Mooch

I'm looking at 4th gen formulas/trans ams, wondering if there is any benefit to one year over another. I know LS1 came out in '97, but am going to stick with the LT engine. Other than that...what improvements did they make during that run, and is any certain year a better choice than another?

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

LS1 came out in 98.
IMO best years for the firebird was 99-02.

Mooch

Oops...'98. I like the newer ones, but am selling the 2006 GTO and want to go back to something with lower insurance and cheaper mods...

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

for an LT1 car i'd say 1995.

you got the best of the old and new componants

you got the MAF and vented opti but still retain the OBD 1.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I would be surprised if a LT1 Firebird was that much cheaper for insurance than a GTO.

Best year for the LT1? I vote '97 just because of this picture.

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

hey that looks like my 95 My hood and airbox weren't installed at the factory (then again neither was a 96-97 WS6) but they are oem.

Sharpe

iTrader: (7)

They changed the Opti Spark from non-vented to vented in '95. The SS came out in '96.

matt427

technically ls1 came out in 97 for the corvette...98 for fbodys

baalic

iTrader: (8)

I was gona say that same thing, beat me to it....ditto...

My favorite year of the LT cars was the 97...and I think there are some limited production LT4's floating around from 97 too...

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

there were 29 firehawks and 100 camaro SS's with 6 possible SS prototypes

Firebat

iTrader: (2)

I'd buy a 97 if I was going to buy an early 4th gen. 97 has the 97-02 interior on both camaro and firebird. If you want a OBDI pcm then all you have to do is swap in a 95 pcm. Maybe change the knock sensor to a 95. The engine harness wiring is the same from 95-97 except for additional wires added in the 96-97 harness.

baalic

iTrader: (8)

Sooo does anyone have one?? I wana see !! LOL

hawk584

iTrader: (1)

yup, '97 LT4's

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

there's a guy on ls1lt1 selling a 97 firehawk lt4

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/showthre...t=LT4+firehawk

Tbird232ci

iTrader: (4)

I would say 97 is the best. You get a better styled interior, OBDII is easy to work with, and I have one. Yes, I am biased.

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

you didn't used to own a supercoupe did you? i notice tbird and 232 ci which was the displacement of the SC motor as well as the n/a 3.8 motor.

as for 97 having the best interior. what all did they really change in the T/A? the dash is only slightly different and the console is different. everything else is pretty much the same and the dash is only different in the fact that the dash top is shaped slightly different with a different vent.

glocklimited9

iTrader: (3)

96 up is the only way to go. OBD 2 is easy to work with and tune, and plus most states just do a check engine light test on Obd2 cars, and not a tailpipe test

Ethan[ws6]

iTrader: (13)

I'm not a fan of working on LT1's OR LS1's haha engine bays so tight, but if you are looking for an LT1 car my vote goes to 96 or 97 as well. no specific reasons other than I owned a 96 that never gave me trouble and my buddy owns a 97 z28 that has only had one probly and it was minor.

Mooch

Good info, thanks! Did any of the firebird formulas come with the LT4?

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

but on the flipside of that, in some states like illinois (i wish indiana would adopt this too) anything 1995 and older is emissions exempt.

only the 29 formula firehawks in 1997 i previously mentioned.