I agree that you should take price, condition, and style into consideration

:rolleyes: O.k. so the '92 has 20lb tq less than the others, but still has the non-vented opti like the 93-94's. Other than that it's the same car and just as reliable as the 93-94.

This is a big misconception of the LT-1. If you take the inner fender well on the drivers side off along with the tensioner, it's a piece of cake to change plugs and wires. :yesnod: You wanna talk about how easy it is to change injectors or FPR's on an LT1 vs. L98? ;) All in all, C4's are pretty easy to work on, each one just has it's nuances.

This should defiitely be taken into consideration. However, if you have a free weekend this can be replaced and vented which will aleve 90% of your problems. I do agree that it sucks however.

which you will turn off every chance you get. :lol:

:iagree: or if must have the latest body style. :D


[Modified by vvv90, 12:52 PM 12/30/2003]

 

:iagree: I would add a third, what you what to do with it. If left stock to drive I might be swayed towards the LT1 but since you already stated you want to do some work I'd go with the L98. The money you'd be saving could buy some nice new parts, and as others have already stated I also think there's more aftermarket potential for the L98.

Post a picture of that 90 :D


[Modified by 1MoorTym, 2:02 PM 12/30/2003]

 

I have had my 92 for over 8 years now and prefer it over the 90 (somebody has to go against the masses :) ) Mostly because I like the body and the interior/dash on the 92, but also because I wanted an engine that will rev higher as well. I have only done heads and cam on mine (and it's a very mild streetable cam), and am making 351/351 to the rear wheel.

I know you can put another intake on the L98, but have still not seen one making that much horsepower with the stock bottom-end. They will make more torque however.

I guess it comes down to what your purpose with the car will be. If you are looking to autocross, I think the L98 is the better motor here. If you are looking to road race, I think the LT1 might be a better platform. If you are looking to drag race, both can perform admirably here.

Either way, tell us what you end up doing.

Mike

 

I disagree. No matter what, if you want to put either the L98 or LT-1 in the 450HP range N/A you're going to need:

LT1 --- Heads and cam

L98 --- Heads cam intake

Explain to me how it's cheaper to mod an L98 then? :confused: :confused: :confused:

 

We are not pushing you one way or the other, just stating some of our experiences and opinions. I can tell you that if i was just going to do exhaust, bolt-ons, and tuning I would stick with the LT1 (if I had the extra $$$, they are still a few grand more than L-98s). If want to go deeper into the mods...I would definitly get the L-98, many more options, and cheaper and easier to work on all around. Sure, you have to change the intake, but thats just $1k which you will make up on the purchase, and the aftermarket parts are cheaper and more abundant for L-98s.
If you you are Fuel Injection and computer techie, then tuning LT1's is easier and cheaper to get started since you dont need to burn proms, and LT1edit is really good.
You really cant go wrong, because there is a great amount of support for both cars on the forum.

Flip a coin!

 

I didn't say one was cheaper to mod than the other, I said with the money saved by buying the L98 you could buy a lot of new parts. I still think there are more aftermarket options for the L98 - that in itself might make parts for the L98 a little less expensive, a little competition is a good thing.


[Modified by 1MoorTym, 3:13 PM 12/30/2003]

 

I would go L98. My LT1 makes good power, but I would rather have an L98.

You will need heads and cam to make the power you are looking for with either mtoor. The parts are just less expensive for the L98.

 

Good point :)

FWIW, you will still have to burn proms for 92-94 LT-1's.

 

o.k. Gotcha, another good point. price difference between the 2 cars definitely leaves room for mods.

So then what it comes down to is preference. If you like the looks of the 90 I'd just get that then.

 

Thanks for all the info guys....you've answered most of my questions. Hopefully I'll be a 1990 owner in the next few days!

:cheers: :thumbs: :cheers: :cool: :cheers:

 

Good choice... not that I'm biased or anything... Can't say how happy I've been w/ my '90 & I've had it for 10 years now. Didn't make any changes for the first 6 but the last year has seen all that saved money put to good use. :D

 

I thought you could just write to the eeproms without having to burn them with a writer. I thought the LT1 was like a flash???

