The reason I ask this question is because I recently parted ways with my old gas guzzling 396 SS 69 Camaro and the only fast ride I have is a 87 Buick T-Type which runs well and is fast.I never raced it at the track.The thing is that I love to drive manual transmission's cars.Im thinking about possibly selling my 87 T-Type even though it runs great but needs some restoring.I don't know how much I could get for it.I also love the ability to put a nitrous system on a 6 speed LS1 engine.I know it costs money to modify an LS1, but if I had to choose between selling my Buick and getting something newer that has great street driveability I would go with the LS1 Camaro.I would get H/C/I and a 4.10 Gear eventually.I know most guy's love there LS1's but Im a newbie to these car's.Does the LS1 camaro's or Trans Am's have the handling as well as the power to make one forget about it not having a power adder???

 

Go test drive one.

 

From my personal experience the LS1 F-Bodies are great cars...they handle well and the power is definetely there...im more into the LT1 F-Body just because the low end power makes it feel more like a muscle car than the more High end power maker the LS1...the LS1 is definetly faster but the LT1 just slams you into the seat harder in my opinion.

 

Yep, they can handle. Not like a Corvette, but your T-Type's handling is going to feel like a dump truck once you get used to an LS1 F-body. There are several simple things you can do to make it even better, too.

If you're a true horsepower junkie (like me), you'll never forget about not having a power adder.

Forget most of what you know about modifying engines. The basics still apply, but there are so many little things you can do. A cam, full exhaust, and bolt-ons on a 2001 or 2002 LS1 will get you well over 400 rwhp.

 

LS1 = created by God.

 

Thanks, now get back to the Lounge.

 

Well for the first time in 22 years I don't own a V8 powered car.I have no idea how the power might feel compared to a LT1 or older muscle car's.I think with the right mods at around 425 RWHP and 4.10 Gear's the low end power wouldn't matter.The LS1 may not feel like a 454 or 502 Big Block but it might run right with some of them.Also what drew me to this car is the great streetability and gas mileage that the LS1 gets.I'll take the trade off of that low end type muscle car power for better mid to high RPM power any day.

 

"The LS1 may not feel like a 454 or 502 Big Block but it might run right with some of them."

depending on how the old cars are set up....my bet would be the ls1 would beat them.

low 13s bone stock is not something that was accomplished often in old school muscle i don't think.

weight is a big factor.

but as you said....you can have a 425rwhp ls1 that still gets 25+ mpg

 

Dude, just buy one already! Seriously! What are you waiting for!

-Geoff

 

+1 You wont be disappointed

 

LS1 F-bodys are currently the best bang-for-buck car period. The handling and braking will embarrass your G-body and have just as much power potential. I owned a 1986 GN, so I know both platforms.
Also, don't waste your time with 4.10s in a 10-bolt and don't bother with 41.0s at all on nitrous unless you are running a big, sticky tire...

 

I have to wait right now to buy one.I do not intend on using the nitrous in 1st and 2nd gear's with the 6 speed trans.Also the car won't be a street/strip car.I only care about driveabilty on the streets.The 69 402BB Camaro I had about 420 RWHP and with a 150 shot I only used it in 3rd and 4th gear's,believe it or not with plain radial tire's.To this day I cannot believe what that power felt like(kind of like getting hit by a freight train).Also no tire spin in 3rd and 4th gear's.I know I can't compare this with a higher Tech motor like an LS1.I don't know if 4.10's in a modified LS1 with nitrous would react simarly in 3rd,4th,5th gear's.Not sure I want to get rid of the Buick because that car is still fun to drive also.I do have about 104,000 miles on the Buick and it still runs perfect

 

You wont regret buying a LS1 car, they are amazing machines. BTW, they love nitrous aswell. We have an A4, 155k mile car that gets sprayed regularly with a 175 shot off of the line. With a couple minor boltons and the 175 shot it went 11.7's w/ a 1.60 60'

 

The 7.5 10-bolt is fragile enough with 3.42s...put thinner 4.10s in there and you are taking your chances. My 2000 Z28 had a 383 that made 460rwhp N/A and ~650rwhp on the TNT wet-kit. Just N/A, it was spin-city...even with sticky Nittos. 4.10s would have rendered 1st gear pointless and 2nd gear pretty worthless.
Anyways, do the basic stuff first and then see if you really need the 4.10s. My guess is that you will end up with a 12-bolt/9-inch/S60 before you put gears in the stocker...

 

Old69,

I know where you're coming from. I had a 70 SS for 12 years. I test drove an LS1 car on a whim and knew I had to have one. So I sold that 70 and got I got a 00 SS and haven't looked back.

Several years later, I'm still daily driving it but w/408 under the hood that put down 481 hp and 464 lb/ft at the wheels through a fabbed 9". With the mods I've done, the car handles very well and stops well too. Much better than my 70 ever did, and I still have all my creature comforts like AC. Plus my milage still gets in the 20's on the highway.