I Hate Ls1's
I understand your frustration. When the LS1's first came out, I hated how fast they were compared to the LT1's (having my 95 Z28 with just heads and a CC306 cam at the time). I would try to make fun of them, and how quiet they were even with exhaust that they didn't "sound" like a mean car.
As time went on, more mods became available for them and they were so easy to make even faster while I had dumped thousands in my old LT1. Now here I am, I went all out in my Z28, dropping a fully forged 383 and supercharging it with now over 600 RWHP, and its STILL doens't keep up with some of the more modded LS1 cars. I ended up getting my 98 Formula this time last year, and with only a few thousand dollars worth of mods, I know I will already be running 11's and have over 450 to the wheels. Its sickening, and upsetting compared to the LT1.
The fact of the matter is that the LS1 is a better/newer engine, and is just capable of being and making fast with MUCH less compared to the LT1. When the next generation Camaro hits the streets it will be the new king on the block, and the LS1's will be right where the LT1's were in 98. After a few more years, I'm sure the next generation LS based motor will be so simple to make crazy fast, the aftermarket for LT1's will take an even sharper dive.
I still prefer the loud stout grumble of my LT1 over ANY LS based car I have ever seen or heard. But in order for me to really enjoy it, it pretty much needs to have a big turbo or blower in it to achieve the crazy numbers to make it competable with modded LS cars.
Welcome to the hate club!
As time went on, more mods became available for them and they were so easy to make even faster while I had dumped thousands in my old LT1. Now here I am, I went all out in my Z28, dropping a fully forged 383 and supercharging it with now over 600 RWHP, and its STILL doens't keep up with some of the more modded LS1 cars. I ended up getting my 98 Formula this time last year, and with only a few thousand dollars worth of mods, I know I will already be running 11's and have over 450 to the wheels. Its sickening, and upsetting compared to the LT1.
The fact of the matter is that the LS1 is a better/newer engine, and is just capable of being and making fast with MUCH less compared to the LT1. When the next generation Camaro hits the streets it will be the new king on the block, and the LS1's will be right where the LT1's were in 98. After a few more years, I'm sure the next generation LS based motor will be so simple to make crazy fast, the aftermarket for LT1's will take an even sharper dive.
I still prefer the loud stout grumble of my LT1 over ANY LS based car I have ever seen or heard. But in order for me to really enjoy it, it pretty much needs to have a big turbo or blower in it to achieve the crazy numbers to make it competable with modded LS cars.
Welcome to the hate club!
lol what you have on your z28 is what i want and you dont want it!! i wanna get a stroker kit, dont know if its gonna be 383 or 396. And then a procharger. and i figured i'd be somewhere around the 600-650 range. everything you said makes sense, i hate knowing where the lt1's stand....any regrets gettin the ls1???? everytime i think about getting one, i somehow talk myself out of it...i wanna be one of the lt1's out there killin them ls1's!!!
lol what you have on your z28 is what i want and you dont want it!! i wanna get a stroker kit, dont know if its gonna be 383 or 396. And then a procharger. and i figured i'd be somewhere around the 600-650 range. everything you said makes sense, i hate knowing where the lt1's stand....any regrets gettin the ls1???? everytime i think about getting one, i somehow talk myself out of it...i wanna be one of the lt1's out there killin them ls1's!!!
. That part sucks, but knowing that my 13 year old LT1 can still put the smack down on 90% of whats on the streets today brings a smile to my face still 
Not to mention, I seem to get more respect being that fast in an LT1 than my LS1 friends do.
The fact of the matter is that the LS1 is a better/newer engine, and is just capable of being and making fast with MUCH less compared to the LT1. When the next generation Camaro hits the streets it will be the new king on the block, and the LS1's will be right where the LT1's were in 98. After a few more years, I'm sure the next generation LS based motor will be so simple to make crazy fast, the aftermarket for LT1's will take an even sharper dive.
Welcome to the hate club!
It's all one big cycle. The LS1s will fall into the same position as the LT1 guys currently are once the 5th gen comes out. Anyways, there are options for our cars, such as lloyd elliot packages, custom grind cams etc... which allow us to play the game. My theory is stock for stock the LS1 is going to win hands down. It's newer technology what do you expect. But once you start modding it's who has the deeper pockets. Personally though, imo, and dollar wise your better off building an LS1 these days, they've come down in price drastically. I'm sure that's why I'm seeing a lot more LS1 LT1 body cars these days.
my .02
EVENTUALLY!!! I would like to have a SOM or NBM Firehawk, but I will still keep my Formula. That little LT1 sounds mean with a cam and heads and I just like driving it.
