Here is my brothers 96 LT1-T56 all stock except a flowmaster exhaust,





The race i would like to see is a Third gen with a Lt1 T56-6 speed 3-23s-42s against a 4th gen LT1 T-56 same gears and tires, six runs. Three from a dig, three from a 60 roll all out. That will solve this whole dilemma. Third gen will most likely win every time. As for the L98 kicking an automatics 4th gen LT1s **** 93-95 maybe, with the same gears/automatic and being a little lighter the third gen late 80s-90 model Camaro 5.7 can very well take down a 4th gen LT1 stock for stock in good running shape up to about 100 mph.

 

Very good point. I like what you had to say.

 

Based upon my own experiences owning both LT1 and TPI, on the street TPI is king. By the end of the 1/4 mile, the LT1 over came the car length behind from the launch and was a car length ahead, but by only 1mph. Both automatic, dual cat, 3.2x gearing, and in good state of tune with lower mileage.

My LT1s best 1/4 on street tires was 14.5@95. My GTAs best on street tires is 14.8@94. Basically a car length between the two. The LT1 overcame the 2 car launch the GTA put on it and put a car on top, so made up 3 car lengths but did it creeping by 1mph faster, about 20 more hp. GTA has 255/50zr16s, the LT1 had WS6 wheels with 275/40zr17s.

LT1s don't make much more power, they just have an extra 800rpms of that extra power. My brothers automatic LT1 was the same as my LT1, just a 1997 and ran dead even with mine. It dynoed 231hp and 270tq. L98s dyno 210-220hp and over 300tq. So TPI has 10-20less hp, but over 30lbs more torque. Follows the 1/4 mile runs, GTAs 2 car ahead launch , LT1 1 car ahead at the end

At the end of the day, LT1 is better, but not by much. Really wish L98s got the ZF6spd.

Back on subject, these cars never got respect much in the last 20 years. The LT1 and LS1 made them look slow and square, despite actual performance figures. But, to the kids now, they are classics and therefor really cool. They are also seemingly getting fast again. "Omg, these things are fast. My older brothers IROC whooped on stangs all day long". I get more compliments today with my 3rd gen than I ever did in the late 90's with my 3rd gen. And not just from kids, but from older guys and younger girls. Its great!! Perception is changing for these cars. And the reality is starting to sink in that these cars are deserving of classic status for their performance, fuel economy, handling, and looks. They are sexy beasts.

 

Very well said, especially that last part! They are deffinately getting much more recognized now than I ever remember in the 8 years I've owned mine. I used to get made fun of for having a 3rd gen by all the mustang guys in HS. Now on the other hand, you are praised for owning a clean "survivor." Not to mention, I'm the only one from HS that still owns my baby, lol.

 

One of the first things people always say when I open my hood is my stuff is CLEAN. Cleanest they've ever seen too. That makes me feel good.

 

and 305 TPIs with stick do eveytime

 

oh... and just to put it out there..
I do 0-60 in 6.5 and I have 305(LB9)TPI with 3.45 gears. Only 5 speeds came with those gears. The rest were 3.27 for mt GTA year of 1988