LT1 vs LS1
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
LT1 vs LS1 Thought you guys would want to add your input in this thread if you haven't already.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...3&page=1&pp=20
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...3&page=1&pp=20
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: That Southern Fried Space City
It's a waste of time posting there. This site is dedicated to LS1's so the opinions are obviously gonna be biased regardless to the factual information that can be set forth. At this point, the opti is a mute point since there are more than a couple of options to get around it and most know that the LT1 is just a set of heads and cam away from an LS1 for less cost. The only real argument I can make for the LS1 is it is a much easier engine to work. Thing is, when you've worked on an LT1 for years or any motor that you've become extremely familiar with for years, you don't give it a second thought to what it takes to repair or mod it. I could honestly almost teardown an LT1 with my eyes closed at this point so the "ease of working on it" doesn't really mean squat to me anymore.
I just think people stress over this argument a little to much, I like the ls1 for its good top end better configuration and better looks, I like the lt1 because of its nice low end torque and awesome exhaust tone. Each engine has its good and bads, from this point on maybe we should just start putting links to past arguments like this so that they dont keep coming up every week.
CMC
CMC
Trending Topics
STF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Beamville, VA
I put off selling my 97 for years because I loved the LT1 and knew the engine well. Only when the '02's were to be the last f-bod did I have to upgrade. I love my LS, but whenever I drive my buds' LT's, all the love is still there as well. Hell, I'm going to buy another clean 97TA for a DD if I can get the cash together. I don't give a **** what you do to the LS1's exhaust, it will never sound like a LT1 deep gurgle. Plus, I only charge $50 for an LT1 plug swap and 200 for an intake oil leak fix. (feeds my beam habit) Like said above, the LS is easier to work on, but if you know the engine, you adapt and overcome. The LT1 taught me how to be a good mech. (and loose a lot of blood), but I'd take one again anyday.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I agree with you guys. I was going to buy a newer ls1 model because of the new motor. But damn, I got this 97 formula a4 2.73s for only $4500. I just couldn't pass it up. Hell, think about it, they are both fast. It's all about the money to make them faster. man, I almost spent 12k for a 99. I'm glad I didn't and don't regret it one bit.
as for the optispark, the 96 and 97s now have the vacuum hose on them to keep the moisture out. No need to worry like the early models about that problem.
Like I said, I don't regret one day about not buying that ls1. I already got this thing running mid 13s. As soon as I get the 4.10s in the rear, i'm looking at 12s for sure. Not bad for only 7k, hehe. Damn, I love my new toy.
as for the optispark, the 96 and 97s now have the vacuum hose on them to keep the moisture out. No need to worry like the early models about that problem.
Like I said, I don't regret one day about not buying that ls1. I already got this thing running mid 13s. As soon as I get the 4.10s in the rear, i'm looking at 12s for sure. Not bad for only 7k, hehe. Damn, I love my new toy.
Those debated are so stupid, the people that are putting out their opinions arent to far off from ricers. They cant see past the entire bolt on part. Once you get an LT1 on nitrous or a forced induction making a good 600 at the wheels, once you can hook that, I dont think these big bad h/c dyno queen ls1s pose any threat.
95+ Vented Opti is in no way more reliable than the non veted. My 93 lasted 10 years and it took a water pump to kill it, my buddies 94 has over 80K and is on his original. i see just as many vented optis go bad as non vented. Neither opti is better.
95+ Vented Opti is in no way more reliable than the non veted. My 93 lasted 10 years and it took a water pump to kill it, my buddies 94 has over 80K and is on his original. i see just as many vented optis go bad as non vented. Neither opti is better.
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: MI
It's all in the heads. If you have the money & know how, you can get GEN 1 heads converted to reverse cooling . . . 11, 12, 13.5, 15, 18, 23 degree, about a thousand different brands and port volumes; and flow numbers? The sky's the limit. The LS1 has better heads out of the box. In the end, if you have enough money, you can make any motor do anything you want. Strap a blower on it, and the rules change entirely.
The LS1 is a better engine from an engineering standpoint... but nevertheless I happen to like (and own) both engines, both have their pros and cons... stock vs. stock the LS1 is faster than a LT1. Even racing my dad I beat him, and his 93 Vette has a longer mod list than mine, and more torque. I thought for sure I wouldn't have beaten him like I did because of the torque advantage. But once you start modding and throwing a lot money into them the differences narrow... watch soon guys with LS2s will be calling my LS1 a dinosaur and blah blah blah... 
as long you're happy with what you have and cars aren't beating you left and right don't worry about the dicks 
as long you're happy with what you have and cars aren't beating you left and right don't worry about the dicks 
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
well i may not be a mechanical genius...and i do love the ls1 badly, in fact id love to own one...but when it comes down to it....i dont give a rats *** what anybody has to say, my LT1s paid off...and LS1 i have love for, but car payment and full coverage insurance i do not
[shades]
[shades]
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
You know, if I knew anything about the damn motors, I'd go in there and start takking about horsepower per liter of some little Honda Vtec motors, just to raise a little hell. 
Or maybe break out some of the DOHC V8 motors to try and compete? Am I evil?
Or maybe break out some of the DOHC V8 motors to try and compete? Am I evil? 
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Norfolk, VA
There's no doubt to me that the LS1 is a better motor, but it's also more expensive to mod whereas the LT1 can be made to have just as good power for alot less money. Overall, if I had the money, I would go with an LS1 car, but I dont so I have my LT1, which I am happy with.
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
reading that post makes me sick. i hate people that get caught up in all that hype, they need to come back down in the real world.no joke, my stocker 96' ss will walk on nearly any stock ls1's, the only ls1 that has beaten be was a 345 02' ss, and that wasnt til the end of third.my brother has a stalled,full intake/headers 98z, and i wax him all day long, i just dont understand these ls1 guys.i guess they havent ran into any stock box stock lt1's lately!
Originally Posted by jaredwayt
reading that post makes me sick. i hate people that get caught up in all that hype, they need to come back down in the real world.no joke, my stocker 96' ss will walk on nearly any stock ls1's, the only ls1 that has beaten be was a 345 02' ss, and that wasnt til the end of third.my brother has a stalled,full intake/headers 98z, and i wax him all day long, i just dont understand these ls1 guys.i guess they havent ran into any stock box stock lt1's lately!