ok guys, ive read the pros and cons (and other comparisons) of lt1 vs ls1, but i would still like to get some input from others who have considered one or the other. first, take money out of the question. i realize neither would be cheap for the horsepower i want(looking for about 500 n/a). BUT, my boss has a fresh lt1 jasper rebuilt motor, complete with intake, accesories and harness with only 15 miles on it he'll sell to me for 1800(was taken out of a 94 t/a after the customer never payed for the job). i know dollar 4 dollar spent, the ls1 will deliver more hp, but this lt1 is VERY tempting. on the other hand, i would rather buy the lt1 to replace the tbi 350 in my truck sometime down the road. i've owned an ls1 car, and i definatly want another ls1 powered car...ant input would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you take money out of the picture and you are trying to reach 500HP N/A

The LS1 is a better choice, however it will require more fabrication, and fabrication cost money, but again, you mentioned that money is out of the picture......

 

well, at least i got 1 opinion. just to clarify, i'm not saying money is NO object...i'm far from rich. i'm more looking for opinions on the fact i can get this lt1(as a starting point) for 1800 as opposed to going out and spending $4000(the best price i've seen) for a complete ls1 and 6 speed. thanks to a little wheelin' and dealin' with roy from f-body motorsports on some 4th gen t/a parts i had when i was at spring carlile, he told me when i was ready he would sell me a t56 for about 1200. thats a grand less initial output to spend later-keeping in mind that the lt1 swap requires less fabrication, right?

 

yes, the only fabrication necessary is to the crossmember and passenger side engine mount.

 

If you're looking for 500HP NA, IMHO neither is a good choice...at least not for the amount of money it would take to get you there. The LT1 from a 94 is rated at 275hp...barely halfway there in stock form. LS1s are better, but still you're looking at low 300s. By the time you build either with enough cubes, and good enough heads, to make 500hp, you'll likely have well over $5000 in the buildup (esp in the case of the LS1), above and beyond the original (high) cost of the motor. For that kind of change, I'd build a stout 383 or 406, or better yet look at a big block...ANY of the big blocks (Chevy, Pontiac (ok, not technically a big block),Cadillac, Olds) can easily make 500hp NA, not to mention enough torque to pull a house down.If your car is TPI now, swap to a Stealth Ram or Miniram on the smallblock of your choice.

 

yea, i know. i've taken all that into consideration as well. or i could keep my zz4(hot cam, ported heads and pro magnum1.6's) which already has about 400, and put a shot of n20 on and i'd be there. i'm more looking at the "coolness" of a n/a high horsepower ls1 6speed in the car