This is not a flaming the ls1 thread at all. i just seriously want to find out peoples aproach to modding the ls1. i know very little about the engine, and of course i have an lt1 so my view points might be a little biased, but everyone that ive talked to that had an lt1 and then got an ls1 said the ls1 is god so tell me why

this can be the equivilant to the potential of the lt1 thread, im glad to see there are finally some good technical discussions going on here! just trying to keep them going

 

Because it already has good heads and intake the LS1 responds much better to a cam only swap, and of course, valve springs too. The LT1 needs the heads upgraded to see those kinds of gains.

In a nutshell, the LS1 responds well to bolt-ons and the cam can be swapped without pulling the heads. The LT1 needs much more to get those kind of gains. With unlimited funds and full build up the LS1 wins again because you are not as limited in displacement combinations and can go very big but it will cost you $$$. The LT1 uses the same 1 piece main seal crank, rods, pistons as any late model small block chevy and a 377-388 can be built relatively inexpensively.

Mod for mod the LS1/2/6/7 is better than the LT1/4.


LS1/2 car = $$$
LT1 car = $$
Modding LS1 car = $$$$
Modding LT1 car = $$$

The look on an LS1/6 owners face when you beat them at the track in a mostly stock LT1 car = Priceless

 

if i had an LS1....rear, slicks, 6spd w/ spec 5i, driveshaft, bolt-ons and a Juggernaut cam. 10's probably.

 

Heck there are Cam only ls1 cars (minor bolt ons) putting down around 400 hp. Great motors.

 

I see "mostly stock" is a rather loose term around these parts

 

I am mostly stock. Or as I now call it Temple Terrace Stock! AKA- TTS

 

TTS = the turbo shop?

 

Read dummmaaaaaay!

 

With an LS1 Fbody the focus should first be the induction and the exhuast. The Fbody has a funky stock air indution setup with huge baffles that are supposed to silence the incoming air to meet EPA noise regs. I replaced mine with a standard type cold air direct flow lid and noticed no differnce in sound. That leads me to belive that the real function of the stock baffles is to limit Fbody HP to less than that of the Ls1 powered Vettes. The exhaust manifolds of the Ls1 Fbody are much more restrictive than the Ls1 Corvettes as well. Headers of some type are a must. There are a ton of Ls1 cars with headers, MAF ends, lids and Catbacks running around with 315-330 HP at the rear tires. On a car that was built 97-2000 an Ls6 style intake is agood upgrade that is worth 10 HP on average to the rear tires and it allows for much better gains with a cam swap. The stock Ls1 cam is tiny and the stock heads will support much more power than the stocker is capable of making. The stock cam is like a 198/202 with .499 lift on a 116 LSA. Most people go wtih a cam that is at least 215/215 with .530 lift or more on a 114 or 112 LSA. The most poplular cam onl swap for the Ls1 is a 224/224 .570 lift or better cam.

 

When I was stock with those exact mods and no tuning, I made 351 and 361 TQ to the wheels.