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LS1 vs LT1 and Parts Interchange

Each of these powerplants has its own personality, and while there are a few parts you can mix and match, don’t expect a lot of direct compatibility. If you’re building up either one, stick with what’s made for that engine or be ready to get creative in the shop.

After decades of turning wrenches and building some of the meanest engines across this great country, I’ve seen just about everything these V8s have to offer. The LS-1 and LT1 are both fantastic engines in their own right, but they come from different generations, and that means most parts between them don't swap over as easily as you'd hope.

🏁 Skip White

 

What Doesn’t Swap

  • Cylinder Heads: Forget about swapping cylinder heads between these two. The bolt patterns, combustion chambers, and coolant passages are all different.
  • Intake Manifold: The intake manifolds won’t interchange either. The ports and mounting points just don’t line up.
  • Exhaust Manifolds: Same story with the exhaust manifolds—the port shapes and head designs are too different.
  • Pistons/Rods/Crankshaft: The internal rotating assembly—pistons, rods, and crankshaft—are all specific to each engine. The bore, stroke, and overall design don’t allow for any simple swaps.

 

Possible Interchangeable Parts

Valve Covers

Now, you can slap a set of LS-1 valve covers onto an LT1 if you’re willing to do a bit of work. The bolt patterns don’t quite match up, so you’ll need some adapters or a little bit of old-fashioned ingenuity to make them fit.

Camshafts

When it comes to camshafts, these engines are like cousins that don’t get along. The profiles and setups are different, but with the right conversion kit from the aftermarket, you can get an LS-style camshaft into an LT1. It’s not a straightforward swap, though—you’ve got to know what you’re doing.

Rocker Arms

The rocker arms are one of the few parts that can play nice between the two. You can swap them out, but remember, you might need different pushrods or modifications to make everything line up just right.

Fuel Injectors

Fuel injectors? Sure, you can use LS-1 injectors on an LT1, provided they match up in flow rate and the electrical connectors don’t give you any trouble.

Throttle Bodies

Throttle bodies can sometimes be adapted between the LS-1 and LT1. Just be ready to modify the manifolds and throttle cables. It’s doable, but it’s not a direct bolt-on job.

Sensors

As for sensors, some of them, like the knock sensors or coolant temperature sensors, might interchange depending on the year and application. But remember, the wiring and mounting could be different, so don’t expect a perfect fit every time.

Flywheel/Flexplate

When it comes to flywheels or flexplates, you might find some interchangeability, especially if you’re matching them up with the right transmission. But, just like with everything else, there are differences in bolt patterns and balancing, so you’ve got to double-check before you bolt it on.

Engine Accessories

Some of the engine accessories like alternators, power steering pumps, and A/C compressors can swap over, but the brackets and mounts usually need some tweaking due to the differences in block design.