UNmolestedTA

I have a good line on getting 1997 trans am for cheap. I plan on taking the LT1 and six speed and planting that into my 67 camaro. As far as modding goes are there any LT1 model years that are better to get or all they all the same? Also, I plan on turning it into a 383 with all forged internals to either run a supercharger or nitrous. What basic things do I need to look at before starting my build up that are specific to LT1's? Thanks.

blk97z28

iTrader: (3)

I would say get a 1997 b/c it is the last year they made it and b/c they should have "most of the flaws" fixed by then fromt he pervious years. It also has the most flywheel horsepower of any year of the LT1 and the most flywheel torque of any year. The six speeds will be higher on those two things, also the ss air setup and the ram air setup are a little more as well. Then you get the LT4 ss's and those are evern more hope this helps ya.

Later,
Devin

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

94!

we have both MAF and SD, and hardened pushrods, pink rods which are a hair stronger than Powdered metal, we have the heads which are sort of the best for porting(more material), easier to align opti, OBDI is both ways good and bad.

me and blk97z28 are biased on years lol.

donkey mule

95 is the best year, vented opti plus better tuning capabilities.

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

i wish i could use HP tuners

C Man

1995 for the above reason... vented Opti but still OBD1.

kahunaking

iTrader: (1)

93s are faster

But i would rather take a 95 for the vented opti and the ability to actualy tune it vs chips

1994Z28Lt1

iTrader: (1)

pretty bold statements, we all know that most lt1's put down similar numbers from year to year no matter what they were "rated" at

also all the answers here will be biased like Revelation Z28
said. Some people like the 97's because of the newer interior which isn't a big deal to me, but to some people it is

Some people dont like the 94's because it doesn't have a vented opti (i solved that problem by getting a dynaspark)

lets face it everyone that posts in this thread is going to be biased towards their car

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

you can tune 94's. E-PROM started that model year.

BizZzatch350

iTrader: (33)

1995 for 3 simple reasons, tune ability, OBD-1 and it has the vented opti factor. No other years offer all three. 1993s are cool, I own one, but man the amount of crap thats different, some times can make it a major pain in the ***.

Schweet97Z

iTrader: (35)

i like my 97 for the simple fact of the interior being the same as the ls1's.

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

First, I am not biased. It is not my fault that the 97s are the best.
But seriously, for what you are doing I would go with a 95, for the reasons stated above. Get a copy of TunerCat (relatively cheap) and go to town tuning it. OBDI is a PITA AFA finding fault codes (most scanners are OBDII) but the price and availability of TunerCat, and the ease of tuning OBDI cars, more than make up for it.

Taubr Unit

iTrader: (32)

I vote '94's also!! But im bias! haha

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

While I love my 93, and it is quick (I chipped mine though), I wish I had some of the newer things. I don't like MAF personally, why dunno, just another sensor to go out. I wish I had tuneable transmission and such, but oh well. So 94 or 95 gets my vote. I think 94 has better (more material) heads than 95 though, but the trade off is the vented opti.

socal

iTrader: (1)

above, looking at it from the swap point of view, but if the 97 ta is cheap get it. the motors are all about the same just 93 was speed density only and had a prom type ecm, 94/95 obd1 w maf, 95 vented opti, 96/97 obd2 crank position sensor and a few other sensors

zlover129

iTrader: (10)

Of the motors by themselves, it really makes little difference (other then 93's) You can always use any 95, 96, or 97 motor with the vented opti and just use a 95 computer. Or convert the others to the vented opti's and OBD1 computer. 94's had hardened pushrods, but whats another $100 or so with the project you're talking about. You're good to go with the 97...hell my car made great power

00WSik

iTrader: (1)

Whats different from the 96 and 97, isnt it just the gauges??

DBEST369

haha i like that but also cuz of the LT4 or go with a 95 cuz every 95 is just sick but i might be biased too lol

caldercay

Considering that you're going to completely rework the engine (plus blow or spray), it doesn't make much difference the year model. Go with whatever has the least financial burden.

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

ill actually vote for a 4 bolt main vette longblock. it would be the best of any F body LT1 that is in non splayed form.