Considering a 94 firebird LT1
10 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2007
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I would bet money that the LT1 car in question has worn bearings. A sure way to tell is to fire it up right after it has sat all night. For a SPLIT second right when it fires you will hear the unmistakable death rattle of metal on metal. It sounds like a metallic clatter. It only lasts for maybe a half second until the car builds oil pressure.
How much are they asking for the car?
How much are they asking for the car?
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Maypearl, TX
$5K for the car. It's literally pristine though. All leather is original and only a bit of wear, body straight as an arrow with original paint. All stock with the exception of a K&N CAI. Clean carfax, rebuilt tranny and still has 12K on the warranty. All rubber is perfect. Obviously a pampered car. So for the price, which I know is a bit on the high side, I was OK with...but not with the possibility (or probability) of a blown engine.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,123
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From: Maypearl, TX
I would bet money that the LT1 car in question has worn bearings. A sure way to tell is to fire it up right after it has sat all night. For a SPLIT second right when it fires you will hear the unmistakable death rattle of metal on metal. It sounds like a metallic clatter. It only lasts for maybe a half second until the car builds oil pressure.
How much are they asking for the car?
How much are they asking for the car?
But I did bury my foot into her for a few seconds...ran through second and well into third. No smoke, and sounded strong. Does that mean anything? 
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
If you're really interested, get a mechanic you trust to check it out. There may be nothing of any significance wrong with the car. I would want to make sure it has good fuel pressure too. Changing the pump can be a pain if you do it yourself, and expensive if you let a shop change it.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: America
im not in a tree yet
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: America
$5K for the car. It's literally pristine though. All leather is original and only a bit of wear, body straight as an arrow with original paint. All stock with the exception of a K&N CAI. Clean carfax, rebuilt tranny and still has 12K on the warranty. All rubber is perfect. Obviously a pampered car. So for the price, which I know is a bit on the high side, I was OK with...but not with the possibility (or probability) of a blown engine.
id do the unreliable lt1. But thats me. If you dont have a income that can be put towards the car, get a v6. Dont buy a lt1 and think its gonna be roses. down the road the lt1 can be alot of fun, but they can also be alot of work. low mile babied lt1's are still old, and they will break. just dont think your gonna drive this thing for a year and have nothing go wrong.
that being said the v6 could be the same way and have some things go wrong, but atleast its not a 600$ opti spark...ya know?
that being said the v6 could be the same way and have some things go wrong, but atleast its not a 600$ opti spark...ya know?
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If you are dead set on this car then request you have the car checked out by a shop of those you know and/or trust. With stock bearing tolerances the pressure should read between 15 and 20psi at idle with oil up to operating temp.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
Is the car a manual or automatic? I would be more inclined to continue pursuing this car if it were a manual, but that's just me. If you like the car, get someone to check it out. In my opinion, the seller should have no problem allowing a potential buyer that luxury.
Is there a listing on the web for the car?
Is there a listing on the web for the car?
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Maypearl, TX
Thanks for all the input! To answer some questions: The money thing is going to be a issue for my son, as he's going to have to keep it up maintenance wise. Insurance was exactly the same when quoted, so that's not an issue (and it's liability only). It is a a4 auto, and the tranny has recently been rebuilt and has 12K warranty on it. Optispark and water pump replaced last year.
I'm planning to have a mechanic check it out. One who I'm familiar with. With all that being said, I'm leaning more towards the V6, but my son (who is OK with either...prefers the 94 LT1).
Here is the link: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2802531827.html
I'm planning to have a mechanic check it out. One who I'm familiar with. With all that being said, I'm leaning more towards the V6, but my son (who is OK with either...prefers the 94 LT1).
Here is the link: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2802531827.html
LOL my 97 looks almost exactly like that. Minus wheels, same options (except mine is M6) and I picked mine up for $2600. Granted it needed just a bit of work ( what lt1 doesn't )
If your willing to drive to Houston...
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2760499130.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2789341509.html
If your willing to drive to Houston...
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2760499130.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2789341509.html
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,123
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From: Maypearl, TX
I think we're going with the newer V6. I need a little piece of mind, and the possibility of a bearing on the verge of biting the dust, on my son's first car...doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I know that a V8 is a little "cooler" but on his first car, I don't know if he could stay out of trouble with a V8 rumble, and a challenge by one of his buddies who's watched F&F too many times. With a V6, he'll be more inclined to laugh, and say, it's just a V6.
I really appreciate all the input. I think you may have saved my son (and I) a great deal of potential misery, and a lot of car-sitting-in-the-garage-broken-down syndrome.
I really appreciate all the input. I think you may have saved my son (and I) a great deal of potential misery, and a lot of car-sitting-in-the-garage-broken-down syndrome.
