Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

[Chris H.]

I'm interested in these two cars, but will need to make a choice. A little background first. I just sold my man-eating 396 coupe (sniff), and am looking to replace with a somewhat more resonably priced Vette. Shark prices sure are attractive.

I loved the head pounding noise, brutishness, reviness, and explosive power of the 396.

The LS5 is a Yellow coupe with 25k miles, original paint, survivor type, frame you can eat of off, with lots of paperwork (window sticker, owner history), 4 sp, 3:36 gears, and the guy wants $28k. This car appeals to me because of the originality, color, low miles, and paperwork. Possibly some Bowties in it's future? Will the 454 with 3:36 gears fill the 396 motor void? I presume the LS5 is a tuned for low end. Does it like to rev?

The LT1, 3:70 gears, is a Bridgehampton Blue, fresh body-off restoration to stock appearance. Only deviations are 9.5:1 pistons, urethane bushings, single leaf rear spring. All paperwork and owner history included. Possible Top Flight. Asking $31k. Owner says "goes like a raped ape" and I beleive him. That appeals to me. Do these LT1s really freakin scream? And to what rpm?

I like originality, but I can also appreciate a well built fast car.

Thanks for all opinions.

Chris

[Jeff Chester]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

I TOO, AM IN THAT SITUATION...I FOUND A GUY WHO HAS A
71 LS5 CONV. BRIGHAMPTON BLUE, HIT FRONT, MATCHING ##. NEED RESTORED. $10,500
71 LT1 CONV WHITE/BLK MINT, NEEDS PAINT, $13.550
(CHECK LOWER POST)
ANYHOW, TO ME THOSE PRICES ARE HIGH, BUT I FIND DEALS...
JUST HAVE TO SEARCH...THERE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER VETTE SOMEWERE.
CONV, HOLD THE VALUE BETTER..AND YEA, THAT LT1 SCREAMS...
THE 70 LS5 IS 390 HP...THOUGH THE YELLOW COUPE, IS NICE...
LOOK FOR GREAT PAINT..1ST...EVERTHING ELSE CAN BE REPLACED EASLILY.
WELL, FIRST CHECK ALL NUMBERS....DOCUMENTS....
JC

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

Hi, Chris. I can't give you any info about an LT1, but I owned a 71 LS5 in the early 70's. Matter of fact, it was my sole source of transportation, until I bought a 58 in boxes- but that's another story. My 71 had a 3.08 rear axle and a 4 speed. It was a very strong performer. No L88, of course, but it was very quick. I raced it a couple of times and I don't remember the 1/4 mile times, but I do remember it would just break 100 MPH. All this on "regular" pump gas. With a 3.36, it ought to have lots of low end. It won't wind up like a solid lifter small block, but on the street you don't have too many opportunities to really wind one anyway. The old saying that "you buy horsepower but you drive torque" is very true. When I races it those couple of times, I gave the guys with 427/390's fits. My mear 365 Hp wasn't supposed to outrun them, but it did.

[Chas Kingston]

[Patrick H.]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

Chris,

I'd tend to agree with Geezer. The 70 LT-1 would be my first choice if it had the original high-compression pistons. Those cars are always more desirable than the 71 and 72's due to the high compression and the low build numbers. Those who have had both (e.g. Dave Strickland) say that the 70 beats the 71 LT-1 every time. These cars CAN really scream, but you'd have to swap pistons back to original to get the same feeling as your 396. I'd see if he has the original spring as well. My current car is Bridgehampton Blue, so I'm partial to this color.

The big block will not match your 396, that's for sure. It may be somewhat easier to use, however, on a daily or regular basis, if you wish. The car would have to be near perfect for the price and an obvious Top Flight & Bowtie candidate, or have been judged already in some manner. This one's price is much closer to reality, though, than the LT-1. My 71 coupe has 3.36 gears, and they won't pull stumps like a 3.70 or better. I'd love to have this one for a Sunday driver, though. The torque will be enough with the gears, but it will never wind like your old car.

