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LT1 vs LS5

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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 09:47 PM
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Default LT1 vs LS5

Which is generally thought of as more desireable?
1971-1972 LT1sor LS5s?

and WHY?
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 09:49 PM
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Wasn't the LS5 one of the more powerful big blocks? I would think that would have made it a lesser sold car, and therefor more rare.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 10:08 PM
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The LS6 was the 71 BB rated at 425 HP. The Ls5 was a good motor with a ton of torque. The LT1s had less of them made so they are probably more desireable than the LS5 motored Vettes. They ran close to the same 1/4 mile times. The BB had a ton of torque the LT1 was more of a fined tuned racer motor. The LT1 was better balanced due to the lesser weight.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
The LS6 was the 71 BB rated at 425 HP. The Ls5 was a good motor with a ton of torque. The LT1s had less of them made so they are probably more desireable than the LS5 motored Vettes. They ran close to the same 1/4 mile times. The BB had a ton of torque the LT1 was more of a fined tuned racer motor. The LT1 was better balanced due to the lesser weight.
Thanks-I keep hearing LT1, lower production and same time etc.
I am not a fan of the big block hoods, woould the LT1 have to have that?
Does the scoop design offer aditional airflow?

I have a base 72, but would like a 70-72 Vert LT1 - I think.
Will check them out in person as I see em more and more.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 10:14 PM
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Wasn't the LS5 one of the more powerful big blocks? I would think that would have made it a lesser sold car, and therefor more rare
There were actually fewer LT1's made than the LS5 big blocks. So in
that sense the LT1 is more rare.

1971 LS5 - 5,079
1971 LT1 - 1,949
1972 LS5 - 3,913
1972 LT1 - 1,741

...that's how many were made...it would be interesting to know how many of each are still on the road today.

So i guess it depends on what you mean by desirable. The LT-1 might be considered more desirable today because it is more rare (less desirable 35 years ago because less people bought them?). However big blocks are certainly desirable cars...also the LS5 has the higher HP rating over the LT-1's

1971 LS5 - 365HP
1971 LT1 - 330HP
1972 LS5 - 270HP
1972 LT1 - 255HP

Last edited by pwsusi; Sep 6, 2007 at 10:17 PM.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:17 PM
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Corvette magazine (Jun2007) says-"add $10K for LT-1 and $8 for LS-5" and only "300% for the LS-6!!!"

HOWEVER- There's no way I would trade my Big Block for a small block (all things being equal) -even if I got the 2 grand difference.

Richard
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by pwsusi
So i guess it depends on what you mean by desirable. The LT-1 might be considered more desirable today because it is more rare (less desirable 35 years ago because less people bought them?).
Less LT-1s were sold because the LT-1 option was significantly more expensive than the LS5, not necessarily because it was less desirable. The LT-1 was a true high performance engine with solid lifters, large Holley carb, transistor ignition, and aluminum high-rise intake manifolds. In addition, all LT-1s came with 4speed, most with M21 and 3.70 or 4.11 gears. The LS5 did have slightly more hp, but it also had more weight. 0-60 and 1/4 were very close but overall performance the LT-1 was/is better. Yes I'm a biased LT-1 owner. I've owned 2 70s and a 71.

Last edited by mstanton; Sep 6, 2007 at 11:39 PM.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 06:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Erics Quick71
Thanks-I keep hearing LT1, lower production and same time etc.
I am not a fan of the big block hoods, woould the LT1 have to have that?
Does the scoop design offer aditional airflow?

I have a base 72, but would like a 70-72 Vert LT1 - I think.
Will check them out in person as I see em more and more.
Yes they do have the BB/LT1 hood. The hood was needed for the high rise alum intake on the LT1. My car is a 72 LT1 vert. The LT1 motor is long gone as is most of the original stuff. The body and int. still are pretty much stock. Different wheels are the only thing noticable.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
Yes they do have the BB/LT1 hood. The hood was needed for the high rise alum intake on the LT1. My car is a 72 LT1 vert. The LT1 motor is long gone as is most of the original stuff. The body and int. still are pretty much stock. Different wheels are the only thing noticable.
Gordon, Is this because the car's been in several different hands over the years or by choice? I'm in your general area and beginning to take a look at LT-1s. I'm trying to get a handle on the market and availability for original equipment cars.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by gccch
Gordon, Is this because the car's been in several different hands over the years or by choice? I'm in your general area and beginning to take a look at LT-1s. I'm trying to get a handle on the market and availability for original equipment cars.
Long story on this car. Short one is I am the 14th owner of this car. Most never even had it 2 years. I/my dad bought it in 91 as a pretty beat up car. It had a 78 350 passenger car engine in it. It did only have 46K miles on it. I have records of the titles and all the owners before me so the mileage is pretty true. I restored it back to original as much as we could and made it road worthy in 94. Dad retired and I bought it back in 96. I have been modifying it ever since. The stock car was OK but it is in no comparison to what I have now. It is faster and handles better than stock. I still have some of the original stuff but doubt it will ever go back to stock.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 09:36 AM
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Nothing like the "feel" of a Big Block!
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