Future GTO owner.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
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Future GTO owner. Hey guys whats going on? I am Ryan I am a long time reader first time register. There is a lot of good info on here so I decided that it was time to make an account. As the title and my sig says I am looking to be a future GTO owner here in a couple months. Looking to get an 04 as a DD & weekend warrior. Going with an 04 because I am still in college and working part time so I don't really have the money for a LS2 Goat and I am tired of waiting for this one. Anyway looking forward to giving and getting some good info.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
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Yeah I hear what your saying but my patients is running real thin at the moment. There is about a $3-5k difference in price that I can use later and make it as fast as an LS2.
I just got a 06 GTO. Just wait it out and pick up a ls2 car, not saying anything is wrong with the ls1 but you get better brakes, bumper, hood, and numerous other things. I love mine it'll be worth the wait. How much are you looking to spend?
Do the 04 you can swap the block later. Everything will swap over. See and you thought you had to settle. It's all good when it comes to LS power. Welcome. BTW I'm puttin a 6.0 block in mine this year.
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If you are buying in spring you got 4-5 months to save, I 'd tell you not to settle for less cubes and the few cosmetic changes in the ls2 goats.
Even with part time you 'll manage nicely, just gotta cut back on other stuff for a lil bit.
Even with part time you 'll manage nicely, just gotta cut back on other stuff for a lil bit.
I own a 2005 6.0 GTO, and there is a big difference in the way the LS1 and the LS2 goats feel. The LS2 is better for the GTO because it has so much torque, everywhere, and the car is pretty heavy so that torque is noticeable. I test drove some LS1 GTO's before I bought mine, I even drove an LS1 with LT's CAI and a couple other small things, but it still felt a lot weaker than my stock LS2.
In my honest opinion I would save up and get the LS2. I searched and searched and I ended up getting my '05 for under $12k, with 65,000 miles on it. I bought it within 12 hours of the posting and the guy already had like 10 calls so you have to act quick to get those deals.
I would use a website called autotempest . com, it searches craigslist but can search within a certain distance of your home. That way you dont have to go to every single cities' craigslist site.
Good luck, and either way you will love the car. I went from a supercharged Mustang GT to my stock GTO and its a world of difference. The mustang was a little faster and more violent feeling, but the goat is a much better DD. They are smooth, no rattles, and super comfortable seats. And with the LS2 the torque never ends, it even pulls hard on the highway in 5th gear!
In my honest opinion I would save up and get the LS2. I searched and searched and I ended up getting my '05 for under $12k, with 65,000 miles on it. I bought it within 12 hours of the posting and the guy already had like 10 calls so you have to act quick to get those deals.
I would use a website called autotempest . com, it searches craigslist but can search within a certain distance of your home. That way you dont have to go to every single cities' craigslist site.
Good luck, and either way you will love the car. I went from a supercharged Mustang GT to my stock GTO and its a world of difference. The mustang was a little faster and more violent feeling, but the goat is a much better DD. They are smooth, no rattles, and super comfortable seats. And with the LS2 the torque never ends, it even pulls hard on the highway in 5th gear!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
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Thanks man that is so good info there. I know I should hold out for an LS2 but im not sure I will be able to. I have been in between cars for to long I want to get into something sooner rather then later. Of course if I can find an LS2 for less the 13k with less the 70k miles I will pick it up. I have just recently drove an 06 and know what you are talking about with the torque. I put it in 2nd and about 2.5k rpm and it wanted to spin all the way to redline if I let it. I need to drive an LS1 so see the real difference.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 264
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
My friend bought an 04 GTO and had it for 6 months and its now back up for sale, performance wise unless you plan on dumping a whole lot of money into it and stripping all that pretty interior out of it for weight reduction they are disappointing, so unless you are buying it for luxury and a little performance id stay away and save for a LS2
I've had my eye out for an LS2 GTO and you can an 05 for around 13K so if thats what you want, then I'd keep searching till you find one. I've seen 04's for for around 9-10K, hirer mileage tho..
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,610
Likes: 4
From: Maricopa, AZ
I know the bolt patterns and all that is identical, but you can't use an LS2 cam in an LS1 because of the difference in sensors.
I am really interested in this.
Yes overall you could use the ls1 intake and tb but u'd need the cam extension harness map extension harness, and knock sensor extension harness as the sensors are all in different places. Overall not really worth it y the time you pull the ls1 buy an ls2 and swap it just buy the ls2 goat in the first place plus you'll get a better suspension, better looks, etc.