The mid ‘90s LT1 engine will forever be one of my favorites ever produced. When the LT1 debuted in the Camaro/Firebird in 1993, it was a game changer! Just shy of 300hp and a 6-speed tranny….from the F’n factory lol. I upset a ton of 5.0 Mustangs back then with my ‘94 Z28…. and I was a Mustang guy at heart, but those F-bodies were an absolute riot to drive!
Tons of potential also. You can build a 90s Camaro up to run 11 seconds 1/4 mile times without spending too much money. Good cheap platform for building a hotrod back in the day. I'm a corvette guy, though, and I can still appreciate the potential of that car....
I have a 1992 Vette. I love it. It's much smaller than new sports cars and the driving experience is amazing. So much better than those cars you mentioned. After driving one years ago, I knew that I had to buy one!
Technology has ruined racing. Even 20 years ago if you could afford a brand new Camaro you had to build it and learn how to race it to compete. Now, all you have to do is be rich or go into debt and your running 12s with a stock mustang gt that drives itsself compared to a fox body.
Gen 2 LT1 fan here! I still want to see some budget testing of cams and heads if you can. My 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan needs more torque but I can't afford to waste money on parts unless they really work. By the way my engine has about 160,000 miles on the factory Opti. I'm surprised it survived a water pump change before I really knew anything about it. I have a new Opti I'm gonna use for parts to rebuild the original, since the original trigger/pickup or whatever it's called is better.
@@rebel9976 Because you can find running LS engines for under $500 and even the smallest mildest 4.8L makes over 300HP... and even that one is a cam swap away from making 400hp.
I'd love to see a comparison between the original LS7 vs the modern version, and the L88 while you're aft it I'm sure you won't find them in the junkyard, but maybe a 100k sub treat?
Thanks Richard 😎 . Once again another great video and I know we all appreciate it. As one of the resident LT1 fans I'm still waiting for a budget Street and strip sleeper type build based on an intercooled boosted 90's 5.7 LT1 . These days the guy should be able to do that with a minimal budget and still make some real good power 🤔 🤓
I agree there needs to be more dyno noises but you're complaining it's 2020 critiquing someone else's videos yet don't have a single one of your own? Try putting the amount of info Richard is in each video into your own and see how much fun all the editing and fact chasing is, let alone trying to create something to appease everyone. ;)
My 97 Camaro z with LT1 is rated at factory at 285 horse , my 97 Vette with LS1 is rated at 345hp,, and thats about the difference that I feel in the seat of my pants too,,the LS One is a good step up from the LT1.
I have an over cammed 350, sounds nice, horrible on fuel & it's anemic, came with my 69. Disappointed to say the least. I knwo it's going to get pulled, but what to replace it with....... looking at 427 Small Blocks w/EFI, or should I go a LS/LT swap? Decisions... DeCisions.... DECISIONS...... hhhmmmm.... Great Vid........ I am also interested in a Modern 302 but haven't found many out there with FI.
Darnell Craig That big old barn door getting 24 mpg at 75-80, I call BS. I have a S550 mustang GT manual shift that will get 26-27 mpg at 65-70. It will get 31 mpg at 55. Boring as it gets. At 80 mph maybe 24 mpg. This car is lighter and more aerodynamic then a 95 Buick Roadmaster wagon. I am and always have been a Chevy man and grew up with the small block Chevy. I still have three Chevrolets with a small block and two of the are LT1s
Don Grizzelle the Roadmaster is pretty aerodynamic, add in the OD trans, 2.73 gears and a 30” tall tire. mine was the sedan also. I have a picture of the tach and speedo where I’m going 80 mph and the tach is at 1800 rpm. I owned that car for 3 years total and drove it all over the eastern US. Around town it wasn’t nearly as good but the interstate is where it shined.
Richard, I know sitting at a dynometer day after day engine noise is a by product of your job and sometimes is probably annoying. BUT the general public / gearheads don't have the opportunity to twist whatever internal combustion engine they want to the moon. I'm hoping I'm not alone in missing the dyno noises in your vids? As always you're going over the top with info and it's always a great study to see what you've done! Thank you for what you're doing and the valuable data you're providing to everyone!
What are you controlling that gen 2 LT1 with? Got a supercharged 97 Camaro with an LT1 and would happily pay for a series of videos on this engine family hahaha.
@@hendo337 I never had the opportunity to aquire an LT4. I hope to maybe in the future. Just didn't make economic sense back then and still doesn't but still something i want. Those bottom ends durability were underrated strength wise. I've seen a few high 8 second cars with basically stock bottom end 90s LT1. Even stock pistons held up quite well.
So cool to learn the history of the LT1 engines. During the 1970's, I was riding shotgun in my aunt's 1970 Classic White C3 Corvette Stingray coupe with side pipes. My hometown is near the Bowling Green assembly plant. My first visit to the Bowling Green assembly plant was on a school field trip when I was 10 years old. In 1989, I drove my uncle's 1989 white C4 Corvette to senior prom. My aunt and uncle both had automatics but my best friend's mom had a Monza Red Corvette Stingray with side pipes and a manual transmission. Watching her row through the gears had me hooked on manual transmissions. I took delivery of my very own 2015 Arctic White C7 Corvette Stingray Z51 manual 7 speed, on February 13, 2015.
I'm a Ford guy but to me the Chevy gen 2 was one of my favorites that GM made. It make good power and responds well to mods. A great street engine. Plus has a clean look. It's one of the nicest looking engines out there. Still the best looking swap engine in my opinion. Although I like the L31 vortec(better build platform) for the better heads and the 4 bolt mains as a plus. That 6.2L is making HOT 408 stroker build numbers to good 427 stroker numbers, in a package that can be driven everyday, impressive!!
The Gen 2 LT1 dominated in the 90s. It really ignited the horsepower wars. Ford didn't catch up until the 2000s, and Dodge had to build a V10. I would love to see the L8T 6.6 on the dyno.
