P Mack

iTrader: (6)

Hi everyone,
Great site. I've been lurking around this board for a few months trying to learn as much as i can, finally registered. I'd like to buy an LS1 f-body for my next car but would have a hard time affording it with insurance and all (i'm 19). I'm also considering:
Fox body 5.0 - cheap, regular gas, cheap mods but slower, not real pretty
or
LT1 f-body - cheaper than ls1, beautiful cars, 6speed, but not as fast as an ls1 and supposedly harder to work on
Is the difference in driving the 5.0 or Lt1 from an ls1 like night and day or do they all feel fast? I've got a pretty good idea of ET's and hp figures for the different cars but I'd like to hear from people who have owned them, if they've been happy with the cars. It seems like the lt1 might be the best compromise between price and performance but i don't want to end up regretting it and wishing i'd bought an ls1 <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> . Thanks

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I've never had an LT1 or a 5.0 Fox body. But I have been in my share of both, and I've also owned a bunch of different muscle cars.

Before I bought my first LS1 (a '99 Z28) I had an '89 Formula 350. It was roughly a 14.3 car at around 95mph when I sold it. It was a stock TPI 350 with some common minor bolt-ons. Most stock 5.0 stangs that I've been in feel about the same power wise as my old Formula. Now, keep in mind that there are TONS of wildly modded 5.0 cars that run some VERY impressive times, but I'm guessing you want stock to stock comparsions here.

As far as LT1 cars go, I've never been in a 6-speed LT1 car, but I've experianced more than a few auto LT1 cars. Stock, they feel pretty good in low rpm ranges, above 4500 and they start to die off fast stock. When I had my '89 350 car, I used to stay right with stock LT1 cars until about 70/80mph or so, then they'd pull. Usually, an stock LT1 auto will run about 13.8 to 14.2 depending on weight and such.

Now, to compare all to an LS1 car, I'd say that both my old thrid gen and a LT1 car feel stronger for the first few thousand rpm or so, but then the LS1 owns them both (stock for stock of course). LS1 cars feel very impressive above 4500rpm right to redline even in stock form. Now, granted a stock LS1 feels kinda slow to me these days <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> but if you're not used to cars of the stock LS1 power level then you will be very pleased. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

Welcome to the board.

Patman

I've owned all three and the LS1 is my favorite by far. I have owned two 5.0s, both of them 87 GTs, and I have owned two LT1s, one a 95 TA and one the 95 Formula I now own. I also have owned a 98 Formula.

Out of the box both 5.0s ran 14.7s, my first LT1 ran 13.94 while my current one ran 13.89. My LS1 ran 13.68, however LS1s pick up a lot with just free mods and break in mileage and by the end of that first year with just the free mods and an MTI lid I had it running 13.08 at 108.7. Then with 4.10s, drag radials, HPP3 and a cutout it went 12.68 at 110.6. The second 5.0 I had went 12.16 at 112mph after the addition of an 8psi Paxton supercharger, slicks, 3.55 gears, headers, catback and some serious weight reduction. That car was a lot of fun too, but I still preferred my LS1 out of all of them. It has that smoother refined power and I preferred the looks of the 98 Formula out of every car I've owned.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Most LT1s on the road have had a rough life by now, and are aging. They are pretty much maintenance nightmares, and are much harder to work on compared to the Mustang and LS1.

On a tight budget? Get a 5.0 Mustang. Tons of used parts, easy to work on, pretty reliable. Stay away from the Auto tranny ones though.

Want out of the box performance? LS1 all the way.

-Tony