LT1 or LS1

Hey,

I just sold my Explorer and about to buy a trans am of some sort. There's an LT1 here for 6k, the LS1 looks a lot nicer, but is the engine really worth the extra 4.5k on the price? I know that both engines are extremely underrated, but it seems like a lot of money for ~50 extra horsepower.

Hey,

I just sold my Explorer and about to buy a trans am of some sort. There's an LT1 here for 6k, the LS1 looks a lot nicer, but is the engine really worth the extra 4.5k on the price? I know that both engines are extremely underrated, but it seems like a lot of money for ~50 extra horsepower.

mileages are around the same? LS1 is underrated but not LT1.. they are both good cars.. if you are planning to mod it then get the LT1, but if you just wanna have a powerful car as a daily driver or something, get the LS1, faster and newer!

Ok, thanks

I've heard about the 6 speed trannys in these cars tend to have some serious problems if you drive them the way they were meant to be driven, anything I should worry about?

well on my car, R is messed up because some smart-a** cut the power to the shifter..the thing that makes you shift from 1-4 sometimes...and that power line included the solenoid that stops you from shifting from 4-R instead of 5... make sure all the gears click in good! then after that, its how YOU drive.. ive had mine for ~3-4 months.. i drive it crazy..sometimes. its still good, although i need a new clutch..i think the T-56 is a pretty strong transmission..if it can handle vette + viper power..

There are some variables here that depend on what youre looking for too. The LS1 may just be that much mroe because the miles are lower by a fair amount and the car is newer as well and in better condition. As far as modding and performance go, the LS1 makes quite a bit more power than the LT1...50 hp is a pretty big chunk when you start getting into the 300s. The LS1 Ive found seems to burn oil while the LT1s dont, but as long as you change your oil on time and keep an eye on it its not a problem or anything...just something to keep an eye on. I would probably pick the car that you like the feel of more or that is in better shape. Both are fun cars and have plenty of power...

mileages are around the same? LS1 is underrated but not LT1.. they are both good cars.. if you are planning to mod it then get the LT1, but if you just wanna have a powerful car as a daily driver or something, get the LS1, faster and newer!
They are both under rated. Just the LS1 is by a great margin but F-body LT1's as seen by my friends 255 horse dyno is not making only 275 horse at the flywheel. Just like by the 290 horse 98 -00 LS1 and 01 - 02 300 horse dyno's they are not making only 305 horse.

Also to the thread starter. Get what ever car you like better and the margin between them isn't that great it can't easily (with a small investment) be made up. So get which ever sounds, looks and feels better to you and I am sure you will be happy in the long run.

As for the 6 speeds, make sure they don't grind going into gear (and try them all out), make sure it doesn't pop out of gear when you let it idle back down, basically drive them in 2 different ways, baby them with out giving them much gas & drive them hard. If they have problems one of these two driving styles will show the problem. Right now im paying the price for not being able to check both ways, i bought a trashed out car w/ clean title, no windshield ... too loud & cold in fall to hear everything going on while driving with no windshield ... so now I need a rebuild. Pay close attention to 3rd, 4th & 5th, syncro's are known to go out there, 3-4 shift fork is aluminum & sometimes gets mangled or broke, but there's a steel one for the upgrade (viper shift fork). good luck, and you will love whichever car you get!

yeah, i love my LT...but if i had the money, id have gotten a LS. just because its newer, no opti, etc... it does have that oil consumption problem tho..

and i like the LS years shape better :D

and i like the LS years shape better :D
Me too!

:1: :grinyes:

Yeah, even though I love my car and I feel like I cheating everytime I say this :uhoh: , LS1 style years are very very very hot :banghead: .

Yeah, even though I love my car and I feel like I cheating everytime I say this :uhoh: , LS1 style years are very very very hot :banghead: .

Traitor

Honestly from almost everyone i've known that has owned an LT1, and switched to an LS1, they will tell you the LS1 is alot better. It's like comparing a Mach1 Mustang and a 98 Cobra. Just alot of evolution has gone into the engine design, though they are totally different blocks in both scenarios.

An LS1 puts out about 40whp more, and bolt ons tend to add more to the LS1. Don't believe the hype about LT1's holding more boost, cause it's the same (Buddy is pumping over 10 psi of boost through an STS turbo on a stock block LS1 w/ 100K+ miles).

In order to make a decision you should really test drive both cars. It all just depends on what you want. LS1's burn oil, and LT1's have optispark issues.

Honestly from almost everyone i've known that has owned an LT1, and switched to an LS1, they will tell you the LS1 is alot better. It's like comparing a Mach1 Mustang and a 98 Cobra. Just alot of evolution has gone into the engine design, though they are totally different blocks in both scenarios.

An LS1 puts out about 40whp more, and bolt ons tend to add more to the LS1. Don't believe the hype about LT1's holding more boost, cause it's the same (Buddy is pumping over 10 psi of boost through an STS turbo on a stock block LS1 w/ 100K+ miles).

In order to make a decision you should really test drive both cars. It all just depends on what you want. LS1's burn oil, and LT1's have optispark issues.
No offense intended at all by this cause I am a LS1 lover but for big boy dependable power. You want a LT1 block over a LS1, sorry but ask Curtis why he switched blocks. The LS1 showroom stock is the better power maker. No one who knows anything will dispute that but reverse flow coolant, that cools the heads first does support allowing more boost and the blocks are damn strong.

Traitor
Call me a traitor all you want I still wouldn't kick your T/A out of bed :uhoh: but would love a romp with a Black or White 4th gen LS1 WS6 or Firehawk. I am sure one day in the near future that will take place.

As for the 6 speeds, make sure they don't grind going into gear (and try them all out), make sure it doesn't pop out of gear when you let it idle back down, basically drive them in 2 different ways, baby them with out giving them much gas & drive them hard. If they have problems one of these two driving styles will show the problem. Right now im paying the price for not being able to check both ways, i bought a trashed out car w/ clean title, no windshield ... too loud & cold in fall to hear everything going on while driving with no windshield ... so now I need a rebuild. Pay close attention to 3rd, 4th & 5th, syncro's are known to go out there, 3-4 shift fork is aluminum & sometimes gets mangled or broke, but there's a steel one for the upgrade (viper shift fork). good luck, and you will love whichever car you get!I agree with gmack......ive a friend that by all means not a safe driver..gets abit carried away when shifting in his 2000 TA 6speed. We racing down the interstate heard him shift into 3rd and a load pop came out. He forced it in and at a later date did the same thing at the local race track. LOL didnt stop him from taking it down the track again. Needless to say the car got hauled home on a flatbed truck,cause the gears and clutch just got welded together. After some research ol boy found out that is a common problem with TA, Camaros and even Vettes. But like i said he was just increditably( damn i cant spell, spell check!!) hard on his vehicles.