UprisingCamaro

Whats better? Opinions?

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

They can both be made to make good power. The drawback to the LT1 is the opti.

Convoy25

iTrader: (3)

LS1s respond well with bolt ons/mods
LS1s have more power in the higher RPMs
LT1s have more low end torque.

with equal mods thrown at each, the LS1 should have better driveability than a LT1.

however i'm still at the point where i think all this computer stuff is voodoo and wanna run back to my carb motors

chevyowner02

iTrader: (3)

Oh boy here we go again......
It all comes down to what YOU want and how much YOU want to spend and the power YOU want. The opti is not as bad as people make it out to be.

With the LS1 you are going to spend more for it than the LT1 but you are get more from it too.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

This is the never ending topic.


Just one thing, look at it like this, there is a reason everyone and their momma is swapping to LS engines, they are better, period.

86White_T/A305

Ls1 is a great starting point if you want to swap in a great power plant thats good on gas and has a nice amount of power and flat torque curve.They take to mods well without even being tuned and more so after some dyno time.

Lt1 have some slight quirks.. most people refuse to touch them and would rather build a traditional sbc but there is alot of potential behind them if you do your homework aswell.Tuning is where you need time spent after modding one ...and the opti spark is a thing of the past with a vast amount of fixes for them now.or alot of guys run ls1 pcms on them with great results.

All depends on what ya want.Anything can be made fast with a good sized wallet.what you should factor in is reliability,drive ability,gas mileage.

Besides..ls1s are becoming a thing of the past aswell....they are the motors guys take out and replace with a bigger better lsx motor lol.The cycle will continue when the ls7 etc become a "cheaper" swap option.

firechicken76

iTrader: (3)

I would say build an iron 6.0, cheap, and all the new gen III/IV stuff works with it. look at it this way.
lt1's are generally cheaper, so I would go with one of those over a gen 1.
Id also rather build an lsx engine over an lt1.

reasons to build an lsx.
innerchangable parts with the ls1, ls2, ls3, ls6, ls7 etc..
Iron truck blocks are available for cheap.
Lsx engines (most) are aluminum and weigh a lot less.
Aftermarket is bigger for the lsx engines.
better base line hp than the LTX family.
more swap parts available - headers etc....
also ls1's respond better to mods...

stock ls1 to the wheels make about 300-320
with an ls6 intake, underdrive pulley, headers, cat back you can make around 350 to the tires
with a cam and the previous mods (depending on size of cam) can make anywhere from 370-410 rwhp.
Heads, cam and bolt ons? ive seen up to 450 to the tires, and with an aftermarket intake and throttle body ive seen 500 to the wheels in a stock cube ls1.

torque_is_good

hmmm, so what's better, an engine that made its debut in model year 1992 vette vs an engine that made its debut in model year 1997 vette?

If money was not a consideration then I'll take an LS1, or better yet, an LS7

But, since you asked, and I gather you overlooked that perhaps one is called Gen 2 and the other Gen 3????


Put that aside. LT1 does have the distributor on the front sitting behind the waterpump (yes you read that correctly)

If you put a cam into an LS1, then to match that power with an LT1 you would need to have your heads ported and swap cam.

With bolt ons, the LS1 will put down more than 300RWHP while the LT1 needs 1.6 RR's in addition to bolt ons on a manny tranny to even flirt with 300RWHP.

It comes down to cost benefit. If you can get an LT1 but needs to be rebuilt, then shop for a lower mileage LS1. If you can find a good, perhaps rebuilt LT1 for a song, and it's $1,000 less than an LS1 then get the LT.

The LT1 makes good low end torque and then has a flat torque curve all the way to about 4700rpms

But, both a solid LT1 or LS1 with bolt ons and a good tune for 93 octane will quickly grenade your stock 700R4. I've toasted my 4L60E twice and finally beefed up the tranny with more stout internals.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

A LSX swap will always be a better investment in the end.

A LSX can make power easily with just a cam swap but it is more expensive than an LT1 swap.

Me personally will be going LT1. I can pick up a good no need to be rebuilt LT1 for around $400-600. Pretty much under $1000 to get it bolted up to my 700R4 for now. I will be more than happy enough with 350-400hp which with the help of Lloyd Elliotts port job and custom cam and tune should get me there and the price is right.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Got my 6.0 for 700$ complete. Can get the short blocks for 550$, i get 5.3s for 350$. LT1s? I have no idea, hard to find in decent shape and dont like the opti, not to mention other things that are just a PITA for me personally.

Klortho

Here we go again......

Tonysz383

Ls motors are the better choice, they make more power than anyother small block. You can pick up an LQ4 from a truck very cheap and they have LS6 heads on them from the factory. The heads just have larger combustion chambers.

eagle_eyes

iTrader: (3)

if i had the money at the time i did my swap, i would have done LS1. LT1 stuff is cheaper, and i don't have any complaints from mine. never had any issues with the opti. it's still a fun ride, but LS1 is more advanced. also, LS1's have a lot of support behind them...tuning, parts, knowledge.

i have maybe $1,500 into my whole swap...going from a 2.8 to the LT1. engine, computer, harness, built trans, radiator, suspension, rear end, etc.

PontiacMC

I own a LS1 and have had LT1s and both are great to me, never had a problem with opti....but I can sit at around 7000rpms in my LS1 and have no worries. Plus the sound of a LS1 modded is sex.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

$$$ is pretty much the only reason not to go Gen3/4. 5.3s are cheap enough now that even that argument can get thrown out the window. Unless you want an actual LS1/2/3 or all aluminum block, those are a little more expensive.

A 5.3L with a mild cam will give mad amounts of power. The heads flow better, the intake angle is straighter...so many reasons the Gen 3 and 4's are better. can't think of any drawbacks to them.

itsMikey

opti :thumbsdown:
LS

firechicken76

iTrader: (3)

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

at the pic

jakemussman

iTrader: (3)

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I love that pic.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Hahhahahahhaa, i have not seen that surprisingly.

Shift06

Who voted LT1!? lol Hilarious picture, unless you are into Richard Simmons...

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

I know right, the people have spoken, LOL.

itsMikey

@ the pic..someone had that as there sig a while ago...

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

So, you came in hoping to start an uprising?

This topic has been discussed over & over. The LT1 is a fine engine, but it was short-lived for a reason (okay, perhaps several reasons).

If you want to start an argument, it ain't gunna happen here.

If you want to ask the question where the LT1 will win, go ask on ls1lt1.com. It's inhabited by LT1 fanatics. Not just fans, fanatics. Here, you'll get honest answers (most of the time - "Opti" is not one of the reasons not to choose LT1).

So, in the interest of maintaining civility, Mr.

If you don't think your question was really answered, then

(BTW, not sure why long rods isn't mentioned as an Gen III "pro". People spend good money to make Gen I/II engines "long rod".)