is lt1 worth it?
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
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is lt1 worth it? hello i have been looking at buying a camaro or trans am for a while and dont know what to do between the lt1 or ls1. obviously the ls1 has more power and such but are alot harder to find in what i want. on the other hand the lt1 doesnt seem to bad but i want to know how big of a difference there is between the 2 power wise. please let me know what you guys think.
LT1 rated at 285hp 325tq (old technology but can be built to run with ls1's)
LS1 rated at 305hp 350tq (better engine in every way, responds to mods better)
Different years have different rating just average numbers.
LS1 rated at 305hp 350tq (better engine in every way, responds to mods better)
Different years have different rating just average numbers.
This topic has been beat to death...
You have to determine what is best for you. I chose the Lt1 because i feel the car is much better looking up front way more aggressive!
My mild mod list keeps me competitive with Ls1s with same mods thus however, my Lt1 is becoming a Ltx/Lsx hybrid
You have to determine what is best for you. I chose the Lt1 because i feel the car is much better looking up front way more aggressive!
My mild mod list keeps me competitive with Ls1s with same mods thus however, my Lt1 is becoming a Ltx/Lsx hybrid
I currently have an one LS1 and one LT1 f-body. I've had 2 other LT1 f-bodies in the past. If you are starting from scratch I would buy an LS1 car if you can find what you want. Just look at the upgrades some LT1 owners do. LS1 brakes, LS1 lid setups are getting popular, and now there is an LS1 computer and ignition swap available. I only bought another LT1 car because the wife wanted a toy, a friend was selling cheap, and I already had thousands of dollars worth of LT1 parts sitting around waiting for serious buyers. Don't get me wrong, LT1 f-bodies can be fast and fun but it's a hell of alot easier and cheaper (in terms of mods to performance) to do it with an LS car. Good luck,
Larry
Larry
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On The Tree
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From: From NJ, in WV for school
The GM 350's are all solid, LT1 and LS1 are both excellent. A lot more about what is available near you ... LS1's I've found are all more expensive, usually 3-4k more than a comparable LT1, so if you're only comparing performance-wise, 3-4k can buy some nice mods. Now, you might find a cleaner/lower mile LS1. But, keep in mind, you can make up that hp difference quite easily with a SBC. Whichever way you go, best of luck, and enjoy!
- JR
- JR
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LS1 pros:
Higher HP rating
lighter motor
Bigger aftermarket for parts
6 bolt main
bigger/better brakes
many interchangable LS motors/parts
Easier to do Motorswaps (wiring/fitment)
LS1 cons:
Higher insurance
More expensive cars
Aftermarket may be larger, but that means more research(not to mention someone ignorantly modding the car before you buy it)
Aftermarket parts are often times more expensive
Many prefer the LT1 exhaust sound more than LS1
LT1 pros:
Cheaper cars
More low end Torque
Parts are often times cheaper
easier to research parts/results in LT1 aftermarket
Lower insurance
Great sounding Exhaust
LT1 cons:
less average factory HP rating
Older cars (harder to find in good/unmolested condition)
Not as fast in 1/4 mile factory
smaller aftermarket means less options
not as many people around with LT1 knowledge
Not as many interchangable parts with other cars/years
Optispark distributor design is many times problematic and labor intensive to change
(there's many more, but I feel these are the main ones)
Higher HP rating
lighter motor
Bigger aftermarket for parts
6 bolt main
bigger/better brakes
many interchangable LS motors/parts
Easier to do Motorswaps (wiring/fitment)
LS1 cons:
Higher insurance
More expensive cars
Aftermarket may be larger, but that means more research(not to mention someone ignorantly modding the car before you buy it)
Aftermarket parts are often times more expensive
Many prefer the LT1 exhaust sound more than LS1
LT1 pros:
Cheaper cars
More low end Torque
Parts are often times cheaper
easier to research parts/results in LT1 aftermarket
Lower insurance
Great sounding Exhaust
LT1 cons:
less average factory HP rating
Older cars (harder to find in good/unmolested condition)
Not as fast in 1/4 mile factory
smaller aftermarket means less options
not as many people around with LT1 knowledge
Not as many interchangable parts with other cars/years
Optispark distributor design is many times problematic and labor intensive to change
(there's many more, but I feel these are the main ones)
LS1 pros:
Higher HP rating
lighter motor
Bigger aftermarket for parts
6 bolt main
bigger/better brakes
many interchangable LS motors/parts
Easier to do Motorswaps (wiring/fitment)
LS1 cons:
Higher insurance
More expensive cars
Aftermarket may be larger, but that means more research(not to mention someone ignorantly modding the car before you buy it)
