LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

i have a dillema, which LT1 is the better buy?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-05-2006, 08:31 PM
  #1  
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
UnZFeat'd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default i have a dillema, which LT1 is the better buy?

I recently signed my SS over to my stepdad, so i still drive it sometimes, but i drive a civic around normally and he has the SS now. I am looking to step up to an LT1, because ive had 2 LS1s and i wanna try something different from the money i get from the civic. I am trying to decide which one of these cars would be a better deal. here are the links...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/201145721.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/200615733.html

the second one has a blown head gasket, which leads me to my next question... i am planning on going with a heads and cam package almost as soon as i get it. so would it be cheaper to get hte one that needs a head gasket when ill most likely be paying for new heads anyway or would it be better to get the other one for a little more money? Also, how hard is it to do a heads and cam swap on the LT1s compared to the LS1s? how easy is it in general? and how long would it usually take? Thanks! - Josh
Old 09-05-2006, 08:39 PM
  #2  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (19)
 
aggiez28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

i would take door #1
Old 09-05-2006, 08:44 PM
  #3  
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Chris18927's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i would go with #2
Old 09-05-2006, 08:46 PM
  #4  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Burning Rubber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: edgewater, maryland
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

def the first one
Old 09-05-2006, 08:52 PM
  #5  
TECH Regular
 
MrCadillac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MI
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

it's kinda a toss, but $500 more for a blown head gasket and a scoop? I donno bout that. doesn't even say the milage. craigs list is so vague.

"1996 chevy white 4 door sedan, has an engine and trans, has options, and runs. 3500." WTF?

I like to know what I'm getting into. I'm a sucker for red, but that Blown Head Gasket Blue , looks really nice. I'd go with the one that has more of the features you want, and is in better shape on the outside. I'm not exactly one to talk about buying a broken car, as my caprice came with a bit of rust, a bad trans and wouldn't start(needs to be towed) But it was ALOT less than 4k.
Old 09-05-2006, 09:54 PM
  #6  
TECH Resident
 
donkey mule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Panama City Florida
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would go with the 1'st one for sure. You never know whatever other problems there on a car with a blown head gasket till you get into it. $4500 seems high for a car with a blown head gasket.
Old 09-05-2006, 10:00 PM
  #7  
12 Second Club
 
Ls1Bait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chitown
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Door #1............. tan interior I dont like
Old 09-05-2006, 10:06 PM
  #8  
12 Second Club
 
Ls1Bait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chitown
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Door #1............. tan interior I dont like
Old 09-05-2006, 10:30 PM
  #9  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Dragframe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: wyoming @ 7000 DA...
Posts: 2,331
Received 64 Likes on 54 Posts

Default

number 1
Old 09-05-2006, 10:37 PM
  #10  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Dragframe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: wyoming @ 7000 DA...
Posts: 2,331
Received 64 Likes on 54 Posts

Default

number 1
Old 09-05-2006, 11:00 PM
  #11  
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
 
bone324's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tucson
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'd offer $3500 for the blue one.
Old 09-05-2006, 11:04 PM
  #12  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Dragframe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: wyoming @ 7000 DA...
Posts: 2,331
Received 64 Likes on 54 Posts

Default

number 1
Old 09-05-2006, 11:11 PM
  #13  
Launching!
 
Z 2 8's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The blue one looks horrible with those gauges inside. The way the car looks, just tells you it was beat to crap. Go with the red one. The blue one looks riced out...

Not to mention how overpriced the car is. Blown head gasket and 4500??? He's lucky to get that for a good condition low mile 94 Z28...That thing is all aftermarket and looks like an autozone sponsor. I have no idea how many miles are on it and a blown head gasket will cost over a 1200 to fix if you take it somewhere. (You have to factor that in when you buy a car. The fact that your putting a set of heads on the car is irrelevent. It doesn't matter what your going to do, it's what the car is worth) I say no more than 3000...

Geez, i still can't get over those gauges. What was he thinking...
Old 09-05-2006, 11:12 PM
  #14  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
speed_demon24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Blown head gasket=time for a rebuild.
Old 09-06-2006, 02:30 AM
  #15  
TECH Regular
 
MrCadillac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MI
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

true, the blown head gasket eludes to: Beat on hard. The guy sprayed N2O, It over heated and the heads warped, or plain out the car is tired. The red one looks very nice, and odds are it wasn't driven so hard.
Old 09-06-2006, 09:20 AM
  #16  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (22)
 
camar0corey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

The second one expired, but looking at what you get with the 1st one, go with red.
Old 09-06-2006, 08:01 PM
  #17  
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
UnZFeat'd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

well can anyone tell me how much work it would be and what i would have to do in order to put some aftermarket heads on there?
Old 09-07-2006, 09:47 AM
  #18  
TECH Regular
 
MrCadillac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MI
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

you gotta pull the heads... duh...

sorry. Well, it's pretty straight forward, pull some accy's, disconect a few things, pull the intake and exhuast off, then take the head bolts off, and swap in the new ones. I've done it on 80's V8 vacum nightmares, and the most time was really spent routing vacum lines. you just gotta torque the head bolts in the right order, and the right torque, in the correct # of steps. I'd say your looking at around 20 hours. 5 rs a day, for 4 days and you could be done. Not saying it WILL be that long, but plan on it. It really isn't that hard, just get a book, and mechanic buddy if you have one to watch over you. Now if you add in a cam swap, figure on atleast anouther 5 hours. The worst part about it all is, it's time consuming, and can be confusing if you don't take pictures/ have a model car(friends car) to look at. I'd be all over it, but I'm kinda crazy when it comes to cars. Best of luck if you do it!
Old 09-07-2006, 07:19 PM
  #19  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
mumu_624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Highmiles = l

but i go with Door #1
Old 09-07-2006, 08:54 PM
  #20  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (22)
 
camar0corey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

head gaskets are a pain in the *** on the lt1, it took me forever. Granted it was my first time ever doing headgaskets but oh well. For a cam swap with the motor still in the car you have to get the a/c discharged and basically pull the whole front of the car apart. Gp pick up a chiltons or haynes if your deadset on getting a lt car then decided if you really want to do head gasket work. Not difficult, time consuming. I'd buy the car thats running fine, 2nd listing dosen't come up, but it sounded riced out and beat on, 1st car is clean why not buy the red one?



Quick Reply: i have a dillema, which LT1 is the better buy?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:55 PM.