THE OTHER LT1-AWESOME & UNAPPRECIATED

[@ericvervalin4131]

Please keep this LT-1 stuff up. Nobody showcases these amazing motors

[@waceyzilth716]

Got a lt1 Camaro still strong

[@armandovicario7977]

Right its due to the fact that pride gets in the way instead of the 2jz swap on my bmw i am going to maybe due this om my bmw. Lt1 is iron block as well and pushes good enough to do the job.

[@ericvervalin4131]

@Jack Russelle Lewis nobody asked👍🏼

[@ThatNofbody]

@Jack Russelle Lewis not really lol ls block can’t take nearly as much boost as the iron block in the lt1 iron over aluminum any day

[@bobbyhunt5795]

I have 1993 trans am 6sp 4.11s it's a torque monster

[@nedaCFilms]

The LT1 F-bodies ruled the mid-‘90s. 300hp and 6-speed from the factory was a game changer in 1993-97

[@davidrose3218]

Owned 3 of them use to race on weekends outran a lot of mustangs

[@clarksgarageofbadhabits6803]

And the power output capabilities nowadays are crazy

[@eatmysalt291]

I just got a 94 z28 a couple months ago. It’s an auto, but even then, 0-60 is in the 5’s. I need to put some street slicks on it for more traction cause even with c4 wheels, I’m spinning from the dig through 30-40ish mph

[@C4VETTELT1]

The LT1 Fbodies didn't make 300hp that was the corvette. The Fbodies had either 275hp or 285hp. The 96-97 SS had 305 I believe but those are pretty rare! Then in 97 SLP slapped the LT4 is about 500 97 SS camaros and they were rated from the factory at 330 but they were more like 350-360 hp! The 97SS LT4 was actually a tick or two faster than the LS1 C5 in 97.

[@C4VETTELT1]

​​@@eatmysalt291 be careful! The 7 1/2 inch 10 blot rear-end is the absolute weakpiont of those cars! Too much traction will destroy the rear-end! And if you are spinning through 30mph with C4 wheels that thing is FAR from stock!! I had a modified 95Z28 did mid 13s in the quarter and if I wasn't power braking then it flat WOULDN'T spin off the line it would just hook and book!! You probably have VERY old tires on because it shouldn't be spinning the tires like that!!

[@petercook3143]

I worked at Flint V8 engine plant where these engines were made. The corvettes have a Forged Crankshaft, 4 bolt mains, and a different casting on the heads. When the engines are test fired(without a car) on a stand, they are run on Natural Gas, no gasoline in the plant. When they get in a hurry they fire them without exhaust hooked up, very loud inside a building. Then they get loaded onto a rail car and shipped to Bowling Green. Sometimes when there is a deficiency, a few get loaded onto an Airplane across the street, maybe 20 of them, and flown to a plant to keep the line running.

[@alonzahanks1182]

What do you know about 561 heads

[@monopython8487]

I just bought a 1993 corvette.. 6 speed.. in 2023 and it still get a huge smile. This is FUN! I CANT WAIT to slapp on some bolt one performance let alone do some machine work😊

[@coreysharp9794]

Hell yeah. I have a 93 camaro, it came with some bolt ons. Tons of fun and good power for a 30 year old car!

[@alonzahanks1182]

@@coreysharp9794 LT1 s Rock in any year

[@MrEyad1990]

please do more LT1 stuff , and would love to see it in action not just pics .

[@romero.4089]

Agree

[@VicMcLov1n]

Yes, more LT1

[@nicotoscani8270]

More LT1!!!!

[@jcnpresser]

Lt1’s are pretty quick, look at the “grub worm” !!

[@richardholdener1727]

I'm familiar

[@hoost3056]

Yeah, Grubb Worm recently ran a 7.28 @ 196 mph.....small tire, stick...flying👍

[@thegrumpyoldmillennial328]

Ya grub worm is kinda my hero. Run what you got lol. An lt1 with upgraded engine management and boost is a pretty straightforward way to have fun

[@viciousrap700]

Jonathan has it together with the Grubbworm! Block filled, methanol, destroked and a solid roller, ported LT4 Heads and intake, etc etc. It makes over 1400 rear wheel, not typical but they car has helped breathe new life into the LTX!

[@WLAs_Finest3x]

One thing I absolutely loved about the LT1 engine was the sound on the 1996-97 Camaro SS. That factory exhaust that came on that car made it sound so aggressive and heavy with a deep hollow growl. It sounded better than the 80 series Flowmaster that was specifically designed that 4th gen Camaro/Trans Am, but that LT1 engine sounded way better than the LS1 engine. If I had a 3rd or 4th gen Camaro, I would keep the LT1 engine in the 4th gen, and drop an LT1 or LT4 in the 3rd gen.

[@nedaCFilms]

Back in the early ‘90s the LT1 was a huge deal. 300hp, a 6-speed tranny and 3.42 gears from the factory was just amazing back then. My old ‘94 Z28 just pulled up top forever lol. Loved that car.

[@ttuggle31]

Your my favorite channel

[@nedaCFilms]

@@ttuggle31 ❤️

[@zTheBigFishz]

I have a LT1 in my 93 C4. 383, 24x reluctor based ignition, holley hp ecu, true sequential fuel injection,07-503-8 camshaft, Comp Cams 224 230, forged h beam rods, wiseco forged pistons, AFR heads, 11.5 - 1 comp, etc. On pump gas (93) is made 425whp, 434 wftlb with 365 wftlb from 2k to 6.5k. I love it. Very snappy throttle response. Built for track, autoX, and street.

