ARthe1

Im thinking about swaping a lt1or ls1 in my 88 camaro ....I only have stock 305 tbi lookin to upgrade....

Just would like to know which would be less complicated and maybe cheaper ...?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Read

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...third-gen.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...questions.html

supr_fly03

iTrader: (2)

Depends on what you want, what kind of deals you can find, and what you want trans wise. If you want dirt cheap LS swap run a 4.8 or 5.3 since they are a dime a dozen and find a suitable 4l60E trans to toss behind it for not much more than a basic LT1 and auto trans setup.

If you want a 6spd... better be loose with your coin because everyone thinks they are made of gold. A T56 anything is likley double the cost. If you can find a LS1/T56 it would probably be in the 5k range, a LT1/T56 half that.

It is better to find the whole drivetrain together with a harness or you will wind up getting nickel and dimed to death. Figure your budget and double it. Good luck!

keeslinger31

Went lt1 only because I wanted a t56 and parts cars are cheap
I would do ls if I found a suitable donor car for a good price
The lt does sound better and is much easier cheaper to swap (stock motor mounts Parts are cheape)
Ls runs much smoother while making more power but costs alot more which isn't going to be a problem forever but it is right now
More parts availability for ls engines and block/head/intake choices for the exact power and driveability you want and the 5.3 can handle a good amount of boost in stock form and super cheap to come by so that helps

Jump on the bandwagon go ls you won't be disappointed

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

If you can afford to go LSx, do so. If an out of the box 230-250rwhp and a newer engine is all you want, lt1 is an excellent choice if you don't modify it. Want more? Go LSx

ARthe1

Thats wat I was planning to get it complete....can I use same stock tranny nd rear end ?

ARthe1

I just realy want to upgrade...nd go kinda cheaper way....not to many 3rd gen wit either were I stay anyway lol....well far as I know ...been having stock 305 tbi for abt 2 years ....so im just ready to upgrade...thought abt just getting 350 tpi but im more interested in doing lt1 or ls1....looking likr imma go lt1 tho ....

supr_fly03

iTrader: (2)

I love my LT1. It is a F-body motor and has bolt-ons and with the 6spd and 4.10 gears it is pretty rediculous. I would say it is just as fast as my 2012 Camaro 2SS Auto car. They run consistent low 13's/high 12's.

As far as driveshafts and rear ends they all work from F-body's. I have an aluminum driveshaft from a 3rd gen and the factory 83 rear axle.

I would suggest getting an f-body setup if you want to retain the factory torque arm mount. Get everything you can, sensors, harness, PCM, pedals (6spd), pig tails, mounts, all of it.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Sounds like a lt1 would fit the bill

utfan01ss

iTrader: (1)

I'm going to throw this out there... and its just my opinion. I've owned four LS1 4th gen cars, two 6 speeds and two autos. Not to mention my 02 Silverado which has true duals and a comp cam, 5.3L and 4 wheel drive. And my daily which is a 2004 Tahoe, 5.3L and 4 wheel drive.

The LS platform is amazing... every mod you do to one nets results. From headers to a cam. The LT1's are great engines as well, but there are some things about them that I personally do not like. Mainly the optispark... if you decide to go with a LT1 my advise would be to purchase a new opti while the motor is out. They tend to cause issues when they get older. Moisture and heat will kill one.

I'm currently doing a LS1 swap into my 89 IROC-Z... its taken me a while to save up enough money to do it. But I know it'll be worth while. Average 28mpg on the highway and make near 400 RWHP. That's something old school tech can't achieve... and is important when gas prices approach four dollars a gallon like they are now.

Anyway, whichever way you go it'll be an improvement over stock. Which is going in the right direction. Good luck!

supr_fly03

iTrader: (2)

While I agree that an LS1 is far better supported in the aftermarket even for the swap, the cost of entry is pretty rediculous though which is what drove me away. For the extra LS1 investment I can damn near have enough for a head/cam package in my LT1 and throw down 400 plus rwhp in my car. I would probably start chucking rear ends with the way I drive. I will say I hate my opti but it works and I have a crappy autozone cap and rotor on it that causes a slight high speed miss. Definately take the time to swap with a Delphi or Delco cap and rotor. Maybe an MSD. Dont get a local napa, autozone, advance, or whatever you have around cap and rotor. Pulling the water pump is enough of a nuciance in the car to make it worth while while it is out.

Either way it is all about the budget!

jdracer13

I have to completely agree with super_fly03. By the time all the money is spent on the required parts to swap the LSx into the car it will not have an edge over a Gen I or II sbc. I can attest to this because I was going to do the LSx swap, and by the time my shopping cart was full of parts that I would need to complete it I could have built a really stout Gen I that would run circles around the LSx. You do not have to always jump on the bandwagon.

The LT1 is more so a Gen 1 sbc with reverse cooling, a messed up ignition system, and a cam driven water pump. You can get a LT1 Bowtie carb intake and remove the opti, put in a soft plug or weld it shut, and drop in an HEI distributor.

ARthe1

Ooh ok ok I'm learning ...so would I have to change motor mounts, driveshaft or anything else ?

WhiteBlaze

iTrader: (1)

Read the sticky. Don't need to change your motor mounts with an LT1, stock drive shaft will work in almost all cases.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Lt1 will use your SBC mounts. Crossmember depends on trans used. Stock 3rd/4th gen driveshaft will fit any 700r4, t5, 4l60e, t56