I'm torn about modding
 

I have a low mileage 95 TA that's all stock ATM and I'm torn it I want to mod it. If I keep it I need more power. Right now it feels slow as heck. But I'm torn about modding this car or buying another ls1 later. I have no payment on this so that is nice. I'd probably have to get a loan for an ls1 car or try to save for a long time.

My last car was an automatic 02 formula with long tubes and a lid. After it was tunes it ran a 12.6 on street tires... How I miss it lol.

I love the way this lt1 looks, but id have to do a cam and bolt ons to hope for a 12.6.

Mod it - its not some rare, expensive collectible. The car will be much more enjoyable, and you can easily beat that 12.6 with bolt-ons without sacrificing drivability. Contrary to what most of the LS crowd thinks, you WONT need a cam swap to run 12s.

My first lt1 ran a 8.6 in the 1/8th with full exhaust, 3.73, cai and mail order tune. Not to bad considering it had a stock stall.

Only thing I HATE about the lt1 setup is the opti. I've never had opti problems, but it is a PITA to put wires and whatnot on them. Id like to gear this thing. It feels like it wants more gear. Even with 3.42s I only turn 1600rpm at 70. If my income tax is good maybe I'll throw a moser 9" in it :)

Mid 12s should be easy with only bolt ons in good weather.

I wouldnt say easy.... doable yes but will prob need some weight reduction and a gooood tune.

Yeah.. the VAST majority of people will not get mid twelve's with just bolt-ons. High 12's-mid 13's is more the norm.

You said the car is paid for so if you sell it, it will all be profit that you could put towards an ls1. The ls1 will go faster easier obviously, but if mid 12's is all you are looking for you might as well just keep the lt1.

I'm not really looking for only mid-12's I was just using that as a reference point. On one hand I can mod the LT1 and obviously it won't take to the mods as easily as the LS1. But I would have to sell the car then finance the rest for a LS1. I'd like to run some ridiculous times someday, but I want to keep whatever car streetable. I refuse to trailer things to the track.

I went 13.1 with Longtubes, 3200 stall, mail tune, 3.42s. @900' DA.

You guys are telling me that my car is not normal and couldn't hit mid 12s with a 3600 stall, 3.73s, a custom tune, 1.7 rockers, free mods, suspension, and better weather?

Please.

If you need a cam to run 12s, you're car isn't running right, isn't setup right, or you are high elevation PERIOD.

There are bolt on cars running mid 11s. You don't think mid 12s is possible for most!?

WTF? Yes it will, you just start a few (40-50) hp less. It takes to mods just as well.

Who the hell taught you that? other LS1 owners? I bet you are afraid of your opti too.

Don't forget a good bit of weight reduction. I never said it wasn't possible. I said it wasn't the norm for most people. And it isn't, that's a fact. If it was easy everybody would be running mid 12's with their bolt-on LT1's. But they aren't.

You didn't run 12's. You ran 13's and then bench raced about running 12's. It's easy to take .5-.6 off of your et on the internet :eyes:

Having owned both I can tell you pacesetter headers on an LS1 made a much more noticeable power increase than pacesetter headers on an LT1. I am no LT1 hater, but I have had a taste of the LS1 and enjoyed it.

No I am not afraid of the Opti...I have never had one single opti related problem. My only beef with the opti is changing plug wires. It can be a major PITA if you compare it to the ls1 I had or the Honda accord I also own.

I think you should keep the lt1! Here in vegas the elevation sucks period and I ran 13.99 with bolt ons and no suspension,just drag radials. And when I go to the track I see more turd ls1 fbodies running in the mid 14's which makes me even happier I'm sticking it out with the ol LTX! The driving skills also plays a huge role in times. I will be shooting for low 13's high 12's with my new mods soon (weight reduction,lid/ramair,tune,and lower psi in DR's). Good luck no matter which way you go.

I used to bust LS1's and Mustangs on a regular basis at the local 1/8th mile track with my 1995 Z28. I would usually lose to LS1's from a roll on the street, but almost always won from a dig.

If it feels slow it probably needs a good tune up. Get it running smooth and do full bolt ons and you will bust some ass!

Focus on making it HOOK HARD.

Lol, people don't mod to go slower. 13s for a full bolt on lt1 is PATHETIC.

Oh damn, you didn't tell me you used a buttdyno!!

The buttdyno is the end all be all of performance measurement!

I also picked up more mph and ET from headers only on a LS1 than I did full exhaust on a LT1... just get out of my thread.

Greg- about 5,000 miles ago the dealersship replaced the opti, coil, module, wires and plugs. All because the car "felt sluggish". The dealership really stuck it to the poor girl who had the car before me. They have replaced EVERYTHING.

Just get the ls1 brah. You need ls1 pacesetter headers for sure. You said it yourself, lt1s don't take very well to mods. So don't bother, right?

These should I get an ls1 threads are so retarded. If you're questioning it just do it. You'll never be satisfied with anything else until you get your holy grail 2002 formula back.

I think I hurt someones feelings.

cant go wrong either way IMO. i love both platforms. but when it came down to deciding which one i was going to do build with H/C/I, i chose my lt1. i love the sound much more than a built ls1. although my ls1 is a little more street friendly being just a bolt on car. but in the end, it wont stay close to my precious lt1