ZMONSTER!

iTrader: (9)

Hey all Ive been really hooked on the idea of getting an LT1 car latelym but what sort of mileage is normal? I want anything from 95-97, preferably a trans am or if I can find it a 96-97 SS. What sort of mileage is normal/average for these years? I see some that have nearly 200,000 miles and that seems a little high to me! Thanks fellas

krayzie7th

its going to be hard finding a low mile lt1 most of them have over 100,000 miles on them. I would say from 75,000 to 110,000 miles its good for and lt1.

Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

While more than 80k miles is probably the average, actually it shouldn't be too hard to find a lower mileage LT1, especially in the north because a lot these cars aren't driven year round, you just have to be patient. Last year I limited my search to cars under 80k and found quite a few and bought one with 65k miles. Just expect to pay a little more for a low miles/unmolested car.

The problem is that it's not necessarily a good thing if a car has low miles, especially if it's because the car sat up for a while, which causes seals and gaskets to leak. Hopefully you'll find one with low miles and was taken care of.

Green3spd

iTrader: (7)

I just bought my 96 Z28 and it had 97k miles... Id say that was average....

LT1-DAN

Why on earth would you want a LT1??

ZMONSTER!

iTrader: (9)

Well why not? I hear from alot of people that the LT1 was a great motor for its time and I agree, I also think the cars are sharp looking. I think it would make a cool project car

Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

I agree that the LT1 cars have a better look, so if you're content with the stock performance, it's all good. One thing you may want to consider is finding the cheapest car you can find with a good body and use the savings to have the engine rebuilt. I bet you can find a good LT1 for around $3k and you can have the engine rebuilt with a few performance parts for about $3500, bam, you've got a LT1 body with LS1 performance on the cheap. I wish I had done that.

Speedy

Because the block doesn't crack and fall apart when you mod it past 500hp like the LS1 does.

LT1s run well past 100,000 miles if well maintained.

BOLO

iTrader: (40)

^^ +1. I'm sticking w/ my LT1 for a very long time! When it breaks, I'll build an even stronger one!

lt1noob

iTrader: (4)

lt1s for the win

LT1-DAN

To each his own I guess. I think you are going backwards building up a LT1 imho. It's a good engine don't get me wrong, but it's a problematic pita to work on. Just do some research on this site and Z28.COM, and you will see all the miss/hesitation/stumble/rough idle threads there are. But if you really really like the way they look then go for it. I have owned my LT1 for a very long time, but I don't think that I will put anymore money into this car once I blow it up.

Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

I know you're not trying to turn this into the typical LT1 v. LS1 thread, but you've got to realize people buy certain cars/engines for different reasons. The OP obviously is interested in an LT1 and being on this forum, probably has heard a lot of pros/cons about both engines. I could have gotten a LS1 Camaro when I bought my LT1 last year but I just wanted a LT1, despite the fact that I knew the LS1 was faster, partially for sentimental reasons (couldn't get one when I was younger) partially because I just like the looks of the LT better. I've driven both and I just like the "feel" of the LT1 better.

Trust me, I've had BIG problems with my LT1, but I expected problems and I still like the car a lot, I just wish I had paid less for it. Face it, compared to some cars, all Camaros are a PITA to work on no matter which engine you have; there are a lot better body styles to work with if you want an easy car to work on, but there is something about these cars that people love enough to overlook the problems.

LT1-DAN

That's not true. All Camaro's are not hard to work on. My '68 is a cakewalk Really only the 4th gens are a real pita to work on. Like I said, to eack his own. My personal opinion is that the LT1 engine is an engine with a lot of downsides to it. I would never recommend a LT1 unless you are in love with the way the car looks.

Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

You're a cruel person. My three dream cars are 68-69 Camaros, 96 Impala SS, and my current LT1. I tried to get a 68-69 but even non running ones cost more than my LT1. And I agree that the LT1 has some issues, especially in regards to the dreaded opti, but even that isn't something that can't be dealt with.

You obviously know 68 Camaros are just glorified Novas/Chevy II's?

LT1-DAN

You do know that f-body LT1 blocks are 2-bolt mains? It would not be smart to push them past 400- 500hp also.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

It's not hard to splay a block.


I bought mine, which may have seen some track time in it's life, from a doof in Iowa (previously an Illinois car) for $3800 and he was coming up the weekend I bought it, so he delivered it anyways. It had 93K on it when I bought it, 96K on it atm.

LT1s go and go and go till 200K, so when I found that out, I was happy that I got a sub 100K mile car.

ZMONSTER!

iTrader: (9)

See I KNOW that the LT1 is an "inferior" motor. I already have an LS1, Love the thing to death! Plan on having this car for a while! My current little obsession with the LT1 is based on the fact that it IS an older motor, there is something that draws me the archaic. Its more of a classical small block than the LS motors, and yes the cars look sharp!

ZMONSTER!

iTrader: (9)

Hell If I could get the wife interested I would love to make one her DD!

Slowmaro95Z28

My 95 Z28 has over 180,xxx miles on it and was daily driven until i took it off the road for a cam swap. Once I get it tuned it will go back to daily driving duties. The car always ran great and had very few problems. As long as you don't listen to people that blame every little thing on a bad opti then you'll be fine.

LT1MAN

iTrader: (6)

nothing lasts forever, especially opti's. mine's in the shop right now for an opti. replace it and move on. a good looking lt1 on the road being driven is becoming more and more rare. they're about like seeing a new z06 now. its getting hard to find them around here because we have a lots of idiots buying them up and putting 10" x 10" wheels, hot wheels stickers and cherry bombs on them and then finishing them up with an airbrush painting of the virgin mary on the hood if you know what i mean.