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LT1 and LT4 differences

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Old Mar 20, 2011 | 10:40 PM
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Default LT1 and LT4 differences

My neighbor bought a 96 that was sold to him as an LT4. As I looked at the engine it appers to me (with my limited knowlege) to be an LT1. I was convinced he had been misled in the deal. However I came across a thread here which showed a pic of an engine that was supposedly an LT4.

Now I am wondering if maybe in fact it is an LT4. The engine I was thinking was an LT4 I now see is actually an LT5. So, my question is do the LT4 and LT1 appear to be similar? How can he be sure what engine he really has?

You know what they say, The only dumb question is one not asked! LOL

Thanks for clueing me in!

Rob
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Old Mar 20, 2011 | 10:45 PM
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...t4-vs-lt1.html

This is the noob way to find out

96 LT1: automatics

96 LT4: 6 speeds

LT4 has a red intake

Thats about it.
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Old Mar 20, 2011 | 11:00 PM
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His is Automatic and no red on the intake so.......


Thanks!!
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by robs87vette
His is Automatic and no red on the intake so.......


Thanks!!
If he paid for an LT4, but got an LT1 I'd be pissed. Not knocking the LT1, both are great engines, but the LT4 (modified version of the LT1), for obvious reasons, tend to be priced a bit higher on the market.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 11:33 AM
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You don't have to open the hood on a 96' to find out if it is an LT-1 or an LT-4. Look inside, if it has an automatic it is an LT-1 If it has a 6 speed LT-4 and finally to double check, the tach on an LT-1 goes to 6,000rpm and 8,000 on an LT-4.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by glass car
You don't have to open the hood on a 96' to find out if it is an LT-1 or an LT-4. Look inside, if it has an automatic it is an LT-1 If it has a 6 speed LT-4 and finally to double check, the tach on an LT-1 goes to 6,000rpm and 8,000 on an LT-4.


And the final "proof" to determine a factory LT4 car.
Check the 8th character of the VIN. P=LT1, 5=LT4

Remember, people have swapped the 8k tach and painted their intake red on LT1 cars.
And there is at least one LT4 car out there that has been converted to an automatic.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 05:56 PM
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Get a flashlight and pull the oil cap, says LT4 on the head under the oil cap.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 06:06 PM
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Great info! good trivia! Something to check at shows, etc.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by glass car
.... Look inside, if it has an automatic it is an LT-1 ........
Not always. There's a few "after factory" LT4 autos out there but the VIN will show LT1.



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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue 92
Not always. There's a few "after factory" LT4 autos out there but the VIN will show LT1.



Well if the VIN says LT1 and the RPO says LT1 is a LT1 and that is a LT1 with LT4 heads and intake. One last thing, the LT4 has more differences than head and intake.

Here this link will answer all OP's questions.

http://www.grandsportregistry.com/lt1vslt4.htm
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by PLRX
Well if the VIN says LT1 and the RPO says LT1 is a LT1 and that is a LT1 with LT4 heads and intake. One last thing, the LT4 has more differences than head and intake.
Nope. True LT4. The owner (at that time) was a member here. Had lunch with him once or twice and talked with him many times at shows around the area.

Transplanted LT4 with higher stall converter. Other than that stock.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue 92
Nope. True LT4. The owner (at that time) was a member here. Had lunch with him once or twice and talked with him many times at shows around the area.

Transplanted LT4 with higher stall converter. Other than that stock.
Ok so it was a transplant, not OEM. Cool
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 10:01 PM
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And now you know why to check the VIN. It's the only way to tell a true factory LT4.

Same thing goes for the Grand Sport. They have a unique VIN separate from all other '96 Corvettes.
That unique VIN is the main reason a GS can command a higher price than your normal LT4 cars, since there really isn't any other difference between them.
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 10:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue 92
Nope. True LT4. The owner (at that time) was a member here. Had lunch with him once or twice and talked with him many times at shows around the area.

Transplanted LT4 with higher stall converter. Other than that stock.
If it makes him happy...but unless he lunched his LT-1 thats a lot of work.
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Old Mar 22, 2011 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by glass car
If it makes him happy...but unless he lunched his LT-1 thats a lot of work.
A GM engineer was the original owner. I have to assume he got a fairly healthy discount on the LT4.
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Old Mar 23, 2011 | 10:12 PM
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Didn't want to stir any controversy! I have checked all of the above and confirmed it is an LT1, and yes he was told it was an LT4 at the time of sale, but he doesn't seem to be to concerned about it!!


Thanks to all who responded with all the great info!!


Rob
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Old Mar 23, 2011 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by robs87vette
Didn't want to stir any controversy! I have checked all of the above and confirmed it is an LT1, and yes he was told it was an LT4 at the time of sale, but he doesn't seem to be to concerned about it!!


Thanks to all who responded with all the great info!!


Rob
Tell him that I said that because he bought a LT4 he paid more. The ZF6 holds more value in the KBB. I would go back and get me at least $700
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Old Mar 23, 2011 | 10:52 PM
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Don't let the seller get away with this. It's criminal at worst, and douchebaggery at the very least. He may have been misled too..
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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Well, it may have the "LT4 Hotcam Kit" done to it. so perhaps the seller thought himself justified in calling the LT4.

I mean, other than the intake, injectors, rockers, springs, valves, heads, crank, timing gear, compression ratio, etc. it's the same motor, right? I mean they use the same block.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by lt4obsesses
Well, it may have the "LT4 Hotcam Kit" done to it. so perhaps the seller thought himself justified in calling the LT4.

I mean, other than the intake, injectors, rockers, springs, valves, heads, crank, timing gear, compression ratio, etc. it's the same motor, right? I mean they use the same block.
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