LT1 or LS1?

I was wondering, if i had about $9000 to spend on a camaro to make it as fast as i could, would i be better off getting, a lt1 or ls1? I like the lt1 looks better but that doesn't matter all i want right now is performance.
I know that the ls1 is a lot more powerful stock than the lt1 but i can get a ls1 for about $8000 and a lt1 for about $3000 so that leaves me with $1000 vs $6000 to modify what ever one i get. i know that a $5000 difference is a lot but from what i hear a ls1 with $1000 of mods is pretty fast.

I was also wondering about the lt1s top end performance compared to the ls1. I know the ls1 is insane up top but i haven't really heard anything special about the lt1, accept how its bottom end it a bit better.

you can find a lot of ls1 on ebay with low miles for around $3500. look in junkyards.

You should go one more step and just get the LS2. I think I found a crate LS2 in my GM High Tech Performance Mag for around $7K.
LT1's are heavier that LS1's.
LS1's have a better top end, but LT1's have have a crap load of low-end torque.
Both have excellant potential with a huge aftermarket possibilities.
LT1's have that troublesome optispark.
Either way, since you plan on adding a lot of stuff to the engine, I advise you to get a block, whichever one, with low miles. Adding stuff to a high mileage engine is not the most cost effective.
For my own personal opinion, as I have an LT1, I would go with the LS1. More base power to work with.

I didn't like the looks of the ls1 camaros very much either, but after riding in one I don't think there is a sexier car. With the money issue I would say get the ls1, it's a newer car so hopefully everything on it will last longer and be in better shape. Also if you get the ls1 and save up a couple more thousand I think Mr. Louis said that he got 370+ to the wheels with only 3 grand in his car.

are you trying to buy the whole car or just the engine...if the whole car id say lt1 cause you can find lt1 cars pretty cheap these days...then you will have plenty of money to trow on the engine

In my opinion you have more potential with a LT1 but the LS1 is a better performer right out the box but not by as much as some people lead you to believe.

lt1!!! ok so i'm biased :icon16:

Dollar for Dollar you will get more power out of the LT1....

thats a tough desision. for that amount u could get a lower mileage LT1 or a slightly high mileage LS1. LT1's are slightly cheaper to build the LS1 is lighter and would be faster stock. I say either way u can't loose:evillol:

Get the LT1 car and mod the shit out of it

IM JUST WONDERING WHEN YOU SAY LOW MILEAGE 1993-1997 HOW MANY YOU TALKEN

STOCK LS-1 305 hp
STOCK LT-1 275 1997 LT-1 285hp

Rouda those numbers are useless when he's gonna have the remainder of the 9k to spend on the car (especially since, at least with the LS1, they were "conservative" with the rating)

Up above they were talking about horsepower comperison between the 2 out of the box, horsepower. Thats just the facts

305 crank HP for the LS1s isn't a fact actually but okay

what are they then, since you know

my buddy's stock 02 Z28 dyno'd 323 at the wheels.

factory under rates the engines in the fbody to give top dog honors to the corvette. if corvette buyers knew that the fbody with the same engine puts about the same hp, they would be pissed.

I'd definetly get the LT1 due to the simple fact that since you're going to mod either one anyway you might as well get the cheaper engine so you have more money to work with......I have a 97 WS.6 that runs pretty close to the LS1 TAs (non WS.6) and will beat most LS1 Z28s and formys from the factory so if you're lookin' at the LT1 it's still a great out of the box performer.........then throw on 7K worth of mods you should be easily faster (if you do it right) than an LS1 with say 3K worth of mods......(btw go with a good blower/nitrous setup that's what I'm lookin' at doing right now on my LT1)

is this gonna be a street car or drag or track? Thats what would make the decision for me. If you wanted a powerfull street car then I would do an ls1 powered car because it has a much higher power band. lt1 is gonna have the butt load of torque so it would be suited for drag or autocross so that you can come out of the turns haulin butt. Anything can be made to perform at any level so its a tuff decision. With the right cam and tune the ls1 can put out similar torque ratings as the lt1. The ls1 is a very efficient engine which adds to its potential as a street motor.

btw rolling chassis 1500+forged ls1 motor 2500+built 4l60e trans 1500+ 12bolt rear 2000=7500 and all the drag strip action you can handle. The remaining 1500 would be spent of the other odds and ends that you would need in between. with only 9000 dollars its hard to have a complete and bullet proof car.

I would rather daly drive a mildly modded ls1 than a radical lt1. Of course 6 grand into an lt1 camaro is gonna give you a sweet ride, but if it's for driving it everyday I'd take an ls1 with 1 grand into the exaust and then move up from there. Plus an ls1 worth about 8000 is going to be in better shape than a 3000 lt1, inside and out unless you get a heck of a deal.

you want your power to be where your rpms are most of the time.

agreed, i'd pick the ls1

I'm biased. LB9 is the only way to go!!!!!!!