LS1 vs LT1
#41
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A few people have brought up bang for the buck so I'd like to throw this out there for folks to chew on....
Running 11s NA with an internally stock LS1 is EASY. Yep, a good converter and few bolt-ons are all it takes. Talk about bang for the buck! Even mid-11s are becoming fairly common with internally stock LS1s. How much money does it take to run mid-11s NA with an LT1? And how does that mid-11 second LT1 idle and drive? MPG? Nothing like an internally stock LS1 I bet.
(Yes, an old and dumb argument this thread is but I couldn't resist.)
Running 11s NA with an internally stock LS1 is EASY. Yep, a good converter and few bolt-ons are all it takes. Talk about bang for the buck! Even mid-11s are becoming fairly common with internally stock LS1s. How much money does it take to run mid-11s NA with an LT1? And how does that mid-11 second LT1 idle and drive? MPG? Nothing like an internally stock LS1 I bet.
(Yes, an old and dumb argument this thread is but I couldn't resist.)
#42
Have a LT1 vette and LS1 z/28. The LT1's torque peaks lower making it feel quick to the punch but it runs out of steam up in the rpms. The LS1 comes alive above 3k and pulls hard all the way to redline thanks to the higher flowing head design.
Had some minor issues w/ the LT1 - common rear main leak (early LT1s), overheating (vette in AZ summer) and the optispark problems. Haven't had any issues with the LS1, only aware of the piston slap issue.
LS1 vs LT1:
-Higher flowing heads
-All aluminium block (lighter, better cooling)
-More aftermarket performance parts
-Improved engine management system (tuning etc)
-Still in production and being improved upon
Just my 2 cents for what its worth
Had some minor issues w/ the LT1 - common rear main leak (early LT1s), overheating (vette in AZ summer) and the optispark problems. Haven't had any issues with the LS1, only aware of the piston slap issue.
LS1 vs LT1:
-Higher flowing heads
-All aluminium block (lighter, better cooling)
-More aftermarket performance parts
-Improved engine management system (tuning etc)
-Still in production and being improved upon
Just my 2 cents for what its worth
#43
Originally Posted by cyphur_traq
Never said the LQ9 was issue free. But if I was going to swap out a 6.0L block, then I would be doing so b/c of boost. I'd be replacing just about every bolt that holds something to the block that encounters pressure from the motor, with ARP high-end bolts. Also, ff you're gonna run 20-30# of boost, then yea, you're definitely inclined eventually gonna pop a head unless you had God torque it down.
BTW, I haven't heard of many people lifting a head w/o some serious boost. Correct me if I am wrong, and I will glad admit my error.
BTW, I haven't heard of many people lifting a head w/o some serious boost. Correct me if I am wrong, and I will glad admit my error.
#44
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I used to live in florida and had a 95 transam lt1 with flower master front to back and msd ignition and a stronger clutch and it was pretty quick, i now live in the uk and imported a 99 transam ls1 which is all stock and this car is a lot faster than my 95 with the mods, and the engine is so much better for reliability.
#45
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Originally Posted by V8_DSM_V8again
When you are looking at doing a minor to moderate mod car I'd say run a LS1...
You can go full tilt on a LS1 too but it will cost more and has its own problems..
There are the issues of the sleeved block and bore sizing, 4 vs 5 bolt head patterns, reluctor wheel to piston clearance on stroker cranks.. More expensive cranks....
An aftermarket crank for an LT1 is the same as a SBC therefore cheaper and in many more flavors... The blocks, heads and intake are different.. Since it has no coolant passages the LT1 intake is'nt so bad in the heat soak department.. A sheet metal intake like on full tilt LS1's (QMP) wont heat soak much at all either... There are pros and cons of each... The deep skirt aspect of the LS1 block is nice.. With the new blocks around the sleeve issue is'nt as bad as it once was...
I just think that people on either side who just say one just owns the other just are'nt with the program.. If its modded it just depends on who built it.
You can go full tilt on a LS1 too but it will cost more and has its own problems..
There are the issues of the sleeved block and bore sizing, 4 vs 5 bolt head patterns, reluctor wheel to piston clearance on stroker cranks.. More expensive cranks....
An aftermarket crank for an LT1 is the same as a SBC therefore cheaper and in many more flavors... The blocks, heads and intake are different.. Since it has no coolant passages the LT1 intake is'nt so bad in the heat soak department.. A sheet metal intake like on full tilt LS1's (QMP) wont heat soak much at all either... There are pros and cons of each... The deep skirt aspect of the LS1 block is nice.. With the new blocks around the sleeve issue is'nt as bad as it once was...
I just think that people on either side who just say one just owns the other just are'nt with the program.. If its modded it just depends on who built it.
I think you hit the nail on the head with your post. Their both the **** in my book
Last edited by METALBEAST; 07-20-2004 at 11:07 AM.
