If you get longtube headers, it wont matter what year you get. Also, I think i read on here that the 97 heads flow a little better stock, but I'm not sure.

 

All LT1 f-bodies in 1995 were OBD-I with the OBD-II style/shaped connector.

 

this one

 

94, 95.

 

woa, your not a veteran anymore... (Im sure you realize that) can I trust you on that?

omarECD, in the 2k miles ive had my car, the window motor quit (other is about to) and the starter quit. Window motors are a common failure, and they are a PITA to change, even when you have to people to help you like I did. (not impossible, just annoying).

 

You can't really go wrong with any of them. Just go with whatever car is in best condition, lowest miles, etc.

Personally, I'd go with the '93 if I found one in good condition. OBD1 means you can do more modifications without having stupid lights and warnings going off on your instrument panel. It also handles mods better than the OBD2. The 93's were also the last year of the removable "chip". When you've modified your car to the point where it needs custom programming, you can just order a new chip from pcmforless or something and still have a car to drive around in while your waiting for the new chip to arive. Starting in 94, the only way to get the ECM programmed would be to send the whole unit away, then your left without a car for x amount of days, weeks etc.

The only downside is thatsometimes parts can be a little more difficult to get then the 95-97's. A few of the parts won't interchange, cat-back exhaust, opti, etc.

Not really a big deal though.

 

All 1995 model cars in the United States of America are OBD1 Hehe... This isn't difficult folks. It might have an "OBD2" style connector, but it's OBD1.

For high-performance modding, '95 is the good year, because it's OBD1, but it has a Vented Opti... OBD1 is easier to tune, and Vented Opti is more reliable... and you can use the better header designs... if you put Long Tubes on a '96-97 you have to do extra work to keep from having error codes and lights... not on a '95!

-Michael

 

word home skillet...

i would only buy a 94/95 but thats not to say that you can't make the other years fast

 

It all depends on what your final goals on the car are. If it was to have a fast street car or a stock daily driver (anything under 450 RWHP) I would personally go with a 94 or 95 as they are OBD I. I would try to stay away from the 96 and 97 cars if you are going to do anything besides bolt-on's (heads and cam, nitrous, blower ...) because of the OBD II. If kept stock I would want the OBD II. Now if you are going to do anything over 450 RWHP I would seriously look at getting a 93 because they are speed density. The MAF's I heard won't read air accuratly after that point, so, if you are going to any extremes I would go for 93's. Plus they are much cheaper. That would be my choices and why.

 

Definately a 97.

 

I have a 93 ta and I love it. It was dirt cheap and the computer likes mods better than some of the newer ones. But also got a 94 z with 220,000 miles,had it since new and it still runs like a scalded dog.

 

if I'm not mistaken 93-95 had better internals then the 96-97.....someone back me up here...

 

You may be thinking hardened pushrods which I think were available in '95....

Personally, I'd say unless you have to have teh tail lights and interior, get a '95. Its cheaper, OBD-1, 1 cat and has a vented opti. Other than the styiling if you like the later cars better, theres no downsides to a '95. Especially if youre on the $7000 budget you mentioned ealier, '95 all the way!

 

I see these cars go for less than 7k all the time. But i suppose most of those have taken a beating. When you shop, check out the window and see if it rolls up all the way without slowing or stopping. Look for leaks, etc. If you have a friend with roughly the same year camaro and he has a way to scan the computer and monitor it, that would tell you a whole lot more about the condition of everything and how its running.

 

95-97 are the best years soley because of vented opti setup...

Sure the 96/97 had more advertised HP, but I've never seen factual data at the track indicating that one is any quicker than the other.. for the most part, all 93-97 LT1 F-bodies average about the same times.. some may be quicker than others due to.. who knows.

I prefer the 97 due to the updated interior and taillights.. I owned a 96 and grew to dislike that interior quite a bit after a while, especially after owning my 97 I'm so far modded now I could care less about dual cat or not.