It's been a while since I've posted and this topic is a little off the beaten path, but hear me out.

I own a 2006 GT that's basically mint with about 180k miles. It needs a clutch and I really dont feel like doing it. Lol A guy work offered me $5k.

Here's where the dilemma comes in. I actually found a 1997 WS6 for sale for $5k as well. Ive always like the LT1 WS6s ever since a buddy of mine had one right after we graduated. The car seems clean from the pics except for the normal fbody issues, cracked dash, passenger window motor is dead, and rear bumper could probably use a repaint. It's an auto which is kind of a bummer, but my other half could drive it too. Car is 100% stock with 141k miles.

The guy just replaced the opti, wires, and plugs with all Delco stuff. Says it runs great and I'm going to look at it tomorrow. My only concern is I see the internet is filled with LT1 reliability issues and a pain to work on. I've never had an LT car, but have owned two LS Camaros and currently my 2000 WS6 and 2003 Z06. The LS motors have been spot on for me with no issues and are fairly simple to work on.

Question is, would I be getting into a nightmare with the LT1 platform? The 3V is a smooth engine and super reliable. The S197 actually rides very well, but I've always had a thing for the LT1 WS6.

You guys with experience with these LT cars, if you could let me know your input, I would greatly appreciate it.

One last thing, the CEL is on.becaue of the O2 sensors he said and the security light is on. Said It's been on for the 3 years he's owned and never gave any issues.

 

Be very careful about splashing through puddles and you'll be fine. The only real nightmares are electrical gremlins from a 20+ year old car.

 

He's full of ****. O2's do not trigger a security light. To me that's a giant red flag right there. If you are really wanting the car you need to tell the seller to take care of the problems first and prove it was done correctly. I can't stand it when sellers say "it only needs ______ and it will be fine..." If that's the case then why can't the seller fix it themselves before advertising? Reliability wise, the only components that have proven to be faulty are opti spark, coil and ICM. With the aftermarket being so dismal I'm not sure I'd want to spend money on a forgotten platform. However mechanically if the car is taken care of it will run forever. These cars are no more of a PITA to work on than any other. Every car has its quirks.

 

Not trying to give a cop out answer but those cars are worlds apart. I own a 94 Z28 and a 08 GT. In my opinion any 20-25 year old car with over 100k is going to give you issues and you will be working on/sinking money into it all the time. I’m not knocking the car but pretty much just the way it is.

 

I've owned two 3V mustangs and two LT1 Fbodies. Keep the mustang. Stang is a better platform, easier to work on, and far more reliable. The LT1 is a bitch to work on, and the Fbody in those years has electrical gremlins out the ***.

 

I've got a '96 and it's never given me any electrical problem that I didn't create myself(damaged my plug wires). With the sole exception of the opti, I've never known 93-97 f-bodies to have "electrical gremlins out the ***" as if there were electrical design problems from Chevy.

Ditto with SS RRR's take on it.

 

The 97 will have the newer vented Optispark and ODB-II.
Engines are very solid, Opti is the only thing you must change if you start losing spark to a cylinder, and the LT1 Fbody can be a pain to mod as it can be difficult to work on.
As far as power, a good running LT1 with a few bolt ons will be about even with a 3V, or close, if not ragged out and done right they are no pushover.

 

I like my 94 Z28 but the S197 cars are WAY easier to work on with less quirks. Fords electrical systems/electronics have always been far superior to GM. As far as compared to a 3V no VATS, OPTI, ICM, Coil, plug wires, EGR, WP, cooling/running hot/bleeding issues, no leaks, no FPR, no oil sending unit, no breaking dash, better injectors, spark plugs that are a royal pain in the ***, newer/better platform, bolt ons and aftermarket support thats out of this world.- those are the advantages a 3V has over an LT1.

 

I have a 93 lt1. If you are looking for reliability you should stick with the newer car. Just changing the spark plugs and wires on these cars can be an 8 hour job the first time.
That being said, I would never trade mine for a 2008 Mustang

 

I've had security issues, melted the cooling fan wires, opti issues, shorted out 02 sensors, cracked insulation on the injector wires, etc.

 

sounds like you got a lemon, never had electrical issues like that on my 94 and it has 185k+ on the chassis

the opti issues are blown way out of proportion imo, although it does sound like there is some shady stuff going on with that car as others have pointed out. to me, the 97 ws6 as a much better looking, cooler, and more rare car than an 06 GT. i see that body style mustang daily out on the roads, but couldn't tell you the last time i saw a lt1 trans am let alone a ws6 model. you wouldn't be giving up anything performance wise since the GT's were rated around 300hp in 06 and the 97 ws6's were rated at 305hp from the factory so it would just be a new platform to learn on although it sounds like you've had a couple fbodies in the past so it really wouldn't be that bad. so to me it would come down to looks and exclusivity, which both go to the ws6 easily imo.

 

I don't remember if 4th gen ponchos had electrical issues, but 3rd gens were notorious for them.

 

Unlikely that I got two lemons. I live in Texas, so it stupid hot in the summer. Heat degrades the insulation and pretty much screws with everything electronic.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I think you misunderstood what he said, I don't see where he said the CEL light is on due to the O2 sensors , He said "AND the security light was on". I think he just meant that that both were lit up on the dash.

 

Only thing the LT1 has going for it, is headers are easier to do than the 3V behemoth of a motor.

Personally, I would keep the stang rather than jump into someone elses mess.

 

this. window motors, window switches, column switch, turn signals, grounds, BCM.

 

I say look for a 6 speed LT1 WS6 you wont regret it.
Like everyone mentioned there's a few issues LT1's have, I've been threw it. Bad Opti, ICM, coil, MAF, IAC, intake manifold gasket leak, water pump, spark plug wires.
As far as working on it, pain in the ***! Despite it all I still think its fun to drive than any newer car I've been in.

 

My daily driver is a 6-speed WS6 Trans AM and I absolutely LOVE driving her each day! I have driven my car through deep snow winters in salt covered roads here in New York and I have driven her through deep puddles. A trick I learned from a member on this forum, I believe, is to simply coat the seams of the optispark with fluid repellent dielectric grease and apply it LIBERALLY, glop it on and smooth it out in excess around the entire diameter of the optispark saturating the seams between the cap, the inner cover, and the metal base. You won't have any problems with fluid seeping it from then on!

Yes, I too have encountered electrical problems with the car but that is expected given the age and since I was forced to put in a Jasper remanufactured engine but I think things have been smoothed out enough now that the engine runs like the stock one that I had to get rid of. Now it's the 6-speed showing me signs it is wearing out from first to second but she keeps on driving strong! Instead of taking out a loan to buy a brand new car, I plan to finance major work to get her in nearly new condition some day. If I love her now I will LOVE HER when she is restored and modified, later. Keep that in mind when you consider your options.

I LOVE my LT1 engine, though not an LS1, it is fun to drive and with good torque to work with. If I had a TPI intake to mount on my LT1 then it would be all the more fun but let me not get off topic. If this current WS6 is suspicious, have the owner take it to a mechanic you trust so that they can look it over and give you the details about the problems they find. My father was right when I was looking into buying an SLP 2000 Firehawk, someone rigged the wiring to deactivate the check engine light and that car would have sucked to be a daily driver given the mods that were done to it. So, I now have my LT1 1997 WS6 6-speed and I am happy with her!

 

THIS! I have an lt1. Ran amazing, until I drove in severe downpour and went through some water at highways speeds, not it runs rough and dumps so much fuel in I cant breath. I'd put a 24x system in but I'm in the process of buying a house.