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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:03 AM
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Talking Which F-Body To Get??

Hey I'm Travis.
Im kind of new to ls1tech so ill start my first thread in here.

I plan on getting a car equipped with an ls1. But i cant decide between a Trans-Am or a Z28 (maybe an SS if i have the money.)

My plans for the car will be a 80% Street/20% Strip car. It will be daily driven no matter what as it will be my only/first car.

My goals would be able to run mid-low 12's on DR's. Shouldn't be to hard, its an ls1.

My main questions were wether the Trans-Am or Camaro had any advantages at the strip over eachother.

Also I was leaning toward an A4 for the tranny, but since the car will see mostly street time I thought an M6 would be more fun on the street.

Also If you would mind sharing your suggestions for the first few mods that would be appreciated.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:57 AM
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I don't know if z28 or ta would be better for your goals either way. I have only had z28's. If price is an issue then the cheaper of the two would be z28. +1 on the m6 it seems to be way more fun imo, and you would not have to worry about getting a stall converter for your strip goal, also the m6 would be a bit more fuel friendly for it being a dd. Either way for your strip goal I would recommend a lid, headers, exhaust, and drag radials. I have these mods except for drag radials and run consistant 13.2 in the 1/4. I think the drag radials are the last piece of the puzzle to get in the 12's for me, well that and if i could learn to drive better lolz.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 05:22 AM
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get an A4 SS or Z28 6 speed will be fun until you break it or are changing the clutch more often than you want but a T56 will be ALOT more fun
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 07:27 AM
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go with the M6 car...and i would get a z28...SS's are nice but cmon you are going to change the hood, wheels, brakes etc so on and so forth..so why pay more? i sure as hell wouldnt..and so long as you do tastefull well thought out mods you will enjoy the street and the strip.. you said you wanted to run mid 12's? i ran 12.5 @ 110 w/ a 1.85 60ft and all i had done to my formula was SLP full exhaust and barrowed drag radials...but that was in gainesville and yea i got the video for proof. mid twelves are cake...depending on your budget will dictate your mods ...however everybody here should or will agree that you need a 9" or a 12 bolt rear end ..cause the factory one is garbage...just soem FYI
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 01:47 PM
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I say go M6 if its your DD because with a stall on a A4 3k's or higher plus if you put some gears in it even just 3:73's your gas prices are gonna take a noticeable jump.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:17 PM
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Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I'll definetly look into the z28 now.

What mileage do you think would be ideal for my goals. I'm trying to stay atleast under 80k, if that's even realistic.

The price of it can't be over 10-10.5k, and that's pushing it.

So no feedback on any advantages the camaro has over the trans-am besides price?
I figure they're about equal but idk.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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Price wise you should be able to do under 10k with 80k on it or less. I got my 99 TA 3years ago with 70 on the clock and paid 7 for it. Mine is an M6 and I love it. A little more fun to dd. Welcome.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:28 PM
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Plain trans am, ws6 not worth the money
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:30 PM
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You should be able to find plenty of z28's for under 10k easily! Personally i would go for an M6. I have one and i love it. Pretty good gas mileage aswell. The only down side to an M6 is eventually the rearend will break. Just a heads up.
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by will1380
You should be able to find plenty of z28's for under 10k easily! Personally i would go for an M6. I have one and i love it. Pretty good gas mileage aswell. The only down side to an M6 is eventually the rearend will break. Just a heads up.
Thanks for the feedback.

I hear that a 9" is better suited to M6's, if that makes sense.

But I've always wonderd why a 12-bolt would'nt work as good.

Also, I have no idea what a 9" actually is. Or a 12-bolt....
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 09:52 PM
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if price is an issue I would do z28. There are plenty of them on craigslist and ebay. I would check autotrader or craigslist in your area for the best deal unless shipping isn't a problem. I would get m6 mainly because it would be more fun to drive but be aware that the rearend for these cars are known to be weak. if you get the m6 i would get the 9" if you plan on slamming the gears. More durable the 12 bolt is mainly an auto rearend. As for the mods the first ones i would do to get some quick horses is a new lid. I have heard that slp is good and i have heard it isnt.but be sure there are alot out like ie. slp,whisper,mti etc. and also exhaust helps alot. getting rid of that stock ehaust helps a bunch and also adds to the fun factor too! Hope this helps ya out
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 11:12 PM
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DREAMZ28, a 9" is a Ford 9" rear end. By far the strongest thing you could get to fit under an F body without getting a custom fabricated rear. A 12 bolt is a moser rear end, as opposed to the 10 bolt GM rear that is stock in the car, both are GM rears, most guys just get their 12 bolts built by moser. The 12 bolt is much stronger than the 10 bolt, but it still doesnt stand up as well as the 9" to being smacked around by a T56 with a good motor in front of it. Long story short, if you get an M6, the 9" is the clear choice.
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by DREAMZ28
Also, I have no idea what a 9" actually is. Or a 12-bolt....
http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com....html?item=148

Just worry about getting an LS1 F-Body first.

An F-Body is and F-Body. All-LS1 vehicles had the same amount of horsepower. Get whichever one you like the most.

The first mod for most is an air induction lid. For an A4, the first real mod is a stall. Exhaust components (headers, Y-pipe, cat-back) are common first mods as well.
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 11:18 PM
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whatever you get you will love.. regardless of color/options/make/etc... and that is the honest truth...

me personally... Ws6, no question about it..

neither one have any advantages over the other that make a difference at the strip.. they are the same cars with different body panels is all.. just one looks a LOT better...

id do stalled A4, again preference.. IMO a stalled a4 is WAAAAY more fun than an m6... and you get you ETs!
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 11:27 PM
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I'm guessing you're around 17? If you really will be tracking this car that often, and this will be your only car, and you're working with a limited budget, I'd suggest an A4. The auto will take more abuse than a 6M will, meaning less likely to break, less likely for downtime on your only car.


Not sure if there are any significant suspension difference between the TA & 'Maros that would help you at the track, but I'm sure you'd be changing the primary parts out for aftermarket anyway. It's all preference. I went with a TA b/c the 'Maros look too much like Chryslers & Catfish
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Jersey Mike
I'm guessing you're around 17? If you really will be tracking this car that often, and this will be your only car, and you're working with a limited budget, I'd suggest an A4. The auto will take more abuse than a 6M will, meaning less likely to break, less likely for downtime on your only car.

Actually, the M6 is much much stronger than the A4. With a T56 in good working order you are actually much more likely to break the rest of the drivetrain than you are the trans. The A4 is good on the driveshafts and rearends, but beat on a stock one for very long and it will give up before anything else. The A4 however may offer less downtime because it wont break other driveline elements, the T56 breaks everything around it.
Edit: Although i'm not the best example of T56s being strong right now, i threw the 3/4 synchro the day i bought my car........
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 12:38 PM
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I paid 5800 for my 98 Z with 104k I trust it to go anywhere.
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 01:21 PM
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if i were you i wood get the m6 because i have an a4 and ive already gone through 2 rears in a year so reguardless youll wanna change the rear to either a 12 bolt or 9 inch....and while your changing it you mite as well get 4.10s....and definately get full exhaust, lid, free mods, DRs, maybe take out unnessecary stuff (like back seats, spare tire, jack, ect.)......and you also have to get T-tops
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Old Aug 12, 2009 | 08:58 AM
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T/A a4
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Old Aug 12, 2009 | 09:09 AM
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Thats Easy, Trans Am or WS6 with a 6 speed either way! Cant beat the looks of a Trans Am in my opinion. And a M6 in either car is the way to go, way more fun!
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