[@Texas_Cruiser]

Nice ride. What color and wheels?

[@JoshGk-k9s]

My plans for my black coupe 93

[@mattcossel29]

I'm still playing with gen 2 engines, they really are overlooked and underappreciated by the masses. I would love to see some big bang stuff done with one! Keep up the phenomenal work Richard.

[@Emilthehun]

I love my lt1. Got a small cam , 1.6 rockers , long tubes , and a tune. Been a great car for 14 years

[@danielrodriguez0481]

When you put those 1.6 rockers, did you have to change your knock sensor?

[@stephenmueller2005]

My 96 LT4 put down 324 with 50k at the dyno ran a 12.8 on street tires. It out runs my brothers 98 ls1 vette. Love the LT they don't get the love they should.

[@michaelallen2501]

The LT1 community would love to see you attack this with aftermarket heads and a bigger cam. A big bang version wouldn't hurt either lol. Say, Trickflow heads, Tick Performance cam, Edelbrock "LT4" intake. Hell, a 12.5:1 383 short block would be nice to see too. These engines are pretty hated on.

[@lb9gta307]

@MajorLeague the LT style intake was the TPIS Miniram

[@greasemonkeygarage1896]

*cam motion cam *tick performance cam*comp cam * and the gmpp cam*

[@wjrneo2]

How about the popular AI heads/cam or Lloyd Elliot packages. There are big gains to be had up top.

[@ShyaMiss]

@@wjrneo2 I had an lt1 with the full LE3 setup, to include all his recommended mods. That car was incredibly fun.

[@juniorlemke5484]

My LT1 is punched to 383 stroker, comp cam, ported heads, bigger valves, hooker long tubes and catless off road y pipe. I bet it's faster than my 2018 Camaro ss.

[@thekingscene]

Back in the early 2000s I had a mint white 1997 WS6 that had this engine. I put on a set of LT-4 heads and the red LT-4 intake off a grand sport Corvette. Comp 306 cam, dual 58mm throttle body, MSD 6AL, and jet hot long tubes, x-pipe, bullet mufflers and dumps right before the rear axle. It made 446 whp and was without doubt the best sounding car I've ever owned. I wish I knew where that car is today. I sold it back in 2008 to a woman in Missouri. She bought it for her husband who was in Iraq at the time. I cant imagine how thrilled he was when he got home and saw it in his garage.

[@harleyguyinmilw]

we need more upgrades on this generation LT-1, I love my LT-1 6spd corvette, but would like more, much more!

[@eastoakland-S65feen]

U can do a 383 or 396 stroker LT4 hotcam kits. They sound amazing

[@kdsboosted4954]

Boost

[@sergiocarmonajr7127]

@@eastoakland-S65feen hot cam is way too small for a383

[@christophersmithsonian3350]

My 94 Caddilac Fleetwood 22ft limo came with TheLT1 I loved drifting that limo in the Rain🧐

[@brandonpanozzo86]

Anybody who doubts the lt1 look up the grub worm by tick performance you are the man richard

[@buriedinsanity9812]

LT4 heads come with .100 raised intake ports, also 2.00 int valves compared to 1.94 on the LT1..The LT4 Manifold is also has raised ports to accommodate the taller ports..The LT1 and LT4 cams are very similar except the LT4 comes with 1.6 roller rockers that gives it an additional .30 valve lift plus a little less valve train friction. The LT4 came with 10:8:1 compression as to 10:5:1 for the LT1, this was achieved by having only 2 valve reliefs on the pistons as to 4 on the LT1. Also the LT4 came with larger #28 injectors.the LT1 came with #24 injectors.These were the major differences between the two for the performance differences ..There were other improvements as well.The LT4 had 4 bolt mains while the LT1 had 2 bolt mains.The LT4 also had a less sensitive knock sensor allowing for more timing to remain in the tune during a knock detection. The LT4 knock sensor module inside the ECU is a good mod to add to your modded LT1 engine.Your tuner will thank you...lol

[@tenorhowlermonkey3454]

Only thing I did not like was when the water pump went out, it took out the Opti Spark distributor with it and was very costly. Otherwise coupled with that awsome 6 speed, made a boring trip to work an exciting one.

[@prestonedmonds4128]

I had on for 11 years. An aftermarket company started making a bolt on shield for that problem. It basically let antifreeze/water go around the optispark. It was cheap insurance.

[@ikaros21]

Easy fix. You can tap a rubber house with a small metal brass fitting into the weep hole and routed it away from the opti. Just $15 dollars and no more headache!

[@Outsider25E]

Same thing happened to my ‘96 Fleetwood. Never ran right again after that.

[@zachkuby87]

Same thing my 96 caprice was amazing till that wp went out n took the optispark with it. First time i fixed it everything went perfect. Ran amazing all summer. Come winter. Engine wouldn't get warm enough to run the heat. Vented 100x couldn't get it sorted. Gave the car away lol

[@aaronturner5437]

A little silicone around the opti cap fixes that problem for good!

