Lt1 verses big block.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
Lt1 verses big block.
WHAT ONE WOULD BE FASTER? A 454 OR LT1? also say you have a lt1 and a bb 454 in same condition with same options. which one would be worth more? i thought the lt1 was but lately ive been seeing BBs going for more.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
I may be wrong but cubic inches will get you top end if you cant pull a goood, I mean GOOD hole shot, I've had it happen to me. Thats stock V. stock, modify 'em and its a toss up, who spent the most. as to price,,,,,,,not a clue, depends on condition mostly. Peace,,,Moosie 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Stock 454s were faster in the 1/4 mile than the LT1 but on a road course the LT1 was lighter and handled slightly better in the Corvette.
LT1s are worth more than the 454 Corvettes because they are even more rare and desirable than the 454s.
Personally I prefer the 454, you can't beat the sound of thunder when you hear it idling.
Don't believe the prices you see cars selling for at the big auctions on TV. The prices they generally get are greatly inflated with little logic behind the selling price. Lots of wealthy people with big egos and the excitement of the auction drive prices far beyond reality.
Greetings from Green Bay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Nutsy,
I can tell you that this debate was brought up many years ago and settled on the Laguna Seca racetrack. Years ago some NCRS members were allowed to take their cars and run them hard down this road course for a bit. Jack Murray who owned at that time a green/black LS6 convertible and another member with a LT-1 ran against each other. I believe it was somewhat close thru the turns, but once in the straights, the LT-1 wasn't seen again.
Now here we are comparing two high rpm solid lifter motors. If this were a comparison between the hydraulic lifter LS-5's and the solid lifter LT-1's I don't know what the outcome would have been, but the old adage; there's no substitute for cubic inches certainly played in the above roles.
I can tell you that this debate was brought up many years ago and settled on the Laguna Seca racetrack. Years ago some NCRS members were allowed to take their cars and run them hard down this road course for a bit. Jack Murray who owned at that time a green/black LS6 convertible and another member with a LT-1 ran against each other. I believe it was somewhat close thru the turns, but once in the straights, the LT-1 wasn't seen again.
Now here we are comparing two high rpm solid lifter motors. If this were a comparison between the hydraulic lifter LS-5's and the solid lifter LT-1's I don't know what the outcome would have been, but the old adage; there's no substitute for cubic inches certainly played in the above roles.
Last edited by early shark; May 9, 2009 at 11:21 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Nutsy,
I can tell you that this debate was brought up many years ago and settled on the Laguna Seca racetrack. Years ago some NCRS members were allowed to take their cars and run them hard down this road course for a bit. Jack Murray who owned at that time a green/black LS6 convertible and another member with a LT-1 ran against each other. I believe it was somewhat close thru the turns, but once in the straights, the LT-1 wasn't seen again.
Now here we are comparing two high rpm solid lifter motors. If this were a comparison between the hydraulic lifter LS-5's and the solid lifter LT-1's I don't know what the outcome would have been, but the old adage; there's no substitute for cubic inches certainly played in the above roles.
I can tell you that this debate was brought up many years ago and settled on the Laguna Seca racetrack. Years ago some NCRS members were allowed to take their cars and run them hard down this road course for a bit. Jack Murray who owned at that time a green/black LS6 convertible and another member with a LT-1 ran against each other. I believe it was somewhat close thru the turns, but once in the straights, the LT-1 wasn't seen again.
Now here we are comparing two high rpm solid lifter motors. If this were a comparison between the hydraulic lifter LS-5's and the solid lifter LT-1's I don't know what the outcome would have been, but the old adage; there's no substitute for cubic inches certainly played in the above roles.
Agree with Warren - and he has enough seat time to know. But... the LS6 is a different animal (beast?) than the LS5 - by far.
It all depends on how you like to drive. The LT1 is a lot more fun around town and in the twistys than a big block (I have one of each in the garage). The LT1 is easy to toss into a corner, Uber controllable in a drift, has much better braking characteristics, is quicker off the line (than the LS5/L36) and just a lot more nimble. It's a great stoplight racer.
That said, the big blocks are a weapon on the open road and with moderate gears, awesome touring cars that will still stomp most poseurs on the street. Yesterday when taking my 4 y/o for a drive in the BB - he asked me repeatedly to "do hyper-speed." I challenged him to lean forward and try to touch the Corvette script on the glove box. You guessed it; I'd poke the throttle and he giggled like - what else - a 4 year old - when his fingers got within 1 inch before he was sucked back into his car seat accompanied by the roar of N11. Gotta love them cubes!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 458
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From: Southeast Ohio
KB9GKC,
LT1s MAY be more rare, (I didn't check production numbers, so I'll take your word for that) But rare does not necessarily mean more desireable. Some people desire the LT1 and some, (me included) desire the Big Block.
