LT1 vs. L98
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
LT1 vs. L98
Besides the 55 or so horses what is the difference performance wise between the two engines? Does the L98 suffer by comparison at high speeds only, or throughout the power range? I think someone here mentioned that the L98 had more torque in the low end and therefore was faster off the line. Would the L98 compare favorably with the LT1 for things like autocross and spirited street driving? I'm not going to be doing any drag racing and I doubt that I'll need to drive over 140 mph. In short, is the LT1 worth the added cost in a newer Corvette for the kind of driving I intend to do?
Thanks, Kim :confused:
Thanks, Kim :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 5
From: ZR1 Gathering '04, '05 Northlake Texas
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (ragged claws)
I went from a 1986 L98 to a 1993 LT1 and the difference was like night and day. There is a lot more differences in the 2 models then just the engine. The LT1 cars are a lot more refined then L98 cars and is to be expected, as technology gets better with newer models. For everyday driving I would take the LT1 cars. They handle much better in the rain and on slick roads. But I do believe the L98 cars are probably better for autocross, because you will use more low-end toque, and that is where the L98 cars have the advantage. But again for a daily driver, the LT1 cars have the L98’s beat. Now with that said, I went from my ’93 LT1 to a ’93 LT-5 (aka ZR-1) Words cannot describe the differences. You just have to experience it. :D
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (ragged claws)
Run a search, this has been beaten to death. People usually get offended.
Always get the newest and in the best condition you can afford.
Ive autocrossed some, and find that the LT1 and L98 pull comparable times, enough where a driver can make up for each's shortcomings.
Always get the newest and in the best condition you can afford.
Ive autocrossed some, and find that the LT1 and L98 pull comparable times, enough where a driver can make up for each's shortcomings.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
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From: Rio Vista ca.
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (vader86)
Tried the search for L98 vs LT1 engines, L98 engines, C4 engines, and a couple od other variations on the same theme in the C4 general discussion forum but got no results. What am I doing wrong? :banghead:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (ragged claws)
always search thru the archived topics
all threads become archived after a few days
all threads become archived after a few days
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (vader86)
Run a search, this has been beaten to death. People usually get offended.
Always get the newest and in the best condition you can afford.
Ive autocrossed some, and find that the LT1 and L98 pull comparable times, enough where a driver can make up for each's shortcomings.
Always get the newest and in the best condition you can afford.
Ive autocrossed some, and find that the LT1 and L98 pull comparable times, enough where a driver can make up for each's shortcomings.
:iagree:
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (ragged claws)
Stock LT1 on the left, slightly modded L98 on the right.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (vader86)
Thanks, Vader86,
The archive search worked fine. Just typed in engines and got plenty of info. Thanks to everone else for the replies as well. Being a newbee without a vette can be confusing but, thanks to you all, I'm learning a lot. :cheers:
The archive search worked fine. Just typed in engines and got plenty of info. Thanks to everone else for the replies as well. Being a newbee without a vette can be confusing but, thanks to you all, I'm learning a lot. :cheers:
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (ragged claws)
Here's a couple links:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ry.php?catId=5
http://www.idavette.net/techno.htm
and a pdf on LT1s.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/laniplace/LT1_info.pdf
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ry.php?catId=5
http://www.idavette.net/techno.htm
and a pdf on LT1s.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/laniplace/LT1_info.pdf
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (93JetJocky)
Wow, those times kinda of put things in perspective. The L98 didn't have an advantage at all on low end either(if I am reading it right).
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (thepenguin99)
Completely stock lt1 car ran a high 12? I thought they were high 13 sec cars stock.
This run shows what the car is capable of, not necessarily an average. Average times on that car were 13.00-13.20 depending on weather conditions.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (Bruthish)
Thanks Frank... that damn time slip again.... :jester ....maybe we can get an updated time slip next weekend.... :D
Yea, he even beat me on the tree....I don't think we've run against each other since then. Note the date on that time slip; these days Frank is mostly running his auto LT1 and my L98 is a little more modified and we run nearly the same numbers.
Anyway, for a valid reference, my bone stock L98 (#4842 above) ran very low 14s in good weather when bone stock; a typical bone LT1 with the same tranny & gears would have run mid 13s in the same conditions.
If you are thinking of a L98 and like the digi dash and original style seats go with an '89; if you want the newer interior look at a '91.
For sure, if you intend to autocross, get a 6-speed and either the Z-51 or Z-52 (or later year equivalent) option.
The best advice is of course to test drive an L98 and an LT1 powered Vette before making your choice.
Yea, he even beat me on the tree....I don't think we've run against each other since then. Note the date on that time slip; these days Frank is mostly running his auto LT1 and my L98 is a little more modified and we run nearly the same numbers.
Anyway, for a valid reference, my bone stock L98 (#4842 above) ran very low 14s in good weather when bone stock; a typical bone LT1 with the same tranny & gears would have run mid 13s in the same conditions.
If you are thinking of a L98 and like the digi dash and original style seats go with an '89; if you want the newer interior look at a '91.
For sure, if you intend to autocross, get a 6-speed and either the Z-51 or Z-52 (or later year equivalent) option.
The best advice is of course to test drive an L98 and an LT1 powered Vette before making your choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon KY
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (MrNuke)
vettes just rule, no matter what. (Unless we're talking a mid to late 70's C3. those I just can not say anything good about. :jester )
btw, i drive my 86 l98 daily. it's a fun street car. i love the low end torque. but i've never drove a lt1 vette, so i can't compare. i've rode in a few tho and they were fun rides :cool:
[Modified by corvettemaster, 1:03 PM 10/6/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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St. Jude Donor '10
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (MrNuke)
If youre going to mod the car any at all....get an LT1. That will save you $1000 alone vs buying an L98 and having to do an intake swap. As an around town drive the L98 is more enjoyable due to low end torque, but for speed with comparible mods LT1. LT1s have better exhaust options too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: 1,000,000,001 Posts
Re: LT1 vs. L98 (ragged claws)
Abuddy of mine has a 94 LT-1 and its stock and my 90 L-98 which has the slight mods......
I will and he will tell you I can take him for the first 1/8 and then I just flat out get over powered..... I like them both and they both have thier own advantages.......
They are all vette's,,,, you cant go wrong anyway you go
:party:
I will and he will tell you I can take him for the first 1/8 and then I just flat out get over powered..... I like them both and they both have thier own advantages.......
They are all vette's,,,, you cant go wrong anyway you go
:party:
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Re: LT1 vs. L98
FWIW. I chose simply for my tastes. You could argue day and night, but I absolutely love the digidash and looks of the L-98. Maybe its my age bracket, but its the setup I lusted after when they were WAY out of my price range.
That said, I looked for an 88 or 89 due to some of what advanced as the model years progressed. I chose an 87 in the end because it "fit" me. I agree with what is said above, you need to drive them until you find the "keeper". Good luck.
That said, I looked for an 88 or 89 due to some of what advanced as the model years progressed. I chose an 87 in the end because it "fit" me. I agree with what is said above, you need to drive them until you find the "keeper". Good luck.
