Lt1 or ls1? help!
#41
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#42
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Having owned both LT1 and LS1, the LS1 is a better all around motor. Make more power easier, faster stock, and theres a bigger aftermarket. Better gas milage too and no opti.
I'm running over a second faster with my current LS1 SS with the same mods (bolt-ons) over my A4 LT1 Formula (bolt-ons)
I'm running over a second faster with my current LS1 SS with the same mods (bolt-ons) over my A4 LT1 Formula (bolt-ons)
#43
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After being hard-headed and not listening to a bunch of folks warning me about the LT1 (which I bought), and spending a bunch of $$$ to just keep it running, I'm trading my LT1 tomorrow for a LS1. Hopefully I'll finally be able to wash or drive my NEW car in the rain without worry.
BTW, can someone comment on the problem with 1998 LS1s, other than it was the first year in the Camaro?
BTW, can someone comment on the problem with 1998 LS1s, other than it was the first year in the Camaro?
perimeter bolt valvecovers
853/806 heads
98 pcm can be flaky
obviously these are all issues that can be rectified... but if you have a choice get a 01-02' model year. Although the 98's did NOT have the piston slap issues that the later models had... so thats +1 back for the 98's lol!!
#44
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weaker rod bolts
perimeter bolt valvecovers
853/806 heads
98 pcm can be flaky
obviously these are all issues that can be rectified... but if you have a choice get a 01-02' model year. Although the 98's did NOT have the piston slap issues that the later models had... so thats +1 back for the 98's lol!!
perimeter bolt valvecovers
853/806 heads
98 pcm can be flaky
obviously these are all issues that can be rectified... but if you have a choice get a 01-02' model year. Although the 98's did NOT have the piston slap issues that the later models had... so thats +1 back for the 98's lol!!
Given the choice between a '98 or another model year, I would pick the one in the best condition, and at the best price. All model years have some advantages and disadvantages over the others, it mostly ends up equaling out.
#45
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I love how ppl knock the lt1, especially the part saying u cant drive in rain or car washes cuz the opti. My car is H/C/I sprayed 6 speed an geared an full bolt ons sees 7k rpms everyday and is my daily driver. And has been through many car washes with under body sprayers. Has been through many flooded roads water up to the doors, since i live in Florida and no issues. Seems to me ls1 owners make the opti out to be worse then it is. Ive owned this car since 08, had another one before that. Even have a 99 TA with a cam only lt1/stalled auto swap. Now to me it would be crazy for u not to pick up a 28k mile ws6 for 9k. Lsx motors maybe great, but i have yet to get beat by one.
#46
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No, that's a '98-'00 potential issue. There was no '98 specific oil pump.
The valve covers are not a "problem", they do their job quite well. Neither are the 806 ('98) or 853 ('99-'00) heads. They have just as much potential as the 241s. Rod bolts would only be a potential issue when revving beyond the stock limiter. PCM is fine for most applications with an experianced tuner. Might be an issue if you're planning a serious forced induction setup though.
Given the choice between a '98 or another model year, I would pick the one in the best condition, and at the best price. All model years have some advantages and disadvantages over the others, it mostly ends up equaling out.
The valve covers are not a "problem", they do their job quite well. Neither are the 806 ('98) or 853 ('99-'00) heads. They have just as much potential as the 241s. Rod bolts would only be a potential issue when revving beyond the stock limiter. PCM is fine for most applications with an experianced tuner. Might be an issue if you're planning a serious forced induction setup though.
Given the choice between a '98 or another model year, I would pick the one in the best condition, and at the best price. All model years have some advantages and disadvantages over the others, it mostly ends up equaling out.
#47
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What are you going to be using the car for?
Show, pleasure, race?
I have had 2 lt1's and 7 ls1's
Lt1's are fun to drive.
Pros, you can get them cheap.
Cons
Ugly (to me) body style isnt great.
opti spakr
not much power.
Ls1s are better overall.
Be patient in this economy you can find anything. I found my 98 trans am with 134,000 miles on it and payed 3500 for it. It needed tires and paint work on the hood. So a set of tires and some paint later I have 4400 in it. It ran a 9.0 on the 1.8th bone stock with bald tires spinning. Still holds good oil preasure and all....this is what I have 4400 in..
