LT1 Advice Needed
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
LT1 Advice Needed
I've posted on here a couple times in the past and had great feedback. Concerning an LT engine, were there any real problems to speak of that these engines had? Is there any years to stay away from? I have an older pickup truck that I would like to put a complete Corvette pullout in. I had wanted an LS series, but the lower cost of an LT is turning my head in that direction.
Franklin,TN
Franklin,TN
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Waco TX
The LS1 is better, but costs a LOT more.
The only weakness of the LT1 is the aforementioned opti spark (the distirbutor of the LT1). The LS1 is a bit stronger horsepower-wise. The LT1 is basically a classic Chevy 350 small block. The LS series motors are performance oriented and have only been in the 'vette or F-body cars. The 350 has been in just about every GM product in the last 50 years save economy cars.
The optispark itself isn't bad, it's just in a horrible location. They put it below and behind the water pump. So when the WP fails (which is inevitable in every car), it drips out of the weephole and onto the optispark and that's all she wrote.
The optispark and distributor by themselves are about $600-700 in parts. It would be a VERY easy job with the engine out of the car. Like a 1 hour job or less. In the car, it can be a full day job depending on the tools you have or if the balancer pulley is frozen/rusted onto the hub.
To be honest with you, I don't know if I have ever heard of an opti going out that wasn't related to the waterpump bearings leaking. Probably 99 out of 100 opti failures are a result of the WP. I could be wrong on that though.
The only weakness of the LT1 is the aforementioned opti spark (the distirbutor of the LT1). The LS1 is a bit stronger horsepower-wise. The LT1 is basically a classic Chevy 350 small block. The LS series motors are performance oriented and have only been in the 'vette or F-body cars. The 350 has been in just about every GM product in the last 50 years save economy cars.
The optispark itself isn't bad, it's just in a horrible location. They put it below and behind the water pump. So when the WP fails (which is inevitable in every car), it drips out of the weephole and onto the optispark and that's all she wrote.
The optispark and distributor by themselves are about $600-700 in parts. It would be a VERY easy job with the engine out of the car. Like a 1 hour job or less. In the car, it can be a full day job depending on the tools you have or if the balancer pulley is frozen/rusted onto the hub.
To be honest with you, I don't know if I have ever heard of an opti going out that wasn't related to the waterpump bearings leaking. Probably 99 out of 100 opti failures are a result of the WP. I could be wrong on that though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha Wisconsin
We basically pay for our yearly rent and employment expenses selling optisparks. They go on everyone's car with enough time. I've got a preservation thread you can read if you want to keep your unit kicking for a little bit longer.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
As mentioned, the optispark is the only real weak point in the LTx engines. If the LT1 you're looking at has the vented 2nd generation opti (installed in 1995 & 96 Corvettes) you're better off. Also, to save the opti from a leaking WP, you can install a drain tube in the weep hole to channel coolant away from the opti. Other than that the LTx is a very stout power plant. The only other thing to be aware of is that they have a tendency to develope an oil leak at the rear of the intake manifold, While not a major problem it can be annoying.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,773
Likes: 179
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Dalton Georgia
The LS1 is better, but costs a LOT more.
The only weakness of the LT1 is the aforementioned opti spark (the distirbutor of the LT1). The LS1 is a bit stronger horsepower-wise. The LT1 is basically a classic Chevy 350 small block. The LS series motors are performance oriented and have only been in the 'vette or F-body cars. The 350 has been in just about every GM product in the last 50 years save economy cars.
The optispark itself isn't bad, it's just in a horrible location. They put it below and behind the water pump. So when the WP fails (which is inevitable in every car), it drips out of the weephole and onto the optispark and that's all she wrote.
The optispark and distributor by themselves are about $600-700 in parts. It would be a VERY easy job with the engine out of the car. Like a 1 hour job or less. In the car, it can be a full day job depending on the tools you have or if the balancer pulley is frozen/rusted onto the hub.
To be honest with you, I don't know if I have ever heard of an opti going out that wasn't related to the waterpump bearings leaking. Probably 99 out of 100 opti failures are a result of the WP. I could be wrong on that though.
The only weakness of the LT1 is the aforementioned opti spark (the distirbutor of the LT1). The LS1 is a bit stronger horsepower-wise. The LT1 is basically a classic Chevy 350 small block. The LS series motors are performance oriented and have only been in the 'vette or F-body cars. The 350 has been in just about every GM product in the last 50 years save economy cars.
The optispark itself isn't bad, it's just in a horrible location. They put it below and behind the water pump. So when the WP fails (which is inevitable in every car), it drips out of the weephole and onto the optispark and that's all she wrote.
The optispark and distributor by themselves are about $600-700 in parts. It would be a VERY easy job with the engine out of the car. Like a 1 hour job or less. In the car, it can be a full day job depending on the tools you have or if the balancer pulley is frozen/rusted onto the hub.
To be honest with you, I don't know if I have ever heard of an opti going out that wasn't related to the waterpump bearings leaking. Probably 99 out of 100 opti failures are a result of the WP. I could be wrong on that though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 16
From: Austin Tx
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: harrison twp michigan
[QUOTE=Rocknrollbusdriver;1575204322]I've posted on here a couple times in the past and had great feedback. Concerning an LT engine, were there any real problems to speak of that these engines had? Is there any years to stay away from? I have an older pickup truck that I would like to put a complete Corvette pullout in. I had wanted an LS series, but the lower cost of an LT is turning my head in that direction.
about a year ago i was in the same boat your in now, but i ended up with an lt engine because of the cost. i acually bought a 95 z28 with 109,000 miles on it for $1200 . pulled out the motor , trans , harness , radiatior and everything else i need for the swap and am in the process of putting it in my 80 trans am , then parted out the rest of the car and ended up with everything i needed for free . my thought was this... unless you plan i doing a lot of racing which im not ( its just gonna be my summer cruiser) by the time im done doing all the engine mods ill be around 400 horsepower which is plenty for me , and it should still get decent enough milage
about a year ago i was in the same boat your in now, but i ended up with an lt engine because of the cost. i acually bought a 95 z28 with 109,000 miles on it for $1200 . pulled out the motor , trans , harness , radiatior and everything else i need for the swap and am in the process of putting it in my 80 trans am , then parted out the rest of the car and ended up with everything i needed for free . my thought was this... unless you plan i doing a lot of racing which im not ( its just gonna be my summer cruiser) by the time im done doing all the engine mods ill be around 400 horsepower which is plenty for me , and it should still get decent enough milage
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Chenango Forks NY
You can pick up an LS for pretty cheap. They came in a lot of GM cars and trucks as the Vortec,for example the 5.3L is an LS block engine, 325 c.i. That's actually the engine I'm putting in my C4. I would look around at salvage yards for one, I found a 5.3L locally for $500 has everything except the computer with it. In the long run,I think you'll be happier with the LS.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha Wisconsin
