Are LT1s reliable?
#1
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Are LT1s reliable?
Im not sure if this is the right thread, but can anybody tell me how reliable an LT1 Trans Am is. Im wondering because there is a 96 silver WS6 for sale, but it has 99k but it looks like it is in good condition. It has a loudmouth exhaust so im suspicious it was driven hard. I know theres nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to know how a LT1 would hold up at 100K after people drive it hard.
#3
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At 100k..... water pump and opti-spark are the first to go. Than window motors. I'd find one in the 50k mile range. You'd prolly pay 6-7 grand, it'll save you all the money for future repairs on something high milage.
#5
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Originally Posted by Ironxcross
they're fairly solid cars besides the optispark issue. people have had them go to 250k+ and still running decent times (some of them even spraying 150 shots).
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#8
I can't say my car was reliable when I first bought it, I think this was mainly due to the previous owner. If you decided to go with it make sure have like $3k in slush money should something go wrong with the car. Despite a few short falls I would without even hesitating by my firebird again.
#11
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Originally Posted by Lightemup08
It has a loudmouth exhaust so im suspicious it was driven hard..
Here's a way to tell if the car has seen its share of the heavy pedal:
-curb rash worse on rear wheels
-rips in seat, cracks in dash,
-several imperfections in the paint
-Car feels 'loose' 'when you drive it
-rearend/suspension has a couple sqeaks/noises
My car has a small bird when I hit a nice bump, and a little itty bitty noise from the hatch, but its still a very solid tight car, and it wasn't hard to tell.
These cars loosen up pretty easy, one bad owner can be the end, but they are made for some fun and can handle plenty of beatin-on.
99K is not alot of miles for a 1996.
#12
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i think they are good, my problem i had with both mine was coolant problems, leaking on my old v6 and now i had to get a new water pump on my 96/ ta other than that its good. i don't like how they run hot though. 96 and 97 were bad years if you idle a lot it can heat up cause the fans kick on really late. i got a manual fan switch so i cna turn it on erlier.
#14
go 4 it
generly it is less expensive to buy, mod & maintain a lt1 with the x-ception of the opti, ls1 tend to need alernators more often, they bolth have weak rear ends so ether will benifit from a gurdle,if the price sounds resonable, Im biased twards the ltx 2nd gen, bang 4 bux, sbc heritage, sound, lsx also has some nice points,we are on the LS1 forum so xpect alot of votes for the gen 3
#15
well they used them as Cop car engines.... I have a 94 caprice with 258,000 and no problems... had 180,000 when I got it from the police aucton... driven hard put away wet.. no problems...
but remember it is just like everything even if it is babied **** breaks/fails. it happens to everything mechanical..
but remember it is just like everything even if it is babied **** breaks/fails. it happens to everything mechanical..
#19
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I have a 170,000 miles on my car. I have had a new head gasket,starter,and opti,since I bought the car three years ago when it had 130,000 on it. The car also sit for a year before I got it.
#20
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Wifes car has 157K miles on it. Wins bracket races all the time running 13.0 flat all day long.
Besides the cam, valve train and bolt on's it is bone stock.
Have replaced the opti at 78k miles and the water pump when we did the cam at 130k miles. A fuel pump at 98K. I did the trans at 120k miles. It was not dead yet but starting to make noise. Added a 2,600 stall when I did
Over all if you ask my wife it is the most dependable car she has ever owned
Besides the cam, valve train and bolt on's it is bone stock.
Have replaced the opti at 78k miles and the water pump when we did the cam at 130k miles. A fuel pump at 98K. I did the trans at 120k miles. It was not dead yet but starting to make noise. Added a 2,600 stall when I did
Over all if you ask my wife it is the most dependable car she has ever owned