[@darrinjones5951]

The Lt1 is a Monster! I had a 96 SS Clone Ported Heads 1.6RR Long Tube Headers and 3 inch Exhaust And some weight reduction. Never lost a Race with that Car

[@alonzahanks1182]

Me too

[@saltybastard9037]

Also, the LT1 heads and intake can use some mild porting with a Dremel. Just cleaning up the castings and smoothing out the the runner angles made a difference up in the higher RPMs.

[@TTGTO288]

A Dremel??!!?? Who are you kidding? You cannot port heads and intakes with a Dremel and do a good job ... come back to reality, dummy.

[@jamescaban7710]

Richard you are my hero you do all the best tests most thorough (sort of lol) love all your tests and your daily updates keep up the good work brother...

[@richardholdener1727]

Thanks, will do!

[@xmo552]

@@richardholdener1727 I'd like to see some boosted LT1 stuff of this generation like the alum head version or iron version so I could compare to your boosted TPI video.

[@johnfranklin5277]

I'm the original owner of a 94 Trans Am. I have 337.000 miles on my stock engine, never been touched, even the timing chain is original. Still runs like new, and still quick. Uses no oil either.

[@hoost3056]

What kind of oil do you use?

[@johnfranklin5277]

Castrol GTX.

[@MafiaboysWorld]

The good old LT1 can get down into the low 7s now with a T-56 manual gearbox. 👍

[@HioSSilver1999]

Grubworm ftw!

[@juniorlemke5484]

Tremec 6-speed in my LT1 project...best trans.

[@HioSSilver1999]

@@juniorlemke5484 my t56 in my Camaro is faceplated. Works great like that.

[@stevengrissom7142]

Yes that is crazy how fast they are with that combo

[@jeffdaily9196]

LOL

[@gettin_while_growin1512]

Just bought my parents 97 z28 with 56,000 miles.I can't wait to get it going.These engines deserve more credit. Bowties for life 💯

[@chinoperez422]

Corvette lt1 4maun bolt camaro 2 main bolt. Nice to see someone bring up the lt1 since they are solid engines with good power and have been forgotten by a few people

[@shannonmedley4058]

Raced a lot of lt1 combos over the yrs. Very under rated. An electric water pump helps . a little more cam than the one in the test with better springs will also make good gains.

[@mikehill7951]

at the drag strip I would remove the thermpstat, run the pump contiuously to maintain a lower temp which made my Impala very consistant.

[@300mag83]

I had an lt1 back in the day when I was in high school it was in a firebird formula 1994 model. It really had pretty good power for the day and used it well. In stock form other than k and n air filter and flow master exhaust it was running in the high 13s at the drag strip. That was an auto car with a 4l60e and 2:73 gears. The reliability was not great as in it did not always perform well it often would have a problem but when it worked I was one of the fastest high school kids around.

[@daviddavids3468]

I PICKED UP A 95 FORMULA FIREBIRD , HAS COLD AIR INTAKE , PERFORMANCE EXHAUST RAN 13.7 IN THE 1/4. PUT ON A 100 SHOT NITROUS , GOT DOWN TO 12.5 IN THE 1/4. WENT UP TO A 125 SHOT , THEN TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING FROM 2ND TO 3RD ! SHOULD STAYED AT 100 NITROUS !

[@realdeathpony]

Your fathers car sounds nice.

[@adamcramer6009]

Yes, definitely more LT1! This engine was in my first “fast” car. It was a 95 Camaro and I freaking loved it!

[@mikehawk6563]

Cool, my first "fast" car was a 96 TA 6 speed, allegedly with an LT4 engine. She was fun, more of a stunt car than a drag race car as it would always spin crazy bad. Gears 1-3 were near uncontrollable and that's the way I like it.

[@ALWhiteAuthor]

That super ram was a monster on the street. You were the king of the stop lights on Telegraph Rd. on a Friday night. You may not be familiar with that one, Richard. It's in America just outside of Detroit, Michigan. Yes... that was a jab at California.

[@richardholdener1727]

Hot Rodding originated in California-Detroit followed

[@zr1888]

When he said forgotten warrior a tear fell🤣

[@BHZ55]

Lol SALUTE

[@cleric670]

I'd definitely be interested to see what happens with better springs. Didn't really feel like a fair fight at the top end at all.

[@thadschaeffer2563]

The 1992 ~ 1997 LT 1 engine was essentially the same except for slightly different intake and exhaust duration. Also valve lift was a little different. They were used in Y body, F body and B body. Some engines had cast iron head vs. aluminum. The Corvettes had 4 bolt main caps. Some say the iron heads flowed better due to a later production date. In 94 they went to Sequential Fuel Injection from batch fire injection. The early cams drove the optispark by a spline. The later units were driven by a .620" cam pin. The later production optisparks were better vented for condensation.

[@erebus6062]

Thanks for doing this!!!! I'd love if you did more LT1 stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@notfried2004]

GM also put the LT1 in some Firebirds, Caprices and Impalas, and the last couple years of Buick Roadmasters.

[@cruzinezy1968]

Russell Loyd welded up a Schweitzer turbo in a 9C1 Caprice. The shits and grins in a beat up old boosted black cop car were epic. These engines respond well to boost. It was perfect with the factory 3.08 gear.

