LS1 or LT1

[Scatterbrained]

There's alot of people putting LS1's (or LS based engines) in their 1st gen Camaros. And there's obviously a good reason for it. But I wonder how many have considered putting an LT1 in the car instead?

I know there are alot of good reasons for an LS1, but as a budget alternative, for a boulevard cruiser, why not an LT1?

Scatter'd

[64duece]

Its viable option and done before but.....LT1's were installed in production vehicles from 13 to 18yrs ago. The limited production makes the aftermarket parts abit more expensive and a fresh rebuild + donor may cost more than a crate 5.3 which makes the same 300hp.

I purchased a brand new crate 5.3 on ebay for $1800 and dropped in with factory PCM.

[130fe]

They are a good alternative to putting an LS in a project. I put mine in back in 01 and it has ran great. The aftermarket never really caught up to it like it has the LS stuff. If you are looking for a simple 325RWHP cruiser they are a good candidate. You can argue over conversion costs between the two all day (between LS/LT stuff). The costs really start to get highon LT's when you want more than the 450 RWHP range. Can it be done, yes, but in the end you can get the same if not more out of an LS swap. I will be pulling my LT this fall for a L92. Is there anything wrong with it, no. I just want more power and doing the engine swap is alot cheaper than trying to build another car.

[93Polo]

I am usually a defender of the LT1s (having owned both) but it is hard to argue against the LS motors as cheap as they are getting. If all out power is not the goal 5.3s can make for a good budget build. With the 5.3 in, you're in a much better position if you ever want to go with a bigger LS based motor. Low mileage LT1s are also getting harder to find.

[bob442]

I bought a rebuilt 355 SBC complete for $500, i sold it the other day in favor of the LSx motor, the aftermarket is exploding for them, and running EFI has never been easier, if you find a LSx motor out of a vehicle, you can grab that PCM and harness, and hook it up with as little as 5 wires to make it run on the floor! i've looked into these way to much. you would want to get a 00+ motor as they changed the oil galley, and get a washer to put in the oil pump to bump up the oil pressure, as they are known for loosing oil pressure at high RPMS.

If you get a LSx (and there called LSx because the heads and almost all parts are interchangable) a LT1 is a revision of a SBC, and yes, the after market and parts are limited, and the opti spark is a big headache. if you want more wiring info to run EFI with extreme ease, check out these guys.

www.eficonnection.com

i hope this answers your questions, if you need any more info from me, just send me a PM as i'm over flowing with info in my head about this swap.

I'll try to check in again into this topic if i remember.

Bob

[JimM]

I've always had a soft spot for LT1's

[brucel]

What about the Tuned Port. I still think they look the best.

[montanass]

personally i would go with an LS based engine. you can even find a 4.8L for cheap $$ put a good cam in it, throw an LS1 intake and water pump on it(car style intake will not clear the truck style water pump) and with some good tuning you'll have a nasty, dependable "modern" hot rod

[nuzzo]

i'm getting ready to pull my tuned port to change my street rod underhood looks and i think i'm going lsx.....probably the 5.3 route w magnacharger to make it look pretty

[JayR]

Originally Posted by brucel

What about the Tuned Port. I still think they look the best.

Best looking dog! If people think LT1s are down on power, they're freight trains compared to TPI motors.

On topic, I have to go with the crowd, even if you can only afford an iron block LSX motor, you'll be better off with aftermarket support and parts availability and likely HP per dollar. The aforementioned 325 RWHP is a long ways from the stock output of an LT1 so starting with more HP will get you there easier.