How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
I bought my camaro earlier last year the guy said he got the 350 from a corvette which i believe those came with the LT5 upgrade im not even sure what the entire upgrade itself entails i was curious if you guys could tell me something that might give it away so i can figure out what i have under the hood. im not sure what will help but heres a pic i have a feeling its all internal differences though. thanks alot for your help.
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
thats not an lt1 or lt5. That is a standard gen 1 sbc. it has centerbolt valve covers so the heads are 87+. as far as the bottom end goes, get the casting number. More than likely, it did not come from a vette, not that it would matter anyway. There are more corvette engines than there were ever corvettes.
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
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Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
looks more like a carbed L98 if it is a 350 from those years corvettes. valve covers look like my L98's
almost impossible to tell without the block casting numbers and head castings
LT1's are fuel injected and look like this

LT5 is the 405 hp dual overhead cam, 32 valve V8 exotic build motor that GM had for a few years... its big and looks like this
almost impossible to tell without the block casting numbers and head castings
LT1's are fuel injected and look like this
LT5 is the 405 hp dual overhead cam, 32 valve V8 exotic build motor that GM had for a few years... its big and looks like this
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From: Macon, GA
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: Vortec headed 355, xe262
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.70
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
I've got the feeling it's another of those "vette motor" con artists.
Why are people such @#$%'s?
Try to pop the valvecover off and read the casting number on the heads. That will possible tell us exactly what we need to know, or it will at least send us in the right direction.
1. The MAP sensor is still plugged in, as is what is apparently a relocated CTS as far as I can tell. - It's fuel injected.
2. It's not an LT5 because... well... there's no way to make an LT5 look like what's in the picture.
3. It's not an LT1 because even though i dont see a distributor, i dont see the optispark or a replacement either. This means a small cap EFI distributor behind the air cleaner which fits what we already know.
4. From everything else I've gathered, it's not carbureted. It's Throttle Body Injected. Who in their right mind would put Throttle body injection onto an L98 or LT1? Im not saying it's impossible, but it's just kind of silly. I'm not a big TBI basher like everyone else, but let's be realistic here.
5. This means it's an L03 305 with what I presume is a nice, clean Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and an open element air cleaner and the lying cheat you bought the car from a is a vaginal discharge. Yu've got a slow base 305.
I could be wrong, but that's the most likely scenario.
Why are people such @#$%'s?
Try to pop the valvecover off and read the casting number on the heads. That will possible tell us exactly what we need to know, or it will at least send us in the right direction.
1. The MAP sensor is still plugged in, as is what is apparently a relocated CTS as far as I can tell. - It's fuel injected.
2. It's not an LT5 because... well... there's no way to make an LT5 look like what's in the picture.
3. It's not an LT1 because even though i dont see a distributor, i dont see the optispark or a replacement either. This means a small cap EFI distributor behind the air cleaner which fits what we already know.
4. From everything else I've gathered, it's not carbureted. It's Throttle Body Injected. Who in their right mind would put Throttle body injection onto an L98 or LT1? Im not saying it's impossible, but it's just kind of silly. I'm not a big TBI basher like everyone else, but let's be realistic here.
5. This means it's an L03 305 with what I presume is a nice, clean Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and an open element air cleaner and the lying cheat you bought the car from a is a vaginal discharge. Yu've got a slow base 305.
I could be wrong, but that's the most likely scenario.
Last edited by InfernalVortex; Feb 19, 2008 at 10:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 51
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
it is TBI ill actually go outside and see what i can find right now im pretty sure its a 350 though i have a 305 in my 87 back home this has way more get up and go. lemme see what i can find
Thread Starter
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
alright i found the numbers and i googled them its a 350 head apparently chevy used them on late 80's early 90's Z28 camaros so the guy that sold it to me is still a dickwad i blame my self for not knowing enough about what i was buying but im still happy with it its TBI the throttlebody looks like a pile of garbage. id like to find some vortech heads what do you guys think i should do with this pile of mystery crap?
Last edited by GIJason91; Feb 19, 2008 at 11:20 PM.
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From: Madison, WI
Car: 1986 Camaro Z28
Engine: 400
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt Posi 3.73
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
That head casting number doesn't bring anything up. Is the head dirty? Is it possible you misread it?
Off of Mortec:
Casting #, Years, Engine used on, Description.
14101083...87-up...350..........Gen.I, also used on crate motors, 285 or 300 hp,
64cc chambers, 72' center manifold bolt angles
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alright i found the numbers and i googled them its a 350 head apparently chevy used them on late 80's early 90's Z28 camaros so the guy that sold it to me is still a dickwad i blame my self for not knowing enough about what i was buying but im still happy with it its TBI the throttlebody looks like a pile of garbage. id like to find some vortech heads what do you guys think i should do with this pile of mystery crap?
VORTEC (
) heads are great. They will easily make 350 hp on a carbed 350 and a proper cam. Last edited by Codename 47; Feb 19, 2008 at 11:23 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
Get the casting numbers off the block so we can see if it's a 350.
