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| In 1992, GM created a new-generation small-block engine for the Corvette, and again called it LT1 to recall the legendary 1970 LT-1. The LT1 wasn't offered in the Camaro Z28, Firebird Formula V8 or Trans Am until 1993, and had a T56 six speed manual transmission to handle the 300+ lbs of torque. It displaced 5.7 liters and was a 2-valve pushrod design and General Motors raised the bar to 275 horsepower, more than 30 horsepower over Ford's SVT Cobra Mustang. The LT1 was a unique design with reverse-flow cooling system which allowed the engine to run at a higher compression. This was accomplished by cooling the heads first, thus reducing the risk for engine knock at the higher compression. GM had a huge jump with its high compression, aluminum headed LT1 powered, six speed monsters, and the champs in the horsepower battles on the streets and at the tracks... and Ford's only chance of hanging with the new F-body was by way of the 1986-93 light and quick 5.0L coupe (aka: Notchback) due to its power/weight ratio, could hang on the street and dragstrip with the stronger LT1 powered F-body... 1993 began the fourth and last generation of Camaros lasting through the 2002 model year, until the Camaro's revise in 2010, but the Firebird Formula and Firebird Trans Am would not join its F-body cousin in production... Production of the fourth generation new design in 1993 would incorporate lightweight plastic body panels over a steel space frame, and a better suspension, further improved upon the Camaro line as well as an optional six-speed manual transmission when ordered with the V8. In celebration of this, the 1993 Camaro Z28 was selected as the official pace car for the 1993 Indianapolis 500; a pace car edition was produced in limited quantities, with a unique black and white color scheme. There were a few different versions of the LT1. All feature a cast iron block, but only the Corvette and F-bodies got aluminum headed versions. 1994 saw new sequential port injection and a mass airflow sensor. A new vented version of the opti-spark distributor appeared in 1995 on the Corvette and F-Bodies.V8 models remained largely unchanged through 1995. 1996 saw a minor mechanical revisions and major revisions for OBD-II - a second catalytic converter on the F-body cars (which was standard since 1995 in California), a crank position sensor, rear oxygen sensors, and a new computer, as well as some power gains from the new OBD II-compliant engine controls and improved exhaust. Two option packages also returned: the "RS" package, which was an appearance option for V6 cars, and the "SS" package, a performance and appearance package for V8 Camaro, and "Ram-Air" (aka: WS6) for Firebird. The new Camaro SS and Firebird Ram-Air models are producing 305hp which makes for an interesting match-up against Ford's 1996 SVT Cobra, also producing 305hp. For the 1997 model year, the Camaro was offered with a "30th Anniversary Package", which included unique orange stripes on white base paint. Also, 100 30th Anniversary Camaro SS cars were sent to SLP to have the 330hp LT4 engine installed. While this made it the fastest Camaro available at the time, it was also by far the most expensive with a price of over $38,000. The 1997 model year Camaro and Firebird were the last year for this engine in a GM production car, But in 1998 it only gets better with the release of the LS1 Corvette engine produced in the Camaro Z28, Firebird Formula V8 and Trans Am... Mustang's only chance against the LS1 would come from Ford's SVT program, but that is another topic on another page... |
| GM Unleashes its LT1 F-Body on Mustang |
| PHOTOS |
