Whats better? LS1 or LT1?

Looking at some cars, but wondering what motor is better, which can handle more upgrades,and such ... what gives the best horse and torque ratings. help :smokin:

I have 2 cars, one with each engine. 1999 Z28 with LS1, and 1994 Corvette Coupe with LT1, both black (not that color matters). The LS1 has more hp and torque, but since the LT1 has been around longer, more aftermarket parts are available, and in a greater range of prices. With the LS1, there are fewer bolt ons. The LS1 starts with only a difference of approx. 10-15 hp more anyway, so it's not a big deal. But keep in mind that the LS1 upgrades are more expensive usually too. My wife (who CAN drag) just hates it when I beat her off the line with the Z28, but then again, I can't keep with her in the Vette at 170 mph either.
I hope this helps.
Scott

hey bud,
thats for you to decide, both motors have their ups and downs and everything after that is personal opinion. my opinion is LT1, but my opinion is probably biast as i own an LT1 :naughty:

LS1 cars are capable of low 13s-high 12s of the lot, whereas LT1 cars are still high13 low 14 second cars. I does not take much for a smaller engine stang to outrun an LT1 BUT the mustang better be packing some serious upgrades to even run with the LS1s. In my opinion there is no comparison whatsoever. I live 3 miles away from the racetrack and see this weekly. PS, chevy builds junk anyway, give that camaro or firebird 30K miles and tell me how its holding up if it is. ford rules even though they are slower. nah

That coming from a guy who owns a 4.6 high 14 sec mustang. Yea go ahead and tell us your mustang ran better than mid 14's stock, I'm not going to knock either chevrolet motor i think they both are pretty sweet especially when compared to the GT's 4.6 with and without a supercharger.

1st off slim, my car is a 99 GT that ran 14.12 at 97 directly off the showroom. 4:10s and exhaust and the car runs in the 13.70-13.80 range all day. I realize the LS1s run quicker than that BUT they have 350 cubic inches, I HAVE 281. Lets see Einstein, 281 cubic inches that runs 14.10s off the lot. So an engine(LS1) that has 20% more cubic inches should run the 1/4 in 80% of the time it takes me, which is 11.28. Who runs better for the amount of cubic inches, thats what I thought. When you have an LS1 that runs in the 11s off the lot, then say something. I wasnt here to bash the LS1, only to say that it is indeed a tight motor BUT since you are so ingenius , maybe you already know that the new 4.6s run better for their size than an LS1. NOw

I suppose i could get on here all day long and say i run 9's in a 4 banger. But the truth is i actually am a big ford fan i just dont think ford has made a mustang that runs as well and as long as a camaro. Hey shortround why dont you check your car's weight before you start rattling off numbers and then think about, then go take a math class or 2 and listen for the pop.......... You know the sound your gonna here when your head pops out of your butt..

:screwy: :screwy: :screwy: :screwy: :screwy: :screwy:
:rofl:

like I said, you are a genious

you must be pretty smart how did you know i scored a 138 on my IQ test
:confused:

i know many things, like the fact that an LT1 on its best day cannot compare to the LS1. quit replying so I will quit. I wont let you get the last word. 138 my a@#

Its not about the last word its about how slow and stupid you and your car is. Go back to you mustang forum and cry on their shoulders about your 14 sec stang, dont bring it into the house of men.

f the house of men. I know all about you arkansans.is your house attatched to your vehicle? there will be no crying about my 13 second car because it is not about speed baby, its about looking good and I doubt you do with your house attatched, im through with you

OK now that short round is gone, I will still say to the originally author of the original thread you decide- a chevy motor is a chevy motor they are both great and run well you heard it yourself from the tenessee titan of terror on how fast his mustang is so if speed is your game and not bragging about how slow your car is and how "good" it looks then you have made the right descion to buy a CHEVROLET CAMARO stock or not you will be happy with both motors. have fun :evillol:

indeed.........

the aftermarket toys for the LS1 are more expensive than the LT1.

The LT1 has more low end grunt while the LS1 is better on the top end.

