Car opinions, sort of off topic
10-22-2007, 02:42 PM
#1
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Car opinions, sort of off topic Hi Everyone. . .So we all know my daily driver is an 07 Impala SS. Anywho. . .I am looking to buy a toy and found a Z28 that has caught my eye. What I know:
6spd
T-Tops
350
116K miles
Mild oil drip (not sure from where, owner didn't say).
I am hoping to go look at the car this weekend. Anything to look for/watch out for??
How hard is to pull/rebuild one of these engines?
Any comments anyone has would be awesome!!
Thanks
Eddie
6spd
T-Tops
350
116K miles
Mild oil drip (not sure from where, owner didn't say).
I am hoping to go look at the car this weekend. Anything to look for/watch out for??
How hard is to pull/rebuild one of these engines?
Any comments anyone has would be awesome!!
Thanks
Eddie
10-22-2007, 03:29 PM
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Mileage is a little high, doesn't necessarily mean it's not a solid car though. Make sure t-tops don't leak. Get some more info on the car and run a carfax also if you are serious about it. And nothing against LT-1s but personally I wouldn't buy a 93-97 Z because the LS1 4th gens look and perform better IMO.
10-22-2007, 04:07 PM
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The LT1 (assuming-because it is the only 350 with a 6-speed) will run friggin' forever. 116K is nothing on the engine (mine went 237K before a clogged converter damaged the engine on one side (true duals). Tranny might need a clutch soon, but they are near bullet-proof as well. I can almost guarantee that the oil leak is from the rear of the intake, they all leak from there. The fix takes some time, but it is cheap and you can do it in your garage. It is not a real problem, just annoying. The non-vented Optispark's had some trouble, if it is not a 95 or newer you may have to address that. My vented one went 205K without a lick of trouble (or maintainence!), I swapped it out simply because I was changing out the plug wires and I was already in there. It actually went on a guys motor swap into something or other, last I heard it was still running fine. Don't spend too much, my buddy picked up a 96 ragtop (automatic though) year before last with 55K on the clock for $6400. There is almost zero demand for these cars, total buyers market. I am not that familiar with the LSx engines, but I would doubt they are as robust as the LT1's.
10-22-2007, 04:20 PM
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The LT1 (assuming-because it is the only 350 with a 6-speed) will run friggin' forever. 116K is nothing on the engine (mine went 237K before a clogged converter damaged the engine on one side (true duals). Tranny might need a clutch soon, but they are near bullet-proof as well. I can almost guarantee that the oil leak is from the rear of the intake, they all leak from there. The fix takes some time, but it is cheap and you can do it in your garage. It is not a real problem, just annoying. The non-vented Optispark's had some trouble, if it is not a 95 or newer you may have to address that. My vented one went 205K without a lick of trouble (or maintainence!), I swapped it out simply because I was changing out the plug wires and I was already in there. It actually went on a guys motor swap into something or other, last I heard it was still running fine. Don't spend too much, my buddy picked up a 96 ragtop (automatic though) year before last with 55K on the clock for $6400. There is almost zero demand for these cars, total buyers market. I am not that familiar with the LSx engines, but I would doubt they are as robust as the LT1's.
Good to know. He was asking 5K OBO. . which is definately high. I was thinking of offering him 3K maybe let him "work me up" to $3500.
10-22-2007, 06:25 PM
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If he bites on $3500 for a 6-speed LT1, and if the body is in decent shape, I would jump all over it. Even if it needs a new Optispark and vent harness and a clutch, it would be a great transportation value. Insurance might eat up some extra cash over that, but I don't think you can go wrong
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10-23-2007, 07:59 PM
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Looked at it tonight
1) needs some serious paint cleanup/ding repair (nothing serious). There are scratches all over. I would probably just paint it over.
2) The owner said that the T-Tops drip a little bit. . is that an easy fix?
3) Amazingly for being in snow country it doesn't really have much rust anywhere.
Thoughts on what I should offer?
1) needs some serious paint cleanup/ding repair (nothing serious). There are scratches all over. I would probably just paint it over.
2) The owner said that the T-Tops drip a little bit. . is that an easy fix?
3) Amazingly for being in snow country it doesn't really have much rust anywhere.
Thoughts on what I should offer?
10-23-2007, 09:28 PM
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I say stick to around $3k. If the car runs/drives decent, that would be a good price to pick it up for. The T- Tops probably need new weatherstripping, and maybe some of the scratches can buff out. If not, like you said, repaint the car. Let us know how you make out.
11-04-2007, 10:58 AM
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Unfortunately no, i went yesterday to look at it again. . . .he wouldn't budge off the 4000+ range. .. just not worth it. The search continues!
11-04-2007, 11:40 AM
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According to kelly it would be worth the mid to upper 3k range as it sits, if he wants 4k he needs to fix the engine and t-top leaks and take it to one of those paintless dent repair places, at 5k he should have it painted.
12-02-2007, 08:55 PM
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The LS1 is superior to the LT1 in EVERY catergory except one....which "was" VERY debatable. Some old school cats prefered the exhaust note of the LT1 VS. the LS1 back in the early catback only days. Now that true duals are the norm even that debate is a flawless victory for the LS1.
IMHO, you can keep your LT1 leaky water pumps, shoty crappyspark ignition system, and OBD1 engine management. The gen III revolutionized engine technology in the domestic V8.
12-03-2007, 04:40 AM
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I know! My water pump had to be replaced at only 170K miles (after the car was stolen and beat on until both tires were bald (one exploded), engine was spun fast and long enough to waste the power steering pump too. The lousy Optispark was replaced at 205K miles (it was still good, but was in there replacing the original spark plug wires so I swapped it out, I mean, really...essentially a simple distributor cap and it barely went 200K miles without a hiccup or replacement. Obviously a junk design. Probably by the same guy who dreamed up the 4L60E, that piece of garbage only went 235K before I had to replace it.
12-03-2007, 08:41 PM
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I know! My water pump had to be replaced at only 170K miles (after the car was stolen and beat on until both tires were bald (one exploded), engine was spun fast and long enough to waste the power steering pump too. The lousy Optispark was replaced at 205K miles (it was still good, but was in there replacing the original spark plug wires so I swapped it out, I mean, really...essentially a simple distributor cap and it barely went 200K miles without a hiccup or replacement. Obviously a junk design. Probably by the same guy who dreamed up the 4L60E, that piece of garbage only went 235K before I had to replace it.
12-04-2007, 07:24 AM
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Boys boys. . . .the LT1 does have some quirks. . .just like every motor. Remember though, it was the staple of a crate engine for years and years and has made many a killer hotrod.
