C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 08:28 AM
  #1  
lookingforvette's Avatar
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Default Lt4

i heard the Lt4 motor in 96 was actually underated.
is this true or not?
i heard they vary in hp as well from as low as 335-340 to as much as 385 or 390

any info is appreciated
thanks
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 08:33 AM
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From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
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Originally Posted by lookingforvette
i heard the Lt4 motor in 96 was actually underated.
is this true or not?
i heard they vary in hp as well from as low as 335-340 to as much as 385 or 390

any info is appreciated
thanks

Ah hah, here we go again. I think the common concensus is that there is truth in the notion it was underated, but more in the 330-350 range. The claims of 380-390 HP LT-4s from the factory are relagated to urban legend status at this point.
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 08:35 AM
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Default lt4

so what does a stock lt4 usually do in the quarter?
i was just reading a mag article on it
i mean can u really feel a big different from an lt1?

thanks
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 08:58 AM
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From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
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Originally Posted by lookingforvette
so what does a stock lt4 usually do in the quarter?
i was just reading a mag article on it
i mean can u really feel a big different from an lt1?

thanks

It all depends on the driver, but a typical stock LT-4 is a low 13 second car and a typicaly stock LT-1 is upper mid-13s. I don't know if you can feel that on the street though, but .5 at the track is a lot.

Some have gone 12s with a stock LT-4, I've gone 12.90s in mine. Then again, Mr.Mojo has, I believe, gone extremely low 13s if not high 12s in an LT-1. He is an extreme example however.

The LT-4 tends to make it's additional power in higher RPM range. Torque is nearly ,if not identical, to an LT-1.
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 09:12 AM
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
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I remember reading that Motor Trend or Car and Driver did a comparo and could not notice any difference except for a higher top speed... with that said... the LT4 has been claimed to be underrated, but power is nothing without traction and driver.
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 09:22 AM
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Most of the dyno runs I have seen on stock LT4's were around 300 RWHP, give or take a few HP. This would be equal to about 345 to 350 HP. I think it has been proven that they are slightly under rated. JMHO. Guy
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 09:34 AM
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From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
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Originally Posted by 85vetteguy
Most of the dyno runs I have seen on stock LT4's were around 300 RWHP, give or take a few HP. This would be equal to about 345 to 350 HP. I think it has been proven that they are slightly under rated. JMHO. Guy
I agree with your numbers, as I also posted similar info.

It may be a dead horse to LT-4 guys, but maybe not so to folks new to them.
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 11:11 AM
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Default so

if you had the opportunity to get a 96 lt 4 with 90 k on it or a 94 lt1 with 85k on it
which would u chose? the lt4 is 2k more

let me know
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by lookingforvette
if you had the opportunity to get a 96 lt 4 with 90 k on it or a 94 lt1 with 85k on it
which would u chose? the lt4 is 2k more

let me know
Hands down, I would be all over the LT4
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by lookingforvette
if you had the opportunity to get a 96 lt 4 with 90 k on it or a 94 lt1 with 85k on it
which would u chose? the lt4 is 2k more

let me know
Yes, take the 96 LT4. You'll be getting more power, 13" front brakes and an improved Opti-Spark distributor.
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 11:45 AM
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Default Not to mention

The LT4 may be more valuable in the future. It was supposed to be the LT5 replacement for 96 though it didn't meet the ZR1 hype or performance.
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 12:55 PM
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With that said it makes me feel even better about my LT4! I bought this car with 109k on it for 11,500! It is red with red interiour and the F45.It was a everday driver for the guy I bought it from. Very nice condition. Needs a little cleaning and it will never see rain again......
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Old Feb 1, 2005 | 05:42 PM
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From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
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With the performance mods in my sig (Headers, RT cats, Corsa, and K&N/open lid - pretty "basic"), my LT4 dyno'd 324RWHP on a cool day.

If you assume 15% loss, it works out to = 381chp
If you assume 18% loss, it works out to = 395chp

Either way you want to figure it, if the engine were 330chp from the factory, that would be a *serious* kick in the pants for noting more than a new airfilter, and an opened up exhuast. I'd say it's underrated.

FWIW, a bone-stock '04 coupe at the same dyno day put down 306RWHP.
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Old Feb 3, 2005 | 06:30 AM
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Originally Posted by LT-4 CE
It all depends on the driver, but a typical stock LT-4 is a low 13 second car and a typicaly stock LT-1 is upper mid-13s. I don't know if you can feel that on the street though, but .5 at the track is a lot.

Some have gone 12s with a stock LT-4, I've gone 12.90s in mine. Then again, Mr.Mojo has, I believe, gone extremely low 13s if not high 12s in an LT-1. He is an extreme example however.

The LT-4 tends to make it's additional power in higher RPM range. Torque is nearly ,if not identical, to an LT-1.
I've had both, although the LT1 was an automatic with performance axle, although it was a 96 so it had the same type of engine managment...

The LT4 pulls so much harder at the top end where the LT1 starts falling off... The LT4 feels like it can pull through the red-line where in the LT1 you can feel the urgency to shift at the top of the range...

One thing I've read is that the LT4 torque curve is flatter than the LT1 through the RPM range... I don't know for sure as I've never had my LT4 dyno'd like I did my LT1... It does feel stronger off idle than my LT1 did though...

My LT1 car was a mid 13 second car (13.64 @ 103) and driving back to back, the LT4 felt noticeably stronger...

So personally, I'd get the LT4 if you can swing it... I held out when I was on the quest for a 6 spd and I'm glad I did... But either way, you can't go wrong with the LT1 either, it's a solid motor...
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