So Separate Classes of car Design 240 mph at Sebring vs 166 mph racer 4th and 5 Generations were seperated and pushed into 5th gens now competing in Corvette Touring class vs Lambos and Feraris lol
I got a gen 2 LT1 in my 30th Z/28. Im putting in a set of LE2 ported stock heads, a custom grind cam, Le ported stock intake with all the best bolt ons, racetronix fuel pump, 36lb injectors 24x, hptuners etc etc too much to list but I should be around 420 whp mark give or take. That's my goal at least. She should scream decent!😎 stock bottom still, at ~70k miles. I've had the car since August 2010 t56 t-top car wouldn't have it any other way!! 😅😅
sorry but your 2nd gen lt1 was not the last bang lol the 96 - 97 561 heads were amazing once you uncork them . my 97 z28 lt1 beat a 2004 ls1 vette 2 2014 stingrays and a 2015 vette with big new lt1 by 9=10 car lengths thats a full 2 seconds in quarter mile. the difference is early lt1 93-95 had 175 intake runners 75 exaust fast burn com. chambers 96=97 561 heads have 185 cc intake runners 85 cc exaust runners .2 vortec tumble and fast burn combustion chamber 2 inch valve seats with 194 valves in them lol stock the mid range to high rpms is superior so give the 96-97 561s a chance on your dyno
At least a few are thankful for Richards time and efforts. Watching grown men arguing, demanding "hey do this and that"..send him one theres no engine vending machines around The negativity is depressing this is supposed to be fun .Grumpy fx
I loved it because I had a 1995 ram air trans am ws6 and loved it but kids so I am putting a vortec 5.7 in my Monte for now but the goal is a mid 90’s lt1 and 6 speed
Well think my Lt1 gave it up, no idea how, don't drive it, never overheated but Caramel oil came out after about 20-25 miles on recent oil change ('sat for a year). So L96 or L83/L86 in my IROC... www.dropbox.com/s/2bud6uli0hb5r5p/photo%20oct%2003%2C%2014%2045%2031.jpg
Jesus..... Yall need to go back to work, get a hobby or just get a life. You've OBVIOUSLY never heard, "if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all." Give the man a break, he's bust'n his ASS for us! Show some appreciation .
The LT1s were known to Dyno out to 360HP, why GM underrated them is unknown. Of course we know GM wasn’t gonna allow a Camaro to rate the same as a flagship Corvette. Politics! I also agree the 5th Gen LT-1 is not the same as the original small block Chevy, so not really a comparison in my opinion. Good video and another thing to prove to those that put the 2nd Gen LT1 down don’t know what they are talking about 😉
Lt1 has a lot of potencial, ls is just ezier to make power but a well built lt1 can make a ton of power and with the revers flow cooling system can run big compression numbers with an aftermarket headgasket ofcourse. Its just an underrated motor but thats what i like about it. And it sounds better than an ls1, personal preference but it isnt just me from what i read. Oh and the stock block can handle 1,125hp reliably so yeah. Underated engine that can make good power and a distributor, that even tho its in a bad spot lets be real, it works almost like individual spark. Know why? It has electronically controled spark timing and it can advance an retard up to 55 degrees maybe more of timing from the tunner pro software im using, of course that much isnt probably necessary but it does the job similarly to a individual ignition ls1
Even if you had tested the 5.3 gen V engine, which is the same design as the 6.2 LT1, it would have made just as much power or more than the gen ll LT1. Modern technology is a great thing.
the LT1 gen 2 is an interesting motor but it doesn’t have the same aftermarket as the L98 so the L98 is the better choice as there’s hundreds of parts that bot on even if that part is. Over 50 years old 😳😳😳
More of a contrast than a comparison vs the new LT1 being 60 years newer than the sbc. I still like the LS better than the new LT as it's a better balance of modern technology and affordability vs the LT.
and actually that variable came out in earlier chevy pick up and was a peice of crap partly because its also controled by traction control and a econamy setting that wont get out of its own way it was originally ment to be controled by gas peddle but overrided by 13 other parts of traction control you think you have control me and the 2015 stingray discussed keeping the race going for 2 miles and i agreed he knew my 97 z28 was fast I hit the 2 mile mark and braked down to 55 i lit a cigerette and took 2 drags off it before he almost rear ended me going all out he could not have caught me if wed raced clear to salt lake from reno and we did it from a dig
had a 96 corvette with the LT4 loved it spun a rod bearing at 50K miles GM wanted 10K $ just for basic long block no labor ended up putting in a low mileage LT4 out of a bone yard. car creaked and rattled from everywhere but still loved it. as always life made me sell it. would love another
Lol the only difference between the vette and Camaro was during dyno testing. Gm couldnt have the baby brother out powering their way more expensive big brother.
Cam duration difference is huge! Amazing how much power a modern engine is able to make with such small cam. I wonder what power would 250 degrees cam make in gen 5
Would probably have to turn off VCT with a cam that big to prevent valve to piston interference. Loosing the advantages of VCT might not make the swap worth it.
The port design of the LT series engines is based loosely upon the LS7 head port design, and that's the best flowing LS head PERIOD. Given the stock power, I don't see why a heads/cam/VCT delete LT1 can't make 700hp N/A.
The 5.7 LT1 should have the number '327' stamped on the bottom of the engine block near motor mounts and 5.7 on the block behind intake where the motor connects to the transmission. The L99 4.3 engine has '588' on the engine block in same places and 4.3 behind intake or near firewall of car.
I appreciate the explanation on how the direct injection was able to run more compression and not get into detonation. More pressure over the piston makes more power
70 LT1 360 versus 370hp in Vette, remember the L78 (396) in the vette it was rated 425hp all other variants were 375. I don’t believe there was any difference then either.
Easiest way to make it fair: Take out the displacement & look at the hp/litre of each motor to see which is better/more efficient. Gen 1 & 2 are around 60hp/litre with their 350hp at 5.7L Gen 5 is over 80hp/litre with almost 520hp at 6.2L. That's around 33% better efficiency over the years. 👍
MafiaboysWorld and if you wanted to make it more fair, you could calculate in the weight of the car that each engine would be in. Also the 96-97 lt1 was rated higher in hp than the 93-95
@CC Ryder Your response missed the point completely. Engine efficiency has nothing to do with a cars weight. It doesn't matter if the car weighs 2000lbs or 4000lbs, it's what hp/litre is. We're not looking at power to weight. 🤦
my first car was a 1976 Camaro with the 350 160hp LM1 and a 4 speed. basically the worst 350 ever made. it lasted about a week with me before it spit a rod out the oil pan. back in the 80's you could buy an LT1 complete from oil pan to intake over the counter from GM for about a grand. so that is what I did. my best fried an I did the swap in my dads garage. added a Holley carb and it was stupid fast after that. I kick myself for selling it to this day.
