L98 vs LT1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: Seneca SC
L98 vs LT1
I'm in the beginning stages of looking for a C4. I've narrowed my search down to 1990 - 1996. I'd really prefer a 6 speed. My question is: What are the basic differences between an L98 and a LT1? (other than the obvious 50 HP) Also, is there any significant performance difference? Thanks for any enlightenment that you can provide.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,126
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: L98 vs LT1 (wmrobert)
Oh, no. Run a search before this debate gets fierce.
Just get the newest you can afford, they are two totally different motors.
Just get the newest you can afford, they are two totally different motors.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
Re: L98 vs LT1 (NoWorries)
L98 - Lousy Intake Mainfold :eek:
Score one for the LT1 guys.
:seeya
:p:
Just buy the newest you can afford.. they get better every year (until 1997.. :blueangel: )
Score one for the LT1 guys.
:seeya :p:
Just buy the newest you can afford.. they get better every year (until 1997.. :blueangel: )
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: L98 vs LT1 (wmrobert)
I own a 92, with the LT1... but I will not let that bias me...
L98 Pros
- Tons and tons of hop-ups
- Great vendor support
- cheap horsepower
- great low end torque
L98 Cons
- somewhat lacking in refinement
- less power in stock form
- no top end power
- not as good MPG
- killer intake manifold leaks
LT1 Pros
- Better factory HP
- more refined
- better MPG
- lotsa parts and vendor support
- extra 1000rpms at redline
LT1 Cons
- Optispark
- those parts are more expensive and somewhat specialized
- Less torque in stock configuration
please, folks, lets keep this civil... I think this hits the big points...
L98 Pros
- Tons and tons of hop-ups
- Great vendor support
- cheap horsepower
- great low end torque
L98 Cons
- somewhat lacking in refinement
- less power in stock form
- no top end power
- not as good MPG
- killer intake manifold leaks
LT1 Pros
- Better factory HP
- more refined
- better MPG
- lotsa parts and vendor support
- extra 1000rpms at redline
LT1 Cons
- Optispark
- those parts are more expensive and somewhat specialized
- Less torque in stock configuration
please, folks, lets keep this civil... I think this hits the big points...
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: L98 vs LT1 (BluByU)
LT1 on the left, L98 on the right
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,126
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Alex D)
Simple question, simple answer:
L98 = slow Corvette
LT1 = fast Corvette
:reddevil
L98 = slow Corvette
LT1 = fast Corvette
:reddevil
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: L98 vs LT1 (vader86)
Simple question, simple answer:
L98 = slow Corvette
LT1 = fast Corvette
:reddevil
this is what i'm talking about
L98 = slow Corvette
LT1 = fast Corvette
:reddevil
this is what i'm talking about
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,126
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: L98 vs LT1 (Alex D)
Youre not tickin us off, we just dont want the newbie to get the wrong idea, and its likely somebody will take it seriously and be offended by it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,126
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: L98 vs LT1 (wmrobert)
The Optispark is a new type of ignition system that uses a large cam-driven distributor on the front of the motor underneath the water pump. The only problem is that it costs $300 or so to buy a new one, and alot more than that for labor to replace it when it goes. And it goes whenever it gets wet, which is why it was such a stupid idea to put it in the front of the motor under the WP.
95-96 vettes have a vented opti, which is less likely to go out when wet, but you still cant douse it with water.
95-96 vettes have a vented opti, which is less likely to go out when wet, but you still cant douse it with water.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: L98 vs LT1 (wmrobert)
Here is my .02:
L98 Good -
Same Gen I type of block (not same block) as 400 sb chevy so 420 ci small block is possible.
Lots more parts.
L98 bad -
Intake
89 has hp limiting MAF that has reliability problems.
LT1 Good
Intake
94-95 ecm and maf are good for 570 hp
Reverse cooled allows high comp
92-93 ecm speed density but very capable.
LT1 Bad
Limited head sources - afr, stock and canfield
Opti troublesome and expensive to fix.
limited expensive timing chain options.
LT1 has about 50 more HP in unmodified form.
Quality of C4 improved through its lifecycle with substantial improvement in 94 to 96. 95 has the biggest changes. Brakes are better on 96 and might be on 95 too.
L98 Good -
Same Gen I type of block (not same block) as 400 sb chevy so 420 ci small block is possible.
Lots more parts.
L98 bad -
Intake
89 has hp limiting MAF that has reliability problems.
LT1 Good
Intake
94-95 ecm and maf are good for 570 hp
Reverse cooled allows high comp
92-93 ecm speed density but very capable.
LT1 Bad
Limited head sources - afr, stock and canfield
Opti troublesome and expensive to fix.
limited expensive timing chain options.
LT1 has about 50 more HP in unmodified form.
Quality of C4 improved through its lifecycle with substantial improvement in 94 to 96. 95 has the biggest changes. Brakes are better on 96 and might be on 95 too.