If you aren’t a fan of the LS engine, but like late model performance and GM in general, there is an option: the 1990s era LT1 350. Found in Corvette, Camaro/Firebird and the big sedans, including Cadillacs, the LT1 was the bridge between the truly old school small-block Chevy and the LS engine. Stock, you could see 305 horses out of the wicked-up Camaro SS and Firebird Firehawk, and if you found an LT4, you got an engine that GM said was good for 330 horsepower…with a slight cough. Those were the stock figures…when tuners got their hands on them, getting more power out of them proved to be a bit tricky once you got past bolt-on stuff. Even today, pulling solid numbers out of an LT1 is legendary because they were quickly dumped in favor of the LS engine.

Tick Performance hasn’t dumped their LT1 just yet. They may have to when the bullet under that hood finally packs up and leaves, but until the day that happens this six-speed bucket of anger will continue to chop the tree on just about anyone who lines up next to it. What’s great is hearing how the Camaro’s engine is blowing oil out of the PCV and how it’s getting tired…right before it rolls up to the starting line to kick the next car in line directly in the teeth. No engine that’s trapping 181 MPH in the quarter mile is “tired”. It’s just in need of a freshening and some love. And the first person to mess with that clutch’s adjustment needs to be fired, without question!