It would be interesting to see you get your hands on an Olds 403 for the other guys series. Ive always wanted to see what they could do on a dyno with is extremely oversquare design and having the largest bore of the GM v8s.
That's not a bad idea until you look at the bottom end of a 403. All the hardcore Olds guys use diesel blocks and none of them use 403 blocks. For a street driven car with less than 400hp it's probably not a big deal. Just for everyone else, an olds 350 will be.more durable and a 425 or 455 is almost as easy to fit and more durable. Unless you are getting the shortblock for free, I would probably try to find one of the more desirable engines.
@@timothybayliss6680 Undoubtedly the 403 has some definite issues with its shortblock, along with its pretty short production run, but with the kind of testing he is doing with the other guys series I think it would be interesting to look at mainly due to its unorthodox bore/stroke for a 400 cube engine.
Had a minty clean 77 Electra coupe back in 01. 3.23 posi from a roadmaster, shift kit, cheap summit cam, open air cleaner, and headers with 2.5 inch exhaust. That big bitch was quick.
The Direct injection LT-1 will ALWAYS make 7% to 10% more torque. Because the same engine that has Port injection, has fuel in the Airstream. Air & Fuel have to enter the cylinder through the valve opening. Fuel displacement in the Airstream is 7% to 10%. That is WHY a propane or natural gas fueled engine is 7% to 10% down on torque, compared to the same engine on gasoline. For example, a 300 cfm head will flow 270 cfm air & 30 cfm of fuel. Direct inject engine using the the same 300 cfm head, will flow 300 cfm of air & inject the fuel After the intake valve has closed.
I have a 1993 z28 with an LT1, delarship replaced 40k ago. I want to boost it, but it looks Iike I'm stuck messing with tuner cats since holley's FAST efi doesn't support omnispark.
purpose built all of them Your Dyno Doesnt show 2300 extra pounds more load on modern Touring class car meaning vettes and 5th Gen Camaros vs 3440 4th gen Camaro or 1LE 3100 pound track car T1 sedan pony class at almost twice the weight to beat little camaro at 400 pounds tork going to need 700 pounds of tork to beat them And they havent cammed or any thing yet lol big touring car 12 sec quarter little camaro modded easy 11-9-6 sec Grubworm And LS1 maxed is 7 second Car
I'd like to see a power comparison between DISI, PFI, and high upstream TBI or PFI to show the advantages of charge cooling. All with the same block, manifold shape, and cam.
In 1970 -The 1970 LT-1 Engine in Corvette. Had bigger inch exhaust pipes ,and had 2- Signal Mufflers. In the 1970 Camaro Z-28 LT-1. Exhaust pipes smaller. And the Exhaust went into 1- Muffler,. That was than 360 HP And out tail pipes. That add back pressure, cut down the Horsepower. I have a 1970 Chevy Camaro Z-28. I changed too- two and a half inch round Exhaust Pipes. And Two Mufflers. That put Horsepower up to 370 Horsepower
I have a LT1 you can borrow. It has literally been sitting for 15 years. It came from a caprice police car that was converted to propane with 300k miles. I had the machine shop bore it with new pistons and refreshed everything else. I would like to see it operational again. We have since moved to LS swaps and never used it. Not sure how I can get it to you but maybe there is a way. I’m in Colorado.
Even if same displacement it would still make more power. They're all great engines. It's amazing to see how far they have came. Even the first Lt1 was amazing.
What about l98 compared to earlier 350 Chevys muscle, ? Not lt1s . Only because I don't have lt1 have l98 but back in the day my buddies were using 350 cheavy not lt1s , not sure if I am making sense? As back in the day I was a Ford guy with 302s , just learning my love for Chevys now. Lol
It’s interesting how much torque the Gen 2 LT1 had considering the very short intake runners. It must have really been held back with its camshaft. A huge cam to match the intake runner could really make that little engine shine . It’s too bad cam swaps weren’t popular during the Gen 2 heyday
I had a 93z28 that I put Llyod Elliot ported heads, ported intake, 58mm dual blade throttle body, bigger injectors (cant remember how big), aftermarket billet optispark (called a dynaspark), a large rowdy cam that was recommended by Llyod. Longtubes, true duals etc... It went from a good running, fun car, to an absolute MONSTER for an N/A 350 cube small block. Just how it would have run on the track, I dont know. But it certainly had no troubles with any ls1 it crossed back then. Admittedly, heavily modded ls1 cars were few and far between at that point, but it's a good point of reference. Ls's start at an advantage, but the LT1 was certainly no slouch.
In my 30th Z/28 Im putting in a set of LE2 ported stock heads, a custom grind cam, Le ported stock intake with all the best bolt ons, racetronix fuel pump, 36lb injectors 24x, hptuners etc etc too much to list but I should be around 420 whp mark give or take. That's my goal at least. She should scream well!😎 stock bottom still, at ~70k miles. Ive had the car since August 2010.
I had two different friends both try the 30 30 duntov cams in there 1970s LT1s they both pulled them immediately because of the power loss. I believe Chevrolet knew that do to the faster piston speed and head flow limits they needed a different cam then the 302/327s. It would make an interesting using a 1970 LT1 and both cams as my information is seat of the pants and loss of car lengths in a drag race.
The newer versions should not only make more power but get better fuel economy as well as lower emissions. Thermal efficiency, cylinder head design and variable cam timing, all adds up in practical use. My mildy modded 5.3 LSX engine swap made 390 rwhp. Technology wins.