Last edited by DopdBrd; Mar 15, 2008 at 04:35 PM.
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Well, LT1's are still a good choice if you want to build a nice high 10, low 11 second car for cheap.
The displacement is there, and really the only handicap's are the 2.73's (10 bolt), stock exhaust manifolds and shitty heads.
Plus, you can get an LT1 car for nearly half the price of a similar LS1.
LS1 cars are dropping in value though.
An 02' is now a 6-7 year old car.
The displacement is there, and really the only handicap's are the 2.73's (10 bolt), stock exhaust manifolds and shitty heads.
Plus, you can get an LT1 car for nearly half the price of a similar LS1.
LS1 cars are dropping in value though.
An 02' is now a 6-7 year old car.
Last edited by burnzilla; Mar 15, 2008 at 07:01 PM.
ummm, wrong. no you don't. 
It is purely a mechanical part as I said. It has no interaction with anything electronic.
A tuning adjustment that goes well with it is to reduce the fan settings, but you can do that with the stock thermo too since the fan operation is not directly related to the thermo in any way. Sometimes people get confused and think it is though.
A tune is good for other reasons and he should definitely get one, I'm just saying that running rich because his 160 is not "tuned for" is not the issue.
It is purely a mechanical part as I said. It has no interaction with anything electronic.A tuning adjustment that goes well with it is to reduce the fan settings, but you can do that with the stock thermo too since the fan operation is not directly related to the thermo in any way. Sometimes people get confused and think it is though.
A tune is good for other reasons and he should definitely get one, I'm just saying that running rich because his 160 is not "tuned for" is not the issue.
if you get a tune and they know you have a 160 degree stat that will add slightly more spark advance for more power
so you dont need a tune but if you will have a slight advantage if you do tune for it
There seems to have a lot of crazy ideas and misinformation about a simple thermostat and what it does.
Last edited by infinitebird; Mar 15, 2008 at 07:53 PM.
actually you're right that you dont "need" a tune with a 160 degree stat BUT....
if you get a tune and they know you have a 160 degree stat that will add slightly more spark advance for more power
so you dont need a tune but if you will have a slight advantage if you do tune for it
if you get a tune and they know you have a 160 degree stat that will add slightly more spark advance for more power
so you dont need a tune but if you will have a slight advantage if you do tune for it
The LT1 maybe slower but dont just compare it to the LS1 compare it to every other v8 out there. Power for dollar it will kick the *** of a ford mod motor and hang with a ford small block..probally beat. There are guys out there running basically factory everything LT1 (just modified/ported) aside from valve train and some bottom end upgrades and are making 500rwhp. Thats damn impressive! Show me another engine that can retain its factory intake and heads with porting and make 500rwhp on a sr cam. There a guys out there making 450rwhp on hr cam.
Before you haters say I am wrong just check out guys that runs AI's stuff...they have great dyno AND track numbers. With a turbo any engine can basically be as fast as the other with enough boost and proper flow
Before you haters say I am wrong just check out guys that runs AI's stuff...they have great dyno AND track numbers. With a turbo any engine can basically be as fast as the other with enough boost and proper flow
truthfully i have to say thats crappy my car just with headers,exhaust and a c.a.i ran a 13.51 at 99mph with a stock auto and stock gear.in a 95' day.... you have a way to big stall and throttle body your 60 must really suck not to b mean though. bottom end is really rough but hey when that cam is in that car will b bad *** and fly.
I personally think ls1's are "ME TOO" cars. Its like everyone i know is driving around a ls1 car. Its like you have a moded ls1 me to. LOL There is just that feeling i get inside when I'm on my 2 step at 5k with a open cutout and purging nitrous. I like being known as that guy with the very clean lt1 car. I do love ls1 cars to though to. I would like to have both.
Last edited by Jditlfm; Mar 15, 2008 at 11:35 PM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
I have one of each and i love my LT1, i just wish it was as easy to work on as the LS1... lol oh well the LS1 is awesome as far as reliability goes for my girl... And my LT1 will always be the beast my girl is almost too scared to ride in... lol
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, CT
i got twins! 2 red trans ams with t -tops, i love my lt1 getting a LE-3 heads cam kit and a 383, and im selling my 99 T/A, dont know why but i like my slower lt1 its got a good feel to it. One thing i cant understand is i have a whisper lid and borla cat-back exhaust on my 99 T/A with a 4l60e and my budy has a 02 SS camaro bone stock with a t-56 and he walks my *** every time in a drag race, its annoying!