fst100

iTrader: (5)

Im in the market to get a weekend fun car to cruise around on dry days. I’ve stuck with GM brand cars and plan to do so and am looking at upgrading to an LS1 w00t. I found this car that’s not far from me. For the mileage and the price I believe I can drop it a bit more but I noticed the car has both aftermarket wheels as well as the pedals. I honestly haven’t looked at it yet, which is why im here posting for your help. When I do plan on looking it over as well as test driving it, what are the main places I should look for in getting an LS1?
Heres the link
2000 Z28

FWIW my current DD is a 98 pontiac grand prix gtp with mods and a mild cam. Last track outing it ran a best of 13.1 at 105mph. my pop just financed an 05 gto that’s red and my mother has a 98 olds intrigue L36 lol

conan

iTrader: (5)

That doesn't look like to bad of a deal. The rims are the c5 zo6 corvette style, and the brake is probly just a cover you could remove. Go take it for a ride and see how low they will go on the $$.

fst100

iTrader: (5)

thanks conan, but is there anything specifically i can look over when i look under the hood? also to tell whether it was previously modified or not? thanks!

z28mccrory

iTrader: (7)

Take it down the road and do a full throttle 2-3 shift. Thats the first thing to go wrong in auto cars.

fst100

iTrader: (5)

good to know, i'll check that area out. it should shift clean and not slip in the upshift correct?

conan

iTrader: (5)

Look for exhaust manifolds if there are headers thats been changed. Look at the tail pipe's the stock z28's have rectangle tips under the bumper. Look to see if the seal on the back of the trany is leaking, look around the oil pan for leaks, ect ect,

z28mccrory

iTrader: (7)

Put it in OD and take it down the road. Make a spirited pass and feel how it feels shifting from 1st to 2nd (should feel fine... seldom a problem) and then stay in it untill it shifts from 2nd to 3rd.

The 2nd to 3rd shift is problematic in these cars... and one of the first things to start acting up. It will feel sloppy and possibly barely hit the rev limiter before it shifts. This is a sign of excess wear. Its not the end of the world, but realize if it does that, you will be needing a rebuild soon.

fst100

iTrader: (5)

thanks for the info, im not in the mood to do another tranny rebuild in a car anytime soon >.< my stock tranny on the grand prix gave out and i since upgraded the tranny with hardened parts and higher gearing and that took a chunk out of my pocket.

z28mccrory

iTrader: (7)

There isn't much to worry about on the motors of these cars... i just bought a 98 with 150k miles on it, and it runs great still.

If the transmission feels good, i say go for it. The rear ends are also weak... but if it doesn't howl, and does make wierd noises going around turns, its most likely fine.

Enjoy it and good luck.

fst100

iTrader: (5)

fixed to make certain thats what you meant

schmidtycamaro

I agree with all the above. Also be sure to check out the sailpanels (I believe that's the correct term) to make sure the paint isn't bubbling.

dankl

iTrader: (1)

Looks like at the very least the car has a cat-back exhaust. Probably has a lid, or some sort of CAI as well. It'll be obvious if you pop the hood. These are both good to have done already, since they are probably the first 2 mods anyone does.

Just test drive it and make sure you don't baby it when you do test drive it. If they have a problem with you going WOT, then make one of them take it out with you. Or say thanks but no thanks. There are plenty of these bad boys available now-a-days.

z28mccrory

iTrader: (7)

Other things i was thinkin of...

Check the trans fluid to see if its dark or burnt smelling...

Check and make sure the A/C blows cold...

These are great cars, but its a 9 year old car now... just keep that in mind.

fst100

iTrader: (5)

thanks guys, im gonna plan to check it out this saturday as the weather is dry and clear. i'll keep my fingers crossed and hope the car doesnt have the negatives that was posted above ^_^;

WhiteFormula98

iTrader: (10)

Drive it like you stole it

fst100

iTrader: (5)

whats the RPM for the 2-3 shift so i can look for it when i test drive it?

demarco313

well u really cant go by that unless u know the gearing the car has. if it has different gears put on it would affect the rpm range when it shifts

fst100

iTrader: (5)

*update* the car i mentioned above someone beat me to it and dropped a deposit on it >.<
however my pop and I went to his local car dealer and took an 01 z28 a4 for a test drive. The area around there doesn’t have a lot of long straight-aways but I tried to get the 2-3 shift at wot. I only managed to get it up to ~80mph b4 running out of road. After we went back to the dealer I asked him if theres anything in both motor and tranny. He said that every so often, when the tranny temp’s at operating temp and getting on it that the 2-3 would stutter and that letting off the throttle then back in would get it to shift into 3rd gear. That was the red flag at this point. He said that if I get the car that I would need to get it serviced from him when I’d drive it more in the spring/summer. He said its most likely a valve body issue in the tranny, of course he said the car would have a 6-month 7500mile warranty. He wanted/asking price $10,500 and the car has 63,600 miles on it.

Im gonna pass on this car, but while this is on topic, what causes the 2-3 shift at wot to go? Is this in every LS1 or just the ones made on Fridays? Also the motor is fine and I noticed no leaks, but the dealer also said the low oil light comes on from time to time even after an oil change, I dunno what the deal is with that.

sway99bird

iTrader: (22)

Why not look at a M6 if you are looking for something to play with on the weekends

fst100

iTrader: (5)

they're hard to come by around here. mostly are owned by private sellers.