LS1 or LT1

[Scatterbrained]

There's alot of people putting LS1's (or LS based engines) in their 1st gen Camaros. And there's obviously a good reason for it. But I wonder how many have considered putting an LT1 in the car instead?

I know there are alot of good reasons for an LS1, but as a budget alternative, for a boulevard cruiser, why not an LT1?

Scatter'd

[64duece]

Its viable option and done before but.....LT1's were installed in production vehicles from 13 to 18yrs ago. The limited production makes the aftermarket parts abit more expensive and a fresh rebuild + donor may cost more than a crate 5.3 which makes the same 300hp.

I purchased a brand new crate 5.3 on ebay for $1800 and dropped in with factory PCM.

[130fe]

They are a good alternative to putting an LS in a project. I put mine in back in 01 and it has ran great. The aftermarket never really caught up to it like it has the LS stuff. If you are looking for a simple 325RWHP cruiser they are a good candidate. You can argue over conversion costs between the two all day (between LS/LT stuff). The costs really start to get highon LT's when you want more than the 450 RWHP range. Can it be done, yes, but in the end you can get the same if not more out of an LS swap. I will be pulling my LT this fall for a L92. Is there anything wrong with it, no. I just want more power and doing the engine swap is alot cheaper than trying to build another car.

[93Polo]

I am usually a defender of the LT1s (having owned both) but it is hard to argue against the LS motors as cheap as they are getting. If all out power is not the goal 5.3s can make for a good budget build. With the 5.3 in, you're in a much better position if you ever want to go with a bigger LS based motor. Low mileage LT1s are also getting harder to find.

[bob442]

I bought a rebuilt 355 SBC complete for $500, i sold it the other day in favor of the LSx motor, the aftermarket is exploding for them, and running EFI has never been easier, if you find a LSx motor out of a vehicle, you can grab that PCM and harness, and hook it up with as little as 5 wires to make it run on the floor! i've looked into these way to much. you would want to get a 00+ motor as they changed the oil galley, and get a washer to put in the oil pump to bump up the oil pressure, as they are known for loosing oil pressure at high RPMS.

If you get a LSx (and there called LSx because the heads and almost all parts are interchangable) a LT1 is a revision of a SBC, and yes, the after market and parts are limited, and the opti spark is a big headache. if you want more wiring info to run EFI with extreme ease, check out these guys.

www.eficonnection.com

i hope this answers your questions, if you need any more info from me, just send me a PM as i'm over flowing with info in my head about this swap.

I'll try to check in again into this topic if i remember.

:cheers: Bob

[JimM]

I've always had a soft spot for LT1's

[brucel]

What about the Tuned Port. I still think they look the best.

[montanass]

personally i would go with an LS based engine. you can even find a 4.8L for cheap $$ put a good cam in it, throw an LS1 intake and water pump on it(car style intake will not clear the truck style water pump) and with some good tuning you'll have a nasty, dependable "modern" hot rod :unibrow:

[nuzzo]

i'm getting ready to pull my tuned port to change my street rod underhood looks and i think i'm going lsx.....probably the 5.3 route w magnacharger to make it look pretty:unibrow:

[JayR]

What about the Tuned Port. I still think they look the best.

Best looking dog! If people think LT1s are down on power, they're freight trains compared to TPI motors.

On topic, I have to go with the crowd, even if you can only afford an iron block LSX motor, you'll be better off with aftermarket support and parts availability and likely HP per dollar. The aforementioned 325 RWHP is a long ways from the stock output of an LT1 so starting with more HP will get you there easier.

[Scorpner]

I'm not sure about a First Gen Camaro, but as an example a Thirdgen F-Body can become an expensive prospect due to the cost of the oil pan, headers and accessories/brackets for an LSX based engines.

The LT1 can be a cheaper alternative but I would never do it because of the limited market for parts. Also, in the same situation, both alternatives would require notching the frame to provide room for the AC compressor. I would simply go with a SBC instead of an LT1.

[MarkM66]

The LT1 swap went out of style before ever came into style, ;) .

[WSSix]

The LT1 swap went out of style before ever came into style, ;) .

That's a good way to put it. Scott Parkhurst also had a great comment about them being the modern 409. Basically an excellent engine that was completely overshadowed by what followed it. GM started talking LSx engines before the aftermarket ever had the chance to build parts for the LT1/4 engines.

They are fantastic engines and I love them. They make excellent swap candidates as they are plentiful and the 94-97 EFI is sequential and excellent compared to previous GM EFI. They also easily fit into GM frames as they are nothing but a tradition SBC on the bottom end. However, and this is a big however, unless you just want to be different you should go for the LSx engines. They really are that fantastic of a motor. It literally is almost to the point of arguing over flathead V8 of OHV V8 and which way you should go. You'll always have the guys who love flatheads and want to build them but do not kid yourself into thinking a flathead or in this case the LT1/4 is a better engine no matter how much power you make or how many LSx powered cars you beat in a race.

Good luck with whatever you do. I'm staying with my LT1 for now :)

[Vegas69]

Everybody and their grandma is using an LS now and it's clear why. Cheap, reliable power.

[GregWeld]

I'm a dyed in the wool old skool SBC fan... but I just installed a LS2 with factory computer and Speartech harness into a 55 chevy... hit the key - it fired off in nanoseconds... and purred. This build even used stock exhaust manifolds... I've now driven it... and it just runs flawlessly and has plenty of power with the Tremec 6 sp and 3:70 gears.

If you're on a budget - just stick with an old skool small block - skip the LT1/4 - and spend better money on suspension or tranny or rearend stuff.... and if and when you want fuel injection - do the new FAST EZ EFI bolt on throttle body or equivalent.

