lt4 or lt5?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
lt4 or lt5?
hey guys,
im still kinda new to this vett thing so help me out. Im looking to buy a vett in the near future but am not sure what the whole story is. The lt5 is one hell of an engine those dual over head cams and 32 valves are amazing and of course my favorite part, the power key for the 16! fuel injectors! however while talking to friends on weather to buy a lt4 or lt5 ive heard it time and time again that the lt5 is so rare no one makes parts for it stock or aftermarket. and while it may have 400hp off the line (93-95) which is no small amount. im not sure how much more you could give it because not that many companies make serious variety of aftermarket performance parts such as cams heads ect ect ect. i know you can get exhaust chip and intake for about any car on earth but there are 383 lt1 strokers making over 550 hp out there naturally aspirated how easy is that with a zr1? how hard is it to find parts for one? how easy is it to find aftermarket go fast goodies? im not sure if i really want you all to go ahead and talk me into a lt5 or talk me out of one and get a lt4 so any feedback at all is greatly appreciated thnaks a lot in advance
im still kinda new to this vett thing so help me out. Im looking to buy a vett in the near future but am not sure what the whole story is. The lt5 is one hell of an engine those dual over head cams and 32 valves are amazing and of course my favorite part, the power key for the 16! fuel injectors! however while talking to friends on weather to buy a lt4 or lt5 ive heard it time and time again that the lt5 is so rare no one makes parts for it stock or aftermarket. and while it may have 400hp off the line (93-95) which is no small amount. im not sure how much more you could give it because not that many companies make serious variety of aftermarket performance parts such as cams heads ect ect ect. i know you can get exhaust chip and intake for about any car on earth but there are 383 lt1 strokers making over 550 hp out there naturally aspirated how easy is that with a zr1? how hard is it to find parts for one? how easy is it to find aftermarket go fast goodies? im not sure if i really want you all to go ahead and talk me into a lt5 or talk me out of one and get a lt4 so any feedback at all is greatly appreciated thnaks a lot in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: lt4 or lt5? (1996man)
Might ask this question in the ZR-1 section, but I guarantee you that there are plenty of aftrermarket parts for an LT5, even stroker kits for 368 and 415 cubic inches, not to mention heads and cams and intake and other stuff. Replacement parts are around, but of course some are expensive for such a sophisticated engine. You can build an LT1/4 with some serious power, but the LT5 is legendary... Good luck with your decision!!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: lt4 or lt5? (94vette)
The ZR1 is something only a true corvette owner can own. It's definitely something special. The engine is $20k, so you don't want to blow it, that's for sure. an LT1-LT4 can be found for $5k new probably .. MUCH cheaper. Of course all three of those could be rebuilt.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 10,230
Likes: 885
From: Alexandria, Virginia, USA VA
Re: lt4 or lt5? (Glock'94)
LT5 rebuilds start at around 15K and go up from there. the good news is that the engine is very strong and reliable. hot rodding the ZR1 isn't cheap or as ez as the LT4. you can easily put together an LT4 stroker that will make more HP than an LT5 for way less money. but the ZR1 is a very special car and will run WOT all day, which is hard to do with a stroker. I have a 90 DRM 450 ZR1 that I found at Buds chevy for 23K and it flat out screams. the LT5 is an exotic engine and really looks/runs great.
hope this helps you decide, both engines are real stormers, the LT5 just has an extended rev range and is a very durable performer. :yesnod:
hope this helps you decide, both engines are real stormers, the LT5 just has an extended rev range and is a very durable performer. :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: lt4 or lt5? (Rkreigh)
If you have a money tree in your back yard, then there is no issue. ZR1 all the way. Yeah the ZR1 has 400hp but it's also a little heavier compared to a regular C4. Stock ZR1's are screamers on the highway. You'll hear people mention that the ZR1 is bullet proof. Well look around and you'll find out they do blowup. Can you risk being the 10% or whatever percent of blown engines?. Ask yourself this. who will work on the ZR1 when it breaks down?
what you gonna do if the engine goes? How quickly would you need the car back on the road? You'll also be at the mercy of who ever does have a block for you. These engines are NOT a dime a dozen. As for modding the ZR1. Go price a stroker crank for it. that will answer any questions as to how much $$$ it takes to mod it.
Anything wrong with getting an LT1 and having a top end kit installed or full stroked/bored?
Hard to really answer your question. You are the only one that has all the facts on how the car will be used, how much $$ you have to spend, etc.
BTW - It's bad enough to find a good mechanic for a normal vette, can't imagine what I'd have to go through to find a good ZR1 mechanic in MY area.
Like i said if you $$ and having the car down for a while is no big issue then it's not an issue. ZR1 all the way.
what you gonna do if the engine goes? How quickly would you need the car back on the road? You'll also be at the mercy of who ever does have a block for you. These engines are NOT a dime a dozen. As for modding the ZR1. Go price a stroker crank for it. that will answer any questions as to how much $$$ it takes to mod it.
Anything wrong with getting an LT1 and having a top end kit installed or full stroked/bored?
Hard to really answer your question. You are the only one that has all the facts on how the car will be used, how much $$ you have to spend, etc.
BTW - It's bad enough to find a good mechanic for a normal vette, can't imagine what I'd have to go through to find a good ZR1 mechanic in MY area.
Like i said if you $$ and having the car down for a while is no big issue then it's not an issue. ZR1 all the way.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 36
From: INDIANA
Re: lt4 or lt5? (1996man)
NOTHING sounds as sweet as a ZR1 going thru the gears, NOTHING!
NOTHING looks as sinster as that fat butt rear with the fat tires!
NOTHING has that awesome underhood look of a LT5 engine!
Everybody has modified a LT1 or LT4(me included), but there is still something special about the ZR1, that only a few thousand people can be in that club.
[Modified by LT1GMC, 11:05 AM 1/13/2002]
NOTHING looks as sinster as that fat butt rear with the fat tires!
NOTHING has that awesome underhood look of a LT5 engine!
Everybody has modified a LT1 or LT4(me included), but there is still something special about the ZR1, that only a few thousand people can be in that club.
[Modified by LT1GMC, 11:05 AM 1/13/2002]
