LT1 or LT4?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
LT1 or LT4?
I plan on major modifications. I want to know if the LT4 is worth the extra dough if I plan on changing heads/cam exhaust and TB? I just dont want to go get a LT4 and spend 4-5000 more on it when I can get a 6 speed LT1 vette for much less. Also how strong are the rear ends and transmissions in these cars?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
oh, my... you need to read! Check out the C4 Tech FAQ at the top of the page....
If it was me, get the LT1 and build it up...
Also, the Dana 44 is very stout - it will deal with upwards of 650hp without a problem.
Before you go any farther, tho, read the FAQ...
If it was me, get the LT1 and build it up...
Also, the Dana 44 is very stout - it will deal with upwards of 650hp without a problem.
Before you go any farther, tho, read the FAQ...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Originally Posted by VashTheStampede
I plan on major modifications. I want to know if the LT4 is worth the extra dough if I plan on changing heads/cam exhaust and TB? I just dont want to go get a LT4 and spend 4-5000 more on it when I can get a 6 speed LT1 vette for much less. Also how strong are the rear ends and transmissions in these cars?
The LT4 does have some internal details that make it more stout for hard use than the LT1. If you are going into the block for an upgrade then the difference doesn't matter.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Of course, IMO you're neglecting the fact that with an LT4 you're buying a 96. What year 6-spd LT1 are you looking at? Let's just assume a 93 - even if the cars have identical mileage, you're still getting a newer car by 3 years with the LT4.
Might not matter to you, and if so, that's cool - just thought I would point it out.
Might not matter to you, and if so, that's cool - just thought I would point it out.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
For an LT4 with under 100K miles I'd still be paying around 14 grand. For an LT1 with under 65k miles I would be able to find one for less than 10 grand. I dont care how old the car is. They all look the same anyway. I tried using the FAQ and could not see anything in there. All I got was a search engine and I searched all topics I could think of and nothing came up. HELP! LOL 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by steve9899
If you're replacing H/C then you're eliminating the most important LT4 difference, so it's not worth much.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by VashTheStampede
I plan on major modifications. I want to know if the LT4 is worth the extra dough if I plan on changing heads/cam exhaust and TB? I just dont want to go get a LT4 and spend 4-5000 more on it when I can get a 6 speed LT1 vette for much less. Also how strong are the rear ends and transmissions in these cars?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
heres what I would do
look for a 94-95 6spd LT1 around 60k miles about 12k(LT4's are usually around 3-4k more)
get the LT4 package($2400)www.summitracing.com
svo or accel 30lb injectors($250)
TPIS long tube headers($500)
flowmaster,corsa,B&B,Borla etc.catback exhaust($550-$1000)
tuneup($200)
reprogrammed PCM($100-200)
BFG 315/17 dragradials($300)
for around the same
price as an LT4,you can deffinately find a nice 94 with the mods listed,and have over 400+horsepower(about 375 @the wheels)
you wont notice any difference,had you started with an LT4,except maybe brakes,& if you wanted you could put a brake package on.
look for a 94-95 6spd LT1 around 60k miles about 12k(LT4's are usually around 3-4k more)
get the LT4 package($2400)www.summitracing.com
svo or accel 30lb injectors($250)
TPIS long tube headers($500)
flowmaster,corsa,B&B,Borla etc.catback exhaust($550-$1000)
tuneup($200)
reprogrammed PCM($100-200)
BFG 315/17 dragradials($300)
for around the same
price as an LT4,you can deffinately find a nice 94 with the mods listed,and have over 400+horsepower(about 375 @the wheels)
you wont notice any difference,had you started with an LT4,except maybe brakes,& if you wanted you could put a brake package on.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by vette&f-bod lover
heres what I would do
look for a 94-95 6spd LT1 around 60k miles about 12k(LT4's are usually around 3-4k more)
get the LT4 package($2400)www.summitracing.com
svo or accel 30lb injectors($250)
TPIS long tube headers($500)
flowmaster,corsa,B&B,Borla etc.catback exhaust($550-$1000)
tuneup($200)
reprogrammed PCM($100-200)
BFG 315/17 dragradials($300)
for around the same
price as an LT4,you can deffinately find a nice 94 with the mods listed,and have over 400+horsepower(about 375 @the wheels)
you wont notice any difference,had you started with an LT4,except maybe brakes,& if you wanted you could put a brake package on.
look for a 94-95 6spd LT1 around 60k miles about 12k(LT4's are usually around 3-4k more)
get the LT4 package($2400)www.summitracing.com
svo or accel 30lb injectors($250)
TPIS long tube headers($500)
flowmaster,corsa,B&B,Borla etc.catback exhaust($550-$1000)
tuneup($200)
reprogrammed PCM($100-200)
BFG 315/17 dragradials($300)
for around the same
price as an LT4,you can deffinately find a nice 94 with the mods listed,and have over 400+horsepower(about 375 @the wheels)
you wont notice any difference,had you started with an LT4,except maybe brakes,& if you wanted you could put a brake package on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by redvette6spd
Sounds like a lot of dinking around just get a LT4.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
I'll let you know on the HP end of it. I have most of the mods you mention. I'm going in for a dyno tune next Thursday i'll let you know what I end up with for HP. Here is a web page that may interest you. Check out the dyno page.www.grandsportregistry.com Good luck 
Last edited by redvette6spd; May 16, 2005 at 11:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by vette&f-bod lover
heres what I would do
look for a 94-95 6spd LT1 around 60k miles about 12k(LT4's are usually around 3-4k more)
get the LT4 package($2400)www.summitracing.com
look for a 94-95 6spd LT1 around 60k miles about 12k(LT4's are usually around 3-4k more)
get the LT4 package($2400)www.summitracing.com
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
your right,but thats why I said "here's what I would do" 
port the heads on the LT4,and even with the slightly mild hotcam,from what Ive seen,it will outpower most ported LT1 head/cam combo's.its very close.it will definately idle,run better for a street car over the more aggresive LT1 cam combo.plus it will have that cool red "LT4"manifold.
port the heads on the LT4,and even with the slightly mild hotcam,from what Ive seen,it will outpower most ported LT1 head/cam combo's.its very close.it will definately idle,run better for a street car over the more aggresive LT1 cam combo.plus it will have that cool red "LT4"manifold.