The LT1 is also prone to distributor failure because its underneath the waterpump.

The LS1 has no distributor and in fact has one coil for each cylinder.

LS1's easily outperform LT1's, but that does'nt the LT1 cannot bemade a capable performance. If you don't mind going in to he motor and plan some fairly extensive mods like a stroker o forced induction, i'd say LT1 becaus they are very affordable now. Plus one in only decent condition can still smack around a new Mustang GT. LS1's tough ca be 11 second cars with just bolt-ons. Takea look at the November issue of GM High Tech Performance (on newsstands now). They have an LT1 vs. LS1 drag shootout with cars from both camps modified to varying degrees.

wow u put a 4.10 on ur mustang and it only increased 3-4 tenths off your e.t., mine dropped my camaro to 13.1, from 14.1, 1 full second shaved off my e.t. so either the person who installed urs did a very crap job or its just that its a ford which is likely the answer

1st off slim, my car is a 99 GT that ran 14.12 at 97 directly off the showroom. 4:10s and exhaust and the car runs in the 13.70-13.80 range all day. I realize the LS1s run quicker than that BUT they have 350 cubic inches, I HAVE 281. Lets see Einstein, 281 cubic inches that runs 14.10s off the lot. So an engine(LS1) that has 20% more cubic inches should run the 1/4 in 80% of the time it takes me, which is 11.28. Who runs better for the amount of cubic inches, thats what I thought. When you have an LS1 that runs in the 11s off the lot, then say something. I wasnt here to bash the LS1, only to say that it is indeed a tight motor BUT since you are so ingenius , maybe you already know that the new 4.6s run better for their size than an LS1. NOw

^^^ Sounds like a Ford mans excuse for losing to every LS1/LT1 Camaro out there. You made a point that means absolutely nothing in the world of speed. Who cares if it is bigger??? It's faster and quicker. That is all that matters. If you are looking for a good displacement/power ratio, buy an S2000. Because 4.6's "run better for their size" doesn't mean jack shit. Just my :2cents:

LS1 F-bodies are totally badass cars, and have many advantages (besides the motor) over the early 4th generation models - stock for stock that is.

If you're planning on putting any money into this new car once you get it you should ask yourself, "how far do I really want to go?"

The fact is that the LS1 V8 (not a 350 cid by the way actually a bit smaller) simply loves bolt on mods. Throw on a better induction system, LS6 manifold, long tubes/cat back, and some computer tweaks and you'll have a car that would simply humble an LT1 equiped with similar mods.

Go a small step further and get the LS1 "Hot" cam and you'll make believers even out of those rich Cobra boys running the SUPERCHARGED 32 valver!!

Having said that, if you're looking for some serious power as attested in Gripenfelter's entertaining vid clip you could pick up a '93-'97 LT1 F-body for in some cases half the price of a newer '98-'02 LS1 Fcar and with the difference stroke that mother to 383, 396, even 401 cubic inches, port out the heads, cam it up, etc..... That LT1 block is as solid as they come and the spare parts bin is still pretty deep and affordable. :thumbsup:

Who runs better for the amount of cubic inches

This way of thinking is completely asinine unless you don't give a shit about speed. Bottom line: cubic inches builds speed! Do you have any idea how much MORE horsepower it takes to get the average sized pony car from low 12's down to low 11's???..... about 200. A blower might get you there but then what, eh?

Sure, some little fart econo cars stripped down to the frame with 26+ PSI fed, bottle sucking busy bee engines can get down into the 10's (although this is very RARE), you'll never see any sub 8 second cars running anything less than a 600+ cid big block.

It all boils down to displacement my friend - bore and stroke.

You can ALWAYS make a larger displacement engine displace FASTER, but you CANNOT make a smaller displacement engine displace greater than what it is. Think about it.

