LT1 purchase advice
LT1 purchase advice Hey everyone! Jeff (GoFast908Z) was kind enough to let me use his thing here to post my questions.
Ok, you LT1 pros, can someone give me a breakdown on the pros/cons of the years of the LT1 camaros? I'm looking to buy one.
Specifically looking for a 93-97 Z28 Vert, red. As low miles as possible, like one of those "I can't believe it only has x-many miles!" kind of cars, ya know?
Aside from me searching all over the internet to find a car (for now) ....can you guys let me know about some problem areas and things to look out for, for these earlier cars?
Oh and this isn't going to be a car I mod. Gonna leave it stock except for springs/shocks and a catback, thats all.
Thanks!
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
ps, i would have searched...but i don't really know what to ask...sorry Mod.
Ok, you LT1 pros, can someone give me a breakdown on the pros/cons of the years of the LT1 camaros? I'm looking to buy one.
Specifically looking for a 93-97 Z28 Vert, red. As low miles as possible, like one of those "I can't believe it only has x-many miles!" kind of cars, ya know?
Aside from me searching all over the internet to find a car (for now) ....can you guys let me know about some problem areas and things to look out for, for these earlier cars?
Oh and this isn't going to be a car I mod. Gonna leave it stock except for springs/shocks and a catback, thats all.
Thanks!
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
ps, i would have searched...but i don't really know what to ask...sorry Mod.
If your not going to mod it, * Btw, you will, trust me * the best year would be a 96-97, as they are factory dual cat cars. but I know as soon as you have a cat back on it, and then your springs, your gonna go, damn, that would look nice with some wheels. Next comes a CAI, then headers, then some spray, its a never ending cycle man.
i was thinking like a 1.75 or a full 2" drop, with the silver "salad" wheels i think they're called? I've seen a couple with those and lowered, and it looks awesome. Just gonna stick to a catback. No need for more power, just want it to sound good. Its gonna be a car I drive just to have fun and relax, stored in the winter and all that good stuff. My other car has the big power if I want to go really fast. 
Thanks!
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
Thanks!
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
people keep saying that...but this car isn't for going fast. My other car is for that. The speed bug bit that car hard. This will be primarily for cruising and stuff.
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
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Originally Posted by Chris18927
whats ur other car?
Just a hunch.
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Originally Posted by LukePhillips
A 1998 Z28 A4 2.73 with SS wheels, Long Tubes and True Duals, all 3" piping, Vigilante 3000 stall, Walbro 255 lph, Tune, other bolts ons, custom painted interior.
Just a hunch.
Just a hunch.
No, thats Jeff's car. (GoFast908Z)
I have a 2005 Subaru STi. Just a few hp mods so far. More boost will be coming later this year.
Thanks
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
Jason, I'd suggest finding a clean 96/97 Camaro SS or Firebird WS6 car. They're the best looking imo (Black Formula WS6 = sex on wheels), and you're likely to find one in good condition and low miles being collector's rides.
These cars don't typically have many problems, and are pretty fast stock. Bone stock a well driven M6 96/97 car will trap as fast as your (when stock..) STi Not ET as well though (RWD vs. AWD...) The biggest problems are:
A. Automatic transmissions.. the autos in these cars are good, compared to other companies. But being autos, they break.. alot.. I busted mine in my old car rather quickly.
B. 10 bolt rear ends.. the rear end has a small ring gear, 7.5". It'll break easy in an M6 car with slicks. I've seen people with M6 cars bust them even on street tires with stock tires, but thats very rare. I run DRs and I'm fine. If you ever plan on going fast - you'll need to upgrade the rear.
C. The infamous intake oil leak. Most LT1s leak oil from the rear china wall on the intake manifold - it's normal, albeit annoying.
'93 cars you'll want to steer away from. They were old school, chip driven ECM, speed density cars. They also usually have worse gears than later years.
'94-'95 are OBD1 (less headaches..) PCM cars. They're old single cats (except '95 California cars) and are typically decent rides.
'96-'97 are OBD2 (more tuneability, but more headaches) PCM driven cars with a BCM (body control module) as well. That gives you cool **** like a factory alarm, running lights, automatic headlights (those are sweet...) and fading interior lights. The '97s also have LS1 style interior (the extra cup holder is sweet).
If you have any more questions, feel free to post up.
These cars don't typically have many problems, and are pretty fast stock. Bone stock a well driven M6 96/97 car will trap as fast as your (when stock..) STi
Not ET as well though (RWD vs. AWD...) The biggest problems are: A. Automatic transmissions.. the autos in these cars are good, compared to other companies. But being autos, they break.. alot.. I busted mine in my old car rather quickly.
B. 10 bolt rear ends.. the rear end has a small ring gear, 7.5". It'll break easy in an M6 car with slicks. I've seen people with M6 cars bust them even on street tires with stock tires, but thats very rare. I run DRs and I'm fine. If you ever plan on going fast - you'll need to upgrade the rear.
C. The infamous intake oil leak. Most LT1s leak oil from the rear china wall on the intake manifold - it's normal, albeit annoying.
'93 cars you'll want to steer away from. They were old school, chip driven ECM, speed density cars. They also usually have worse gears than later years.
