Frustrated with LS1's
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Ok, I bought my Firehawk in November after owning 3 LT1's. I'm sure it's probably just my car, but the LS1 doesn't have the neck breaking feel that my LT1 did. My 94 Trans Am had similar mods that my Firehawk does, LT's and exhaust, and my Firehawk dynoed around 50+ rwhp more than my LT1 (313hp and 325tq on my Hawk) but it feels way slower. I just don't get it. I've changed the plugs and wires, fuel filter, cleaned the air filter, changed all the fluids, still feel way sluggish. What's wrong with my car???
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lt1 are known for down low power. thats why you cant tell. an lt1 reaches its peak power quicker. but then loses its power quicker also. ls1 is more top end power.
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i agree with everyone that commented on the LT1s down low power...i had an LT1 before this camaro that was a normal mid 13 second car. it would actually pull 1/2-3/4 of a car length on my buddies high 12 car of the line. it just made completely diff power down low. this would explain why the LT1 car dynoed 250 RWHP and 300 RWTQ...my LS1 while making now almost 100 RWHP more only dynoed 40 more RWTQ...kinda understand what im talkin about...it seems confusing reading back trough it
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just look at dynographs and youll see why. the torque peak of an lt1 is around 2600 rpms...the peak of an ls1 is at roughly 4600 rpms, but the ls1 is making 90% of its torque off idle, but the way you dont have the dead spot like an lt1, it doesnt feel like a lunge..its more of a continous pull in an ls1.
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Love the flat torque curve of the ls1, from 1800-2500 is a smooth jump to around 90% of max torque. From 2500-5800 the torque curve is relatively flat. It'll get to peak around 4000 rpm. It's a very decieving engine, you don't feel any drastic change in power, it simply pulls at nearly the same rate from start to finish. I think that's the best part of it, having 300+ ft/lb (stock) available at almost any rpm. The same can't be said about lt1 engines.
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I agree, kinda.. Its not in your head, well not all of it. Like stated, the LT1 was known for its down low torque, it puts more in the lower RPM band to the wheels then the LS1 thats why when you race an LT1 stock for stock they will either jump you, or stay dead even til about 3500 then its all taillights for them. But just driving around town normally it will feel slower just because the power isnt as much down low as your previous car. Its nothing wrong with your car, just 2 different engines, kinda like putting a cut out on the car, it feels more sluggish down low, but you save time in the 1/4.
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yes, to agree with everyone else, the LS1's are faster. They aren't as torquey down low, and they are smoother at getting into the power. BUT there is much more power!!! I've never lost to an LT1. Also, we pull much harder in the upper rpm's than they do. Trust me, you're just concentrating on the torque down low, there is the bigger picture to see, and that's called average horsepower!
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Yep. The LS1 makes more torque throughout the RPMs than the LT1. The smooth delivery and longer powerband make the LS1 feel slower, but it just isn't true. If you want a more neck-snapping delivery, get a set of 4.10 gears.
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I agree with the other guys in that the power is different from what you are used to. I have driven alot of turbo and high rpm cars and always wondered why my friends cars with lt1s had such a disappointing high rpm pull. I was just used to the way that a higher rpm motor pulled hardest up near redline, so the lt1 seemed slow to me top end. The ls1 pulls similar (except for much harder) to turbo or import motors in that you must rev the motor for best power.
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You have Longtubes, Air box, 85mm mas, Freeflowing exhaust and your only at 313hp? Have you had the car tuned either using HP or Ls1 edit. Thats why something doesnt feel right. Stock that car should put close too that number. I dont know if the OO Hawks have the Ls6 intake, whats the casting number on your heads?
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I'll tell you why it doesn't seem as fast. Because everyone talks about how fast LS1s are and all that, so you expect such a fast car. People that ride in LS1s expect the ****** tires to lift off the ground in stock form. They really aren't THAT much faster than an LT1, so of course it's not gonna feel neck-breaking compared to an LT1. It's also designed to run more smooth than the LT1, so it may not kick ur *** back like an LT1 would. Go from about a 65 mph roll and tell me which feels faster.