HawaiianZ28Rider

hey guys i found and opportunity to swap/ trade cars today. I am about to trade my stock dd 99 ls1 z28 +cash for a 2001 trans am that has 490 rwhp

good idea or bad idea??

Trans Am has:
ported heads and internals from tsp (rockers, rods, springs etc)
ms3 cam
LT headers with cutouts
built tranny with a shift kit
comes with 2 rear posi's 10 bolt and and 9 bolt...not to sure what make
3800 converter
...ungodly loud haha the earth gets violent wherever this car goes

now i plan on driving this car as my dd since i only have the z28, and i only commute during the school year which is about a 25-30 mile round trip.
im just trying to get input on what you guys would do if you were in my situation thanks

ReApEr75

iTrader: (4)

If i were in your situation i wouldn't do it, but thats me. I would want the satisfaction that i built the car with my hard earned money. On top of that you should make sure who did the work, get the reciepts, how many miles are on all the parts, has it been beat the sh*t out of, is the rear on its way out, any knocking noises etc.... These are the things you have to consider before trading for a built car. This decision is basically all on you, Built Not Bought Ftw

SweeTbone

iTrader: (8)

I think I'd stay with the DD you have. I did like doing on the mods myself and sometimes you do worry about if the previous owner did beat the **** out of it. My biggest concerns are RELIABILITY and the sheer power. I mean, ****, do you need that much HP for a DD? With the mods in my sig my car seems stoopid fast. There is no virtually nowhere safe other than a drag strip to have good SAFE fun with a car with that much HP. I do a few expressway on-ramp blitzes and if I venture out into the country it's good, but in your daily commute where you see 0 - 45 MPH, it's just not feasible to me.

As far as the reliability goes, the stall could cut down tranny life. I'll assume it's also got a tranny cooler, as that might prolong it a little. You're going to find sitting there for 10 minutes waiting to get up to operating temp everytime you get into your car veryyyy daunting. I don't trust even babying it while it's still cold to drive as your vavle springs need to be at temp. I'd take all that into consideration.

Bottom line, it's a good weekend warrior car, but for a DD, I'd pass. Good luck with the choice.

zracer323

iTrader: (12)

I agree with the previous two posts. It is probably a bit much for a dd. Why dont you just pick up a beater for a couple hundred bucks and just drive the ta when its nice?

98cherrySS

iTrader: (2)

Car like that can wear you out if you drive it everyday. What do you know about the current owner? Is he the original owner? Is he over 40? I might consider it if you knew he was good to it... But honestly... who's not gonna beat on a car like that?

teke184

iTrader: (5)

490rwhp....ported heads and ms3 cam....thru and auto...

anyone else think that's a bit of a stretch?
unless its a 383 or something.

fccs

iTrader: (26)

Have you seen a dyno sheet or track times of this car? 490hp does seem alot.. I mean a ms3 cam is pretty big but it isnt the biggest cam out there and does he have a fast intake or what? If he has a a ls6 intake with just ported heads and a cam, thats such bullshit. Making almost 500hp to the wheels with just a cam and heads?? Someone find that odd

Z28/2002

iTrader: (27)

that is what I was thinking


dyno sheet or

qwk93ta

iTrader: (13)

I'd keep your car if you plan on using the T/A as a DD.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

ill never DD my SS again and it has nowhere near that much power. with a car like that you should have another car to drive. id keep what you have.

406malibu

That was my first thought... no way its making that power with just those mods, ESPECIALLY through an auto.

but to the OP, you do NOT want to DD that car. Reliability is an issue, and if you didn't build it you have no idea what kind of shortcuts this guy has taken. If nothing else buy a 500 dollar beater for the DD duties.

01FbTaWs6

iTrader: (12)

i dont think it makes that kind of power either, BUT, I dont think there is any sort of reliability risk. I could drive my car every damn day, and not have to worry about it breaking down on me. These cars, even when heavily modded are still reliable as all getout.

colby72olds

iTrader: (7)

If it only has the mods you posted in the first post, then I would consider DDing. If it's really got 490 n/a HP then I wouldn't DD it.

406malibu

maybe yours is... but not all of them are. after 400+ hp, it becomes a risk. Yes if they are built right they *SHOULD* be ok, but there's so many little things that can be less reliable. that 4l60e is ****, the 10 bolt is ****, and more power only makes them less reliable. Not to mention with that cam, it'll be necessary to check the valve springs every 10k or so. If you dont have money for a beater, you dont have money to worry about renting a car when it breaks down. But, if you're willing to take that risk, by all means do so.

metalmechanic

it seems as if he is wanting to get rid of it for a dd

scritch

iTrader: (1)

keep your car, use the cash your gonna throw up on that one and build yours a bit.. who needs a 500 hp daily driver.. .not me

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

We all know it is not 490 so that would make me not trust the dude right there....

Having said that I COULD DD my car in sig if I wanted too. Mods in sig for 2 yrs/20k with only maf prob and 1rocker bolt backing out. Oh wait........well my rear end is crapping now but motor wise it's still pretty reliable.

More hp makes the other weaknesses stand out.....

406malibu

BINGO

Texas Heat

iTrader: (9)

Yep definately not 490rwhp, maybe he is guessing his flywheel horsepower.

406malibu

that would mean he's putting down 416 if you assume 15% loss, or 392 if you assume 20%. much more likely. engine numbers are