ernie22golf

Just looking for input on the performance setup from LT1 to LT4. Seems the torque is very close just at a higher rpm with LT4. This seems as if it would be less street happy than the LT1. Having never driven an LT4 just looking for information. I've been thinking of getting a LT4. I will test drive before I purchase but never the same as living with a car for awhile. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Aurora40

A friend of mine was recently in the market. The LT4 didn't feel all that different from the LT1 cars we test drove. However, it felt the same longer. Where the LT1 would have run out and necessitated shifting, the LT4 kept pulling a bit longer.

He's had his LT4 a few months now, and I don't think he has any issues with how "street happy" it is, other than that the street speed limits are too low!

PLRX

The LT4 is a superior motor. I have both engines and all LT4 owners would agree with me.

Note: For 1996 Corvettes, all LT4 are manual and all LT1 are automatics.

Shaf1970

Get the LT4 if you can.

CFI-EFI

Are you sure of that? Doesn't sound right to me. No 1996 manual shift LTs???

RACE ON!!!

BlkmagicC4

True

Aurora40

If you meant to say "no 1996 manual shift LT1s???", then that is true. If you opted for the 6-speed manual in 1996, you got an LT4 to boot.

And as PLRX says, the LT4 is superior. Whether the difference is enough is what a buyer needs to consider. Certainly there are a lot more LT1 cars for sale, and in a lot more conditions and prices.

STL94LT1

RollaMo-LT4

PLRX is correct
In 1996 all LT4's were manual transmission and all LT1's were automatic.

If you want an manual tranny LT1, you have to find a pre 1996 or do a tranny swap.

Richard EVO

I bought an LT4 with 130,000 on the odo 6 months ago. It was a bone stock street car that I am turning into a track-day car (road course open track/HPDE, maybe someday a club racer). It had some teething problems early on, but none of them relating to the motor (other than some leaking oil). I have a lot of that sorted out now and the motor, as old as it is, can be flogged mercilessly on the track, revving to redline in every gear, with no issues. It just keeps running.

I have never had an LT1, so I can't do a comparo for you.

Trebor

This link might help:

http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1990/vet96.htm#engine


I had my stock '96 CE LT4 on a dyno 2 weeks ago and it made 356.8 hp at the crank, 304 rwhp and 311 rwtq


I don't think a stock LT1 can do that.


trebor

Mojave

You made 304 RWHP on a Dynojet. That is much more telling than "I used some mystery conversion factor to guess my crank numbers." Besides, what good is power at the crank since only power at the ground counts.

94vettelover2

Both lt-1 & lt-4 are awesome engines.You can't go wrong with either.I have a lt-1 auto & love it.But the lt-4 is better,more rare,& you get that cool tach up to 8000 rpm & cool red intake.
Get the lt-4 if you can.I personally think its more powerful than the first year ls-1.Also the lt-4 is 2 valves per cylinder & has only one cam.

92ZR1WANNABE

My Stock 120k Mile LT1 put down 280 at the wheels , on a Dynojet , though a auto. So its really a moot point.

I would say both motors run pretty well , and are close enough in HP that it really would come down to price / condition of the car if I were in the market again.

Aurora40

As opposed to the LS1??

All Corvette engines, with only one exception, have been 2 valve per cylinder, single camshaft designs. From the Blue Flame I6, up to the supercharged LS9.

RollaMo-LT4

Same as the LT1 and every other Corvette engine except the LT5 (ZR1).

94vettelover2

Yes I personally believe the lt-4 is more powerful than the first one or two years of manufacture of ls-1s.The lt-4 was underrated.If you look up magazine articles-the 1996 & 1997 corvettes quarter-mile times are almost identical.I would prefer a lt-4 over an ls-1.I had a ls-1 z28 & was impressed with the power but having a (i think) 6700 rpm limit on a chevrolet engine(lt-4) is pretty neat.Plus having a lt-4 is rare compared to an ls-1.Both engines are great & the ls-1 does respond better to upgrades but my opinion is if you want a ls-1 powered vette you get a 1997 or newer vette.Check youtube for some lt-4 vs ls-1 videos.

rickneworleansla

I'm surprised it actually took 17 posts.

LT4BUD

From factory 6300 rpm redline, 6400 limiter

...best shift point is right at red line, 6300

Plus LT4 is a great street car...

etteroc27

Yeah Rick, generally it shows up in the first five posts.....