Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

[lead sled]

Planning a new project for my daily driver and have to have an eye toward the ever increasing cost of gas. Really think that a manual transmission F-body is the way to go. Now to decide which one to go with. I have done searches but it is difficult to get the information that I'm looking for like MPG and octance rating for the different engines. No matter what I purchase I will go to some type of cold air intake, headers/exhaust and suspention upgrades.

Critera I'm looking at:
Cost to modify/purchase, of course would have to modify the V6 to a turbo and just purchase the other two.

Highway MPG, most of my driving is done on the hyway

What octane level of gas would be required?

Most important is the fun/comfort factor, need something that can get out of it's own way. Not into racing but deffently like going aroud corners.

For the best bang per buck, which would you recommend??

Thanks in advance!!
Wayne in KC.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Planning a new project for my daily driver and have to have an eye toward the ever increasing cost of gas. Really think that a manual transmission F-body is the way to go. Now to decide which one to go with. I have done searches but it is difficult to get the information that I'm looking for like MPG and octance rating for the different engines. No matter what I purchase I will go to some type of cold air intake, headers/exhaust and suspention upgrades.

Critera I'm looking at:
Cost to modify/purchase, of course would have to modify the V6 to a turbo and just purchase the other two.

Highway MPG, most of my driving is done on the hyway

What octane level of gas would be required?

Most important is the fun/comfort factor, need something that can get out of it's own way. Not into racing but deffently like going aroud corners.

For the best bang per buck, which would you recommend??

Thanks in advance!!
Wayne in KC.

Very difficult to say. Either way you still have to use the highest Octane rating because Turbo requires it, LT1 and LS1 being in the high 10 compression ratio would require it as well.

BUt, if you been reading up in Force Induction section you'll find that a 6 psi of turbo on a V6 dynoes at 310-330rwhp. That's slightly more than a stock LT1 and LS1. Plus, the gas mileage remains the same or slightly more but not too badly compare to stock.

WIth my SC my mileage is still the same as when I had it stock. If I go light on the gas I tend to get 32 mpg. There are times when I think that my SC somewhat made my gas mileage little better.

It's up to you bro. Hope this helped.

[Harrison]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Shoot, if i could start over.... I would go out an buy a Honda Civic hatchback, and swap an h22 in that thing and run mid to high 13s all day long and get the awesome gas mileage a 4 cylinder receives. Then if you want more, throw all the bolt ons on it, and if your not satisfied with low 13s, put a turbo on it and run high 11s, low 12s. Gas prices are only going to remain steady and/or rise. If you want something fast and economical....thats the route to go. Cheaper to put together too. You may have a honda, but who cares, you will be running with or better than both the LS1 and LT1. I dont like imports, but right now, that is a very sensible decision.

[Fbody3400]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Shoot, if i could start over.... I would go out an buy a Honda Civic hatchback, and swap an h22 in that thing and run mid to high 13s all day long and get the awesome gas mileage a 4 cylinder receives. Then if you want more, throw all the bolt ons on it, and if your not satisfied with low 13s, put a turbo on it and run high 11s, low 12s. Gas prices are only going to remain steady and/or rise. If you want something fast and economical....thats the route to go. Cheaper to put together too. You may have a honda, but who cares, you will be running with or better than both the LS1 and LT1. I dont like imports, but right now, that is a very sensible decision.

Theres still time to sell your car....


A turbo V6 fbody may put down 310 hp, but a stock LS1 will do the same thing. Now, you said your gonna add full exhaust/intake, which means the LS1 is now most likely in the 12s, near stock still.

If it were me, i'd go with a V8. It will be more reliable, you won't have to mod it to hell, and Ellis Juan can get 25+ mpg :tup:

[Shodown]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Theres still time to sell your car....


A turbo V6 fbody may put down 310 hp, but a stock LS1 will do the same thing.

Are you talking about a v6 with 310 rwhp?

Cuz if so I think stock Fbody LS1's only put about 232 RWHP and about 310 at the crank.

[WishIHad$$$]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Are you talking about a v6 with 310 rwhp?

