LT1 vs. LS1

[blackfire93]

besides the intake manifolds, what is the difference between the LT1 and the LS1? I read somewhere in this message board that the LT1 has a cast iron block. does the LS1 have an aluminum block and what would the advantage of that be (besides the weight difference)?

[Stealth Performance]

Kerm this one's for u

Kerm's top ten List why the lt1 is better

[Joe 1320]

The LT-1 has an iron block, aluminum heads, aluminum intake, shaft driven water pump with reverse flow, single coil and optical distributer.

The LS1 has an aluminum block, aluminum heads, composite intake manifold, individual coils for each cylinder. It also has a belt driven water pump with traditional flow direction, mono blade throttle body, revised camshaft and rockers, and a different firing order.

without getting into the nitty gritty of cam specs, total displacement, compression ratio etc...... that's the basic difference.

As far as advantages, LS1 has a little less weight, multiple coils for better spark at high RPMs and no dreaded optispark failure.

The LT-1 has a more throaty exhaust note and great low end torque, shaft driven water pump with reverse flow cooling that sends water through the heads first. There is also tons of aftermarket bolt on stuff that is usually less expensive than the LS1 stuff. IMHO, I love the LT-1....... some suggest that the LS1s are faster right out of the box, it's been my experience that if they are, it isn't by much. The LT-1 is a bang for the buck champ. Certainly both motors respond to mods, but I see the LT-1s costing less to mod.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

The LS1 is a WAY better engine up to a point. The high placement of the more radical cam with it's larger lobes & bearings, the 6 bolt mains & deep pan skirt, the awesome heads, better ignition, composite intake which doesn't heat soak as much... the only problems seem to be the 4 bolts per cyl on each head and the stock aluminum block may not be suited for really high hp levels... other than that, it is the better engine. Also on the LS1s credit, it has much better gaskets and engine sealing. And NO OPTISPARK!!!

On the other hand, the LS1 is UGLY and cluttered and is quite hard to have a decent looking engine compartment, whereas the LT1 can be shined up nicely. Some say the LT1 has a better low end which might be an asset on the street. Some LT1s are OBD1 which is a lot easier to tune and less hassles with codes. The LT1 block is very strong, but the stock rotating assy is limited (even though mine lives!!!).

Both engines have expensive aftermarket parts, but the LS1 parts seem to be higher. There seems to be more ongoing development of the LS1/LS6, whereas the LT1/LT4 is almost forgotten.

It's safe to say thet the LS1s are a whole second faster stock, and it takes a lot of $s to help the LT1 catch up.

Last year I was racing and I saw a lot of fast LS1s, but this year I am showing, and I haven't seen an LS1 car yet that was worth popping the hood on except the 600 hp Berger Camaros at the CC Nats - and besides being awesome, they were just as cluttered and ugly as any other LS1 except for the 600 hp emblem.

Hope no one thinks I am biased, cause I like and respect both engines, aside from the silly optispark and intake leak of the LT1s.

[TimeLord]

LT-1s have better KARMA !!!!!!

[Barry 94Formula]

One other thing no one else mentioned is the the LT1 is a better looking engine. All LS1 should have had fuel rail covers as standard. JMHO

[casey02ws6]

I have owned both - still sorting out the differences driving. I absolutely agree LS1 is not as nice to look at. I think the 2 engines sound completely different - can't really describe it - love how they both sound but they sound different. I think the LT1 has a lower, deeper sound. One thing I noticed right away is the pull over 4,000 RPM - my LT1s seemed to die after 4,000 - they just ran out of breath but the LS1 seems to have much more life up to 5,500 RPM. I have not started modifying my LS1 yet - can't wait to see how it responds.

[Stealth Performance]

LT1's have bigger NUts

[wolfdogs]

thanks mike.

the LT1 is better.........

cause I said so.

kapish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bulletProofWith a few mods..........

aint no friggin water pump............

d&r


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