[@brettlong51]

B body LT1 had cast head an different top end was built for more torque an less horse for the heavier b bodys

[@LSswapGarage1]

The B Body LT1 is basically the Vortec 350 used in the 96 and newer trucks with a better intake. Obviously the LT1 is reverse coolant flow, cam driven water pump, optispark and the Vortec is a Gen 1 but that's not how I mean. The iron LT1 cylinder head is very close to the specs of the Vortec heads and the cam used in the B body is actually the cam they used in the Vortec 305 and 350 lol. I have owned both... perform pretty similar.

[@funfun8095]

@@davecarakasavage919 That's not an LT1. Didn't come out until the '92 Corvette.

[@keithjimison7163]

@@davecarakasavage919 the LT1 wasn't put in a firebird/camaro until 1993. So if you have one in a 91 it wasn't factory.

[@angelof9431]

Seems we forgot about the LT1 in the B-body. The Impala SS was no joke in it's day. That motor (punched out to 396) w/ mild port LT4 heads and intake, a CC "306"/1.6 RR, LT headers, exhaust and a ram air intake would lay down 400WHP. (What the current GenV LT-1 is rated at). That motor w/ a t56 and 4.10's in a Impala SS body hurt a lot of peoples' feelings. Z06 vettes, Cobra and Saleen Mustangs. All victims and never seen it coming...

[@claburn123]

Just swapped for a complete lt1 drivetrain yesterday. Talk about good timing 👍

[@maginnis5734]

claburn123 I had to put a 96 z28 complete drive train in my 93 z28

[@destinswiger7568]

Let's see the 4.3 as well! I'd love to see tests on all of the odd ball small displacement v8s. How about a 307 or 301? Maybe do some v6s as well, 3.8 ford and buick, 3.9 dodge or maybe even a slant 6? Let's see some weird and unloved engines!

[@lucasmullins5100]

I have a Iron headed LT1 in a 1951 Bel Air things runs good and I'd love to see a big bang with this Motor.

[@613Builds]

i put one with iron heads into my 87 firebird a few years ago. i love that engine after doing the GMPerformance conversion 4barrel intake

[@brucemacdougall7501]

Built my 93 Z28 to a 383 stroker, stock block, Forged crank, Keith Black flat top pistons/rods, CC503 cam, LT4 intake plenum, hooker long tubes, Billet twin 58mm throttle body, bigger oil pump and upgraded injectors, stock heads ported/polished with bee-hive springs and valve-job. Made close to 600 rwtrq on 93 octane and got 28mpg (6-speed) at 11:1 comp/ratio. The biggest difference between vette and f-body is the vette gets a 4-bolt main, 2-bolt for the f-body.

[@randydickerson4600]

I am 68 and am the original owner on a 57k mile '97 Firebird Formula WS6, non-T top with the LT1 and 6 speed. I just subscribed and am very excited about following along on ANY future videos on the LT1! My "other" driver car is my '70 Boss 302 Mustang that I have owned for 46 years...... p.s. nearly everyone is telling me to pull the "boat anchor" LT1 out and put an LS in it to go fast. Thanks for inspiring HOPE!

[@TPVPRO]

I believe the Vet LT1 had a 4 bolt main and Camaro 2 bolt. But I will take a 2 bolt over a 4 because you can splay it.

[@8bert9]

I have owned 2 z28 LT-1 6 speeds. I still have one. Thanks for putting this up! I am impressed at the big torque boost from the Accel Super Ram ! I would love to see some "big bang" on one! Peace

[@Shane-Singleton]

I had a 97 camaro with ported stock heads and intake 1.6 rockers, and a 230/236 .510/.520 .112lsa cam that put down 370rwhp through a 6-spd. Full AC, power everything, regular water pump, etc. through Mac mid length headers, off road y-pipe, and a Borla catback. I daily drove that car for YEARS and it was still running strong without a millisecond worth of trouble the day I sold it. The motor had over 140k on it and over 50k of that was post mods. It was a great reliable fun car. I miss it often even though my current daily is rolling a lot more power.

[@1kings1918]

I loved my LT1 Buick Roadmaster S/W. It responded well to small mods, but I also had valve float issues with the stock cam. Of course I had over 200k miles on her.

[@teddyhart2079]

Have a lt1 in my 72 nova fully built forged pistons, comp camp, harden rods, roller rockers, port match intake to heads also went with the conversion intake so distributor is in back with electronic water pump and just added a holly sniper Efi. Im very impressed with it!

[@summerwinecoff3846]

Seeing this in lt4 form with lt4 cam and ported heads would be cool see the real power difference from factory

[@bluenecross]

I used to have an M6 97 Z28 Camaro Anniversary edition. They came with the same interior as the LS1 cars but still had the LT1. The broad flat torque curve made it so much fun to drive.

[@paulmahon1613]

Unappreciated because of the fear of the optispark. I had one. Went through 4 in three months. Can't complain at all about the performance of the LT1. You can roast the tires on 87 octane because of the cooler heads. Just couldn't take that damn opti.

[@indyrock8148]

I am always impressed with the results of the 'baby cam'

[@amhicks21]

all 3 of my cars have lt1's so i really appreciated seeing this. tons of good info. great job!