Cuz if so I think stock Fbody LS1's only put about 232 RWHP and about 310 at the crank.

You're on crack if you think they only put down 232rwhp. You're almost 100rwhp off.

Last time I had filled up the 2001 Z28 I got 25mpg about 70% highway driving. That's with a manual and 4.10's

[Shodown]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

You think that your Z28 has 320 some odd hp to the wheels stock?

I have seen a stock LS1 WS6 on a Mustang dyno and it did 263.5 RWHP. I have also seen an LS1 Z28 on the same dyno do 230.2 RWHP. No I dont have their dyno slips but thats what I saw. Granted Mustang dynos dont give as high of numbers as Dynojets, but they are more arguably accurate.

Fbodies lose almost 25% crank horsepower to the wheels. You are on crack if you have a STOCK Z28 and you think you have 320 ish hp to the wheels.

BTW, your gas mileage is rpretty awesome for 4.10's. I dont even get that with my v6 on stock 3.08s. :bowdown:

[Shodown]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

All in all, for the money aspect, you are better off buying an Lt1 powered fbody with a 6 speed. They get good gas mileage, still pretty fast (ask vanbibber about his 13.6 :) ) and now you can pick one up for about $8k depending on where you live. Modding a v6 to keep up gets expensive and I dont get as good of gas mileage as a stock Lt1 does.

Just my 2 cents for ya. :D

[Harrison]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Theres still time to sell your car....

Shoot, ive thought about selling the car, between insurance and gas it wouldnt be that bad of an idea. I've put too much money that i wont get back into the firebird for me to sell it now. I would lose money if i sold it. Im gonna drive the bird till the wings fall off.

4$/gallon gas is not that far off. By your profile, you're fairly old so insurance won't be too much of a concern. Go for the LT1 or LS1. I would look into a late 4th gen trans am ws6 :)

My creed: Theres no replacement for displacement.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

Planning a new project for my daily driver and have to have an eye toward the ever increasing cost of gas. Really think that a manual transmission F-body is the way to go. Now to decide which one to go with. I have done searches but it is difficult to get the information that I'm looking for like MPG and octance rating for the different engines. No matter what I purchase I will go to some type of cold air intake, headers/exhaust and suspention upgrades.

Critera I'm looking at:
Cost to modify/purchase, of course would have to modify the V6 to a turbo and just purchase the other two.

Highway MPG, most of my driving is done on the hyway

What octane level of gas would be required?

Most important is the fun/comfort factor, need something that can get out of it's own way. Not into racing but deffently like going aroud corners.

For the best bang per buck, which would you recommend??

Thanks in advance!!
Wayne in KC.

Let's start with a simple question - what do you have? It matters a great deal as to the cost of doing anything.

[dmw319]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

how in the world do 6 psi v6's throw down that much HP?

right now i have 182 RWHP with full exahust/intake/etc.. im adding a powerdyne and i dont expect anything over 250 rwhp at best.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

how in the world do 6 psi v6's throw down that much HP?

right now i have 182 RWHP with full exahust/intake/etc.. im adding a powerdyne and i dont expect anything over 250 rwhp at best.

turbo > powerdyne

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

i have see many V8s hit 310 RWHP stock to the filter

rated at 325 crank i have never seen a 25% loss from anyhting but all wheel drive cars

[Fbody3400]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

All in all, for the money aspect, you are better off buying an Lt1 powered fbody with a 6 speed. They get good gas mileage, still pretty fast (ask vanbibber about his 13.6 :) ) and now you can pick one up for about $8k depending on where you live. Modding a v6 to keep up gets expensive and I dont get as good of gas mileage as a stock Lt1 does.

Just my 2 cents for ya. :D

Maybe you should go over to LS1tech or some other V8 boards and see what LS1s put down stock.:tup:

I picked up my LT1 for half of 8K :p

[Shodown]

Re: Turbo V6 vs LT1 vs LS1 ??????

I picked up my LT1 for half of 8K :p

Thats a dam good price. I was lookin around the other day and saw a few for sale in the local paper that ranged from $7500 to $9000.