Im fairly new to the LS1 (04 GTO) and was wondering how much of a beating can the car take? Its got 21K miles and is stock...(just bought it!) I never beat on the car or tranny because of fear of "Beating" on the car and lowering the live of the car.

When i say beating on it I mean pushing the pedal past 75% throttle and coming close to red line. No drifting or pealing out . Of course i understand what is beating on the tranny is and what it can cause so I am not worried about that.

For example, at a stop light and lighting the car up though first to third. (M6)
Obviously doing this often will cause damage over time. (Duh) But my question is, the car is engineered to take a beating and maintain itself with out causing problems? I just have a power house and feel a little guilty if the car is opened up to much. What do you guys think?

 

The engine and transmission are both pretty bulletproof, with proper maintenance.

You'll wear out clutches, tires, and maybe a rear diff or axle, but the two big pieces should be able to handle the abuse (until you start with the mods).

 

Thanks i would hope a LS1 could take a beating but im just playing it safe for the time being. Also i need to improve my manual skills.

 

i have a 06 and i beat it to the ground.. multiple track runs a week, weekly roll races ect... i push her... she holds. keep her in tip top shape... she will stay strong for you... my clutch is the only burden

 

Ha good to hear. Sometimes when shifting into second, it will grind even though the clutch is 75% engaged. I use normal shifting and once in a while if you seem to be at the right speed and try to go into second it will grind and not allow you to enter the gate. Is that the "1st to 4th" deal? Whenever that is on it usually will not allow you to even come close to second but i could be wrong. What does this sound like?

 

the only thing you have to worry about right now are clutch tires and diff
once you get some mods you gotta watch the drive shaft axle stubs etc

 

skip shift eliminator

 

whats going on cool... yeah i wouldnt worry to much about it. like everyone said about normal wear and tear and your clutch but watch the missed gear at high rpms.. i wouldnt push the car all the time but you can still have fun with it

 

drive it like you stole it ,its got a chevy motor in it u cant hurt it!

 

+1, the gen III is a tough mother, and she can handle a beating. Look at how many people spray stock motors without any trouble, small shots but non the less.

 

I've got an '04 GTO that I bought used at 23k miles. I'm close to stock power (Only K&N CAI and tune), I've gone to the track about once a quarter since Summer '06, but I run it pretty hard on the street. I burn out (more so when I bought the car) and drift in it (not the hardcore stuff, but getting sideways never gets old). I've got 48k on it now (as it's my DD) and I've had no problems *knocks on wood* with the car. The stock clutch still holds up well and has never slipped. The only thing is that I avg 12 mpg on the street and go through a pair of (rear) tires every 6 months. I change the oil every 3k-5k miles (depending on how much interstate traveling I did). Only thing I haven't done, but will do shortly, is change the other fluids. I'm holding off on the coolant as when I get a CAM next year it will be replaced. I've already changed the rear diff fluid as well. All that is left now is the manual tranny fluid, the clutch fluid and the brake fluid.

Oh, and I have got to change the air in my tires as well :-P

 

if it dies then you can do what i did. look at sig

 

or you can do my set up..LOL

 

Firefly's Car is Wicked Fast. Should see that sucker at a track or better yet in a roll race with a sport bike and spanking it to 170