ineedtorque

Ok well after waiting to get an ls1 it looks like its going to be a little too expensive for a 18 year old paying for it all himself... So im looking at a 97 ss with only 32k miles on it. My first question is what is needed for an lt1 as fast as an ls1 with just a lid, free mods and exhaust. Im not going to mod the car past gears and boltons. I cant play with smog since im in california. My other question is do the new ss hood and spoiler fit on an lt1? Anything else I should consider before getting this lt1 ss? I know this is ls1 tech but you guys are so much more informative than lt1 tech. Any help would be apppreciated.. Thanks.

Strahley

iTrader: (4)

I didn't think there was such a huge difference between a '97 SS and a '98 Z28/SS

I say keep looking for deals on an LS1. You won't regret it

hourang

iTrader: (6)

paid 12.9k for mine 50k miles.

Amorget

I was looking for my F-body and drove a 97 WS6, then went and drove a 98 TA, the 98 was so much better, even if it was a AT and the 97 was a 6 speed. It was an easy decision to keep looking for a LS1.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

What price range you looking at?

The power differences between the two are 50RWHP.

ineedtorque

Well Id like to spend 15 or under considering I dont want to go too far into debt at young age. Im in california and ls1s are pretty expensive. I cant travel to get one or anything like that considering im working full time and it would be a hassle. The only reason im looking at this 97 is because it only has 32xxx miles on it which is extremely low. My friend just payed 19 for his 01 with 56xxx miles on it. If I got the lt1 i could spend money on fixing it up. This car will only see the strip 2 or 3 times this summer. I drove a 00 ss and then rode in my friends 95 z28 and it is alot faster but would a m6 lt1 with gears and boltons be just as fast?

JHTZ28

Well if you're comparing a full bolton LT1 to a bone stock LS1, I would say the LT1 would have the advantage. The difference is when you start talking about modding the LS1, the story changes.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

The LT1 will "feel" faster because of the torque it has down low. At the track, you'll see the facts.

I paid $14,8 for my SS with 12K miles. There are good deals out there, you've just got to keep looking.

hourang

iTrader: (6)

01s are expensive, get a low mileage 98-99 and you can find then a lot cheaper.

99silverWS6

iTrader: (3)

Spend the little extra cash and get an LS1. I have owned both and I don't regret selling my LT1. I spent $15,500 on my 99 WS6 with only 26K. It is much easier to make an LS1 faster.

samz28

yeh the market sux right now, you can get well cared for documented cars from other states much cheaper. Just avoid the states where snow is so you dont get a rust bucket.

lol.

remember mileage may be one thing (financing) but a well cared for 50-70K car can be in much better shape than a saturday night special some rich punk had on the hose for 15K. Don't judge the shape of a ls1 by its mileage. 60K miles all freeway with all records single owner (non-ls1tech member lol) or old lady can easily be in more pristine shape than the dealer lot lease returns that were hosed, slicked etc.

if you don't know how to judge this , drive several cars you'll see. and carfax them, you don't want a wrecked car that will depreciate the car even further if you have to get out of it (gas/tickets/insurance/job/etc). Never buy upside down.

check out some of the ebay auctions and watch them close. they are real market value and some are in great shape. So what if you gotta spend $100 on a priceline flight and drive her home a 1000 miles or so if its the right deal.

LT1FUN

If you aren't planning to mod the car past gears and "bolt-ons", then of course the LS1 will be faster. But I'd drive both and just go with what you like. I would take a '97 SS any day because you just don't see them like the LS1 SS cars you see on every corner. I would much rather opt for a lower mileage LT1, that a higher mileage LS1 given your situation.

In the end, I'd just go with what you like, both cars have pros and cons.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I'll also mention that the optispark ignition is the work of the devil

You also might want to check out http://www.camaroz28.com for LT1 info.

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

I don't know I was 18 a long time ago I bought Vettes and new camaro's back then....

If I was 18 and in your shoes, I would find a nice lower mileage 50k or under 93-97 Z28 or TA. I bet if you were patient (easier said than done at 18 **** its hard at 31!) you could find a loaded 95 with less than 50k 6spd with T-tops for under 8K. If you must have the SS or WS6 you can always spend another 1500 on rims and hood (It can be done I have a 98 Z28 with hoods and 17inch rims for less than that!)

This way your debt is really not bad your car payments will be lower. Insurance will be lower, still high, but not as bad. You'll have more money for hanging out, buying gas etc.

The LT1 is a great car, great motor VERY reliable and can be made a mid 12 second car relatively easy. I've owned both and if I could do it all over again I'm not sure if I would have bought the 01, but my 93 was heavily modded...

JMHO Get the LT1 cheap fix it up a little then in a few years when your tired of it you will probably be in a better situation financing and insurance wise to get something else.

Bobby

BADFNZ-383

iTrader: (41)

i would also say continue looking for an ls1. there is just a complete difference in the 2. i paid 15,000 for my 99Z28 with 17,500 miles. like a few people said, just keep looking, there are good deals out there. good luck

SNAXS

Theres alot of LS1's here in the Vehicle Classifieds for way cheaper than 15. Also its only around 500 to ship the car to a different location on average.

jrp

iTrader: (16)

bought my z28 for 11.4 after taxes and fee's last july. with a budget of 15k theres no reason you can have an fbody. if you go lt1 get a 95-96 for cheap and spend the rest on mods

Jordan57

Definitely go for the LS1. Shoot my car with many bolt ons and gears...and LT4 heads is lucky to pull side by side on an LS1 with an m6 and any mods or an A4 LS1 with a stall. It's ridiculous. The LS1 is a much better motor to mod I think and even if a little more pricey worth it in the end. If I would have bought an LS1 then and put the same type mods on it I would be running low 12's all day where as now I'm hitting mid 13's....traction limited of course....lol....

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

Sorry there is something wrong with your car. My STOCK automatic 93 LT1 ran 14.01s at 101. In a race with a auto 98 vette I lost by 3 tenths. Although he was coming on STRONG after the quarter it would have been a massacre.

There are plenty of stock LT1's M6's running mid 13's and bolt on LT1's running 12.99's. There are hot cam only cars running LOW 12's. Not saying by anymeans that the LS1 is not a WONDERFUL motor and that bolts ons are an incredible difference (I'll never forget "feeling" a lid I was impressed)

But to make LT1's out as a VASTLY inferior motor and a slow car is not good information. I've had two of each and nothing is wrong with an Lt1 car.

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

Actually there is one thing an LS1 is HANDS DOWN MUCH EASIER to work on. There is no, absolutely no comparison there. The LT1 is ridiculous to even change the Freakin plugs. My first header install was a NIGHTMARE. LS1 is tight but nothing like the LT1 everytime I worked on that car my arms looked like hamburger. I'm not sure if I even bled in the H\C headers swap on my 01