Chevrolet Camaro 1967-2002 - LT1 or LS1...Z28?

I am trying to think fondly here of what my next car should be.

First thing is first, I am pretty open when it comes to american muscle. I adore LS1 motors, but then again I have alot of respect for the LT1s as well. I wouldn't mind one bit owning an LT1 based 4th gen and modding it to compete with the LS1 motorheads.

But then again stockwise, what an LS1 motor puts down at the wheels I think is quite amazing and it will take quite a few mods for the LT1 to make it there.

I want to get a 6-speed transmission but as, the day goes by I find it much more difficult to find a decently priced LT1/LS1 these days. The cheapest LT1 I found was a 96' Z28 6 speed transmission with about 62k miles for about 7500 dollars. It didn't stay on the market for long either. It sold within a week it was put up.

LS1s are even harder, you can get a low mileage one for less than 12k nowadays. The thing is, I know some few thing about the LS1 motors, but I only know their power output. I know how to work on LT1 engines and I know how to detect problems from them if I do get one. LT1 engines are somewhat easy engines to work on. I am afraid that LS1s are too computerized for the home mechanic to do much of anything.

Again I am not talking as if I am gonna buy today or tomorrow. I am just looking at my options for now, I plan to keep the car I have now for about 2 more years (or until the wheels fall off depends on my mood in 2007 :eek2: )

I am just wondering if nowadays you can find an LT1 Z28 for under 6k, under 70k miles...or an LS1 for under 12k with under 70k miles as well.

There was a while back a 99' WS6 6spd with like 62k miles on it, the guy asked 9k and it sold within 3 days.

Am i doing something wrong or looking at the wrong places or what, I am starting to hink Ebaymotors is my only chance.

I have an LT1, get the LS1, newer, easy to work on, great after market and they are real strong performers. Lt1s are good too, but if I was you, get the LS1. You can make an LT1 run hard but its so easy to get sick numbers from an LS1. I saw a h.c car make 450rwhp, saw another make 435rwhp through cats, also h/c car

I am just wondering if nowadays you can find an LT1 Z28 for under 6k, under 70k miles...or an LS1 for under 12k with under 70k miles as well.

I just bought an 02 Z28 M6 with mods, in excellent shape and 63k miles for $11,500. So yes you can find them, you just have to be patient. It took me 6 months but it paid off. And it seems as though you are not in a hurry so i am sure you could find a good deal on an LS1 if thats what you decide to get. Just dont give up! (I almost caved several times and decided to just get an LT1 or an A4). But definitely go with the LS1, you will be much happier!

Good Luck!

Yeah, right now I am just sort of browsing around. Having an LS1 car would be my dream. There's simply so much you can do to the motors to make them blazing fast.

For my next car, I would like to have an LS1 Z28, it doesn't matter what years 98-02, although typically the older it is the less expensive it will be.

The one thing that has to be in the car though is a 6 speed transmission. I love manuals so much, its power when you need it.

I am sure if I looked around hard enough I can find one for about 10k. But I do have one question though. Do KBB values have any effect on these fbodies? I figured not since most of them are like 15k-25k when in reality according to the KBB they are worth maybe 9-13k...

I have one of each LT1 and LS1. LS1 would be ideal. They are so easy to work on and respond so good to mods. The LT1 is great also but the Optispark is a pain in the ass and it seems harder to find a 6-speed LT1.Also for LT1s the ideal year to have is prob 95 where you have a vented Optispark and ODB1. Where are you located? Here in NJ F-Bodies are worth about as much as Foodstamps. You can get a 94 Z28 for around 2700 and a 98 LS1 for around 6500 good luck

I bought a 98 in feb and waited six months for it. well worth the wait. driven lt1 and liked them but then drove the ls1 and i wouldn't have it any other way. get what you want not what you come across first.

I just bought a 98 Z with 64k on it for around 9k. Optioned with everything I wanted including Sport Pkg. The car has a couple dings on the hood, and a few small scratches. But overall it's an awesome car for the price. I would have to say It's 10x better than my 93 Z28, I loved my LT1 but the LS1 is newer, lower mileage, faster stock than my bolt-on Z, and looks better too. Plus the gas mileage I get with it is pretty good compared to my LT1. The LS1 just feels like a more sophisticated mucle car to Me... if that makes sense, and I love it.

haha, my baby was about 31k miles and only cost me 14k and it's an 02 and was in mint condition! Having had an LT1 and is a great budget performance car, nothing is an LS1! I love it