LT4 vs. LT1
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Mobile Alabama
LT4 vs. LT1
Just looking for input on the performance setup from LT1 to LT4. Seems the torque is very close just at a higher rpm with LT4. This seems as if it would be less street happy than the LT1. Having never driven an LT4 just looking for information. I've been thinking of getting a LT4. I will test drive before I purchase but never the same as living with a car for awhile. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: The Old Dominion
A friend of mine was recently in the market. The LT4 didn't feel all that different from the LT1 cars we test drove. However, it felt the same longer. Where the LT1 would have run out and necessitated shifting, the LT4 kept pulling a bit longer.
He's had his LT4 a few months now, and I don't think he has any issues with how "street happy" it is, other than that the street speed limits are too low!
He's had his LT4 a few months now, and I don't think he has any issues with how "street happy" it is, other than that the street speed limits are too low!
Team Owner
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The LT4 is a superior motor. I have both engines and all LT4 owners would agree with me.
Note: For 1996 Corvettes, all LT4 are manual and all LT1 are automatics.
Note: For 1996 Corvettes, all LT4 are manual and all LT1 are automatics.
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From: The Top of Utah
Le Mans Master
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From: The Old Dominion
And as PLRX says, the LT4 is superior. Whether the difference is enough is what a buyer needs to consider. Certainly there are a lot more LT1 cars for sale, and in a lot more conditions and prices.
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In 1996 all LT4's were manual transmission and all LT1's were automatic.
If you want an manual tranny LT1, you have to find a pre 1996 or do a tranny swap.
Pro
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From: SoCal
I bought an LT4 with 130,000 on the odo 6 months ago. It was a bone stock street car that I am turning into a track-day car (road course open track/HPDE, maybe someday a club racer). It had some teething problems early on, but none of them relating to the motor (other than some leaking oil). I have a lot of that sorted out now and the motor, as old as it is, can be flogged mercilessly on the track, revving to redline in every gear, with no issues. It just keeps running.
I have never had an LT1, so I can't do a comparo for you.
I have never had an LT1, so I can't do a comparo for you.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
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This link might help:
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine
I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq
I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.
trebor
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine
I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq
I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.
trebor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: College Station TX
This link might help:
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine
I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq
I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.
trebor
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine
I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq
I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.
trebor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Minneapolis MN
Just looking for input on the performance setup from LT1 to LT4. Seems the torque is very close just at a higher rpm with LT4. This seems as if it would be less street happy than the LT1. Having never driven an LT4 just looking for information. I've been thinking of getting a LT4. I will test drive before I purchase but never the same as living with a car for awhile. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Get the lt-4 if you can.I personally think its more powerful than the first year ls-1.Also the lt-4 is 2 valves per cylinder & has only one cam.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
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From: Casa Grande Az
This link might help:
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine
I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq
I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.
trebor
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine
I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq
I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.
trebor
I would say both motors run pretty well , and are close enough in HP that it really would come down to price / condition of the car if I were in the market again.
Le Mans Master
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From: The Old Dominion
All Corvette engines, with only one exception, have been 2 valve per cylinder, single camshaft designs. From the Blue Flame I6, up to the supercharged LS9.
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