[@Outsider25E]

For a few years, my daily driver was a ‘96 Cadillac Fleetwood with an LT1 and a 4L60E. Only mod was dual Flowmaster 40 mufflers, and 22” chrome tips replacing the resonator chambers. Impressive power for a 5,000 lb car, even with 2.93 gears and would get 23 mpg. If you could avoid hitting the rev limiter, it would do INSANE sideways burnouts off the line. Ruined many a weekend for the local hot rod C10 guys. Only got rid of it because it started having computer problems and I didn’t have time to chase them. Might get another pre-96 and build a hot small block for it. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Texas_Cruiser]

I love those. Got a 96 Impala myself but always wanted a Fleetwood. I recently saw a 96 with 60k miles for $6500. Hurt I couldn't get it. Never knew the gears were 2.93. Wonderful highway cruiser.

[@madhatterz28]

Thanks for doing this! I'd like to see you revisit this with a Miniram, some different cams, and good valve springs. No one has done back to back dynos with stock and 52/58/monoblade throttle bodies. No 4.3 please!

[@richardholdener1727]

don't be hattin on the 4.3L

[@chrishouston1406]

Lingenfelter had that mini ram running mid 11s in a Vette they called snakeskinner to beat the Viper

[@mermaiddreams83]

Yes on the throttle body testing, so many different opinions on the different sizes especially the twin 58mm!! But no dyno proof from anyone that I can find, that would definitely be a home run test for all of the LT1 fans you have just gained!!!!

[@jeronronnunkoffunk4691]

Man great video showcasing the old 2 nd gen LT1, this reminds so much of highschool days when the Fbirds and Camaros and SS impalas were hot and it’s reminiscent of my college days working at the Pontiac dealership as a porter in late 90’s, I once had the pleasure of handing a rare brand new 97’ Fire hawk . I do remember reading and noticing when the LS1 was introduced in the F bodies in 98’ the LT1s from 96’/97’ were said to seemingly have a slight bit more “seat of the pants “ feel and more grunt off the line! But this good infor to know and play around with, I’ve been eyeballing an old LT1 94’ firebird to buy since everyone is ignoring it , and I guess understandably so in this world of wonderful rt hemi’s , Scat packs hellcats , current GM muscle and ford muscle cars/truck. Anyhow this in for is great work much appreciated!👍🏽👍🏽🔥🔥

[@LD9user]

I'd like to see something basic with the LT1. Like a ported intake, 3 angle valve job and mild porting. And springs, of course. Stuff the average builder might do.

[@Hector55Munoz]

About 440hp for those with a small 218cam

[@danielrodriguez0481]

@@Hector55Munoz Quick question, have the valve job(2.06/1.60) ported and intake too....if going with a 218cam do I need to tume?

[@Hector55Munoz]

@@danielrodriguez0481Which port job did you go with tho? The bigger cam is better especially for having the valves. But my LT1 is a 4 bolt main and it'll be spinning around 6500 rpm with the bigger cam. About 6200 with the 218. The bottom end can't handle more at stock 4 bolt.

[@Hector55Munoz]

@@danielrodriguez0481 but yes, you won't make those over 400 numbers without a tune

[@larenzowesley30]

@@Hector55Munoz how can i get 400 to the wheel im starting 96 ss lt1 motor goin to rebuild it got some afr heads so far

[@downhillskier7]

First fuel injection makes larger TPI intake that out performs Accel Super Ram Intake for 355 cu in sbc, for 383 with 3/4 primary headers port the first fuel injection intake

[@stuartcookie133]

Replaced my opti-spark so many times that I could do it in only 4.5 hours! Opti-spark was the reason I junked my Caprice.

[@mxguy2438]

I drove my LT1 car for about 6 years... Never a single issue with the optispark, even when the water pump failed. Had multiple issues with the Ignition Control Module though.

[@blackericdenice]

@@mxguy2438 He just repeating what he read on a forum.

[@666BloodEagle]

@@blackericdenice im still on my stock opti! 94 caprice flp long tubes, 2800 stall, 373gears with eaton posi, 2 stages NX using a sx2 fogger. i got a wally and a track championship... you can get coilpacks 24x

[@michaelmerrit9253]

@@mxguy2438 Ive had my formula for 20 years. No optispark problems. i think most "optispark failures" are caused by ignition module related issues. I replaced a few ignition modules before i figured out the ignition module's connectors wires were bad.

[@DanielChristiansen]

Thank you for doing stuff with the LT1, please keep going. springs and aftermarket heads would be really interesting! Thanks again!

[@goldenmanuever1176]

I bought an LT1 Camaro new back in the early 1990's. With the exception of the non-vented Optispark failing at 68K, mine was a smooth running, reliable unit. Crushing low-end torque.

[@martinez1701a]

My cousin had a 95 camaro he got rid of because of the optispark problems I was pissed told him he should have gave it to me I would have thown on a MSD that uses a cap and rotor (he didnt know about the MSD)

[@ThatGuy-xd5fs]

the optispark issues are usually a maintenance issue - the later model solved the issues using vacuum hoses- very easy to update on the older model ones - also if run the msd and the ac delco and found the ac delco to run best - but they all run well just make sure its done correctly, like the valve clearance or anything else

[@paulpollack9262]

Would love to see one of these with a carb, intake and conventional distributor swap.

[@PhysifistEngineering]

You can't do that.