Trust me...wait and find a ls1.
Show, pleasure, race?
I have had 2 lt1's and 7 ls1's
Lt1's are fun to drive.
Pros, you can get them cheap.
Cons
Ugly (to me) body style isnt great.
opti spakr
not much power.
Ls1s are better overall.
Be patient in this economy you can find anything. I found my 98 trans am with 134,000 miles on it and payed 3500 for it. It needed tires and paint work on the hood. So a set of tires and some paint later I have 4400 in it. It ran a 9.0 on the 1.8th bone stock with bald tires spinning. Still holds good oil preasure and all....this is what I have 4400 in..
Trust me...wait and find a ls1.
#48
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Always hear about the people who never have trouble from the opti, but all 3 lt1 cars I've been around have had tons.
One guy replaced his 3 times in the same damn year.
It's not a cheap fix either. Especially if you factor in the towing bills and the fact they are a pain in the *** to change.
One guy replaced his 3 times in the same damn year.
It's not a cheap fix either. Especially if you factor in the towing bills and the fact they are a pain in the *** to change.
#51
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- weaker flexplate
- dummy temp gage
- chattering Torsen diff
- bubbling roof paint (this affected only very late '98s, but otherwise it's a '99+ issue)
- slower reacting throttle body cam
- more prone to piston slap
- less aggressive stock cam
- PCM that freaks out more easily with transmissions related mods (auto cars)
The '98s didn't have these issues. Then you also have the minor cosmetic changes made in certain years (mirrors [camaro], wheels, colors, interior colors/patterns/trim, etc). Which looks "better" is strictly opinion, but still matters subjectively when looking for an LS1 car.
That's normally the issue, people that haven't owned them spread the rumors or over exaggerate the impact of the differences. Like I always say, as a person that's owned every model year (except 2001), there is no single year that's best overall for everyone - they all have some positives and negatives compared to other years. Depending on your goals and preferances, any year could be better than another.
Last edited by RPM WS6; 11-19-2010 at 10:56 AM.
#52
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My 01 SS is def a much better car, faster stock for stock since I was putting a few lengths on stock LS1 cars older then mine. All I had was 4.10's w/ m6 and a cat back. Put down 313whp and 325 torque stock, now Im at 378whp and 369 torque.
But they are right about the better 241 heads, ls6 intake, better factory exhaust, stronger rod bolts, better pcm, fuel system etc. in the 01/02 models.
Last edited by CamaroZ28_LS1; 11-19-2010 at 11:24 AM.
#54
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I owned 3 LS1 cars before I bought my LT1. Stock for stock the LS1 is faster, but either one will make great power once you open your wallet. The opti problem is way overrated. Either one is a great platform to start with. This is a very biased site becasue it is more for LS1 cars. I would think hard about what your final goals for the car are and buy appropriately.
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2) The reason '01-'02 cars dyno a bit higher is due to the 241 heads, LS6 intake and better flowing exhaust manifolds; not the cam change (which was to a milder cam). The best combo of stock parts (horsepower wise) would be to put a '98-'00 cam in an '01-'02 engine.
3) You mentioned "fuel system". It's true that the '98s have the old LT1-style steel fuel tank, but that's not necessarily a negative (again, depending on your goals). It's the '99 & '00 year cars that get the smaller injectors ('98 and '01-'02 get the bigger factory injectors).
#56
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1) You can't directly compare dyno numbers from your stock or modded A4 car vs your stock or modded M6 car.
2) The reason '01-'02 cars dyno a bit higher is due to the 241 heads, LS6 intake and better flowing exhaust manifolds; not the cam change (which was to a milder cam). The best combo of stock parts (horsepower wise) would be to put a '98-'00 cam in an '01-'02 engine.
3) You mentioned "fuel system". It's true that the '98s have the old LT1-style steel fuel tank, but that's not necessarily a negative (again, depending on your goals). It's the '99 & '00 year cars that get the smaller injectors ('98 and '01-'02 get the bigger factory injectors).
