OK guys, I'm trying to figure out what kind of motor to put in my '82 Camaro so I'm going to let the LT1 guys and the LS1 guys duke it out. SO, I'm looking for power numbers here... or track times, whatever you've got, and let me know if it's an LT or an LS, plus what mods you've got.... I'm really torn here, so help me out guys!

 

What do you wish to accomplish is the base question. Are you looking for a used motor or new/rebuilt?

 

go lt1 man they put down better torqe numbers and thats a good start for a heavy 3 gen ya know !!!

 

I'm going to buy a used motor and then rebuild it. I'm actually going to buy a used one and pop it into my truck as well, so whatever gets decided here for the Camaro is going to go into my truck as well, only stock.
The Camaro is going to get a forged bottom end as it'll be a weekend driver with some drag racing every once in a while, and I'm shooting for as much power as I can possibly get on motor, no bottle or blower, etc. Alih tell me that the fastest LT1 puts down 790 rwhp but I'm looking for something like 550+ rwhp that is actually capable of going on the street. If it matters, the plan is to put a T56 tranny in it.

 

If money is not an issue then either motor will do just fine! Both can get you to the 550hp goal you're looking for.

 

Well, 550+ rwhp. Here's what I'm thinking at the moment... from the look of it, the LT1 is going to be cheaper, so I can pop it into my truck with an LT4 intake and a mild cam. For the Camaro, I'll shoot for a super street LS1... This is just what I'm thinking right now, so still looking for input... In this area the LT1 motor is about $400-$500 cheaper than the LS1, and it should be easier to fit into my truck as well.... By the time I do the Camaro, I'll have more funds and can afford more stuff for it. Whatcha guys think?

 

Gah, screw it, the LS has more potential I'm gonna pop a stock LS1 maybe with an LS2 intake in my truck and go from there... $1900 for low-mileage motor, wiring/ECU, and the 4L60E transmission, then just need a little jimmying to fit it in.... I'm gonna do that, I want the unlimited capability of an LSx.[8D]

 

you can get a lt1 complete with trans computer and wiring harness for 1500, an lsx is going to be a bit more, youre lookin at atleast 3k for the engine alone

 

Actually, I called several places around here and I can get the tranny, motor, wiring, ECU, and exhaust manifold for $2000. $2250 if I want it with a manual tranny. BUT, the LT1 is still cheaper... and I need to get things moving so I may just go LT1 in my truck for right now and pop my truck's 350 cratewith a 700r4 in the Camaro as soon as I get the other motor in my truck. A cam change to the LT1 and mebbe porting the intake manifold will give me enough to be happy with in my truck...

 

That is actually a common mis-conception, and 3rd gens are not heavy, in fact they are a tad lighter than a 4th gen.