LS1 or LT1

[3rdgentug]

i said ls1. i just gave my input on what I thought just like everybody else. I didnt know I wasnt allow to express myself.

Okay, express yourself. But the question was LT1 or LS1 and I don't see how a post about a 5.3 helps answer that question.

He also never said anything about just wanting a 5.7. A 5.3 is in the same family.

I understand guys. But when people say 'LS1' it 99.99999% of the time means 350. We can get particular but I personally have never heard anyone with a 5.3 call it an LS1 even if it were in the same family. They just call it a 5.3 or 327 (even though it's not quite a 327)

actually the ls1 is a 346 ci

 

[3rdgentug]

perosnally ive owned many tpi cars, a handful of lt1 vehicals, and now my 1st ls1 in my camaro.
ive built 3 tpi motors in my camaros over the years. they have awesome tq. but unless you put some money in the system all the fun starts to end about 4500 rpms. i know some one suggested vortech heads and the tpi base... your better off with a ported base and a descent set of worked heads then that setup, i know from experience and it felt like a wate of money.
as far as the lt1 goes i had one stock one that was pretty fun, got decent gas milage and had ok power. i also had one that was putting down 410 to the rear wheels in my s10. and it wasnt anything really special at all. ported heads, ported intake, huge cam, and high compression.
my ls1 in my camaro now is heads cam, all bolt ons, full exhaust ect... putting down 425 to the wheels through a 3600 stall and 3.73 gears. it has awesome everywhere through the band power and i get 22 mpg highway.


all 3 of those options are good ones. which is the best for you..only you can decide. if it was me (and since your asking our opinion) id say ls1

 

[Stoopud]

In the current world times are changing and the SBC is outdated. The Engine in my GP is the last one I will ever build. For an anology to the past...

SBC = Flat Head Ford (great but outdated)
LT1 = 409 (great motor that didn't last long)
LS1 = SBC (best current bang for the buck from GM)

 

[jae]

perosnally ive owned many tpi cars, a handful of lt1 vehicals, and now my 1st ls1 in my camaro.
ive built 3 tpi motors in my camaros over the years. they have awesome tq. but unless you put some money in the system all the fun starts to end about 4500 rpms.

Wasn't this due to the TPI originally designed off the flow characteristics of the 305 and it's peanut heads and bore? Added to this the stock HEI, which starts to run out of steam around that rpm.

Seem to remember reading that awhile back.

 

[3rdgentug]

perosnally ive owned many tpi cars, a handful of lt1 vehicals, and now my 1st ls1 in my camaro.
ive built 3 tpi motors in my camaros over the years. they have awesome tq. but unless you put some money in the system all the fun starts to end about 4500 rpms.

Wasn't this due to the TPI originally designed off the flow characteristics of the 305 and it's peanut heads and bore? Added to this the stock HEI, which starts to run out of steam around that rpm.

Seem to remember reading that awhile back.

really the tpi system, while a great system with some work, barely is adiqute for the 305. they just plane cant flow enough cfm in the higher rpm.
i had one with a upgraded tb,ported plenum, siamesed runners and superram intake that was a different story. on a stock 350 in my full weight 91 camaro that setup got me 13.7 1/4 at iirc 99 mph on street tires cutting 2.1 lights...stock transmission, stock 3.23 gears.

 

[Larryg]

I guess it also depends on how many times you want to do this. If you knew you were only going to do this once, and keep the car a good long time, even upgrading stuff as the years and money allowed, why not get the latest gen III/IV motors? Even if you pay $12-1400 for a motor transmission combo and another $1400 for the rest of the swap, you'll be styling and saving at the pump for the forseeable future. And these bottom ends can handle stupid power and getting that stupid power is getting easier to find every day.

Most guys who know say if they could start over thats the route they would go, but most are into their particular combos for way too much $$ to start over with the modern stuff. If you start now you wont hit any dead ends in the future.

Dont forget to look for the trucks, vans and escalades with 6.0's too, I know I am. :wink:

 

[drknow90rs]

I have also had all of these motors. I collect F-bodies. Of all three, the LS-1 makes me smile the most. LT-1's make great boat anchors IMO. As far as bang for the buck: Go with an 85-92 TPI setup with vortec heads and a vortec baseplate.
Look here: www.thirdgen.org
You will find lots of TPI parts and setups on their classified's boards.

Good luck!

 

[89Nighthawk]

I just joined this forum as I've decided to build a companion to my Nighthawk after I gave it to my son.
Do you guys bicker like this on all the links? Get a grip!
The LS1 is the better motor, all the way around except for ease of installation. I want to drop a 500 - 600 hp LS motor from Texas Speed in a SS, but so far no kits. Kits are available for F-Body's, just FYI.
I expect some of you hombres will try and flame me for saying it. 😛
The LT1 motor is a good motor, but the optispark is an abortion. I would recommend converting to a distributor driven ignition.

 

[drknow90rs]

LOL, I wont flame you. The LT-1 IS an abortion. You have never seen so many angry corvette owners. (Also the reason you can buy a 92-96 corvette for cheaper than a 91 corvette) I delt with the optispark and after the leaky water pump ate the SECOND MSD Pro-billet dist, I gave up. They DO make good boat anchors.... As for putting the motor in a G-body: You can get the motor mounts from summit (..." Ls-1 in any sbc car..") They bolt in. Several companies make a crossmember both for T-56 and 4l60e. A camaro oilpan clears almost perfectly. If you use a 4l60e you will not need to do anything special for the torque converter as this is the stock setup.
These swaps are really easy in these cars. The biggest bang for the buck comes from the Lq-9 truck motor (Cadillac escalade and truck 6.0L) These can usually be had for 600.oo to 800.oo.