LT1 vs LS1

Hi new here. First post
Anyway I've been following this forums for a couple weeks now as well as porschehybrids back in the day til I got let go from Circuit City and had to give up my dream for a while of doing the swap.
Now I'm once again stable and am planning on doing the conversion soon but I still can't make up my mind.
LT1 or LS1....?
I know most of the differences of these motors but from what I see it seems a lot more expensive to convert my 84 944 into a LS1. The LS1 I can find for pretty cheap (little under a a grand) but the LT1 I can find for way cheaper.
If anyone could do a quick summary of all the benefits of both motors for a swap that would be great!
Thank you for the replies and for this awesome site!

Oso wrote:Hi new here. First post
Anyway I've been following this forums for a couple weeks now as well as porschehybrids back in the day til I got let go from Circuit City and had to give up my dream for a while of doing the swap.
Now I'm once again stable and am planning on doing the conversion soon but I still can't make up my mind.
LT1 or LS1....?
I know most of the differences of these motors but from what I see it seems a lot more expensive to convert my 84 944 into a LS1. The LS1 I can find for pretty cheap (little under a a grand) but the LT1 I can find for way cheaper.
If anyone could do a quick summary of all the benefits of both motors for a swap that would be great!
Thank you for the replies and for this awesome site!

LS1 is lighter and the heads breath better. LT1 cheaper can be made to perform as well as the LS1 but is heavier. LS1 dissipates heat better.

Hai. Welcome.

The LS is lighter (aluminum block ~75-100 pounds fully dressed).
The LT is less expensive (aftermarket parts, maintenance, mods).
The LT can handle more power (iron block)...theres to be a new GM engine based on the aluminum LS7 but with an iron block like the LT and SBC to handle more power.
The LT engine has ALOT in common with the older standard SBC, for example, the oil pan is the same (1987 and up one piece main), mounts, you can use pretty much any SBC header on an LT engine (much cheaper headers than an LS) but in a 944....?, clutch components, etc.
The LT is a return fuel system (two fuel lines just as the 944 engine) whereas some LS are returnless.
The LT conversion parts are all accounted for and easily sourced sans RH. FRH.
The LT is reverse cooling.....good?
The LS runs cooler and so a 944T rad may be used = cheap.
The LT wiring is pretty damn easy but maybe the LS is as well?
The LS conversion requires a custom pan and remote oil filter + lines.
The LT parts like alternators (1993 buick century $80 bucks) and starters (summitracing $89 high torque) are easy to find and cheap. Have no idea about the LS.

Well.....thats all I can think of right now. Id say, simply put, if youre on a budget, LT is your best bet.

Here's the MAIN difference, care of 944-LT1...
(I can't believe you let that one slide, MK...)

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rofl!! great info guys. Guess i'll just buy which every motor I get the best deal on. If i can find a good LT4 that would be great 2.
Thanks for the quick replies.

I'd love to have an LS but the difference for me was the price even on rebuild, LS cost you 1k (very good deal most pay (2to3k). With a block costing in that range more then likely still have to a rebuild will definately end up costing 3kish or so.
LT1 with buying a junk LT motor for 350 if you put 3k into it your looking more then likely top of the line everything on the rebuild and depending on what cam TB intake ect.... you should produce anywhere from 400hp(low end mild cam) at the flywheel and should be able to easly (again depending on cam and all that) produce well over 500hp at the flywheel if not more.
If you check craigslist or ebay ect you may even run into someone selling a LT block already rebuilt in the 2 to 3kish.
I bought mine for 1800 (had less then 14,000 on it ) came with all accessaries and wiring harness. To be honest wish I knew what I know now, because I would have gone with a rebuildable block and just start from scratch and get top of the line on everything.
Reason I got that block was because I figured all the accessaries and everything had low miledge less hunting for parts and such, but still ok deal nothing great plus it's a 4bolt main as well, even with that I have bout 2500 into the engine including the purchase price.

lol figured id flex the mspaint muscles.

1800 is a decent price for a modded ls1. Im in the same boat, if i knew what i know now then, id probably go for a pulled motor off the forums and not craigslist.

wiring and sensors can be a hassle with an LS but if your smart all the info is out there, otherwise you can pay for the painless stuff just for peace of mind.

Great info guys. Now that I got everyone's opinions Ill go motor shopping to try to find a good deal. I found a LS1 off a 02 camaro for 650 with 45k miles on it... I almost bought it but decided not since I was laid off but I'm going to keep checking this junkyard again since now I'm sorta stable again lol.
Thanks once again. Will prob have to go with the LT1 or hopefully 4 though since its way cheaper for parts and the swap.

650!?!?!?!?!!!??? GAAAHhhhhhhh

No $#** wow 650 wish I found that engine before I began shopping around lol.

FF, lets just tell everyone we had a buddy who wrecked a camaro... way better on the blood pressure.

i got an ls1 for 500 with an carb intake and i have 2 spare fuel injection intake