LT1 Engine question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 23
From: Seattle Washington
LT1 Engine question
Just bought a 85 Corvette. Seller listed the engine as a LT1. After some research it appears LT1 engines didn't come out till 92. Am I getting this wrong? How can I tell if there has been an engine swap or he was mistaken/misrepresented it?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
If it really is an LT1 it would have had to have been an engine swap because as you learned that engine was not introduced until 1992.
If it looks something like this, you have the engine that came in the car. It's called an L98, sometimes just called a TPI motor.
On the other hand, if it looks something like this it might actually be an LT1.
More than likely you have a L98, TPI car and the original owner is just an idiot, this seems to be fairly common unfortunately. You'll learn that many "original" owners bought the cars when they were new and just bought them for status, etc, etc and they aren't real enthusiasts and they really don't know anything. There are exceptions of course.
If it looks something like this, you have the engine that came in the car. It's called an L98, sometimes just called a TPI motor.
On the other hand, if it looks something like this it might actually be an LT1.
More than likely you have a L98, TPI car and the original owner is just an idiot, this seems to be fairly common unfortunately. You'll learn that many "original" owners bought the cars when they were new and just bought them for status, etc, etc and they aren't real enthusiasts and they really don't know anything. There are exceptions of course.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 23
From: Seattle Washington
Thanks all. Turns out the engine is a L98. Seller claims he replaced the Fuel injectors. $1400.00. Since he does not know the difference between a L98 and a LT1, I question if he did.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
$1400 for fuel injectors? His mechanic must have known he was a tool and taken him for everything he was worth. On an LT1 injectors are a 30 minute job IF you stop for a beer or 3. The TPI is way more involved, but not $1400 worth of involved!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Secondly, if you've verified that, then driving it will give you a clue. The original tired 'Multec' injectors made our L98 run like a dog. It had no sharp acceleration whatsoever. You stomped on it and it bogged heavily before waking up (somewhat). New injectors and that L98 will now jump and accelerate hard. It still runs out of gas at about 4k rpm, but below that is great.
If they're not replaced, I highly, highly recommend it. Made a huge difference in our L98 Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,871
Likes: 0
From: sterling va usa
Two ways you'll know if he replaced the injectors or not. First, look at them. They're right at the base of the intake between the runners, four on each side. They're the funny looking black rubber 'plugs' and they each have a two wire harness going to them. New injectors, should look, well, new! If they have a long-oxidized dark black rubber appearance, strike two.
Secondly, if you've verified that, then driving it will give you a clue. The original tired 'Multec' injectors made our L98 run like a dog. It had no sharp acceleration whatsoever. You stomped on it and it bogged heavily before waking up (somewhat). New injectors and that L98 will now jump and accelerate hard. It still runs out of gas at about 4k rpm, but below that is great.
If they're not replaced, I highly, highly recommend it. Made a huge difference in our L98 Corvette.
Secondly, if you've verified that, then driving it will give you a clue. The original tired 'Multec' injectors made our L98 run like a dog. It had no sharp acceleration whatsoever. You stomped on it and it bogged heavily before waking up (somewhat). New injectors and that L98 will now jump and accelerate hard. It still runs out of gas at about 4k rpm, but below that is great.
If they're not replaced, I highly, highly recommend it. Made a huge difference in our L98 Corvette.
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