[@tokyodrift62]

Yes you can

[@gordocarbo]

@@PhysifistEngineering Sure can. Those intakes are all but impossible to find these days and $$$ if you do

[@PhysifistEngineering]

​@@gordocarbo exactly

[@ttank1994]

Richard Holdener I have a 355 LT1 with ported, stock casting heads which flow about 290 CFM intake and 200 CFM exhaust. It's at 11.6:1 compression, cam is a 228, 234 dur, .614/.614 lft, 108 LSA It's got 430 RWHP, (im sure its a recipe for 500 NA hp on an engine dyno) It's breathing through a stock intake manifold and a 58mm TB. I would love to see some testing with a similar configuration, I know I'm dreaming but would love to see more testing on the LT1 in general. Lots of enthusiasts out there that like to be different and not just "LS swap it".

[@fmanion24]

I haven't watched this yet, but I have dealt with all the opti-sparks I care to. But I did enjoy my 1993 z28 lt1.

[@hoost3056]

There's a company that makes an LS style ignition system conversion that gets rid of the Opti. Pick up a lot of power with it because of the accuracy.

[@Ambidextriouz]

@@hoost3056 torqhead?

[@LSX_Tony]

Yes that’s the one

[@kevinjohnson9372]

@ricky bobby how did u put a dizzy n the block

[@TrakSpock1]

99% of the "supposed" optispark issues are really bad spark plug wires or negative battery grounds. When you're replacing multiple Optispark's, chances are that's not the real problem.

[@TehKneegrowplease]

awesome, just got a roller 89 firebird and bought a 96 z28 lt1/t56. Cant wait to start working on it!

[@TeamBuzzard]

I’m late to the party but if I remember right the Corvettes had a slightly different cam, slightly different tune and the biggest power difference is from the restrictive intake of the Camaro. Also Corvettes had 4 bolt mains vs 2 bolt in Camaros. Also the GM B bodies had an iron head 2 bolt LT1 as well.

[@mayngo5373]

Great job as always ! Love your tests and passion to make power...on everything ! Please do some more LT1 OR LT4 stuff :)

[@mrboz]

Great video. I had a 93 Camaro Z28 LT1. Great car lots of torque. Now I want to go to the wrecking yard and find a LT1, do a mild build. Have it as a secondary motor for my 72 Camaro SS.

[@minimanadam]

Who can over look the lt1 ????? Imo it's the best sounding chevy made

[@eastoakland-S65feen]

They do sound very good u are right👌👌

[@6digitz]

Who can over look the LT1? Tuners everywhere.

[@505racing3]

Facts !!!! I was in 8th grade I heard and seen my buddies LT1 formula race for the first time and he smoked a mustang GT/CS I feel in love with the that car and I own one now a formula too LT1 and he still has his 💪🔥#dreamcar

[@hewhoenlightens5431]

@@6digitz sadly!

[@IssaBendeck1]

@@eastoakland-S65feen hell yeah they sound liki there is a storm comming

[@the_gold_canopy]

Love my 96’ Z28. She’s a work in progress. Need more progress.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I run my LT1 on the street only, so I rarely get the RPM's up past 4500-5000. That intake would be perfect for me.

[@mikejanes6225]

Back in '68 I bought a 327 shortblock (11.25 c:r) & 2.02/1.60 heads from the local Chevy dealer. I also ordered #3927140 cam & 3927142 springs. I had the heads milled .050". From a local speed shop I ordered a Holley 950 CFM 3 barrel and an Edelbrock C3B intake. I installed a dual point distributer that had been modified to 24 crank degrees by 1800 RPM. Timed at 12 degrees initial, that was a total of 36 degrees. I put the engine in a 63 Impala along with long tube JR Headers, and a Muncie M21 with a Hurst Competition Plus shifter & 3.70:1 rear gear. Back then there were not many after market affordable heads. The carb was probably a little large for the engine, but it had vacuum secondaries so it may not have been using all the CFM the carb could make. It ran respectfully on the street and I never got it on the drag strip. Someone asked me how fast it could go, and I said I didn't know cause the speedometer only went to 120. The Muncie lasted about a year, and got torn up with a 6500 RPM powershift one night in front of the local A&W. After I sold it the guy that bought it broke the engine about 3 weeks later.

[@Fazz73jr]

Love these. Would love to see the same engine with a modern bigger cam. Then with better heads/springs, then turbos! Thanks for all the testing you do!

[@richardholdener1727]

More to come!

[@jessemurray1757]

The only differences between the F body and Corvette versions was the intake and exhaust setups. Also, the Corvette versions came with a 4 bolt main. While the later "ram air" versions may have been rated at 305 hp, which is the same as the LS1, we all know the LS1's in the F-bodies were underrated from the factory. Apples to apples the LS1 makes about 50 wheel more than the LT1. With that being said, with a good cam and ported heads the LT's make really good power, its not uncommon for them to make 400 wheel.

[@TTGTO288]

That is peanuts ... modify an LS and you'll be way ahead of an LT with room to improve.

[@TheJMan1K]

@@TTGTO288I’ve seen HCI LT1 make similar power to HCI LS1. Gotta know how to set em up and tune em. Knew a dude in college who had a 94’ LT1 6 speed with a confirmed 440whp. Ported/milled heads, healthy cam, and carb swapped. Car ran great and was decently quick. He rebuilt the T56 and did a 9 inch conversion was knocking on 10.9 when at race weight.