I'm not sure about this guy. His presentation is good, His content leaves much to be desired. If the engines did not have the same cubic inch displacement, there was no comparison. A 1970 400 small bock chevy engine, would be a more fitting comparison to the 6.2. He also left out of the comparison the materials used to construct the engines. The early 4 bolt main engines were constructed of Canadian steel, They could be rebuilt over and over. The later engines are more prone to be scrapped after the second rebuild. Why would I invest my hard-earned money into a later model engine? He left out the part about overheating. The Gen one engines could handle being overheated because of the materials used to construct the block and heads. The gen three engines are mostly made of recycled aluminum and recycled pot metal. Meaning if you run that Gen three motor hot. You might as well throw it away.
Can anyone answer this question? My 2017 camaro ss has the new LT1 which chevy says is rated at 455hp. But here in vid its shown it to be 518...whats the deal?
If your looking for early '90 LT1's, don't forget GM also put them in Buicks. I drive a 1993 Buick Roadmaster station wagon, all OEM and that car flies. Recently at a stoplight, next to a 2007 Mustang revving his engine I floored it. My wagon, loaded with tools in the back at the time, beat the Mustang to the next light, about a quarter mile.
Hey thanks Rich I would like to see more GEN II LT stuff intake manifold, throttle bodies, cylinder heads, cam shafts I know you have mentioned you've ran a fast controller on one. I would like to know more about that. I've owned a few of these cars never had an issue with the opti spark. had well over 100,000 miles on one that had two water pumps puke on it still never failed. I've only changed cap and rotor, maybe I,m lucky. Only issue I see is RPM range I don't really take em past 6000. Anyway I appreciate all of your work...Keep testin I keep watchin
The mid ‘90s LT1 engine will forever be one of my favorites ever produced. When the LT1 debuted in the Camaro/Firebird in 1993, it was a game changer! Just shy of 300hp and a 6-speed tranny….from the F’n factory lol. I upset a ton of 5.0 Mustangs back then with my ‘94 Z28…. and I was a Mustang guy at heart, but those F-bodies were an absolute riot to drive!
Tons of potential also. You can build a 90s Camaro up to run 11 seconds 1/4 mile times without spending too much money. Good cheap platform for building a hotrod back in the day. I'm a corvette guy, though, and I can still appreciate the potential of that car....
That was the same time the phrase 5 point slow was invented
I'd like to see head comparison TFS, AFR advanced airflow or a big bang LT1 92-97 version.
And total engine airflow ported factory heads
Advanced induction.
1991 Corvette had L-98 engine, 1992 corvette had LT-1 engine, 1992 LT-1 hit 172.2mph top speed, trouncing supra/rx-8, 300zx twin turbo, Mitsu VR-4 twin turbo.
I have a 1992 Vette. I love it. It's much smaller than new sports cars and the driving experience is amazing. So much better than those cars you mentioned. After driving one years ago, I knew that I had to buy one!
The best part of waking up is reving engines up
Hell yea you need to make that saying into a tee-shirt
@jamarvelous not on this channel 💀
Every morning I wake up to a new R.H. video. It's literally part of my morning routine now.
I literally sung that.
Especially 2 strokes
I still have my1993 Z28 with LT4 Hot Cam, 1.6 roller rockers, B&M 2400, Jet-Hot ceramic coated headers
Me too
Same set up
That was the hot ticket
What stage is a lt4 hot cam?
Technology has ruined racing. Even 20 years ago if you could afford a brand new Camaro you had to build it and learn how to race it to compete. Now, all you have to do is be rich or go into debt and your running 12s with a stock mustang gt that drives itsself compared to a fox body.
Agreed 👍
1993 corvette lt1 6speed manual here ...it is Funn#!!’
Gen 2 LT1 fan here! I still want to see some budget testing of cams and heads if you can. My 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan needs more torque but I can't afford to waste money on parts unless they really work. By the way my engine has about 160,000 miles on the factory Opti. I'm surprised it survived a water pump change before I really knew anything about it. I have a new Opti I'm gonna use for parts to rebuild the original, since the original trigger/pickup or whatever it's called is better.
Love the 90s gen 2 LT1 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I thoroughly enjoy my Gen 2 LT1.. it's nestled in a 96 WS6 6sm.. it has a 150,000mi.. it's a MULE crossed with race horse!
What gear ratio in Buick road Master?
@@the.reel.mccoy. get ready for a transmission first lol. Mine has 173k miles. Showed no signs of blowing up. Out of no where the sun shell busted.
@@davidcallahan5157 mine has a 2.53 lol
Should take a gen 2 lt1 put a cam in it with the same specs as the gen 3 and see how it comepared
They are very, very close stock. The 1.8 ratio roller rocker is where the lift comes in. The lobe lift isn't much different.
90s lt1 is under rated but LS cheapness has taken over
They were underrated from the factory too.
Yup. It's def the red head stepchild of the chevy v8. I have a 530hp LT4 in my c4. I absolutely love gapping many many ls cars. They be mad.
how the fuck are LS cheap????? literally i believe the opposite
@@rebel9976
Because you can find running LS engines for under $500 and even the smallest mildest 4.8L makes over 300HP... and even that one is a cam swap away from making 400hp.
@@stlchucko remember,those are flywheel numbers
I want to see your mid 90s Lt1 video. I like these engines, I think they still have good potential
I like the original 1970. Back when you opened the hood and saw jewelry not plastic.
Alot of that plastic is actually insulation to stop heat cooking your bonnet
While I do agree they are a better looking engine I’d much rather have the extra 150hp, drivability and reliability.
You can replace the plastic
The original 92 lt1 had a full aluminum intake and magnesium valve covers still.
I'd love to see a comparison between the original LS7 vs the modern version, and the L88 while you're aft it I'm sure you won't find them in the junkyard, but maybe a 100k sub treat?
Just found this video. I would love for you to do tests on the gen 2 LT1. See what a ported heads, intake, big cam would do for it power wise
🙋🏼♂️
LT1 fan here! But I’m biased to gen2..
Thanks Richard 😎 . Once again another great video and I know we all appreciate it. As one of the resident LT1 fans I'm still waiting for a budget Street and strip sleeper type build based on an intercooled boosted 90's 5.7 LT1 . These days the guy should be able to do that with a minimal budget and still make some real good power 🤔 🤓
400 Chevrolet block
GM's Coddling of the corvette has been fun to watch.
