LS1 vs LT1
The LS1 and LT1 are two GM engines that are very popular among enthusiasts. The LS1 engine is the newer design that replaced the older LT1 engines. The main difference between the LS1 and LT1 engines is the material used in the block. LT1 engines were made out of cast iron while the LS1 engine blocks were made out of aluminum, except those made for trucks, which are still made out of cast iron for optimal strength and durability.
The change in metal used has distinct effects on how the engines perform. The LS1 engines are much lighter compared to the LT1 engines, and in vehicles, reducing the weight always relates to better performance. The aluminum block of the LS1 engine is also much better in dissipating heat compared to the cast iron block of the LT1. This lets the engine achieve a higher compression without worrying about overheating the engine due to excessive heat. Because of this and a variety of other factors, the LS1 engines produce more power than LT1 engines. The LT1 engines produced prior to the release of the LS1 engines were rated at 260 hp, while the LS1 engine debuted at 345 hp and gradually increased over the years.
Another major difference between the LS1 and LT1 engines was the way they were controlled. LT1 engines were based on old systems that were carbureted and used a distributor to control the firing sequence. On the other hand, the LS1 dumped this style in lieu of a distributorless system. Instead, the LS1 is an EFI engine that uses the ECU to control the firing order as well as the mix of air to fuel. The LS1 engines are much easier to tune because you only need to input values in the computer rather than manually manipulating the values. LS1 engines are also more fuel efficient since they will reduce the amount of fuel being fed into the engines when there is not enough air to burn it. In the LT1, the amount of fuel being fed stayed approximately the same, and some of it will not be burned and is therefore wasted.
Summary:
- LT1 engines have a cast iron block while the LS1 engines have an aluminum block.
- LS1 engines are lighter than LT1 engines.
- LS1 engines have better heat dissipation than LT1 engines.
- LS1 engines produce more power than LT1 engines.
- LS1 engines are distributorless system while LT1 engines are not.