Aftermarket parts are often times more expensive
Many prefer the LT1 exhaust sound more than LS1
LT1 pros:
Cheaper cars
More low end Torque
Parts are often times cheaper
easier to research parts/results in LT1 aftermarket
Lower insurance
Great sounding Exhaust
LT1 cons:
less average factory HP rating
Older cars (harder to find in good/unmolested condition)
Not as fast in 1/4 mile factory
smaller aftermarket means less options
not as many people around with LT1 knowledge
Not as many interchangable parts with other cars/years
Optispark distributor design is many times problematic and labor intensive to change
(there's many more, but I feel these are the main ones)
Higher HP rating
lighter motor
Bigger aftermarket for parts
6 bolt main
bigger/better brakes
many interchangable LS motors/parts
Easier to do Motorswaps (wiring/fitment)
LS1 cons:
Higher insurance
More expensive cars
Aftermarket may be larger, but that means more research(not to mention someone ignorantly modding the car before you buy it)
Aftermarket parts are often times more expensive
Many prefer the LT1 exhaust sound more than LS1
LT1 pros:
Cheaper cars
More low end Torque
Parts are often times cheaper
easier to research parts/results in LT1 aftermarket
Lower insurance
Great sounding Exhaust
LT1 cons:
less average factory HP rating
Older cars (harder to find in good/unmolested condition)
Not as fast in 1/4 mile factory
smaller aftermarket means less options
not as many people around with LT1 knowledge
Not as many interchangable parts with other cars/years
Optispark distributor design is many times problematic and labor intensive to change
(there's many more, but I feel these are the main ones)
agreed. ls1 cars are getting cheap here though. depending on what you want to do with the car are how mechanically inclined you are is a huge factor. if i could do it all over again i would buy a blown up lt1 car. buy a 5.3cause i can get them cheap. cam it and put a t56 behind it. wouldnt be crazy fast but something good to beat on, but then again worked on cars for a living for along time.
Isn't the LS1 rated at 345HP/350TQ and all the numbers they used for the vett and for the F-body they underated it?
LS1 pros:
Higher HP rating
lighter motor
Bigger aftermarket for parts
6 bolt main
bigger/better brakes
many interchangable LS motors/parts
Easier to do Motorswaps (wiring/fitment)
LS1 cons:
Higher insurance
More expensive cars
Aftermarket may be larger, but that means more research(not to mention someone ignorantly modding the car before you buy it)
Aftermarket parts are often times more expensive
Many prefer the LT1 exhaust sound more than LS1
LT1 pros:
Cheaper cars
More low end Torque
Parts are often times cheaper
easier to research parts/results in LT1 aftermarket
Lower insurance
Great sounding Exhaust
LT1 cons:
less average factory HP rating
Older cars (harder to find in good/unmolested condition)
Not as fast in 1/4 mile factory
smaller aftermarket means less options
not as many people around with LT1 knowledge
Not as many interchangable parts with other cars/years
Optispark distributor design is many times problematic and labor intensive to change
(there's many more, but I feel these are the main ones)
Higher HP rating
lighter motor
Bigger aftermarket for parts
6 bolt main
bigger/better brakes
many interchangable LS motors/parts
Easier to do Motorswaps (wiring/fitment)
LS1 cons:
Higher insurance
More expensive cars
Aftermarket may be larger, but that means more research(not to mention someone ignorantly modding the car before you buy it)
Aftermarket parts are often times more expensive
Many prefer the LT1 exhaust sound more than LS1
LT1 pros:
Cheaper cars
More low end Torque
Parts are often times cheaper
easier to research parts/results in LT1 aftermarket
Lower insurance
Great sounding Exhaust
LT1 cons:
less average factory HP rating
Older cars (harder to find in good/unmolested condition)
Not as fast in 1/4 mile factory
smaller aftermarket means less options
not as many people around with LT1 knowledge
Not as many interchangable parts with other cars/years
Optispark distributor design is many times problematic and labor intensive to change
(there's many more, but I feel these are the main ones)
It all comes down to what you can afford and what exactly you want.
I personally wanted to keep a f-body and have another toy (c5/c6) after college and realistically I knew I needed to have the f-body be a bit cheaper (hence the LT1 97 ws6, although I like 98-02 ws6 looks better). However, I have fallen in love with the car because it was my first relatively quick car.
What are your goals within this f-body you are looking at? And what is your realistic budget?
I personally wanted to keep a f-body and have another toy (c5/c6) after college and realistically I knew I needed to have the f-body be a bit cheaper (hence the LT1 97 ws6, although I like 98-02 ws6 looks better). However, I have fallen in love with the car because it was my first relatively quick car.
What are your goals within this f-body you are looking at? And what is your realistic budget?