 

Regardless if you go with either engine combo its going to cost a bunch of cash. Heads, cams and stroker kits are comparable in cost to either engine. One thing to keep in mind that with the L98 car there are more options to be had than with the LT1 series engine. The one big thing for me is that you can go out there and buy a Dart little M block and build yourself a huge stroker engine, something to the tune of a 454 small block. You can't do that with a LT1 because there are no aftermarket blocks available for that series engine.

Doing something like that isn't cheap but you do have to option to do so if you wish. The ECM is more than capable of running such a beast with the proper tuning in the prom. The later 94 and up LT1 PCMs are also very capable of controlling an engine such as this but one can't build a big inch stroker with the GM casting for the LT1 engines. Just my two bits worth.

Oh I forgot to mention, 92 thru 93 ECMS for LT1s are speed density ECMs with a removable prom while 94 thru 96 are flash programmable PCMs that use a MAF control. These are easier and more forgiving to changes such as large cams. A speed density control scenario takes a bit longer to get it right, but is otherwise very capable.


[Modified by tjwong, 2:15 PM 12/30/2003]

 

That's all good advice.....

Initially, I'm just looking to mod the car so that it will run mid 12's on a 100 shot. That sounds completely possible with what I've seen in this thread so far, and without going too crazy on the motor....... :thumbs:

Doing an engine swap and spending a bit of $$$ after a period of time doesn't concern me all that much (you're talking to a guy who stuck a zz4 in an 84.....:p: ). The information that there are many more "strong" blocks available for the L98 than the LT1 is very good news to me and just another reason, now that I have all the facts, that this 1990 is making more sense by the minute...... Gotta replace the stock block with something better after that 100 shot takes it's toll..... :D

Thanks again for all the info.... :cheers:


[Modified by 84zz4vette, 3:27 PM 12/30/2003]

 

I love the low rpm torque of the L98 it feels faster (and i think is before the minor mods definately from 0-40 and now with LT runners and Accel base no smog stuff at least from 0-60) than the LS1 in the 2000 which supposedly has a little better low end than the LT1/4. The difference is very noticable and i mean very. But if you are looking at being in high RPMs much of the time go with the LT1. The L98 cannot be beat (without much modding) for its price and performance around town at legal speeds. :auto:


[Modified by WEH 2000C5, 12:06 AM 12/31/2003]

 

Well, let's not get carried away now boys..... :lol:

I just beat one this morning in my GTP.... :yesnod: :eek: :yesnod:

Of course my GTP is 300+hp...... :D :p: :D

 

What have you done to the GTP? My girlfriend has one...

Mike

 

3.25" pulley, Thrasher Cold Air Kit, Custom cat back exhaust (removed U-bend/removed resonator - replaced with 2 1/2 straight pipe to STOCK mufflers :yesnod: :thumbs: :yesnod: , DHP pcm, aux trans cooler, Thrasher shift kit.....

The 300 hp I mentioned is "estimated" at the crank with drivetrain loss. Here's my dyno sheet, but I still had the 3.4" pulley on (stock is 3.8) for this run and I'm sure I picked up at LEAST 10 hp, most likely more, with the 3.25 pulley swap....

Note the torque..... :yesnod: :D :yesnod:

http://www.dynoperformance.com/searc...ils.php?ID=428


http://www.dynoperformance.com/membe...ils.php?ID=979




[Modified by 84zz4vette, 5:21 PM 12/30/2003]

 

:thumbs: very impressive GTP by the way.

Since you now know the ins and outs of modding both, My final advice is the drive both and L98 and LT1. And I mean reeeeally drive! Get on 'em.

Then you'll know what you want.

 

I test drove several different C4's including lt4's, lt1's and l98's before I bought a 1990. What made my decision easy was the price and the ability to use extra SBC parts I already had. There is also more flexibility in your approach to adding hp and torque and the lt1's and lt4's are ophans now to some degree. The older SBC's will live on forever and be supported better in the future just due to racing and sheer numbers. Also, less rpm to get the same power equates to better longevity for the motor. It's also more fun for street driving because the torque is right there.

But it still all comes down to what you like.

Good luck