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

what does LT1 mean?

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Old Jun 8, 2009 | 09:57 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by No Go
The early LT-1 generation was the most powerful SBC...until the LT1 (Gen III) arrived.

This is true in HP and TQ...remember early was gross HP ratings (360/370) and the modern is a far more conservative number/calculation.
LT1 = Gen II

And you are correct.
Take away all the plastic intake crap, maf, catalytic converters, mufflers, emissions stuff, install dual plane intake, carburetor, open headers, and the Gen II LT will make more like 380-400 gross HP.
Which is exactly what I'm installing in my dragster, except I'm adding an LT4 "hot cam".
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Old Jun 8, 2009 | 10:45 PM
  #22  
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A significant feature of the LT1 that I think has been missed here is the reverse flow cooling system of the late LT1 and LT4 engines. By reversing the coolant to cool the heads first before the engine block, the engineers were able to increase the compression while keeping detonation down due to cooler combustion temps. This was the single most important technical advance that the LT1 had over all previous small blocks.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 05:28 AM
  #23  
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65MalibuSS: Right you are...one too many I's in Gen II.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by biggrizzly
A significant feature of the LT1 that I think has been missed here is the reverse flow cooling system of the late LT1 and LT4 engines. By reversing the coolant to cool the heads first before the engine block, the engineers were able to increase the compression while keeping detonation down due to cooler combustion temps. This was the single most important technical advance that the LT1 had over all previous small blocks.
You are so right! A lot of folks are not aware of the reverse flow cooling system. I believe this system is the reason why so many LT1s and LT4s are accumulating so many miles!

When I spoke to Dave McLellan a few years ago, he told me the LT5 had some features of reverse flow cooling. They incorporated those features and added more into the LTx series. He said the cooling system of the LT5 is one of the reasons why that engine is practically bullet-proof even though it is incredibly complex.

SAVE THE WAVE!
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by MK 82
L98 to LT1 is more than induction hardware. 90 is an L98.
exactamundo; it's still a Chevy small block but many other things changed besides just the induction...
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 10:44 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by reoch999
Than???
than the L98 motor
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by new 90 vette
My new(for me) 90 convertible has "Lingenfelter Performance Engineering" across the windshield and LT1 with a Corvette symbol on the rear. What does LT1 mean and does "Lingenfelter" have anything to do with it.
Tnanks,
Earl
It means you'll have fun messing with the Opti-Spark. That is if you had one. The 90 is an L98 so you don't have one.

The stickers probably means the previous owner was just "Sticker happy" from wishful thinking.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by cumbercr
LT = Less Torque
hmmm... my bone stock LT1 dynoed 306rwtq. doing the 15% drivetrain loss (it was a manual) puts it at 360ftlbs at the flywheel. so these motors had just as much or more than a L98
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by tpivette
hmmm... my bone stock LT1 dynoed 306rwtq. doing the 15% drivetrain loss (it was a manual) puts it at 360ftlbs at the flywheel. so these motors had just as much or more than a L98
I think cumbercr was just joking.
But I could be wrong.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 02:44 PM
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In 1990 all Corvettes had L98 engines
Yours may or may not have any Lingenfelter parts on it and it is definitely not an LT1 unless it was swapped out otherwise its just stickers
Lt1 was not the only engine from 91-96, LT5 an LT4 were also used
There is so much disinformation in this thread I forgot the rest of it
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 94ZR1
In 1990 all Corvettes had L98 engines
Yours may or may not have any Lingenfelter parts on it and it is definitely not an LT1 unless it was swapped out otherwise its just stickers
Lt1 was not the only engine from 91-96, LT5 an LT4 were also used
There is so much disinformation in this thread I forgot the rest of it
Not all 1990 Corvettes had L98's. Quite a few had LT5's. And no 91's came with a LT1. They were still using L98's.

Last edited by BAM92; Jun 9, 2009 at 07:47 PM.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 65MalibuSS
I think cumbercr was just joking.
But I could be wrong.
It's pretty much common knowledge that the L98 is a torquier motor than the LT-1
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 12:56 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by TorchRedlt4man
You are so right! A lot of folks are not aware of the reverse flow cooling system. I believe this system is the reason why so many LT1s and LT4s are accumulating so many miles!

When I spoke to Dave McLellan a few years ago, he told me the LT5 had some features of reverse flow cooling. They incorporated those features and added more into the LTx series. He said the cooling system of the LT5 is one of the reasons why that engine is practically bullet-proof even though it is incredibly complex.

SAVE THE WAVE!
Another significant (albeit highly maligned and controversial technical advance) was the introduction of the Optispark Module on the LT1 and LT4 engines.


http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ing/index.html
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by josephf31
It's pretty much common knowledge that the L98 is a torquier motor than the LT-1
EnginePeak HP @ RPM Peak Torque @ RPM
------ ------------- -----------------
L98 250 @ 4000 340 @ 3200

LT1 300 @ 5000 340 @ 3600


...although the curve may look different.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #35  
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How much HP % do I loose with an automatic and 3.07 axle?
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by rickreeves1
EnginePeak HP @ RPM Peak Torque @ RPM
------ ------------- -----------------
L98 250 @ 4000 340 @ 3200

LT1 300 @ 5000 340 @ 3600


...although the curve may look different.
FYI, the L98 was rated as high as 350lb-ft for some years/trims. I believe both the L98 and LT1 were rated as low as 330lb-ft for some years.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Aurora40
FYI, the L98 was rated as high as 350lb-ft for some years/trims. I believe both the L98 and LT1 were rated as low as 330lb-ft for some years.
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Old Jun 11, 2009 | 03:04 AM
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92 Lt1 was 330 and 93-96 Vette LT1's were 340.
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Old Jun 11, 2009 | 03:57 AM
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LT1 did not make 400chp.
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Old Jun 11, 2009 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by BAM92
92 Lt1 was 330 and 93-96 Vette LT1's were 340.
All LT1's were 300hp and LT4's were 330hp.
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