At some point you’re going to have to start showing clips of the dyno runs.
Yes please
When he does the sound quality is horrible :(
Most of his videos use dyno runs from years ago, so I assume they didn't record them at the time.
Gone Nutz Racing Yeah, I’m aware of that. New builds should be recorded. This is 2020...
I agree there needs to be more dyno noises but you're complaining it's 2020 critiquing someone else's videos yet don't have a single one of your own? Try putting the amount of info Richard is in each video into your own and see how much fun all the editing and fact chasing is, let alone trying to create something to appease everyone. ;)
Richard love this channel.
The 1994 LT- 1.
The engine was driving the water 💧 pump.
So.... add another 20 horsepower to the 1994 engine??? 🤔
you should do a gen 2 lt1 vs a ls1
I'd like to see Gen II LT4 vs LS1
My 97 Camaro z with LT1 is rated at factory at 285 horse , my 97 Vette with LS1 is rated at 345hp,, and thats about the difference that I feel in the seat of my pants too,,the LS One is a good step up from the LT1.
I have an over cammed 350, sounds nice, horrible on fuel & it's anemic, came with my 69. Disappointed to say the least.
I knwo it's going to get pulled, but what to replace it with....... looking at 427 Small Blocks w/EFI, or should I go a LS/LT swap? Decisions... DeCisions.... DECISIONS...... hhhmmmm....
Great Vid........ I am also interested in a Modern 302 but haven't found many out there with FI.
Quick question- you never explained fuel management for gen2 LT1... how were you operating the engine to obtain that rpm runout? Thank you
My 95 Roadmaster would run low 14s with almost no performance mods and got 24 mpg at 75-80 mph. The LT-1 was a huge step forward for GM.
Darnell Craig That big old barn door getting 24 mpg at 75-80, I call BS. I have a S550 mustang GT manual shift that will get 26-27 mpg at 65-70. It will get 31 mpg at 55. Boring as it gets. At 80 mph maybe 24 mpg. This car is lighter and more aerodynamic then a 95 Buick Roadmaster wagon.
I am and always have been a Chevy man and grew up with the small block Chevy. I still have three Chevrolets with a small block and two of the are LT1s
My caprice would get that too.
Don Grizzelle the Roadmaster is pretty aerodynamic, add in the OD trans, 2.73 gears and a 30” tall tire. mine was the sedan also. I have a picture of the tach and speedo where I’m going 80 mph and the tach is at 1800 rpm. I owned that car for 3 years total and drove it all over the eastern US. Around town it wasn’t nearly as good but the interstate is where it shined.
I wish GM didn't reuse the LTX name. Makes things a bit of a pain looking up parts and information through google for my gen 2
👍👍👍...! Can't wait for you to mod and show us the true potential of the 6.2 LT1 (Gen5) . Thank you much Richard!
Richard, I know sitting at a dynometer day after day engine noise is a by product of your job and sometimes is probably annoying. BUT the general public / gearheads don't have the opportunity to twist whatever internal combustion engine they want to the moon. I'm hoping I'm not alone in missing the dyno noises in your vids? As always you're going over the top with info and it's always a great study to see what you've done! Thank you for what you're doing and the valuable data you're providing to everyone!
Sure would like to see a big Duntov cam in LT!
What are you controlling that gen 2 LT1 with? Got a supercharged 97 Camaro with an LT1 and would happily pay for a series of videos on this engine family hahaha.
The gen 2 1996 LT4 in corvettes only was pretty trick.
I have one in a 96 Corvette. It is amazingly strong for a bone stock engine.
@@hendo337 I never had the opportunity to aquire an LT4. I hope to maybe in the future. Just didn't make economic sense back then and still doesn't but still something i want. Those bottom ends durability were underrated strength wise. I've seen a few high 8 second cars with basically stock bottom end 90s LT1. Even stock pistons held up quite well.
@@michaelangelo8001 I envy you!! Yes the durability of those and power potential was outshadowed by the new then LS1. It is truly a gem.
@@Mike-xt2ot Well, not bragging, but I have one of those also, in an '02 Z06.
But you can own either of them. They are for sale.
@@michaelangelo8001 that'd be cool but I got to sale my 1987 Conquest TSI first. Just waiting on the market to rise a bit more.
I have a 94 lt1 complete if your intrested
Price?
Location?
Bakersfield ca
The gen 2 lt1 has a windage tray as well. Not just the gen 5. Maybe not as good but still has one.
I was going to make this comment too
So cool to learn the history of the LT1 engines. During the 1970's, I was riding shotgun in my aunt's 1970 Classic White C3 Corvette Stingray coupe with side pipes. My hometown is near the Bowling Green assembly plant. My first visit to the Bowling Green assembly plant was on a school field trip when I was 10 years old. In 1989, I drove my uncle's 1989 white C4 Corvette to senior prom. My aunt and uncle both had automatics but my best friend's mom had a Monza Red Corvette Stingray with side pipes and a manual transmission. Watching her row through the gears had me hooked on manual transmissions. I took delivery of my very own 2015 Arctic White C7 Corvette Stingray Z51 manual 7 speed, on February 13, 2015.
Congratulations! Nice car!
I'm a Ford guy but to me the Chevy gen 2 was one of my favorites that GM made. It make good power and responds well to mods. A great street engine. Plus has a clean look. It's one of the nicest looking engines out there. Still the best looking swap engine in my opinion. Although I like the L31 vortec(better build platform) for the better heads and the 4 bolt mains as a plus. That 6.2L is making HOT 408 stroker build numbers to good 427 stroker numbers, in a package that can be driven everyday, impressive!!
It would be interesting to see the gen 2 lt1 stroked to 383 with no other changes except tuning then compare it to the modern lt1???
Maybe add a cam.
I'd think that might help level the playing field with the latest LT1. Good idea.
The Gen 2 LT1 dominated in the 90s. It really ignited the horsepower wars. Ford didn't catch up until the 2000s, and Dodge had to build a V10.
I would love to see the L8T 6.6 on the dyno.