'94-'95 are OBD1 (less headaches..) PCM cars. They're old single cats (except '95 California cars) and are typically decent rides.
'96-'97 are OBD2 (more tuneability, but more headaches) PCM driven cars with a BCM (body control module) as well. That gives you cool **** like a factory alarm, running lights, automatic headlights (those are sweet...) and fading interior lights. The '97s also have LS1 style interior (the extra cup holder is sweet).
If you have any more questions, feel free to post up.
Originally Posted by urbanhunter44
Jason, I'd suggest finding a clean 96/97 Camaro SS or Firebird WS6 car. They're the best looking imo (Black Formula WS6 = sex on wheels), and you're likely to find one in good condition and low miles being collector's rides.
These cars don't typically have many problems, and are pretty fast stock. Bone stock a well driven M6 96/97 car will trap as fast as your (when stock..) STi Not ET as well though (RWD vs. AWD...) The biggest problems are:
A. Automatic transmissions.. the autos in these cars are good, compared to other companies. But being autos, they break.. alot.. I busted mine in my old car rather quickly.
B. 10 bolt rear ends.. the rear end has a small ring gear, 7.5". It'll break easy in an M6 car with slicks. I've seen people with M6 cars bust them even on street tires with stock tires, but thats very rare. I run DRs and I'm fine. If you ever plan on going fast - you'll need to upgrade the rear.
C. The infamous intake oil leak. Most LT1s leak oil from the rear china wall on the intake manifold - it's normal, albeit annoying.
'93 cars you'll want to steer away from. They were old school, chip driven ECM, speed density cars. They also usually have worse gears than later years.
'94-'95 are OBD1 (less headaches..) PCM cars. They're old single cats (except '95 California cars) and are typically decent rides.
'96-'97 are OBD2 (more tuneability, but more headaches) PCM driven cars with a BCM (body control module) as well. That gives you cool **** like a factory alarm, running lights, automatic headlights (those are sweet...) and fading interior lights. The '97s also have LS1 style interior (the extra cup holder is sweet).
If you have any more questions, feel free to post up.
These cars don't typically have many problems, and are pretty fast stock. Bone stock a well driven M6 96/97 car will trap as fast as your (when stock..) STi
Not ET as well though (RWD vs. AWD...) The biggest problems are: A. Automatic transmissions.. the autos in these cars are good, compared to other companies. But being autos, they break.. alot.. I busted mine in my old car rather quickly.
B. 10 bolt rear ends.. the rear end has a small ring gear, 7.5". It'll break easy in an M6 car with slicks. I've seen people with M6 cars bust them even on street tires with stock tires, but thats very rare. I run DRs and I'm fine. If you ever plan on going fast - you'll need to upgrade the rear.
C. The infamous intake oil leak. Most LT1s leak oil from the rear china wall on the intake manifold - it's normal, albeit annoying.
'93 cars you'll want to steer away from. They were old school, chip driven ECM, speed density cars. They also usually have worse gears than later years.
'94-'95 are OBD1 (less headaches..) PCM cars. They're old single cats (except '95 California cars) and are typically decent rides.
'96-'97 are OBD2 (more tuneability, but more headaches) PCM driven cars with a BCM (body control module) as well. That gives you cool **** like a factory alarm, running lights, automatic headlights (those are sweet...) and fading interior lights. The '97s also have LS1 style interior (the extra cup holder is sweet).
If you have any more questions, feel free to post up.
The Trans Ams are cool looking, as are the Super Sports. But from what I've seen, they are a lot less common in the LT1 years, so they are harder to find and cost more. However they usually are in better condition (from the ones i've looked at). Defineately gotta get red though
The Scooby is pretty quick but doesn't trap really high. 1.8 60' is fun though. I may take the LT1 to the track once just to see what she'll do (mid 14's?). But never on slicks, just street tires.
thanks for the info on the oil leak! I think after seeing the posts on here and elsewhere, i want a 96 Z28, for the OBDII, and the interior, and other little things.
Thanks
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Originally Posted by GoFast908Z
I have a 2005 Subaru STi. Just a few hp mods so far. More boost will be coming later this year.
Thanks
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
Thanks
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
Sounds like you'll have a nice couple of cars. I love EJ2X powered Scoobies, I have a WRX dd right now and it treats me good (a lot better than I treat it
).For a cruiser or a bolt-on car I'd get a 96-97 for the updated interior/gauges. I couldn't stand the old *** looking gauges in my 94.
Originally Posted by Vendetta
Sounds like you'll have a nice couple of cars. I love EJ2X powered Scoobies, I have a WRX dd right now and it treats me good (a lot better than I treat it ).
For a cruiser or a bolt-on car I'd get a 96-97 for the updated interior/gauges. I couldn't stand the old *** looking gauges in my 94.
).For a cruiser or a bolt-on car I'd get a 96-97 for the updated interior/gauges. I couldn't stand the old *** looking gauges in my 94.
The Scooby is my daily too.
I thought the 97 had different interior/gauges than 93-96 though? Is there something else they changed in the inside of the 96? pic maybe?
Thanks
-Jason (Jeff's friend)