Cause that is whats moving the crank! :cool:

IMHO, screw the Hot cam. That thing is a peace of junk and not nearly worth the money involved in the install. If you want a man cam, I recommend lookin at Texas Speed and Performance or Futral Motorsports and look at their cams that are runnin somewhere around 230/236 .595/.599 113 lsa (the numbers may be very slightly off here and there). That, a good set of headers and a lid with the LS6 intake puts an LS1 around 400 rwhp on a good tune. Ported heads will show between 420 and 450. :iceslolan

nobody ever compares horsepower to time ratios. There is no handicap. Maybe a hp/weight, but who cares if your mustang is more efficient. Its still slower. Keep sayin to yourself that if your engine was bigger youd beat him. Then go buy a rotary that has 450hp+ on 1.3 liters and rant your same whine. There is no handicap for smaller engines, just suck it up and do your best with what you got.

I'd go for the LS1

Bigger is always better thats why bottle rockets don't make it to the moon.

1st off slim, my car is a 99 GT that ran 14.12 at 97 directly off the showroom. 4:10s and exhaust and the car runs in the 13.70-13.80 range all day. I realize the LS1s run quicker than that BUT they have 350 cubic inches, I HAVE 281. Lets see Einstein, 281 cubic inches that runs 14.10s off the lot. So an engine(LS1) that has 20% more cubic inches should run the 1/4 in 80% of the time it takes me, which is 11.28. Who runs better for the amount of cubic inches, thats what I thought. When you have an LS1 that runs in the 11s off the lot, then say something. I wasnt here to bash the LS1, only to say that it is indeed a tight motor BUT since you are so ingenius , maybe you already know that the new 4.6s run better for their size than an LS1. NOw

I came across this comparison and it is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Trying to work the numbers like this is ludicrous. I also drive a Ford Aspire, with its 1.3 liter engine it puts both the mustang and the camaro to shame. The quick camparo to aspire vs mustang.... 1.3 liter VS 4.6, 79 cc vs 281, with having 72% more engine than the aspire, your quarter mile will be 28% of mine, well that is assuming the mustang is equally the muscle car the aspire is.

I have never tried to time a quarter mile, but I am confident I could get through it in 26 seconds. If you want to debate feel free to raise the number, regardless at that speed the mustang would have to pull a 1/4 mile of 7.28 seconds off the show room floor to keep pace. Inclosing I would like to repeat some of your last comments with slight changes.....
I wasn't here to bash the Mustang 4.6, only to say that it is indeed a tight motor BUT since you are so ingenius , maybe you already know that the old 1996 1.3s run better for their size than a Mustang 4.6. NOw

Before I have a whole bunch of stang people yelling at me.... I am not bashing the mustang here. I am bashing the incorrect usage of numbers and ratios. And I also know I could have made it much more dramatic with a riced up 4 cylinder. But since I own an aspire...and its funnier too.

I always thought that the more horsepower you have the more you have to add to see a substantial improvement. like a 600hp car is not twice as fast as a 300hp car.

True...unless you live at the dyno ;-)
But seriously it depends on the car as well...if you have a Z28 stock (about 325 HP) and add a few mods and pump it out to 400 HP, you'll see a slight difference. However, you take somehing much lighter, such as a honda (assume it has mods already to be at 325 HP), and add a few more mods and make it 400 HP, since its lighter, you'd probably see a bigger difference.
Aerodynamics, weight, torque, it all matters so some degree...but what do I know? I haven't been to the tracks in a while, so my :2cents: worth.

If you want to compare engines here you go:

LS1 - 350 hp (Underated at 325 in the F Body)
LS6 - 405 hp (Z06)
4.6 - 265 hp (Bullit)
4.632V-320 hp (Cobra)

LS1 346ci = 1.01 hp/ci
LS6 346ci = 1.17 hp/ci
4.6 281ci = 0.94 hp/ci
4.6 32v = 1.14 hp/ci (this engine should have a big advantage over the 16 valve engines)

The GM engines put out more power per cube. Does this make them better?

The Camaro has better fuel economy (even without 6th gear) than the Mustang even though it has a much larger engine and is a heavier car.
Does this make the Camaro better?

One thing is for sure - more power per cubic inch and lower fuel consumption = more efficiency.