So Separate Classes of car Design 240 mph at Sebring vs 166 mph racer
4th and 5 Generations were seperated and pushed into 5th gens now competing in Corvette Touring class vs Lambos and Feraris lol
Gen 2 fan here, but I'm bias with my 1993 Corvette ZO7 6speed
I got a gen 2 LT1 in my 30th Z/28. Im putting in a set of LE2 ported stock heads, a custom grind cam, Le ported stock intake with all the best bolt ons, racetronix fuel pump, 36lb injectors 24x, hptuners etc etc too much to list but I should be around 420 whp mark give or take. That's my goal at least. She should scream decent!😎 stock bottom still, at ~70k miles. I've had the car since August 2010 t56 t-top car wouldn't have it any other way!! 😅😅
sorry but your 2nd gen lt1 was not the last bang lol the 96 - 97 561 heads were amazing once you uncork them .
my 97 z28 lt1 beat a 2004 ls1 vette 2 2014 stingrays and a 2015 vette with big new lt1 by 9=10 car lengths
thats a full 2 seconds in quarter mile.
the difference is early lt1 93-95 had 175 intake runners 75 exaust fast burn com. chambers
96=97 561 heads have 185 cc intake runners 85 cc exaust runners .2 vortec tumble
and fast burn combustion chamber 2 inch valve seats with 194 valves in them lol stock
the mid range to high rpms is superior so give the 96-97 561s a chance on your dyno
At least a few are thankful for Richards time and efforts.
Watching grown men arguing, demanding "hey do this and that"..send him one theres no engine vending machines around
The negativity is depressing this is supposed to be fun .Grumpy fx
I loved it because I had a 1995 ram air trans am ws6 and loved it but kids so I am putting a vortec 5.7 in my Monte for now but the goal is a mid 90’s lt1 and 6 speed
Well think my Lt1 gave it up, no idea how, don't drive it, never overheated but Caramel oil came out after about 20-25 miles on recent oil change ('sat for a year). So L96 or L83/L86 in my IROC... www.dropbox.com/s/2bud6uli0hb5r5p/photo%20oct%2003%2C%2014%2045%2031.jpg
Jesus..... Yall need to go back to work, get a hobby or just get a life. You've OBVIOUSLY never heard, "if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all." Give the man a break, he's bust'n his ASS for us! Show some appreciation .
The LT1s were known to Dyno out to 360HP, why GM underrated them is unknown. Of course we know GM wasn’t gonna allow a Camaro to rate the same as a flagship Corvette. Politics! I also agree the 5th Gen LT-1 is not the same as the original small block Chevy, so not really a comparison in my opinion. Good video and another thing to prove to those that put the 2nd Gen LT1 down don’t know what they are talking about 😉
Lt1 has a lot of potencial, ls is just ezier to make power but a well built lt1 can make a ton of power and with the revers flow cooling system can run big compression numbers with an aftermarket headgasket ofcourse.
Its just an underrated motor but thats what i like about it. And it sounds better than an ls1, personal preference but it isnt just me from what i read. Oh and the stock block can handle 1,125hp reliably so yeah.
Underated engine that can make good power and a distributor, that even tho its in a bad spot lets be real, it works almost like individual spark. Know why? It has electronically controled spark timing and it can advance an retard up to 55 degrees maybe more of timing from the tunner pro software im using, of course that much isnt probably necessary but it does the job similarly to a individual ignition ls1
1970 LT1 in vette had less restrictive exhaust with better exhaust manifolds than Camaro Z-28, motors themselves are same.
Even if you had tested the 5.3 gen V engine, which is the same design as the 6.2 LT1, it would have made just as much power or more than the gen ll LT1. Modern technology is a great thing.
the LT1 gen 2 is an interesting motor but it doesn’t have the same aftermarket as the L98 so the L98 is the better choice as there’s hundreds of parts that bot on even if that part is. Over 50 years old 😳😳😳
First off,
shame on Chevy for lack of creativity when coming up with engine code names, they’ve done it throughout history!
It is bigger yes but add those cubes to the earlier lt1's and they still won't even be close.
More of a contrast than a comparison vs the new LT1 being 60 years newer than the sbc. I still like the LS better than the new LT as it's a better balance of modern technology and affordability vs the LT.
You should try an LT1 that came out of a Caprice or an Impala, my capris has a bigger cam than the Corvette LT1 did and no aluminum heads
and actually that variable came out in earlier chevy pick up and was a peice of crap
partly because its also controled by traction control and a econamy setting that wont get out of its own way it was originally ment to be controled by gas peddle but overrided by 13 other parts of traction control you think you have control
me and the 2015 stingray discussed keeping the race going for 2 miles and i agreed
he knew my 97 z28 was fast I hit the 2 mile mark and braked down to 55
i lit a cigerette and took 2 drags off it before he almost rear ended me going all out
he could not have caught me if wed raced clear to salt lake from reno and we did it from a dig
had a 96 corvette with the LT4 loved it spun a rod bearing at 50K miles GM wanted 10K $ just for basic long block no labor ended up putting in a low mileage LT4 out of a bone yard. car creaked and rattled from everywhere but still loved it. as always life made me sell it. would love another
Lol the only difference between the vette and Camaro was during dyno testing. Gm couldnt have the baby brother out powering their way more expensive big brother.
Cam duration difference is huge! Amazing how much power a modern engine is able to make with such small cam. I wonder what power would 250 degrees cam make in gen 5
Would probably have to turn off VCT with a cam that big to prevent valve to piston interference. Loosing the advantages of VCT might not make the swap worth it.
The port design of the LT series engines is based loosely upon the LS7 head port design, and that's the best flowing LS head PERIOD. Given the stock power, I don't see why a heads/cam/VCT delete LT1 can't make 700hp N/A.
Still want to see a carbed gen 2 Lt1
would make a couple numbers higher because of charge cooling. 5hp MAX through the curve.
Externally how can you tell the difference from a 5.7L (P) LT-1 Engine and a 4.3L LT-1 Engine that was offered in the Caprice???