[@TTGTO288]

@TheJMan1K not very fast.

[@vortecturbo]

a comp 305 cam was a real popular cam back when we were building them (new) back in the day 224 230 @.050 112 plus 4 1.75 lts and a 58mm tb on stick cars. the woke up huge with port work and 2.00 intake valves with a 1.57 ex valves there was even a bigger cam we ran too which was a 230 236 on a 112 cam plus 4 ran nasty and loved the spray.

[@Thumper68]

Seems like stock springs always float on sbc around 6000 give or take. Good video.

[@27jazman]

I always appreciate the testing of the many engines and combinations. this one bothered me because the stock valve springs are weak and not designed to do what you were doing at extended rmp or even cam. I know you know this because you mention it and that is great. it just should have been addressed in the first place to see the results. ive always liked the LT1 opti engines they are cool glad you brought one out again.

[@albertgaspar627]

You addressed the exhaust issues--Roger Huntington always said the difference between a GTO and a Firebird running the same engine was the exhaust setup. I think the F body and Corvette had different intake setups? I know the Trans Am running TPI got lower ratings as a result. In the real world, I know too the Corvette had their issues getting cool air into the radiators at idle, but likely not an issue seen in the dyno room.

[@Gallivanter00]

I can never tell if anyone is looking down on me for having an LT1, old tint and mirror vibration make it difficult to tell.

[@tonywhite8162]

My man.

[@projectf025]

🤣

[@Nova-1977]

Yes I agree this was a great test , I installed that accel intake and cam with headers roller rockers in the 90s on a customers Corvette it was a killer combo at that time . I would love to see the little 4.3 as I have on in my 94 . It’s a real dog . I would love to see one make a little power . It’s so slow it’s embarrassing .

[@michaelcasey4664]

Please keep up the good work with the lt1 i have one in a 96 ss/z28/slp and love it

[@NN072288]

I got a 97 Trans am. This video makes me happy. HAHA. As far as I know the lt1 fbody vs the lt1 corvette there is no difference engine wise. All of it is external. Now the lt4 has better heads, intake and a slightly bigger cam. I mean if you want a big bang lt1 contact Johnathan with Tick and ask him about the grubb worm. HAHA

[@BustedWalletGarage]

There are two kinds of dynos , The Happy Dyno and The Dream Crusher.

[@richardholdener1727]

it says Polygraph Room above the dyno doors

[@AreaThirteenThirteen]

Dont forget the good ole "butt" dyno it never lies especially if you put a few decals on your fenders or windows!

[@codystrom8708]

My first car was a 95 camaro z28 lt1 t56.. was a ton of fun and reliable as could be with a 17yr old behind the wheel!!

[@keithlane4343]

Awesome LT-1 content. I would like to see lots more LT-1 testing. Add better valve springs, single turbo, twin turbos, pro-charger, etc? I've heard rumors the stock aluminum heads don't hold up well to nitrious oxide, or forced induction. Your thoughts? I bought my dream car a few years ago, a 1996 C4 Corvette for the very reasons you mentioned. It has the highest evolution of the original small block 350. Last of the original configuration Corvettes (engine / trans up front, IRS rearend, in the back of the car) Prior to my C4 , I had a whole bunch of 1969 Camaros. Starting from the late 1970's , I built 7 of them. When I made the change to LT-1 , C4 Corvettes, I found out my '96 was the first year to have the OBD II plug under the dash, and nobody knew how to tune them. I was warned that changing virtually anything would change a previously good running engine into a mess that would not run right again without changing it back to stock. It would be great to optimize a naturally aspirated LT-1 with new intake, throttle body, long tube headers, cam and valve springs, and document what each change made in horse power / torque gains, and what tuning changes were made, and how the tuning was accomplished. It would be great to see what these awesome classic / hi tech engines could produce. Maybe even try the Torque Head set up that eliminates the OptiSpark and makes these engines run on a one coil per cylinder set up like the LS engines, so you can use HP Tuners to tune them. Thank you for keeping up the great work, especially on the C4 LT-1 engines. Take care

[@ThebunnyBun101]

i love my 96 lt1 vette

[@keithlane4343]

Me too.

[@ken5ism]

Genius, Genius , Genius! You have actually hit on what Hot Rodders and Muscle Car Guys want to see. I had to definetly subscribe and I actually understand what you are saying and can visualize it as you narrate. 2 thumbs up!!!

[@beenjammin92chevy14]

I love my lt1 in my caprice! Easy to work on! water pump is easy to change takes less than 15 min. I don't know why everyone let's them flood their optispark but I drive the shit out of my car and she never gives me a problem... make a throttle body difference video if u can man!

[@roninkraut6873]

I have an F-body and I totally understand why people let the maintenance go on these cars. I’m a Ford guy so I’m used to a platform with zero thought put into it for maintenance but I’m sure it came as a shock to the GM faithful. There is no room in that engine bay.

[@paulmoss7940]

You my hero ...water pump in 15...wow.

[@beenjammin92chevy14]

@@paulmoss7940 it's literally 6 bolts and two hose clamps

[@beenjammin92chevy14]

@@roninkraut6873 yea I bet they are tight in the f bodies but the caprice has all the room in the world once you upgrade to the cold air intake.