Later you can sell the SBC and go with an LSx... there will still be a market for your SBC... but there is literally NO market for LT motors.

[KCorona]

are these LSx being pulled out of late model cars/trucks/suv's or being bought as crates? I am trying to come up with a 66 Chevelle build, more for reliability and decent HP but the LSx just seems like the way to go for this. I am clueless and a noob so any advice/info would be appreciated!

[T_Raven]

are these LSx being pulled out of late model cars/trucks/suv's or being bought as crates? I am trying to come up with a 66 Chevelle build, more for reliability and decent HP but the LSx just seems like the way to go for this. I am clueless and a noob so any advice/info would be appreciated!

I have an LS1 and t56 out of a 00 TA. I'd say on average I see them like that for $4k. Which is pretty good considering a t56 alone usually goes for $1500. So that's a cheap way to go unless you want more power. Say you want heads you're looking at around $2k, the l92 heads are cheaper and proven to make good power but you need a 6.0l or bigger. So unless you want an iron block then you're looking at an LS2 or LS3, both are still pretty spendy as drop outs from cars if you ask me. So say you buy a LS2/t56 out of a GTO for $6000, spend $1,000 on heads, $1,000 or so on the cam and valve train, plus intake, injectors, harness and a tune, and if at some point you want to stroke the block, well add all that up and it'd probably be about the same to buy a stroker crate engine and be done with it. Then you could either buy a used t56 or one of the aftermarket versions. But the cost of a used one plus a rebuild or upgraded parts is probably close to an aftermarket one.

Sorry for rambling on lol, but this is what I sit and think about, "this right here is this much, but for a little more I could get this, well then heck I might as well do this while I'm at it", so in this case a $4k LS1/t56 combo out of an F-body quickly turns into $20k for an LS7 and a t56 Magnum lol.

[fathomgreen69ss]

I am running and LT1 in my Nova and I love it because it has been very dependable and responsive to the few upgrades that I have made. It is putting 339hp on the ground right now through a 4L60E, which I am very satisfied with. However, given the opportunity, I would swap it for an LSx in a heartbeat. This would require my LT1 to die first.

I hate the front cover to oil pan seal and rear main seal design!!!!!:mad:

[KCorona]

I have an LS1 and t56 out of a 00 TA. I'd say on average I see them like that for $4k. Which is pretty good considering a t56 alone usually goes for $1500. So that's a cheap way to go unless you want more power. Say you want heads you're looking at around $2k, the l92 heads are cheaper and proven to make good power but you need a 6.0l or bigger. So unless you want an iron block then you're looking at an LS2 or LS3, both are still pretty spendy as drop outs from cars if you ask me. So say you buy a LS2/t56 out of a GTO for $6000, spend $1,000 on heads, $1,000 or so on the cam and valve train, plus intake, injectors, harness and a tune, and if at some point you want to stroke the block, well add all that up and it'd probably be about the same to buy a stroker crate engine and be done with it. Then you could either buy a used t56 or one of the aftermarket versions. But the cost of a used one plus a rebuild or upgraded parts is probably close to an aftermarket one.

Sorry for rambling on lol, but this is what I sit and think about, "this right here is this much, but for a little more I could get this, well then heck I might as well do this while I'm at it", so in this case a $4k LS1/t56 combo out of an F-body quickly turns into $20k for an LS7 and a t56 Magnum lol.


Great, this is the kind of info I am looking for! Well to narrow things down, I am not too worried about power (for the time being). I am worried about reliability until I get out of grad school and get my feet under me with a steady career. My friend mentioned to me to think about the wiring harness "brain", how does that install into the chevelles? I need to read more about EFI because I am not so knowledgeable of it but I know I want it ;)

[rocketman]

I have had many Lt1 cars, tansplanted lots of Lt1's but there old school now, Ls is the hot bed and there is so many there cheap

[sweatnblood]

I have a LT1 6 speed in my 2nd Gen...I'll say the LT1 is a good motor but there are things about it that are not good...the biggest thing for me is the distributor is located right under the water pump...not a good idea...also performance parts are a little harder to find and a tad bit more $$...I'm going to change mine out for a LS2 for sure when I save the cash...mostly because parts are cheaper and you can make 500hp with a head, cam package for a good price compared to trying to make 500 with a LT1...:cheers:

[GregWeld]

LT1s belong on a stand in the corner of your shed.... :D

[awr68]

LT1s belong on a stand in the corner of your shed.... :D

How did you know where mine was!!! :lol:

I have a lot of money in my LT1! It should be pretty cool and make lots of power....however, If I could sell it for good coin I would swap it for a LS2 or LS3 anyday!! :yes:

[will69camaro]

Yea I have a LT1/T56 in my 69 now, and I'm excited to pull it out for a LS2/3. Lighter, more efficient, more power. What's not to love about the LS motor (besides the price)? And as mentioned you can get entry level LS motors (5.3, etc) for cheap! I got the LT1 initially because I couldn't afford the LS motor (broke college kid). Now that I have graduated, I'm ready to start spending some coin.

[CreepinDeth]

I think the optispark is a good reason to steer clear of the LT1's.
Besides the power output VS the newer 5.3L for budget minded people.

I put a 26,000 mile 2004 LS1 / 4L60e out of a GTO in my 78z.
Best investment I ever made. I want a Gen IV 6.0L for my 70 442 clone.
I already have a T56 waiting on standby.

Investing money into the 70 Olds Rocket 350 with the archaic heads
just isn't a route I want to go. It's going to be so much cheaper to
go salvage LS Gen IV with EFI and close to 400hp+ easily.