The 5.7 LT1 should have the number '327' stamped on the bottom of the engine block near motor mounts and 5.7 on the block behind intake where the motor connects to the transmission. The L99 4.3 engine has '588' on the engine block in same places and 4.3 behind intake or near firewall of car.
I appreciate the explanation on how the direct injection was able to run more compression and not get into detonation. More pressure over the piston makes more power
70 LT1 360 versus 370hp in Vette, remember the L78 (396) in the vette it was rated 425hp all other variants were 375. I don’t believe there was any difference then either.
Easiest way to make it fair: Take out the displacement & look at the hp/litre of each motor to see which is better/more efficient.
Gen 1 & 2 are around 60hp/litre with their 350hp at 5.7L
Gen 5 is over 80hp/litre with almost 520hp at 6.2L.
That's around 33% better efficiency over the years. 👍
Also you could do a 383 stroker on the earlier motors. 383ci ~ 6.2L
@@kurtstrains 383 isn't 6.2 though, it's actually a 6.3. The 6.2 in the Gen 5 is a 376. 👍
Remember, 1000cc is 61.02ci, and gotta round it down if it's
MafiaboysWorld and if you wanted to make it more fair, you could calculate in the weight of the car that each engine would be in. Also the 96-97 lt1 was rated higher in hp than the 93-95
@@W.A.R.R. I was based off Richards' numbers. I'm not being that asinine to give you each year model, work it out yourself.
@CC Ryder Your response missed the point completely. Engine efficiency has nothing to do with a cars weight. It doesn't matter if the car weighs 2000lbs or 4000lbs, it's what hp/litre is. We're not looking at power to weight. 🤦
To me, it seems stupid to reuse the LT1 label on the gen5 motor. Different CID? Different engine!
So stupid of Chevy to call 3 completely different engines “LT-1bB”
I feel sorry for the 1970 . We thought they were fast. Need to do a LS 427 comparison against a 1970 LS7 454.
Don't feel sorry for us... Everything is relative.
Things were simpler and a lot more fun back then.
my first car was a 1976 Camaro with the 350 160hp LM1 and a 4 speed. basically the worst 350 ever made. it lasted about a week with me before it spit a rod out the oil pan. back in the 80's you could buy an LT1 complete from oil pan to intake over the counter from GM for about a grand. so that is what I did. my best fried an I did the swap in my dads garage. added a Holley carb and it was stupid fast after that. I kick myself for selling it to this day.
Gen 2 LT1 is a great motor
How to convert 93 fire bird 5.7 intake to a TBI
It would be interesting to see you get your hands on an Olds 403 for the other guys series. Ive always wanted to see what they could do on a dyno with is extremely oversquare design and having the largest bore of the GM v8s.
I've always thought the 403 Olds was underappreciated. If only you could find good enough heads for it.
That's not a bad idea until you look at the bottom end of a 403. All the hardcore Olds guys use diesel blocks and none of them use 403 blocks. For a street driven car with less than 400hp it's probably not a big deal. Just for everyone else, an olds 350 will be.more durable and a 425 or 455 is almost as easy to fit and more durable. Unless you are getting the shortblock for free, I would probably try to find one of the more desirable engines.
@@timothybayliss6680 Undoubtedly the 403 has some definite issues with its shortblock, along with its pretty short production run, but with the kind of testing he is doing with the other guys series I think it would be interesting to look at mainly due to its unorthodox bore/stroke for a 400 cube engine.
@@timothybayliss6680 olds 455 block using a 425 crank or diesel olds converted to gas and 425 crank
Had a minty clean 77 Electra coupe back in 01.
3.23 posi from a roadmaster, shift kit, cheap summit cam, open air cleaner, and headers with 2.5 inch exhaust. That big bitch was quick.
The Direct injection LT-1 will ALWAYS make 7% to 10% more torque. Because the same engine that has Port injection, has fuel in the Airstream. Air & Fuel have to enter the cylinder through the valve opening. Fuel displacement in the Airstream is 7% to 10%.
That is WHY a propane or natural gas fueled engine is 7% to 10% down on torque, compared to the same engine on gasoline.
For example, a 300 cfm head will flow 270 cfm air & 30 cfm of fuel.
Direct inject engine using the the same 300 cfm head, will flow 300 cfm of air & inject the fuel After the intake valve has closed.
The modern one has the higher power at a higher RPM, but is leaner and cleaner on fuel and has stock GM parts availability.
Sorry about the book I wrote but I had to give you this info. Kevin
I have a 1993 z28 with an LT1, delarship replaced 40k ago. I want to boost it, but it looks Iike I'm stuck messing with tuner cats since holley's FAST efi doesn't support omnispark.
Would love to see a bolt on gen v lt1 vs stock ls7. What's crazy is I think the modern lt1 with a few bolt on will out perform a stock ls7
I'd love to throw a gen v LT1 into my car... That thing is a monster
Corvette lt1s had 4 bolt mains ,cameros had 2 bolt mains .
Bet if 2017 lt1 was destroked to 350/5.7 still crank out gobbs of hp/tq over 95 & 70 versions. Thanks Richard
purpose built all of them
Your Dyno Doesnt show 2300 extra pounds more load on modern Touring class car
meaning vettes and 5th Gen Camaros
vs 3440 4th gen Camaro or 1LE 3100 pound track car T1 sedan pony class
at almost twice the weight to beat little camaro at 400 pounds tork
going to need 700 pounds of tork to beat them
And they havent cammed or any thing yet lol
big touring car 12 sec quarter little camaro modded easy 11-9-6 sec Grubworm
And LS1 maxed is 7 second Car
the dyno measures hp-not weight
Loved the comparison especially since we just acquired a clean 1995 Impala SS.
Miss my DCM 95 SS! I was always under the impression that the iron heads on the B Body LT1s flowed better than the aluminum on F Body’s.
The difference was the Corvette had a Rams Head exhaust manifold and the Camaro had a regular exhaust manifold
Looking forward to some Gen V LT1 work.
I'd like to see a power comparison between DISI, PFI, and high upstream TBI or PFI to show the advantages of charge cooling. All with the same block, manifold shape, and cam.
