What terrible advice...this is simply not true.

This is an over-hyped problem.

 

get a scanner, it'll be your best friend.

 

Hey not sure if you bought this yet or not, but you could try disconnecting the MAF and see how it runs then. If still like crap, it's either the Opti, ICM, or something spark related. If not look into the tune or an air/fuel delivery problem.

 

i noticed it's got an egr delete on it, red plate over a small area of the intake manifold..

I'm definitely going to have to look into it, i've got a bunch of friend's in my local area that are willing to trade me vehicles for it whether the T/A is running or not. So i've got a few bail-out options if it's something that's going to get me in over my head, hopefully it's just an opti-spark issue. If that's all it is hopefully the new distributor will take care of the problem.

was also told buy a friend (or someone on here, i can't remember exactly right now) that if the egr is deleted it will require custom tuning to pass inspection?? Not sure the integrity of that bit of advice but hopefully it will pass either way

 

 

If the EGR isn't deleted out in the tune, but removed from the vehicle it will throw a code. The code will fail emissions testing, you're OBD 2.

That elbow looks stock. But doesn't have the silencer. It could be the 1LE elbow, but not likely. Before you rip into the Opti make sure it's actually spark related. I'm not saying it's not spark related, but do a proper troubleshooting before you start replacing expensive parts.

 

I have a 96 lt1 and had a similar issue, the fuel pump was bad, but it could be a MAF sensor issue, or , many other things, I would run a code reader on it if you have one and see if it detects the issue. But I would honestly keep looking, and if it were me, I'd scrap the idea of getting an LT1 and go for and LS1.

 

I'd say that depends on the asking price. $3500 steal for an LS1/A4 or $800 for an LT1/M6? I took the LT1 (yep $800). The LS1 is better, but not 4 times better.

Mine ran like crap when I bought it too. Removed the EGR, AIR, and clogged Cat, bled the coolant system, re-installed the air damn, replaced the clutch disc, replaced the bellhousing, and fixed a spark plug wire and it was a purring. Cost me less than $1200 to get her daily drivable.

 

i definitely will hrcslam, i work at a chevy service shop so i got access to all diagnostic software, i'll definitely double check for the spark, if it's there i'll try the MAF trick that another ls1tech user recommended.

 

well i'm getting this one for well under $800... well under.

i'd like an ls1 but as long as i can fix it relatively cheap i'll be happy to be able to put my truck in the garage and keep mileage off it.

 

For that price, it shouldn't matter if the engine needs replaced! LOL.

 

Disconnecting the MAF puts the car in SD mode. And if the heads/cam hasn't been changed the factory tune for the VE tables will fuel the car based on those charts. If the MAF disconnected fixed the tip in stall then it's air delivery related. If not it'll be spark or fuel.

I'd check fuel pressure and compression too, regardless of any engine problems. Tune up time you know?

 

definitely, i'd love to do the full round up on the car, trans / rear end / coolant / oil flush etc but kinda scared for the trans, guy doesn't know how many miles are on the engine - 180 on the car, since he doesn't know the mileage i'm gonna treat it like it's got 180k original miles.. and assume no one's ever serviced it.

and yeah that's what i was thinking rc! For this kinda price tag it could need a motor & trans and i probably still would buy it lol.

 

he told me today that he'd even deliver the car to me, so that makes me twice as happy.

What would be your opinion on buying the car and just making it run decent for now and in the meantime go buy a junkyard motor and supe it up? Are the lt / ls blocks pretty expensive even if they're messed up? (like a dropped rod or spun bearings)

 

I'd take it as long as it has a title. Then get her driving. picking up a used LT1 shouldn't be more than $700 in decent shape off craigslist in a big city. If you got the funds I do it.

 

Hey now be nice, this was my experience and I thought I would share it so he can have another persons opinion and experience before making his final

 

irregardless of any negative comments towards anyone's advice, I consider it all. I'm new to the Pontiac world and will be taking anyone's advise. Hypno92, I appreciate the tip

 

hrcslam, is that all these things are going for???

I was hoping to get it for this cheap and have something worth at least $3500.


edit - found a bunch on craigslist in way worse shape than this one -- all LT1's going for anywhere between $5000 (rough condition but running) and $10,000 (low mileage, prestine with a lot of motorwork)

 

Yeah, the Pontiacs hold their value much better than the Camaro's.

 

Those exposed wires under the hood... ewww.