Good luck!

Patrick

[Jay Hastings]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

the LS5 would be my choice it is not a 396, but they are impressive
I have a 73 LS4 with 3:36 and 4 speed and it runs very strong
the red is 5600 rpm, but it does have great torque
jay

[bruce11495]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

Nothing to think about.....The LT1 for sure. They just drive better, run better,get parts ANYWHERE. A well prepped LT1 will outrun, outhandle a big block on all but fastest road courses. They are easier to work on, easier to find parts for. The price sounds pretty high for the car though. But the LT1's are starting to price higher lately, the good ones.
They will scream too. They don't start to pull on the stock cam until 35-3600rpm and with 3.70 should run the quarter in the mid 13's.
Buy the LT1, put the 64cc heads on it, aftermarket solid cam and drive it. Who will know? With the small cc heads it will go.
Hope that helps.

[Rob M.]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

I'm with Bruce - A high compression, solid lifter small block can be a blast to drive on the street. I had a 71 LT1 and it was fun - just needed about 20 more HP. Half the fun of street driving is running the engine to redline (the LT1 will do 6500 to 7000 without problems) and banging a few gears (on deserted streets with no kids around). The small block with 3.70 gears will but a smile on your face. ...the other half the fun is a ton of torque. You are probably going to miss the 396 for a while. Then there is the large cubic inch small block crate motors that you can slip in while you take a few years to detail the original motor on the engine stand. Good luck.

[Joe DeAngelis]

Re: Help...which one to choose....70 LT1 vs LS5

What a great decision to have to make! If sharks are indicative of mid-years, the big block should bring a better return on investment and still be a blast to drive. If it makes any difference, usually big blocks = big bucks.

[Jeff Chester]

Re: choose....70 LT1

I just picked up the 71 LT1, that I was deciding on. last week.
My choice was between the 71 LS5 or the 71 LT1, both conv.
I choose the LT1, factory 4:11, 4 sp.
It is peppy, not as much as my 68 427 though, but a nice fast car.
jc

[Robert C.]

Re: choose....70 LT1

Good choice Jeff, You may want to do a survey of all the numbers on your car and send to Terry Mcmanmon. He keeps LT-1 numbers and publishes them every few years.
BTW those 4-11 gears will drive you crazy(no pun intended) on the highway, but any other time, they're great!

[Jim T.]

Re: choose....70 LT1

Any comments you care to make as to why you chose the LT-1 over the big block?

[Jeff Chester]

Re: choose....70 LT1

Mainly because the price was very fair, at 13,550.
and all it needs is paint. only. and all the parts to put the car back are all GM. the man works for GM. all parts, new.. or original...
Accually, I chose the conv. LT1 because it does not need nose repair.
The 71 LS5 will go for 10-13K also... needs paint , nose, interior. Motor is done. on a stand...
I may buy it too....
PLus if I bring another basket case home, I may have to live in it....
jc

[Jeff Chester]

Re: choose....70 LT1

Mainly because the price was very fair, at 13,550.
and all it needs is paint. only. and all the parts to put the car back are all GM. the man works for GM. all parts, new.. or original...
Accually, I chose the conv. LT1 because it does not need nose repair.
The 71 LS5 will go for 10-13K also... needs paint , nose, interior. Motor is done. on a stand...
I may buy it too....
PLus if I bring another basket case home, I may have to live in it....
jc

[bruce11495]

Re: choose....70 LT1

Great choice!!!!! You'll never regret buying it. You think the 68 was quicker......no chance! If you ran the 68 at the drags and can still remember the ET it turned let me know. I'll bet the the LT1 will go by it at the top end in 3rd gear, and run a faster time. It shouldn't MPH faster, all things (tires, 6o' times, traction)being equal, but it should beat your 68.
Bruce