That head casting number doesn't bring anything up. Is the head dirty? Is it possible you misread it?
Off of Mortec:
Casting #, Years, Engine used on, Description.
14101083...87-up...350..........Gen.I, also used on crate motors, 285 or 300 hp,
64cc chambers, 72' center manifold bolt angles
That head casting number doesn't bring anything up. Is the head dirty? Is it possible you misread it?
Off of Mortec:
Casting #, Years, Engine used on, Description.
14101083...87-up...350..........Gen.I, also used on crate motors, 285 or 300 hp,
64cc chambers, 72' center manifold bolt angles
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Madison, WI
Car: 1986 Camaro Z28
Engine: 400
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt Posi 3.73
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
yeah sorry i didnt take the valve cover all the way off i had all kinds of crap in the way so i had to shove my camera under the valve covers and snap pictures till i found the numbers they werent very clear but i know its 1410 then 83 at the end ill have to double check when i have all my tools available.
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Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Madison, WI
Car: 1986 Camaro Z28
Engine: 400
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt Posi 3.73
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
Look back by the firewall. It's right where the transmission bolts the engine. I can't recall if it's on the passenger's side or driver's side of the distributor though. Sorry. It will be somewhat difficult to see. Get your flashlight and acrobatic maneuvers out to see in there
It'll be a bunch of numbers just like the head casting numbers.
It'll be a bunch of numbers just like the head casting numbers. Thread Starter
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
yeah umm thats impossible to read clearly i think i broke like 3 different plastic connectors trying to get down there all i could see was the GM symbol and it looked like SOI or L thats all i could find
----------
lame nevermind i found out what those markings were for its from the saginaw michigan plant on febuary it was S01
----------
lame nevermind i found out what those markings were for its from the saginaw michigan plant on febuary it was S01
Last edited by GIJason91; Feb 20, 2008 at 12:11 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
yeah umm thats impossible to read clearly i think i broke like 3 different plastic connectors trying to get down there all i could see was the GM symbol and it looked like SOI or L thats all i could find
----------
lame nevermind i found out what those markings were for its from the saginaw michigan plant on febuary it was S01
----------
lame nevermind i found out what those markings were for its from the saginaw michigan plant on febuary it was S01
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From: Sacramento
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 350 TBI
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
sure it wasn't "5.0L"?
Later model 350s and 305s had either "5.0L" or "5.7L" stamped on the back where the transmission bolts.
Later model 350s and 305s had either "5.0L" or "5.7L" stamped on the back where the transmission bolts.
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From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
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Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
If it has a belt driven water pump, its NOT and LT1/LT4.
LT5 looks like TPI on steroids, and also has the plug wires going through the middle of the valve covers, like the old Chrysler Hemis or the 4-banger Hondas.
LT5 looks like TPI on steroids, and also has the plug wires going through the middle of the valve covers, like the old Chrysler Hemis or the 4-banger Hondas.
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The last 3 digits of the casting # are often found on the side of the block as well. They're the most important, but you have to get under the car to see them. That may be easier than trying to see them behind the driver's side head.
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
no the S was pretty clear i looked it up on a SBC casting number site they said theres a letter for the factory its made in and 2 numbers for the month.
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
you gotta look below that number... there are more numbers back there
also check the pad thats infront of the passenger side cylinder head, and behind the AC unit. There are two numbers are there that will tell you what you have as well
also check the pad thats infront of the passenger side cylinder head, and behind the AC unit. There are two numbers are there that will tell you what you have as well
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From: Macon, GA
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: Vortec headed 355, xe262
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.70
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
But if it's got 083 heads... then it may well be an L98 swapped under a TBI... which is... odd to say the least... but it's still L98 heads...
Unless it said "193" which is L05 heads.
Unless it said "193" which is L05 heads.
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
agreed, that block casting number needs to be known!
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From: Tucson, AZ.
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7 350 TBI
Transmission: M5
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
so i finaly found it i looked underneith the car and all i could find was a remanufacture plackard. i looked on the back and earlier i found a GM square stamp with the S01 apparently like half inch below my vision was the clear as day 5.7L stamp so it is fo sho a 350 which makes me happy now what to do to get it running right again.. im pretty sure theres a vacume leak due to the crappy idle not even sure where to start with that i guess i can start a new thread for all the little tweaks that have need to be taken care of. thanks guys for all the help!
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From: Madison, WI
Car: 1986 Camaro Z28
Engine: 400
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt Posi 3.73
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
EDIT: Incorrect information.
Last edited by Codename 47; Feb 24, 2008 at 02:24 PM.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
the number on the head pad could possible indicate that i do believe. It can tell you what car it was in and from that you may beable to tell
Re: How do you tell if its LT5 or LT1?
basic casting number isnt detailed info really. take for instance the 3970010 casting. 2 or 4 bolt 302,327, or 350. Corvette, passenger car, or pickup. Not exactly a pinpoint description
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