Camaro questions

Alright I got a friend that's looking at some cars and he's planning to buy maybe sometime this fall. I've been helping him out telling him what I know but I'm no expert in the Camaro field.

He wants to know some of the following about the 4th generations as they're one of the cars he's looking at.

1. What's the difference between the LT1 and LS1? Is the LS1 really better? Which one probably responds best to modifications?

I know the LS1 is stronger on paper but I've heard several Camaro fans on here really stand up for their LT1. Doesn't the LS1 have a bigger power band or a better top end?

2. Is there really a difference between the late model SS and Z28s?

I've heard two things about this. The first is the SS is stronger than the Z28 and has a few extra horsepower. I think I saw somewhere that the SS has the same drive-train as a Corvette but the Z28 is slight de-tuned. I've also heard though that they're both the same and the SS is only for looks. I really don't know what is true here.

3. He saw where he was looking that Firebirds were a little higher compared to a same year and milage Camaro. I didn't think so but I could be wrong, aren't they the same? Or is the Firebird just a little bit quicker than the Camaro?

Any help or information you got on this would be great.

There isnt a big difference on the LT1 and LS1.. the Ls1 has 30-50 more HP than the Lt1.. I have heard that the Ls1 responds well to bolt ons and all, but the LT1 has cheaper aftermarket parts for being out for a longer period of time..

The difference between the SS and Z28 is mainly the hood and the fact that it has ram air.. nothing much, but that alone adds 20 HP (On paper) honestly i'd go with whatever is cheaper, but they technically have the same thing except for the hood and yes a Camaro is like a corvette except its slightly de-tuned and doesnt turn as good on the road..

The firebird and Camaro after 1981 are exactly the same, only differences are of course special options (Firehawk, Formula etc..) Aside from that they arent different in any way except for exterior and a few things here and there, except drivetrain is exactly the same.. only reason they might sell higher is because people like the looks of the firebird more (Usually) compared to the Camaro.. and no one is not faster than the other

Your just about as well off going for what look you want and worrying about the engine later, they both have great aftermarkets, the Lt1 aftermarket being cheaper and responding very well to the bolt ons, pre 95 cars came with a nonvented opti which is prone to failure... 95+ had the new vented opti and yet had the OBD1 computer system which is ideal for tuning (obd2 came in 96+ i do believe)

Performance wise the LS1 has more to start with but the Lt1 makes up for that very easily with a couple of mods and can easily attain 400hp fairly cheap.

So the money you save from buying an LT1 put into a few mods should easily excede the LS1

I'm LT1 bias as you can see :evillol: but they are both great engines

Both LS1 and LT1 are excellent power plants, the LS1 is sweet right out of the box while the LT1 can easily and cheaply be made just as fast and the LT1 can actually be taken further power wise than a LS1 can. For those seeking instant gobs of power though. LS1 is usually the way they go. Each powertrain also has there issue's though.

The LT1 and LS1 are both awsome engines. The LT1 has an iron block and alluminum heads (may be iron on f-bodies but i can't remember). The LS1 is all alluminum so it saves a decent amount of weight. The LT1 was rated at 275hp in 1993 and 285hp from 94-97 and recieved a better opti-spark ignition design in 95. The LS1 was under rated at 305hp (to give the vette top hp honors). Both engines respond well to bolt ons but dollar for dollar the LT1 is cheaper to both purchase and modify. Basically u could pic between an LT1 car with some bolt ons or a stock LS1 car and they could both be equally fast. Although, in higher hp applications, the LS1 may be the better choice.

Although, in higher hp applications, the LS1 may be the better choice.

I beg to differ, the LT1 can handle more HP.

The LT1 and LS1 are both awsome engines. The LT1 has an iron block and alluminum heads (may be iron on f-bodies but i can't remember). The LS1 is all alluminum so it saves a decent amount of weight. The LT1 was rated at 275hp in 1993 and 285hp from 94-97 and recieved a better opti-spark ignition design in 95. The LS1 was under rated at 305hp (to give the vette top hp honors). Both engines respond well to bolt ons but dollar for dollar the LT1 is cheaper to both purchase and modify. Basically u could pic between an LT1 car with some bolt ons or a stock LS1 car and they could both be equally fast. Although, in higher hp applications, the LS1 may be the better choice.
Cuda is right, LT1 can make more power due to the stronger Cast Iron block. Also Aluminum heads were used on all F-body and Vette LT1's. Also LT1 are found to be making higher figures than there ratings when dynoed as well.

