Cosmos

iTrader: (15)

You also get better brakes with ls1 cars and a plastic gas tank in the 99+.

nomoneyz

iTrader: (15)

The optispark is actually a super accurate system. It's placement under the water pump gives it a bad rep. Many stockers last 150k or more miles. I'm biased so I would go LT1. My buddy has an LS1 TA and I have a a few more mods than him and were pretty damn even. The LS aftermarket is huge though.

fatboyq

iTrader: (2)

I had a LS1 car before and got a LT1 car not too long ago. Surprisingly red light to red light there is little to no difference in power. MY LS1 had a lid, catback only my LT1 has headers, and catback with a ram air hood and ram air setup like the 96+ trans am. Even on the highway when u hit it there is not a HUGE difference between the two. LS1 ran smoother, cooler, and was great on high rpm highway runs 4k+. I would take a clean LT1 car rather than a beatup LS1 car. U can make either one fast. For 4k though it will be rough, I have never seen a clean LT1 for that price. They are ragged, dirty, dented up, overall rough. For a clean LT1 I say $4500 is bottom dollar price, minus some deals here and there.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

It's not just the opti that is inferior to the LS ignition....although it is the biggest weakness. The LT1 ICM is a trouble maker too and left me stranded more than once, and I've gone through a couple ignition coils too; 1 coil per cylinder creates a MUCH stronger spark on a LS. Hell, even the LS short wires are less prone to being burnt on a header or causing issues as well as less resistance. I'm biased however as I have NEVER had a single LS ignition issue in 60k of driving....(knock on wood) while I have replaced every single component of my LT1's ignition system multiple times due to various opti, ICM, coil, plug wire issues over 15 years; the LT1 does sound better though

slomarao

iTrader: (6)

LS all day man....

if you can afford it its the way to go. No opti, 50-60 more HP/Q stock, alum block, better brakes, steering shaft, computer, etc etc

most of the LTx issues were fixed with the LSx.....not to say that LS's dont have problems, but prolly half of what LT1's do.



****, buy a decent LS car, M6.....get LT's, exhaust, gears, and a cam/springs, lid, tune and your close if not over 400rwhp.

93 LT1 Vette

Listen to the majority here. the money you save on the Lt1 car will thrown back into it 2 fold just in regular maintenance and upgrades to get the horsepower of a lightly modded Ls1. I like mine alot but the Ls1 didn't come in the C4 body style.

nascarnate326

iTrader: (1)

Id take a clean LT1 over a beat to **** LS1.

I bought a beat LT1 and did a mild restoration. 173k and still going.

Get whatever you like better, both are damn fun cars.

ZFreie

2012 and lt1 vs ls1 still endures.....

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

"Id take a clean LT1 over a beat to **** LS1." - I agree 110%

LS1 cars have their issues, That power steering cooler thing leaks into the radiator, igniton coils, when they go bad you get to buy 8 of em, about the same price as an opti.
If you like nitrous doesnt one of the ls1's cylinders hate it? #7 or something?

if I had a choice Id go 6 speed ls1 with a vortec or procharger, LM2 catback, and leave the rest bone stock, manifolds, cats... everything. keep the hood shut after that and work on appearance.

Dont hate on the old lt1 though, least its not a 4.6L

CamSS96

I'd go with an LT just because everyone and their dog has an LS but I just like to be different, it's up to you.

ringmaster72

iTrader: (8)

This! Plus, LT1 sounds much better. I think you will have a hard time finding a 6 speed LS1 for what you want to spend, unless it is beat.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

It's pretty sad when 80% of the people on a LT1 board tell a guy to buy a LS1.

The LT1 is the culmination of the Gen 1 small block engine and every bit the equal of its namesake the LT-1.

nascarnate326

iTrader: (1)

I never understood why people think that the LS1 wouldnt be the better motor over the LT1? It was developed years after the LT1 system and with much better computer technology.

This thread is really a debate of what path the OP should take with his $$$$.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

True, but the OP himself said he: "would like to get a LS1"; best advice as far as what to look for would be to find a few LT1 AND LS1 cars in the general price range and go out and drive them first hand or.....nothing can tell you more about how a car was treated and look for any issues/problems than a good test drive Plus, he can compare the two much more objectively first hand while not stirring up any LT1 vs LS1 debates

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

You can have all the love for the LT1 in the world, and thats fine, but face it the ls1 is a better engine. If your going to sit there and say that a engine thats 4ci smaller, makes more horsepower stock for stock, and is more reliable then the LT1...isnt a better engine then you probably should be in special care. Im talking stock vs stock btw, but even simple bolt on mods and the ls1 is still far ahead of the lt1. You can argue the lt1 makes a better exhaust noise, but the time clock at the track doesnt care about noise, the price you paid for the car or the mods, or what it looks like. I like LT1 engines, but Im not so infactuated with them that I cant accept that the LS1 is clearly better.

CamSS96

Why don't we just breed the LT1 with the LS1 and start using their babies?

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

^