i'm currently contemplating the idea of an engine swap. i've been looking at LT1's and TPI's the most. my question is: if you had the choice of either engine that you wanted extra HP out of, but you also want a good, sturdy engine for a good price, what would you go with? basically, in your opinion, what are the pros and cons of both engines?

 

LT1>TPI in all gategories except 2: Peak torque (althought LT1's torque curve is much broader, which is actually better) and looks. NOTHING beats the looks of the Tuned Port Motors.

LT1's are more expensive, but have a 1000 rpms above TPI and more than 40hp more in most cases and have just about as much an aftermarket as TPI. So spend the extra money up front on the LT1 that will more than make up the HP "Catch-up" you'd do with the TPI.

 

Don't the 93 LT1's have a distributor and the later ones have optispark?? I've heard so many horror stories about optispark.

Personally I like the look of the TPI setup. I've had people want to look under the hood of my car when I'm at the parts store and they see the TPI plenum and runners and think it's a super-charger

 

No, 4th gens never had a distributor. If they did, we wouldn't have to drill a hole in the intake to adapt them to 3rd gens.

 

Having had both, LT1 hands down. Better aftermarket support and much better potential for hp. You already have an awesome set of heads and intake to start with. Take a look at the cz28.com board and see what guys are doing with modified LT1 heads and intake...it's quite amazing.

I laugh when people say LT1s have no torque...I have trouble getting my Z28 to hook with just 2.73s.

The optispark is a con with these motors. Fortunately there's the Delteq and LTCC conversions....basically converts to a coil per cylinder system (delteq) like an LS1. A little expensive but if you've replaced your optispark 2 or 3 times then it's paid for itself.

 

thanks for the replys.
i agree that the TPI does look great and i figured that the LT1 is more capable of producing power and torque. i also like all the Lingenfelter upgrades that i've found for the TPI for a good price. just want to make sure that with either engine, i have enough resources for add-ons and that i know what to look out for in terms of flaws.

 

The prices for LT1's are also comming down as well. I nabbed a complete LT1 minus harness and accessories for $270.

 

lt1 are compelete crap a tpi is way better than the lt1. i should know i have an lt1 and is hella slow

 

Well, there you have it. No need to continue. This thread should be closed now that we have finally been blessed with the knowledge of UrbanHunter.



What his post "should" have said was this: MY LT1 one is slow. Maybe since everyone elses LT1's are faster, maybe it's just mine that's is hella slow. Maybe I should work on it a little and start asking "why" it's "hella slow" instead of telling others they shouldn't get one.