I am not biased. They are all great engines and awsome cars. I do not understand how ANYONE that drives a Camaro can HATE a Mustang or the other way around.


Personally, I would get the LS1 over the LT1 as long as money is not an issue. It is a newer, more efficient, more powerful engine. That is why I bought one.
They both have a lot of potential though.

If you want to compare engines here you go:

LS1 - 350 hp (Underated at 325 in the F Body)
LS6 - 405 hp (Z06)
4.6 - 265 hp (Bullit)
4.632V-320 hp (Cobra)

LS1 346ci = 1.01 hp/ci
LS6 346ci = 1.17 hp/ci
4.6 281ci = 0.94 hp/ci
4.6 32v = 1.14 hp/ci (this engine should have a big advantage over the 16 valve engines)

The GM engines put out more power per cube. Does this make them better?

The Camaro has better fuel economy (even without 6th gear) than the Mustang even though it has a much larger engine and is a heavier car.
Does this make the Camaro better?

One thing is for sure - more power per cubic inch and lower fuel consumption = more efficiency.

I am not biased. They are all great engines and awsome cars. I do not understand how ANYONE that drives a Camaro can HATE a Mustang or the other way around.


Personally, I would get the LS1 over the LT1 as long as money is not an issue. It is a newer, more efficient, more powerful engine. That is why I bought one.
They both have a lot of potential though.


Very Nicely said.. Both Ford and Chevy have their strong points, and I was raised on Ford.. But.. Is there really a point to arguing over this? We are on an automotive forum to help each other and give our opinion not tell our opinion as truth. Camaros are bad ass and Mustangs are bad ass it boils down to alot of different things.. I think overall the LS1 engine is better from all my reading, but hell im not even 16 yet and I dont own a car, but I'm just saying that its pointless to argue when we are suppose to be gaining knowledge from others.. we are all going to have our opinion regardless of what the hell anyone says. Hopefully, I will be the owner of a 4th gen Z28 shortly and my dad is a FORD mechanic does he care to work on chevys or dodges? hell no, his favorite car is are Old Chargers.. Camaros, and Mustangs. BTW anyone know of a good 4th gen Z28 for sale around Memphis:D?

Looking at some cars, but wondering what motor is better, which can handle more upgrades,and such ... what gives the best horse and torque ratings. help :smokin:

It really depends what you want to do.

Mod for mod an N/A LS1 will gain more than an N/A LT1 since it is a more efficient motor. The LT1 block is however bullet proof unlike the aluminum LS1. So If your planning on going Forced Induction, get an LT1. It will save you headaches and $ down the road.

So an engine(LS1) that has 20% more cubic inches should run the 1/4 in 80% of the time it takes me, which is 11.28.

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

And my vote would go to the LS1 if you are wanting to do some basic mods. You could get it into the 11's with bolt-ons and a cam. And I'm not being biased, I own an LT1.

The LT1's sound so much better though (that's me being biased).

In reference to what you posted, I have had the opportunity to work on all types of different makes of vehicles, and also both ford (mustang 302/331) and chevrolet (L98/LT1/LS1). Know this is only my opinion on your question about LT1 vs LS1, an LT1 is basically torque machine since the car it was put on is a very heavy car and something that was mentioned earlier, it will run straight off the dealer lot high 13s to low14s. Know a LS1 is a RPM machine making good horsepower and very good power band increase whereas the LT1 hit its power peak alot sooner and dies out sooner in its rpm. Don't get me wrong both motors are bad ass motors. But since the LS1 camaro is a lighter car gm was able to get away with making a rpm machine. Please note, my brother has a LS1 346 cu. with a cam LS6 intake and yank 3400 stall and computer tunning, he ran 11.90s @ 115 mph. Now on my LT1 I have every possible bolt on and I run 12.2 @ 111 mph and he's dynoed in more than I did. With that if I could do it all over again I'd pick a lighter car (LS1) every pound makes a difference and also for being a traditional 2 valve per cylinder they still really competitive with todays market. Competing with 4 valve per cylinder heads and power adders. But every motor has its pros and cons. Know my biase opinion is go with a LS1 2001 and up, less upgrades and more power but each upgrade cost more than an LT1 upgrade. But at the end you'll be happier that you'll have more room to work with. I hope this is of some use to you.