And dont forget.. LT1s sound deeper and more badass :D

edit:looks like i'll be getting a 97 SS next...

o shit...thier all after me :uhoh: :lol:
none the less, both are awsome engines.

Hey, I love LS1's, out the box they are bad ass but in the long haul of modding. I would most definetly stick with my LT1 or go with the LQ9 block (I think thats the RPO), like Mr.Luos went with.

I was wondering if and when the new 2007 camaro is coming out? Does anyone know?

that was random...

I was wondering if and when the new 2007 camaro is coming out? Does anyone know?
:wtf: :disappoin

If you called it the new 2007 Camaro, wouldnt you expect the date to be 2007? :lol2: Kinda an oxymoron.. but anyway im still thinking its out 09..

Be nice, not everyone has spent the past year posting on message boards. He might have typo'd.

buy a rolling chassis and drop a 454 in it... with a t56.

buy a rolling chassis and drop a 454 in it... with a t56.

Too bad you cant pick up a t56.. or have you?

LS1? Lt1? just buy the cheaper car and drop and LS7 in it.

LS1? Lt1? just buy the cheaper car and drop and LS7 in it.
LS7 might be more than the car. the crate engine is 13 grand

then buy an ls7 and get a $500 rolling body



edit: wait... jim jus said that

LS7 might be more than the car. the crate engine is 13 grand

wow....what about and engine from a wreck?

wow....what about and engine from a wreck?

Goodluck.. note that only 10,000 Z06s packing that Ls7 have been sold last year, and finding that thing in a wreck is like finding gold!

Goodluck.. note that only 10,000 Z06s packing that Ls7 have been sold last year, and finding that thing in a wreck is like finding gold!
and a a salvage yard would know that too.

back to the topic....if your buddy knows nothing about modding cars himself and just wants a nice car with power already....get the 98-02 camaro....you want something cheap to build up yourself....get the 93-97....if you have some money to burn and want an efficient and powerfull engine....you could go either way..

oh and about the whole which motor can handle more power....its very pointless......by the time either block starts to go you going to be in the 1000hp ranges. The ls1's stock crank has been proven up to 1000hp. You can get to about 520 or so crank hp with stock internals and be reliable. Dont know what the lt1 will take but probably not far from it. Ported stock LT1 heads can carry power way into the 400's. All depends on how far your buddy wants to go with the car. And how much money he has.

Bottom line...out of the box power....responds very well to boltons....go ls1....something with a lot of potential....lt1....take your pick.

95+ had the new vented opti and yet had the OBD1 computer system which is ideal for tuning (obd2 came in 96+ i do believe)

Keep in mind though that with 96 or 97 and up OBD2 cars, there is no emissions testing (if your state has emissions)... makign things liek cat deletions and crazy cams nothing to worry about, emissions-wise, since you can just tune for it

Also LT1 are found to be making higher figures than there ratings when dynoed as well. so were LS1's

so were LS1's
Exactly my point. The LS1 was underrated as found when they go on dyno's , as the other member mentioned but LT1 are found to be underrated as well when dyno'd. So while the LS1 is still making more the stock figures on both are not accurate.

back to the topic....if your buddy knows nothing about modding cars himself and just wants a nice car with power already....get the 98-02 camaro....you want something cheap to build up yourself....get the 93-97....if you have some money to burn and want an efficient and powerfull engine....you could go either way..

Well from what I've gathered from him this is what he plans to do. I haven't got to talk to him in a couple of days so I don't know anything new.

He'll be living on a college campus so he won't be driving it much. He'll probably make runs to town to get food/alcohol. He'll also probably go drive around with it as well and have a little fun (not drunk though so don't worry).

As for modding he knows a little but he won't do much. I expect him to be putting on an exhaust, intake, ect. I don't see him doing anything like switching heads, cams, crank, ect.

If I talk to him I may ask him more or get him to register here and answer these questions himself.

Thanks for the input though.

Too bad you cant pick up a t56.. or have you?

Nah.. rebuilding M22. (Which I found out is a converted M21... goddammit)

T56's are pretty expensive to pick up... seems like everyone knows what they have and sell them for just a bit less than the cost a of a new one less a rebuild kit. fuckers.

Someday I'll get there... maybe next year. Probably not, but I'm crossing fingers and just about everything else I have that maybe I'll get lucky.