LT1s

LT1s refer to a family of General Motors small-block V8 engines developed by Chevrolet and used in several GM performance cars during the 1990s. The LT1 designation covers two major iterations of the Gen II small-block V8, typically around 5.7 liters in displacement (approximately 346–350 cubic inches). These engines were designed to deliver a balance of performance and street usability and were fitted in prominent GM models, most notably Corvette variants and the F-body lineup (Camaro and Firebird).

Design and features: LT1 engines follow the traditional Chevrolet small-block architecture with an overhead-valve, pushrod design and sequential fuel injection. The Gen II LT1 revisions introduced refinements to the fuel delivery, intake and exhaust tuning, and other components to improve power delivery and drivability across model years. They share common lineage with other late-generation GM small-blocks while offering performance-oriented characteristics for their era.

Performance and applications: LT1 variants typically produced horsepower in the upper two hundreds to around three hundred-plus horsepower, with torque figures in the range of a few hundred pound-feet, depending on specific model and configuration. They were primarily used in performance-oriented GM cars of the period, including Corvette and the F-body cars.

Lifecycle and legacy: The LT1 engine family was gradually supplanted by GM’s LS-series powertrains in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Today, LT1s are of interest mainly to enthusiasts and collectors who work on or restore 1990s Chevrolet and GM-performance vehicles, and they remain a notable chapter in the evolution of GM’s small-block V8 designs.