Rick
LT1s MAY be more rare, (I didn't check production numbers, so I'll take your word for that) But rare does not necessarily mean more desireable. Some people desire the LT1 and some, (me included) desire the Big Block.
Rick
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
The LT1 is a high strung high rpm motor
The 454 is a grunt motor able to lug around a torque its way around.
The two are totally different cars. Now the LS6 Vette is totally different all together.
The 454 is a grunt motor able to lug around a torque its way around.
The two are totally different cars. Now the LS6 Vette is totally different all together.
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St. Jude Donor '09
Melting Slicks
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From: Nevada City California
Burning Brakes
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From: Boston MA
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 531
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From: Frisco TX
I think you hit it best - apples and oranges in comparison.
If you like to work the gearbox, keep the motor spinning, and enjoy the higher rpm ranges I would take the LT1.
Lazy in town boulevard cruising would favor the torque of the 454 - I'll take mine with an auto tranny.
Here is where the 427 shines - you get the best of both worlds
-mated with a 4 speed and you have it all
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 477
From: NM
First please define "Fast". Top Speed, 1/4 mile, 1/8 mile, road course, stop light grand prix, or what?
tom...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
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From: Upstate South Carolina
This discussion always turns into LT-1 vs the world. The LT-1 was made for only 3 years but gets compared to all BBs. There's a big difference between a 72 LS5 and a 69 L71 yet they tend to get lumped together in the LT-1 vs BB discussion. IMO, year for year I'll take the LT-1 over the LS5. They tend to be close straight line performance but the LT-1 is the all round better sports car and I believe more desireable and should demand more money. I'd also prefer the 70 LT-1 over any non-solid lifter BB. Now if you are talking LS6 or L71, different story.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Nutsy,
I can tell you that this debate was brought up many years ago and settled on the Laguna Seca racetrack. Years ago some NCRS members were allowed to take their cars and run them hard down this road course for a bit. Jack Murray who owned at that time a green/black LS6 convertible and another member with a LT-1 ran against each other. I believe it was somewhat close thru the turns, but once in the straights, the LT-1 wasn't seen again.
Now here we are comparing two high rpm solid lifter motors. If this were a comparison between the hydraulic lifter LS-5's and the solid lifter LT-1's I don't know what the outcome would have been, but the old adage; there's no substitute for cubic inches certainly played in the above roles.
I can tell you that this debate was brought up many years ago and settled on the Laguna Seca racetrack. Years ago some NCRS members were allowed to take their cars and run them hard down this road course for a bit. Jack Murray who owned at that time a green/black LS6 convertible and another member with a LT-1 ran against each other. I believe it was somewhat close thru the turns, but once in the straights, the LT-1 wasn't seen again.
Now here we are comparing two high rpm solid lifter motors. If this were a comparison between the hydraulic lifter LS-5's and the solid lifter LT-1's I don't know what the outcome would have been, but the old adage; there's no substitute for cubic inches certainly played in the above roles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I LOVE my 72 BB coupe.
Of course, it has the Marine 454 with GM Performance aluminum heads, a hot roller cam, aluminum radiator, Hooker side pipes, and is getting the Muncie swapped out to a TKO600 this weekend, so it should be the ultimate street/strip Corvette.
Of course, it has the Marine 454 with GM Performance aluminum heads, a hot roller cam, aluminum radiator, Hooker side pipes, and is getting the Muncie swapped out to a TKO600 this weekend, so it should be the ultimate street/strip Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
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From: Pensacola FLA
This discussion always turns into LT-1 vs the world. The LT-1 was made for only 3 years but gets compared to all BBs. There's a big difference between a 72 LS5 and a 69 L71 yet they tend to get lumped together in the LT-1 vs BB discussion. IMO, year for year I'll take the LT-1 over the LS5. They tend to be close straight line performance but the LT-1 is the all round better sports car and I believe more desireable and should demand more money. I'd also prefer the 70 LT-1 over any non-solid lifter BB. Now if you are talking LS6 or L71, different story.
I would still like to have a BB one day. Just because.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,889
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From: NYC NY
I'll take a shot at that and define "Fast" as perception.What "feels" faster?
What "sounds" faster?
I think if you compare a "good" running LT1 with a "good" running 427/425 it would be more like comparing apples to apples. I don't mean modified and upgraded engines I'm leaning towards what would have been done by a good tuner (someone like Lars
am I allowed to use him as an example?). If you put the same accomplished driver in both cars I would guess the numbers would be quite close. Although I do think at the end of the day the big block car would be "perceived" as being faster but that's just a guess.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Torque gets you moving so the BB should have an advantage of the LT1.
I've got a '72 LS5 454 convertible.
When looking for my first Vette I wanted a Stingray (liked the body) with the largest engine Chevy ever put in a Vette = 454.
I've got a '72 LS5 454 convertible.
When looking for my first Vette I wanted a Stingray (liked the body) with the largest engine Chevy ever put in a Vette = 454.