transamman400

iTrader: (1)

Which one is better overall? I think the LT5 is faster, but is the LS1 easier to mod?

Vendetta

better overall? the LT5

Easier to mod? the LS1

LT1Z28

i would go with the ls1, i personally think overall the ls1 would be better for a sports car

Fastbird93

iTrader: (10)

I think that the LS1 owns both.

The LT5 is a maintenance nightmare, and horribly expensive to work on. Yeah, is was killer stock, but to mod it?? Better have a big pocket. The LS1, well, we all know about that.

Elysian

I head somewhere that getting your hands on an LT5 crate engine can run $20K plus. Just based on that alone, in terms of dollar/horsepower, I'm tempted to say that both the LT1 and LS1 are better than it is. I mean, I'm sure you could absolutely waste both of them with the 4-valve heads on an LT5, but so what? Strap on a supercharger and that advantage goes out the window.

Vendetta

I actually thought about it while I was at work today (I know, I have no life), and they each have distinct advantages in different areas. It really depends on whether you want a drag car, or a top-end car. An LS1 can be made to accelerate faster for (much) cheaper, but the LT5 is one of the best (if not the best) topend motor GM has ever produced. LS1s are typically halted at the 7000 mark (although I thinK Verbs on this board revs his to 7200), but the LT-5 can easily rev higher than that. Topend breath is definitely not lost either, with 4 valves to breathe from.

I tell you what though, if I wanted to build an awesome show car and I was a rich SOB, I'd throw an LT5 in it instead of an LS1.

TSAEB

iTrader: (5)

LT1 I stilll luv ya.

transamman400

iTrader: (1)

So what stopped GM from continuing on with the OHC setup? I think that would have been great if they stuck that in all the Corvettes, while the F-bods got the LT1-LS1 (and descendants). It would have made the heavies at GM happy knowing that they wouldn't have to tune down those motors just to make the Corvette owners happy and to save it's face.

Vendetta

Big cubes and 4 valves don't mix, price wise at least. If today's LS1s had a DOHC setup instead an OHV setup, they'd either have sub-300 cubic inch displacement and much less power, or they'd have motors similar to the LT5 and cost around 80-100 grand.

Mike Frey

The cost, approximately 4 times what an LT4 or LS1 costs, and the fact that the LT5 is a physically much wider engine. As previously mentioned, a base vette at $65-75K would not sell that well. Anyway, except for a few MPH on the top end, an LS6 vette is the equal of an LT5. The LS2 C6 will be better.

transamman400

iTrader: (1)

I don't really care for OHCs anyway. That's just BS that OHV is old technology, the first DOHC engine was invented in 1913. I'd take a pushrod motor over a OHC job anyday!

Elysian

It seems to me that just in terms of valve-train mass, and OHC design, probably, has more potential. You should be able to rev them substantially higher without having to worry about things like bending pushrods. Obviously, with enough $$$, any motor can be made to perform quite well, though. Given the #'s I've seen on LS1 motors, it would be difficult to say that they "suffer" from using pushrod technology.

z98

Um, what?

Vendetta

Is there any reasoning for this? Or are you just being ignorant to the benefits of an OHC setup?

transamman400

iTrader: (1)

I just think OHV are easier to work with, and if you upgrade the right parts you don't really have to worry about problems with pushrods. Cheaper too.

By what I meant about the Corvette, I mean GM's crusade to always make sure the Corvette is the best and the fastest of the line.

Vendetta

This is very true, and a good point, but from a performance standpoint I'd rather have an OHC for the bulletproof valvetrain.

Fastbird93

iTrader: (10)

Agreed. You're taking a very weak point out of the equation with OHC.

94Formula/TA

John Lingenfelter in his book on modifying small block chevy's shows a 385CID LT5 that makes 572hp@6800 and 497tq@5600. This is all motor. With enough money the lt5 is the way to go.

P.S. Fastbird did you get my reply about the dyno tune. Get back to me.

LSK

There are some 415 LT5s making upwards of 600 rwhp. I know some guys who did a good head and topend porting job and are dynoing in the 430rwhp range. GM stopped making it because of cost and it would not fit in the C5.

ZL1camaro

i dont know about u guys but i like to stay all motor so strapping a supercharger onta an ls-1 to stay side by side with an lt-5 is dumb and even more respect is given to it because its still naturally aspirated