LT1 vs LT4 - differences
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Aledo/Waco Tx
LT1 vs LT4 - differences
What **exactly** are the internal differences between the LT1 and LT4 engines? How about the transmissions - were different gears offered for the two engines?
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
This link is a start:
http://www.malcams.com/legacy/misc/LT4.htm
http://www.malcams.com/legacy/misc/LT4.htm
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
I'm not sure about the gearing but the main differences are that the heads and intake flow better on an LT4. The stock LT4 cam has slightly less lift than the LT1 but that is compensated for by the 1.6 rocker arms. I think duration is about the same if not identical. Slightly more compression in the LT4 as well but I'm not sure if it's because of chamber size or pistons.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,242
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From: Aledo/Waco Tx
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
Ok, well that helps alot. Basically what I'm trying to find out is if a modded LT1 and a modded LT4 will end up about the same in terms of rwhp and straight line performance...
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 744
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From: Houston Tx
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
If you are going to keep the engine intact (except maybe intake and cam), the LT4 is better because the heads are much better stock v. stock.
If , however , you are going at least with heads worked , I would go LT1 . I got an LT4 because I started out thinking I would keep the long block stock. But as usual, I ended up going heads cam. I could have gotten the same performance from a cheaper 95 LT1 instead.
Ultimately , LT4 heads flow better but the difference when they are fully worked compared to LT1 heads is not huge. We are talking about 20-30 rwhp on a 450-500 rwhp 396 solid roller stroker .
If , however , you are going at least with heads worked , I would go LT1 . I got an LT4 because I started out thinking I would keep the long block stock. But as usual, I ended up going heads cam. I could have gotten the same performance from a cheaper 95 LT1 instead.
Ultimately , LT4 heads flow better but the difference when they are fully worked compared to LT1 heads is not huge. We are talking about 20-30 rwhp on a 450-500 rwhp 396 solid roller stroker .
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
Ok, well that helps alot. Basically what I'm trying to find out is if a modded LT1 and a modded LT4 will end up about the same in terms of rwhp and straight line performance...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,242
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From: Aledo/Waco Tx
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
So basically the differences would be with the heads and roller rockers....would it be cheaper to buy an LT1 do all the bolt ons (intake, TB, headers, sport cats, cat - back etc) then port the heads and put in LT4 injectors and roller rockers, and a new cam, or just buy the LT4 and do the previously mentioned bolt ons? (ie, how much is the price diff in the cars, and how much do those internal mods to the LT1 cost?)
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (aeronautica86)
....would it be cheaper to buy an LT1 do all the bolt ons (intake, TB, headers, sport cats, cat - back etc) then port the heads and put in LT4 injectors and roller rockers, and a new cam, or just buy the LT4 and do the previously mentioned bolt ons? (ie, how much is the price diff in the cars, and how much do those internal mods to the LT1 cost?)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=574679
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: St. louis, MO
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (tobijohn)
Here is a side-by-side comparioson chart: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/1996/lt1lt4.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
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From: Chandler AZ
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (Gary96LT4)
I wonder if in the future the LT-4 will be worth more. It is an engine that was only made one year. Could this help resale values or am I just doing a little wishful thinking?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (VAHROOM)
I wonder if in the future the LT-4 will be worth more. It is an engine that was only made one year. Could this help resale values or am I just doing a little wishful thinking?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: LT1 vs LT4 - differences (VAHROOM)
I wonder if in the future the LT-4 will be worth more. It is an engine that was only made one year. Could this help resale values or am I just doing a little wishful thinking?
