I have a 94 firebird formula with 66k, 6-speed, Lt1,and t-tops. I really like the car but it is in need of a paint job and some tires (275 40 17) which are pretty pricey.

My buddy offered to sell me his 99 z28 convertable with an auto and 114k for $5000.
Now I can paint my firebird and get some tires and maybe a ram air hood, or I can get the 99 z28, and sell my firebird. I will probably end up spending the same either way. IS the LS1 really that much better than the LT1? How about the mileage? 66k for 114k? What do you think?

 

LS1 is a completely different animal then the LT1 is. Id buy the LS1, but then again I paid 5k for my LT1 with 117016 miles on it.

After I thought about it. Id buy the ls1, sale it and buy a t-top, or hard top ls1.

 

Of course any LS1 powered car would be nicer to have in the long run. Not only does the camaros LS1 have about 20 more hp and 10lbs more of torque, the engine is designed in such a way that any part u add to the, it would make more power then if it were added to an LT1 car. However, doesnt mean an Lt1 isnt a great engine as well. 66k is still reliatively low miles for an LT1 and with proper maintence on it you could use that firebird for a very long time. That and with the 5 grand u would spend on getting the LS1 car, you could still have some room for tires, paint, and some power goodies. In the long run, the LS1 car IS better (newer generation, more parts available), but that still doesnt stop many people taking an LT1 powered car to sub 11 second NA. For your decison i would just choose off of preference. Do u like ur firebird or the 99 camaro better? The difference in mileage would come most importantly when asking how well maintained the LS1 wass.

 

I would say stick with your LT1, 66 vs 114 is almost double. Long tubes, a cai and a tune will even out the hp difference.

With the LT car you will have a brand new paint job too.

 

It's up to you bro. Pending the Convertible is in good shape, they're both going to be just as reliable. Would you prefer to put some $$$ into the Formula and have it exactly the way you want or would you prefer to upgrade then put money into the LS1? The LSx engine platform is very nice, but LT1's are nice as well. If I were to upgrade to the LSx I'd miss the sound of the LT1 but I suppose the extra power up top would be fun to. That's why I'm collecting parts for my cam swap.

 

LT's are very torquey motors LS's are HP motors. I like the torque of the LT and the thing about the 6-speeds is they pull all the way to about 6k stock. I agree with 6speedlt1z though about having ur formula the way u want it or the vert z and put money in to it to make it like u want it. the choice is yours. I like the power of both and would not be ashamed to own an LS 6 speed if it was t-top.