 for. Downsides to the LT1. LT1 has about another 100 lbs it will add to the car vs the LS1. Finding a good low mileage used LT1 is getting harder and harder. Most anything you will find will probiably have 80k on it if not more. If you get lucky and find something better than that you will probiably pay a bit more for it. If you aren't dead set of eithor then I would just shop around and see what you come across. Eithor is a good choice.
Deranged Rat Fink
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One other downside is the dreaded optispark design on the LT1s. They are less expensive , will fit in with a lot less modification and a little modding will even the score easily with a stock LS1. The LT1 T56 is also stouter than the LS1 T56. Your initial costs will be significantly less to go with an LT1 . The opti can be a real PIA tho' if it starts screwing up.
Opti craps suck !! After going through 3 of them on my '94 truck I ended up converting the LT1 to a carb/HEI then later to an Accel 4bbl TBI setup. I have owned 3 different LT1 vehicles (2 trucks I converted and a ram air T/A) and the best thing I have ever done is put the 5.3 in my '94 truck. Going from the LT1 to the LS based 5.3 was like night and day. The reverse cooling system sucks on the LT1 also. I would do an aftermarket injection on a regular old SBC before I would do an LT1, just my .02