2) The reason '01-'02 cars dyno a bit higher is due to the 241 heads, LS6 intake and better flowing exhaust manifolds; not the cam change (which was to a milder cam). The best combo of stock parts (horsepower wise) would be to put a '98-'00 cam in an '01-'02 engine.
3) You mentioned "fuel system". It's true that the '98s have the old LT1-style steel fuel tank, but that's not necessarily a negative (again, depending on your goals). It's the '99 & '00 year cars that get the smaller injectors ('98 and '01-'02 get the bigger factory injectors).
my 01 313whp and 325Torque - mustang dyno
my 98 Z28 around 280whp and 285 torque. - dyno dynamics
modded/dyno numbers your right, they are not relevant. But my m6 was still much faster stock for stock. I don't believe that the cams made that much of a difference anyways. Maybe 10hp?
#57
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1) You can't directly compare dyno numbers from your stock or modded A4 car vs your stock or modded M6 car.
2) The reason '01-'02 cars dyno a bit higher is due to the 241 heads, LS6 intake and better flowing exhaust manifolds; not the cam change (which was to a milder cam). The best combo of stock parts (horsepower wise) would be to put a '98-'00 cam in an '01-'02 engine.
3) You mentioned "fuel system". It's true that the '98s have the old LT1-style steel fuel tank, but that's not necessarily a negative (again, depending on your goals). It's the '99 & '00 year cars that get the smaller injectors ('98 and '01-'02 get the bigger factory injectors).
2) The reason '01-'02 cars dyno a bit higher is due to the 241 heads, LS6 intake and better flowing exhaust manifolds; not the cam change (which was to a milder cam). The best combo of stock parts (horsepower wise) would be to put a '98-'00 cam in an '01-'02 engine.
3) You mentioned "fuel system". It's true that the '98s have the old LT1-style steel fuel tank, but that's not necessarily a negative (again, depending on your goals). It's the '99 & '00 year cars that get the smaller injectors ('98 and '01-'02 get the bigger factory injectors).
#58
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On tick performance's site I read that 98-99 cars' trannys don't have the "Viper" style gear that came standard in 2000 and up models. The Viper style gear has longer engagement teeth that make it much stronger.
Quoted from Tick...
"Suggested for all pre-2000 model six speed transmissions equipped with the non-Viper gear. This older gear is the weakest gear inside your T56! Starting in 2000, all T56 Transmissions came equipped with the Viper Style 2nd Gear, which features longer engagement teeth, making it much stronger. A very wise option for your pre-2000 F-Body!"
Quoted from Tick...
"Suggested for all pre-2000 model six speed transmissions equipped with the non-Viper gear. This older gear is the weakest gear inside your T56! Starting in 2000, all T56 Transmissions came equipped with the Viper Style 2nd Gear, which features longer engagement teeth, making it much stronger. A very wise option for your pre-2000 F-Body!"
#59
What are you going to be using the car for?
Show, pleasure, race?
I have had 2 lt1's and 7 ls1's
Lt1's are fun to drive.
Pros, you can get them cheap.
Cons
Ugly (to me) body style isnt great.opti spakr
not much power.
Ls1s are better overall.
Be patient in this economy you can find anything. I found my 98 trans am with 134,000 miles on it and payed 3500 for it. It needed tires and paint work on the hood. So a set of tires and some paint later I have 4400 in it. It ran a 9.0 on the 1.8th bone stock with bald tires spinning. Still holds good oil preasure and all....this is what I have 4400 in..
Trust me...wait and find a ls1.
Show, pleasure, race?
I have had 2 lt1's and 7 ls1's
Lt1's are fun to drive.
Pros, you can get them cheap.
Cons
Ugly (to me) body style isnt great.opti spakr
not much power.
Ls1s are better overall.
Be patient in this economy you can find anything. I found my 98 trans am with 134,000 miles on it and payed 3500 for it. It needed tires and paint work on the hood. So a set of tires and some paint later I have 4400 in it. It ran a 9.0 on the 1.8th bone stock with bald tires spinning. Still holds good oil preasure and all....this is what I have 4400 in..
Trust me...wait and find a ls1.