I have that shirt! The back says, "Never judge an engine by it's size" 😄
Certainly not a highly modded twin turbo Coyote!!
Like John Holmes said" There is no replacement for displacement"
In 1970 -The 1970 LT-1 Engine in Corvette. Had bigger inch exhaust pipes ,and had 2- Signal Mufflers. In the 1970 Camaro Z-28 LT-1. Exhaust pipes smaller. And the Exhaust went into 1- Muffler,. That was than 360 HP And out tail pipes. That add back pressure, cut down the Horsepower. I have a 1970 Chevy Camaro Z-28. I changed too- two and a half inch round Exhaust Pipes. And Two Mufflers. That put Horsepower up to 370 Horsepower
My favorite Muscle car SBC-but those motors never made 370 hp through stock manifolds-even with your exhaust mod-I built one and tested it
I have a LT1 you can borrow. It has literally been sitting for 15 years.
It came from a caprice police car that was converted to propane with 300k miles.
I had the machine shop bore it with new pistons and refreshed everything else. I would like to see it operational again. We have since moved to LS swaps and never used it. Not sure how I can get it to you but maybe there is a way. I’m in Colorado.
Even if same displacement it would still make more power. They're all great engines. It's amazing to see how far they have came. Even the first Lt1 was amazing.
What about l98 compared to earlier 350 Chevys muscle, ? Not lt1s .
Only because I don't have lt1 have l98 but back in the day my buddies were using 350 cheavy not lt1s , not sure if I am making sense? As back in the day I was a Ford guy with 302s , just learning my love for Chevys now. Lol
i have plenty of tpi l98 vids up too
It’s interesting how much torque the Gen 2 LT1 had considering the very short intake runners. It must have really been held back with its camshaft. A huge cam to match the intake runner could really make that little engine shine . It’s too bad cam swaps weren’t popular during the Gen 2 heyday
I had a 93z28 that I put Llyod Elliot ported heads, ported intake, 58mm dual blade throttle body, bigger injectors (cant remember how big), aftermarket billet optispark (called a dynaspark), a large rowdy cam that was recommended by Llyod. Longtubes, true duals etc... It went from a good running, fun car, to an absolute MONSTER for an N/A 350 cube small block. Just how it would have run on the track, I dont know. But it certainly had no troubles with any ls1 it crossed back then. Admittedly, heavily modded ls1 cars were few and far between at that point, but it's a good point of reference. Ls's start at an advantage, but the LT1 was certainly no slouch.
In my 30th Z/28 Im putting in a set of LE2 ported stock heads, a custom grind cam, Le ported stock intake with all the best bolt ons, racetronix fuel pump, 36lb injectors 24x, hptuners etc etc too much to list but I should be around 420 whp mark give or take. That's my goal at least. She should scream well!😎 stock bottom still, at ~70k miles. Ive had the car since August 2010.
I had two different friends both try the 30 30 duntov cams in there 1970s LT1s they both pulled them immediately because of the power loss. I believe Chevrolet knew that do to the faster piston speed and head flow limits they needed a different cam then the 302/327s. It would make an interesting using a 1970 LT1 and both cams as my information is seat of the pants and loss of car lengths in a drag race.
THE DUNTOV CAM SHOULD MAKE MORE THAT THE LT1 CAM-EVEN IN THE LT1
I'd like to know what the horsepower of the old 350/350 and the 350/370 LT-1 would be using our current net rating as used by manufacturers presently.
please see the video where I tested all of them
The newer versions should not only make more power but get better fuel economy as well as lower emissions. Thermal efficiency, cylinder head design and variable cam timing, all adds up in practical use.
My mildy modded 5.3 LSX engine swap made 390 rwhp. Technology wins.
I'm not sure about this guy. His presentation is good, His content leaves much to be desired. If the engines did not have the same cubic inch displacement, there was no comparison. A 1970 400 small bock chevy engine, would be a more fitting comparison to the 6.2. He also left out of the comparison the materials used to construct the engines. The early 4 bolt main engines were constructed of Canadian steel, They could be rebuilt over and over. The later engines are more prone to be scrapped after the second rebuild. Why would I invest my hard-earned money into a later model engine? He left out the part about overheating. The Gen one engines could handle being overheated because of the materials used to construct the block and heads. The gen three engines are mostly made of recycled aluminum and recycled pot metal. Meaning if you run that Gen three motor hot. You might as well throw it away.
maybe you missed the point of the comparison
Before me, the comments were 283😊my favorite gen 1 small block
Can anyone answer this question?
My 2017 camaro ss has the new LT1 which chevy says is rated at 455hp.
But here in vid its shown it to be 518...whats the deal?
different test methods
Wasn't there a 4.8 or something lt1 cast heads in the caprice and Impala ss
it was actually a 4.3L which had iron heads and the 5.7L LT1s in the Caprice/Road Master had iron heads as well
Reverse flow opti spark plastic parts garbage
I would like to see you do a Gen 2 Stroker.
If your looking for early '90 LT1's, don't forget GM also put them in Buicks. I drive a 1993 Buick Roadmaster station wagon, all OEM and that car flies. Recently at a stoplight, next to a 2007 Mustang revving his engine I floored it. My wagon, loaded with tools in the back at the time, beat the Mustang to the next light, about a quarter mile.
I've found quite a few in Buicks and full size caprice in junkyards
Ever done anything on the Lotus designed DOHC Chevy V8 (LT5?) wondering what they can do compared to the usual pushrod motors?
That doesn't count as a Chevy. But it'll put down good numbers. They were rated at 375-405 net hp and had a variable intake.
How much of the difference between the Gen1 and Gen2 power difference is due to the roller cam and valve train?
Hey thanks Rich I would like to see more GEN II LT stuff intake manifold, throttle bodies, cylinder heads, cam shafts
I know you have mentioned you've ran a fast controller on one. I would like to know more about that.
I've owned a few of these cars never had an issue with the opti spark. had well over 100,000 miles on one that had
two water pumps puke on it still never failed. I've only changed cap and rotor, maybe I,m lucky. Only issue I see is
RPM range I don't really take em past 6000.
Anyway I appreciate all of your work...Keep testin I keep watchin