I know that the LS1 will always be faster in the long run but I still love my LT1 more than anything and I would not trade it for the world. Two of my friends both have LS1 and are both running 11's with almost no mods. Basiclly torque coverter better tranny cooler, better intake and exhaust, drag radials, and lots of Nitrous.....

Looking at some cars, but wondering what motor is better, which can handle more upgrades,and such ... what gives the best horse and torque ratings. help :smokin:
i would say LT4 is better thats whats in my slp ss camaro but LT6 would be fun if my motor goes LT4 330 hp LT6 405 thier all the same blocks 5.7

What the hell are you talking about?

Oh wait, you just posted without proof reading.

ELL ESS SIX.

The LT-5 is a nice motor too though :)

you'll never see any sub 8 second cars running anything less than a 600+ cid big block.

It all boils down to displacement my friend - bore and stroke.
:



you need to look into turbo buicks I know alot of sub 8 second cars that are not a big block v-8 nor are they an stripped down ecno car. :naughty: a few are still streetable

I say that that it is all up you. Lt1 has more low end while the ls1 has more up top. I used to have a 94 Z with bolt ons as well as a rebuilt tranny and a vigialante 2800 stall and shift kit. I now own a 99 Z- SEE sig for mods. I liked the auto lt1 with the stall as equally as the ls1 with 410 gears. Both are wayyyyyy fun man!!!! My next mods for the ls1 though are a 12 bolt along with a TR 224, 224 , 112 lsa cam so I will get back to you!!! :evillol:

if you like the computer controling the cylinder firing, go with ls1 if you want a distributer, the lt1 is pretty nice, the problems have been fixed with the water pump problem, as long as you get a 95 and up. also, the LT1 can have a standard intake installed with a standard or aftermarket distributer installed. LS1 may be a better motor, (all aluminum COOL) but dollar for dollar, I would go with the LT1 Hot Rod did a side by side comparison on them and decided exactly that.

you'll never see any sub 8 second cars running anything less than a 600+ cid big block. It all boils down to displacement my friend - bore and stroke.

you need to look into turbo buicks I know alot of sub 8 second cars that are not a big block v-8 nor are they an stripped down ecno car. :naughty: a few are still streetable

:headshake :nono: Eh, this is taken out of context - you got this from my post in the WRX forum. As is evident in your reply, I was making a point about extremes - big V8's vs. tiny boosted four bangers. In the grand scheme of things the 3.8L pushrod V6 in the GN is closer in design to a V8 than a tiny inline four. :tongue:

If I could fit your turbo setup into my car and feed my LT1 the boost you're running (with similar/proper suspension mods) I'd bet the V8 would be faster - that was the point of my entire post over there. :grinyes:

YEAH, LT1 vs. LS1! - I'll add something to what people have mentioned about ignition: the single coil per cylinder and reverse firing order of the LS1 is simply awesome! I met a guy a few months ago at a car show with a 2001 C5 Vette - he rolled in with aftermarket rims and an exhaust and we started yapping. Turns out the guy's running a 590 lift cam with ported heads and a ton of other mods, running 11.9's, yet the engine was SOOOO smooth! I couldn't believe it. After he told me about the cam I asked him to start it up and he did - let it idle, even rev'd it up a bit. I was like "WOW", the hot cam in my LT1 (525 lift) shakes the whole bloody car at idle and sounds crazy! - people think the engine is going to blow up, and this Vette purrr'd like a Cadillac. Wouldn't even think its not stock and must be a treat to drive everyday.

ls1 or lt1 for 87 monte carlo, is either easier to swap??

ls1 or lt1 for 87 monte carlo, is either easier to swap??


it is neither, and please don't drag up posts that are 8 months old and on like page 20. Its OK to put up new posts.