L98 vs LT1
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 28,015
Likes: 32
L98 vs LT1
Here is my take on the 2, since I have now owned both.
The L98 was definatly a Torque Monster, but I fail to see the difference in tq. People say that the L98 has more SOTP feel, I fail to see that as well.
With my old L98 to get the tires spinning I had to power brake, granted it was an Auto with 2.59's.
The LT1 to me definatly feels like the stronger engine. It pulls so strong up top.
The l98 was a great engine for in town driving.
The Lt1 It gets up to 60 or 100 in a heart beat. Unlike the L98 that gets up to 60 in a heart beat, but then loses its breath around there.
Whats your all's 2 cents?
The L98 was definatly a Torque Monster, but I fail to see the difference in tq. People say that the L98 has more SOTP feel, I fail to see that as well.
With my old L98 to get the tires spinning I had to power brake, granted it was an Auto with 2.59's.
The LT1 to me definatly feels like the stronger engine. It pulls so strong up top.
The l98 was a great engine for in town driving.
The Lt1 It gets up to 60 or 100 in a heart beat. Unlike the L98 that gets up to 60 in a heart beat, but then loses its breath around there.
Whats your all's 2 cents?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Marty McFly)
I've not owned an L98. I have owned an L83 (crossfire), and I was impressed with it's low end torgue...and now I own an LT1. I'm not impressed with the low end, but I'm overwhelmed by it's top end. It just absolutely comes alive at about 2500. I don't know why the difference, head design and cam probably. Too bad you can't get both in one engine.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
Likes: 1
From: Framingham MA
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Marty McFly)
The gear ratio's makes a big difference. A L98 w/3.07 really moves out of the hole. A 2.59-2.73 L98 feels slow for the 5-10 mph. A 2.59 LT1 feels even slower out of the hole.
As for the 60+ I can see that. When I have Raced Lt1 at the track (when my car is running high 13's), My car would have approx 3-4 cars at 70 mph, at the end of the track, the Lt1 would be even or ahead of my car.
[Modified by dgoodhue, 12:32 PM 4/12/2002]
As for the 60+ I can see that. When I have Raced Lt1 at the track (when my car is running high 13's), My car would have approx 3-4 cars at 70 mph, at the end of the track, the Lt1 would be even or ahead of my car.
[Modified by dgoodhue, 12:32 PM 4/12/2002]
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Houma, LA
Re: L98 vs LT1 (vader86)
I know with the LT1 VS LS1 there isn't as much of a difference in lowend torque as some people think. My friend has a 98 Z28 and he 60foots within a few hundrendths of my car. Only diffence is the gears, 2.59's VS 2.73. He has raced a TPI vette one street and lost by 1-1 1/2 cars in first but only due to tire spin not lack of torque. Yes he immediately passed the vette in 2nd.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Mike92)
Well, my 88 is identical to your old one and blows the tires loose pretty easy from a standstill. With the 2.59's, 60-100 seems where it pulled the best. :confused: :confused: :confused:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 28,015
Likes: 32
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Fastguy)
Well, my 88 is identical to your old one and blows the tires loose pretty easy from a standstill. With the 2.59's, 60-100 seems where it pulled the best. :confused: :confused: :confused:
I couldn't break my tires loose unless I pbraked.
I also had Michelin pilot XGT/Z4s, maybe that had something to do with it?
Also I agree an L98 with 2.59's felt like it pulled stronger up top then down low.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Hockessin DE
Re: L98 vs LT1 (scorp508)
my 89' L98 with the 2.59 gears also feels like it makes power beyond 60mph. it pulls all the way to 100mph real strong. a friend of mine drove a 97' ram air 6speed T/A and then my Vette and he said my car felt stronger and pulled harder throughout the rpm range
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Krakow
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Marty McFly)
my 88' L98 with the 2.59 gears spin tyres from standing when I smash 1/2 gas pedal, not fuli but about 1/2-2/3. so with all gas down I have big problem to move fast from hole. It feel strong at 60-80 mph as well. I have only common small mods that almost everyone on that forum made (intake and exaust)
I drove 6 speed 93 LT1 and that car feel more slower that my. But perchaps was not in sharp condition. Also, "feeling faster" is a lot subiective. Even louder exaust can made that we feel that car move faster that another, so when I am in doubt I take my stopper and soon everything is bright.
:)
Jerry
I drove 6 speed 93 LT1 and that car feel more slower that my. But perchaps was not in sharp condition. Also, "feeling faster" is a lot subiective. Even louder exaust can made that we feel that car move faster that another, so when I am in doubt I take my stopper and soon everything is bright.
:)
Jerry
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: Lilburn Ga
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Marty McFly)
Ive got a 91 vette with a 6 speed. The rear gear is a 3.07. I have driven several Lt1's and my L98 just feels stronger. Maybe I have a feak car, but it just feels stronger. I do like, how the Lt1 winds higher though....
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Krakow
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Marty McFly)
my oppinion is that my L98 tas too much low end torque and too little top end power. It is too strong at low rpm for good start and fast curvy roads but havent breath above 4000 RPM. That strange- nobody till now made for that TPI better new PLASTIC intake (as C5 has) That will be best seller I think.... That superram and miniram are probably good but its price is as they were gold made not aluminium...
Jerry
Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 0
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Yanni88)
My moms 1987 with 3.07s will sit and spin all day if you mash the gas from a standing start. If you can get a good launch it feels like you've been kicked in the butt. My old 1991 2.59 would peel for about 30 feet or so if I floored it.
My 1994 6-speed with 3.45s is just barely slower out of the hole than the '87, but it will rape it at speed. There is no comparison IMO. LT1 all the way!
My 1994 6-speed with 3.45s is just barely slower out of the hole than the '87, but it will rape it at speed. There is no comparison IMO. LT1 all the way!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Re: L98 vs LT1 (dgoodhue)
I never owned an LT-1. That was my original plan...but sometimes things don't go according to plan.
The stock motor was torquey. It's an animal now obviously. :D
The L98 doesn't need a lot of revs to make power...where the LT-1 likes the RPM and has less torque.
[Modified by JD 90 383, 7:52 PM 4/13/2002]
The stock motor was torquey. It's an animal now obviously. :D
The L98 doesn't need a lot of revs to make power...where the LT-1 likes the RPM and has less torque.
[Modified by JD 90 383, 7:52 PM 4/13/2002]
