I have always loved Chevy V8s (my dad has a modded '98 Corvette Coupe), and always wanted a Vette or Camaro. Well a buddy at my school has a '95 Z28 (Member "Sceanzo" on here) and I had the pleasure of driving it last year a few times. Well I drive a '95 Jeep Grand Cherokee I6 and knew I didn't have the money to trade in for an LT1 Maro so I was forced to just drool over the power I wish I had. I went through a phase of getting the idea to just lift my Jeep with 33's but realized that I'm a sports car guy, not an offroad guy. So lately I have been looking at my finances and have seen that maybe getting a Camaro isn't too out there. So I've been looking, and Looking, and looking and haven't found the right one. Figured that it would probably be a while till I could find the right one and get one.
Fast Forward to today...Sean (Sceanzo) passes me his keys to the Z and I'm all grins! The feel behind that wheel, the power, the sound through the SLP Loudmouths.... . This was not a good move on his part....I am hooked now! I must have an LT1 asap.

So questions appear:
I was thinking '95 was the best year for the LT1s, ups and downs for this year? I will mod this car, should I stick with OBDI or OBDII. OBDII will throw codes like there is no tomorrow, but it would be alot easier to pass inspections with an OBDII if I have LTs since all they really do is hook up to the computer. Thoughts? I'll probably try to find an auto with the 2.73, what kind of gas mileage should I expect in city and highway with a mix of WOT and cruise? Any other kind of information I should know or look out for while shopping for a Camaro?

By the way, been surfing this forum for a while...Love it!

 

Alot of people say 95 is the best year because it is still OBD1 and has the vented opti.

Whatever you do take your time and find one that you want and can afford. When I bought mine 2 years ago I was dumb when it came to buying cars. I saw it sitting in the lot and decided to get out and look at it(at the time I was driving my 93 V6 camaro) a sales man came up to me and asked me if I wanted to start it up, I couldn't pass that up. Long story short I took it home that day and ended up paying too much for it. The salesman didn't even know how much the car was because the it just went on the lot that day.

 

[QUOTE=5Point7Liter]I have always loved Chevy V8s (my dad has a modded '98 Corvette Coupe), and always wanted a Vette or Camaro. Well a buddy at my school has a '95 Z28 (Member "Sceanzo" on here) and I had the pleasure of driving it last year a few times. Well I drive a '95 Jeep Grand Cherokee I6 and knew I didn't have the money to trade in for an LT1 Maro so I was forced to just drool over the power I wish I had. I went through a phase of getting the idea to just lift my Jeep with 33's but realized that I'm a sports car guy, not an offroad guy. So lately I have been looking at my finances and have seen that maybe getting a Camaro isn't too out there. So I've been looking, and Looking, and looking and haven't found the right one. Figured that it would probably be a while till I could find the right one and get one.
Fast Forward to today...Sean (Sceanzo) passes me his keys to the Z and I'm all grins! The feel behind that wheel, the power, the sound through the SLP Loudmouths.... . This was not a good move on his part....I am hooked now! I must have an LT1 asap.

So questions appear:
I was thinking '95 was the best year for the LT1s, ups and downs for this year? I will mod this car, should I stick with OBDI or OBDII. OBDII will throw codes like there is no tomorrow, but it would be alot easier to pass inspections with an OBDII if I have LTs since all they really do is hook up to the computer. Thoughts? I'll probably try to find an auto with the 2.73, what kind of gas mileage should I expect in city and highway with a mix of WOT and cruise? Any other kind of information I should know or look out for while shopping for a Camaro?

I'm running LTs in my 97. I highly doubt I would pass emissions on an OBD-1 style car. Although my car does have cats, I dont know how effective they are, they are there only for visual purposes. Also, I am hitting around 19-20mpg in the city. Thats better then what I am getting in my Grand Prix right now. As stated above, take your time, find something that is mechanically sound and has a good body.

 

The only thing i have to say is never drive an LS1 car if you loved the power and performance of the LT1 car... oh and good luck on your search!

 

If you could find a 98+ that you could afford, you would never regret it.

 

all years have their ups and downs.

i wouldn't focus so much on year, but on options you want, condition, milage and price.

good luck...

and i agree with the comment on the LS1...it's a noticeable difference...the pull on top end is sick!!

 

I don't know about other LS1s, as mine is the only one I've driven, but there's a point around 3500rpm where the engine just comes alive.

That said, you can get the car moving quite fast without ever getting over 3500 rpm...

 

I definetly have my heart set on an LT1, LS1 Camaros and Trans Ams just do not look as tough and evil as LT1s (IMO). My dad has an LS1 Corvette so I am VERY familiar with them (alot more than LT1s). I have had the privelage or driving LT1 and LS1 Corvettes (same motor, but yes I know there are minor differences in the Fbody and Vette version of each) but I just love the look of the LT1 Fbodys over the LS1s, Just a personal preference I guess. I hope to find that "one" soon!
By the way, if anyone knows of an LT1 Z28, Red exterior, Leather interior, Auto with 2.73 gears, with low miles (less than 75k)...let me know.

 

AMEN! I love the look of the LT1's. A buddy of mine has a '98 T/A, and it's true, that LS1 has incredible high-rpm horsepower, pulls like a damn freight train, but having driven that doesn't make my LT1 feel slow. And besides, I've never heard an LS1 that (IMHO) sounds better than my LT1 growling through a Loudmouth.

 

There are lots of '93-97 guys that swap out the necessary front end parts to make their cars look like 98+ cars. Find one of those guys, buy an LS1, and make an even trade. Then you have the look you want and the engine you want. That would be sweet.

 

My only input is to take your time to find the right one you want. Sounds like you've already narrowed it down to LT1, red, leather, A4, less than 75K miles....don't compromise. There's so many used Z28s out there, don't buy until you find exactly what you want...it'll show up eventually.

P.S. I'm with you about the LT1 Camaros look better than the LS1s....please, no hate PM from you LS1 folks . But I do like the LS1 Firebirds better than the LT1s though.

If you had the time/$$, you could also drop an LS1 engine into an LT1 body..seen that done.

 

I also loke the LT1's body style over the LS1. The only LS1 body style that is better looking than the LT1 is the WS6.Of course this is my preference.

Back on topic, take your time in finding the one you want, but don't pay a rediculous price for it just because it is exactly what you want.

 

He's right. Take your time. I looked for probably over a year and finally found the one I wanted. Think about going 6spd if you see one too. They are definately fun and get excellent gas mileage as well. You really have to drive one to know.

 

Wait to find what you want, I looked for eight months before I found mine... and I am glad I did! It turned out to be exactly what I wanted with t-tops black leather and ls1 Good luck and keep on searching!

Jared