[@roninkraut6873]

@@beenjammin92chevy14 They are tight and the cab over design doesn’t help either, at least on the 4th gen

[@davidramsay1055]

My 97 Trans Am has shorty headers intake high flow cats and flowmaster catback with a good torque converter and transmission with shift kit and it's plenty of power! And very reliable!

[@Jamespennington71]

I've got a 95' Buick Roadmaster Limited with 168,000 miles on it with the bone stock LT1. Lots of power for an old land yacht but it's limited to 112mph by the ECM. A friend has a 95' Camaro with the very same LT1 but HIS top speed is limited to around 150mph and feels like it launched harder when you stab the gas going for a pass. We got some dyno time and I pulled 268HP with 303 FTLbs of torque on standard pump gas. His car pulled nearly the specs on the dyno! We did an experiment and swapped swapped ECM's. Now he had mushy shifts and topped out at 112mph. My Buick shifted crisper and at a higher RPM. It was WAY too floaty for me to go much past 120mph. I think it's all in the ECM tuning with those 90's engines. I do have my eyes on an ECM from an LT1 Caprice police special that I saw on eBay.... ;)

[@panchorfo]

I would love to see a turbo setup in the LT-1, thats what I wanna do in my Roadmaster LT-1 with 24x conversion

[@bimmerman9839]

I love the Roadmaster!!! My friend had one from the Hamptons, NY and we called it the Road Monster, it was soo BIG lol!!!

[@613Builds]

my LT1 came from a 95 roadmaster wagon :) i used the GMPP 4bbl conversion intake which allows you to run HEI distributor and edelbrock carb! very slick and its a better flowing intake too. i put that into my raptor liner'd 87 firebird

[@Artcore103]

@@bimmerman9839 If you think the roadmaster was big, the Fleetwood had a 6 inch longer wheelbase and i think 9 inch longer body. That's compared to the caprice/impala and the roadmaster is the same WB idk if they added an inch or two with different bumpers and whatnot.

[@michigangreen1915]

The corvette LT1 had 4 bolt mains. The Camaro LT1 had 2 bolt mains. There may be other differences but I put a corvette LT1 in my 97 Camaro when I blew the motor. Also had LT1 hot cam and Major forged pistons to help with the nitrous. Was a fun car

[@pontiacperformance1993]

I started my lt1 with only a couple minor things and it easily made a little over 300 now it’s got a k&n intake toke the a/c out it’s got no cat a dynamax muffler a built trans a bbk underdrive pulley some moroso wires long tube headers and a hypertech tune big difference

[@eastprestonclassics3963]

Hi from the U.K. great channel great engine 👍🏻

[@lancelanphier9509]

Love this! Can you please do a big bang test on the two bolt and 4 bolt main engines.... Would like to see how much the stock bottom and will handle with a turbo

[@stephanreif8921]

Loved the test and thank you for speaking the truth of the LT1 my 95 camaro is plenty happy with her LT1 but now after seeing this I feel I need to get a super ram intake.

[@bamtoussaint754]

Can u please do more on lt1 with boost! I am a BIG LT1 guy! Help us out!

[@checolate9680]

I got an LT1 with a T56 in my Camaro 1977. When I swapped the engine was the best economical choice. I did not have the money to get a LS engine.

[@PerformanceCustomsMX]

LS rules now!

[@MafiaboysWorld]

Grubb Worm laughs in LT. 👍

[@brgable]

It is a better motor but you can still get good power out of those older LT1 motors.

[@johnclifford1911]

I would love to see you test the FIRST TPI on an L98 with the standard Corvette W32 heads, and then with a set of AFR Vortec-style heads... with and without the GM Hot Cam or a similar-spec Crane cam. I think most L98 owners (C4 or Third-Gen F-body) would love to keep a TPI look under the hood but get over 300 HP to the wheels, and be able to run a sub-4 second 0-60 running a 350. If you're still working with WestTec or another company, you should have them put together an L98 performance package with the FIRST TPI manifold, and the option of cam and/or heads, plus a tune for the L98. You could likely sell the manifold and tune for around $2K and you'd have lots of customers.

[@johnathanromano1461]

Do a buick 3800! That'd be sweet

[@snoopy5736]

Supercharged or na

[@johnathanromano1461]

Snoopy Yeah either one, heck convert it to turbo too!

[@emanuelnamseth1469]

I'd like to see a 600hp 3800. Since that what they are built to handle on stock bottom end. With counter balance shaft removed.

[@Texas_Cruiser]

Those NA had some torque for what they were. GM put it in a lot of cars. I think my buddy's Sunfire had one lol.

[@Flatlandproductionz]

@@snoopy5736 boffum 😁

[@MustangGuru]

The corvette usually got the LT4 of the day. Roller lifters. The LT4 came with a different modul in the PCM. The knock sensors are less sensitive due to the roller valve train.

[@NVzla]

I have a Fleetwood with minor mods and gears, and it'll be fine as is for a long time. I have an LT1 on the engine stand, and would like to do some porting, and shop GMPPs line of oem goods. Any experience with making these LT1s actually live and produce more power for a longer time?

[@jacobking4106]

Would love to buy a Fleetwood. Check out my roadmaster. Lt1. For 500 dollars. Can't beat it. 118k miles. Only problem I've had was the opti 😑