LS1 or LT1

[Scorpner]

I'm not sure about a First Gen Camaro, but as an example a Thirdgen F-Body can become an expensive prospect due to the cost of the oil pan, headers and accessories/brackets for an LSX based engines.

The LT1 can be a cheaper alternative but I would never do it because of the limited market for parts. Also, in the same situation, both alternatives would require notching the frame to provide room for the AC compressor. I would simply go with a SBC instead of an LT1.

[MarkM66]

The LT1 swap went out of style before ever came into style, .

[WSSix]

Originally Posted by MarkM66

The LT1 swap went out of style before ever came into style, .

That's a good way to put it. Scott Parkhurst also had a great comment about them being the modern 409. Basically an excellent engine that was completely overshadowed by what followed it. GM started talking LSx engines before the aftermarket ever had the chance to build parts for the LT1/4 engines.

They are fantastic engines and I love them. They make excellent swap candidates as they are plentiful and the 94-97 EFI is sequential and excellent compared to previous GM EFI. They also easily fit into GM frames as they are nothing but a tradition SBC on the bottom end. However, and this is a big however, unless you just want to be different you should go for the LSx engines. They really are that fantastic of a motor. It literally is almost to the point of arguing over flathead V8 of OHV V8 and which way you should go. You'll always have the guys who love flatheads and want to build them but do not kid yourself into thinking a flathead or in this case the LT1/4 is a better engine no matter how much power you make or how many LSx powered cars you beat in a race.

Good luck with whatever you do. I'm staying with my LT1 for now

[Vegas69]

Everybody and their grandma is using an LS now and it's clear why. Cheap, reliable power.

[GregWeld]

I'm a dyed in the wool old skool SBC fan... but I just installed a LS2 with factory computer and Speartech harness into a 55 chevy... hit the key - it fired off in nanoseconds... and purred. This build even used stock exhaust manifolds... I've now driven it... and it just runs flawlessly and has plenty of power with the Tremec 6 sp and 3:70 gears.

If you're on a budget - just stick with an old skool small block - skip the LT1/4 - and spend better money on suspension or tranny or rearend stuff.... and if and when you want fuel injection - do the new FAST EZ EFI bolt on throttle body or equivalent.

Later you can sell the SBC and go with an LSx... there will still be a market for your SBC... but there is literally NO market for LT motors.

[KCorona]

are these LSx being pulled out of late model cars/trucks/suv's or being bought as crates? I am trying to come up with a 66 Chevelle build, more for reliability and decent HP but the LSx just seems like the way to go for this. I am clueless and a noob so any advice/info would be appreciated!

[T_Raven]

Originally Posted by KCorona

are these LSx being pulled out of late model cars/trucks/suv's or being bought as crates? I am trying to come up with a 66 Chevelle build, more for reliability and decent HP but the LSx just seems like the way to go for this. I am clueless and a noob so any advice/info would be appreciated!

I have an LS1 and t56 out of a 00 TA. I'd say on average I see them like that for $4k. Which is pretty good considering a t56 alone usually goes for $1500. So that's a cheap way to go unless you want more power. Say you want heads you're looking at around $2k, the l92 heads are cheaper and proven to make good power but you need a 6.0l or bigger. So unless you want an iron block then you're looking at an LS2 or LS3, both are still pretty spendy as drop outs from cars if you ask me. So say you buy a LS2/t56 out of a GTO for $6000, spend $1,000 on heads, $1,000 or so on the cam and valve train, plus intake, injectors, harness and a tune, and if at some point you want to stroke the block, well add all that up and it'd probably be about the same to buy a stroker crate engine and be done with it. Then you could either buy a used t56 or one of the aftermarket versions. But the cost of a used one plus a rebuild or upgraded parts is probably close to an aftermarket one.

Sorry for rambling on lol, but this is what I sit and think about, "this right here is this much, but for a little more I could get this, well then heck I might as well do this while I'm at it", so in this case a $4k LS1/t56 combo out of an F-body quickly turns into $20k for an LS7 and a t56 Magnum lol.

[fathomgreen69ss]

I am running and LT1 in my Nova and I love it because it has been very dependable and responsive to the few upgrades that I have made. It is putting 339hp on the ground right now through a 4L60E, which I am very satisfied with. However, given the opportunity, I would swap it for an LSx in a heartbeat. This would require my LT1 to die first.

I hate the front cover to oil pan seal and rear main seal design!!!!!

[KCorona]

Originally Posted by T_Raven

I have an LS1 and t56 out of a 00 TA. I'd say on average I see them like that for $4k. Which is pretty good considering a t56 alone usually goes for $1500. So that's a cheap way to go unless you want more power. Say you want heads you're looking at around $2k, the l92 heads are cheaper and proven to make good power but you need a 6.0l or bigger. So unless you want an iron block then you're looking at an LS2 or LS3, both are still pretty spendy as drop outs from cars if you ask me. So say you buy a LS2/t56 out of a GTO for $6000, spend $1,000 on heads, $1,000 or so on the cam and valve train, plus intake, injectors, harness and a tune, and if at some point you want to stroke the block, well add all that up and it'd probably be about the same to buy a stroker crate engine and be done with it. Then you could either buy a used t56 or one of the aftermarket versions. But the cost of a used one plus a rebuild or upgraded parts is probably close to an aftermarket one.

Sorry for rambling on lol, but this is what I sit and think about, "this right here is this much, but for a little more I could get this, well then heck I might as well do this while I'm at it", so in this case a $4k LS1/t56 combo out of an F-body quickly turns into $20k for an LS7 and a t56 Magnum lol.

Great, this is the kind of info I am looking for! Well to narrow things down, I am not too worried about power (for the time being). I am worried about reliability until I get out of grad school and get my feet under me with a steady career. My friend mentioned to me to think about the wiring harness "brain", how does that install into the chevelles? I need to read more about EFI because I am not so knowledgeable of it but I know I want it

[rocketman]

I have had many Lt1 cars, tansplanted lots of Lt1's but there old school now, Ls is the hot bed and there is so many there cheap