#46
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I would say the LS1 is good for about .5 sec better et. So with that in mind they are both pretty close and I would just buy whichever one I thought looked better. LS1 and LT1 are both kick *** engines so you can't lose either way.
#47
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its all about the lt1 guys strugglin' for somethin to compare with. Prices? cmon your talking like a 5.slow owner."o yea? well stuff for my car is cheap and blah blah." hey if you like your lt1 fine, its better than a rice rocket but stop trying to compete with the ls1 its not gonna happen. all of you lt1 die hards need to get out of the stonedage and Re-read Nineball's post on page 1...
#48
Originally Posted by TanRchy
its all about the lt1 guys strugglin' for somethin to compare with. Prices? cmon your talking like a 5.slow owner."o yea? well stuff for my car is cheap and blah blah." hey if you like your lt1 fine, its better than a rice rocket but stop trying to compete with the ls1 its not gonna happen. all of you lt1 die hards need to get out of the stonedage and Re-read Nineball's post on page 1...
Both have their advantages but overall Id say their about even.
#49
TECH Enthusiast
Umm the LS1 and LT1 share I think one bearing in common. Other than that a completely different design. They are both OHV V8's of similar displacement and that's about the end of the similarities. Having had a '96 WS6 I am familiar with the LT1. Stock vs stock and mod per mod the LS1 makes more power. It is certainly more expensive to mod. I'm still a member of an F-body club and many members run LT1's. They are certainly good powerplants, but they need more mods to keep with an LS1. My car with a cam and headers was able to beat a 94 Formula with headers, cam, RR's, 4.10 gears, and mildly ported heads. It was also .1 behind a procharged LT1 from our group. Even after adding the heads this spring I am still able to get 30+mpg on the highway. Again the LT1 is a great powerplant, I will never bash it. I just am of the opinion the LS1 is a more efficient design with better power potential for the average Joe.
#50
Originally Posted by 99C5JA
Umm the LS1 and LT1 share I think one bearing in common. Other than that a completely different design. They are both OHV V8's of similar displacement and that's about the end of the similarities. Having had a '96 WS6 I am familiar with the LT1. Stock vs stock and mod per mod the LS1 makes more power. It is certainly more expensive to mod. I'm still a member of an F-body club and many members run LT1's. They are certainly good powerplants, but they need more mods to keep with an LS1. My car with a cam and headers was able to beat a 94 Formula with headers, cam, RR's, 4.10 gears, and mildly ported heads. It was also .1 behind a procharged LT1 from our group. Even after adding the heads this spring I am still able to get 30+mpg on the highway. Again the LT1 is a great powerplant, I will never bash it. I just am of the opinion the LS1 is a more efficient design with better power potential for the average Joe.
#51
TECH Enthusiast
No idea. Never implied that you DID say the block was the same to my knowledge. And technical advancement wise, you are only hitting the tip of the iceberg as to the advancements made from one engine to the other. Do a little research on the net. You'll find that there are many worthwhile improvements in the LSx series of motors. Not all of them equate to power gains, but they are still certainly advantages.
#53
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Originally Posted by meangreen94z
How is the LT1 stoneage and the LS1 not?A little bit of factual info to back up your claim? 15* heads, aluminum block, and one coil per cylinder is pretty much the only difference of the LS1.
Both have their advantages but overall Id say their about even.
Both have their advantages but overall Id say their about even.
#54
Originally Posted by rdavis93
No one has even mentioned the LT5 yet so I've got dibs. I'd take that monster over damn near every other engine I've seen GM put in a car.
so to end this debate ls1 are soooooo much better if you have a lt1 ot lt5 shoot your self in the face just kidding
hey dont we have ford/mopar guys to debate whose engine is better... oh weight we know lt1/lt4/lt5/ls1/ls6....n/a 3.8 v6 is better anyway...hahaha
well i'm i sick of typing (with 2 fingers) see ya guys later!
#55
Originally Posted by TanRchy
its all about the lt1 guys strugglin' for somethin to compare with. Prices? cmon your talking like a 5.slow owner."o yea? well stuff for my car is cheap and blah blah." hey if you like your lt1 fine, its better than a rice rocket but stop trying to compete with the ls1 its not gonna happen. all of you lt1 die hards need to get out of the stonedage and Re-read Nineball's post on page 1...
I'm not biased.. I think a nice car with any amount of cylinders, rotors, turbo(s) or supercharger etc is still a nice car. I look at a supra/DSM/Honda and say nice or rice depending on how competently or tastefully it was done.. . I look at the LT1 and LS1 and think they are both nice.. I am actually looking at running larger diameter head studs even in the LT1. My machinist will do the surgery. Ream the head out and retap the block... Heads lift on DSM's all the time when people upgrade turbos and dont change over to ARP's.
Yes the LS1 is the best mass production small block GM has everproduced...If they had used a five bolt per cylinder head on the LS series I'd be building an LQ9 block.. But they did'nt... I'd have designed it with 6 but then again I don't think like an engineer of a mass produced product.