Best year/model for an LT1?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 457
From: Pueblo West, Colorado
Thats a tough question, the 95-97 LT1 had 285 horses as opposed to the 275 in 93/4. I have a stock (mostly) 94 with 106,000 miles and still running strong, so its been reliable, it's my daily driver (even in the winter). But I think your going to get a bunch of different answers form everybody based on their expieriences.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 153
From: Landover, Maryland
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 811
From: tallahassee, FL
Originally posted by IXLR894Z28
Thats a tough question, the 95-97 LT1 had 285 horses as opposed to the 275 in 93/4.
Thats a tough question, the 95-97 LT1 had 285 horses as opposed to the 275 in 93/4.
). The best year is, of couse, the 1993! j/k
You're gonna get a different answer from everyone, allof the years are okay. The most important difference is the vented optispark from 95+. Othert than that just get the best deal you can find.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 286
From: Florida
For performance it really depends on if you are talking about stock or modded. As far as stock goes, the best would be a 96-97 WS6 or firehawk. I have seen one hit high 13's bone stock in Florida summer heat. As far as modding goes, I would say 1995 on the basis that it is OBDI and has a vented opti and there's more "meat" on the heads for serious porting than the later years. In reality, there is nothing that the 95 has that the other years cannot be modded to, such as OBD-I from OBD-II or switched to a vented opti or like I did with converting to RAM-AIR. But I suppose to each his own. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 286
From: Florida
ehh, those were the reasons that I looked for a 1995. It took me a year to find a 1995 Black 6 speed Trans Am for a reasonable price. 
There were only 3,000 M6's made in 95 who knows how few actually came in black. Oh well, I got what I wanted.
There were only 3,000 M6's made in 95 who knows how few actually came in black. Oh well, I got what I wanted.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7
Originally posted by shoebox
The answer is usually [insert here, whatever year is parked in the poster's driveway].
The answer is usually [insert here, whatever year is parked in the poster's driveway].
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 319
From: Enid, Oklahoma
i say 94 or 95 easier to do mods without needing tuning issues or throwing SES lights, true the 96 up have a vented optispark but you can change over to a vented one. it'll come down to what you find for the price you have.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 645
From: Modesto, CA
I'd go with a 97... I'd advise against getting a 93. Its nice having no MAF blocking up your intake, and my car has been very reliable, nothing but basic maintenence, but they're much harder to find parts for, and they are quite a bit different from the other years...
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 263
Originally posted by LeftoverChinese
For performance it really depends on if you are talking about stock or modded. As far as stock goes, the best would be a 96-97 WS6 or firehawk. I have seen one hit high 13's bone stock in Florida summer heat. As far as modding goes, I would say 1995 on the basis that it is OBDI and has a vented opti and there's more "meat" on the heads for serious porting than the later years. In reality, there is nothing that the 95 has that the other years cannot be modded to, such as OBD-I from OBD-II or switched to a vented opti or like I did with converting to RAM-AIR. But I suppose to each his own. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
For performance it really depends on if you are talking about stock or modded. As far as stock goes, the best would be a 96-97 WS6 or firehawk. I have seen one hit high 13's bone stock in Florida summer heat. As far as modding goes, I would say 1995 on the basis that it is OBDI and has a vented opti and there's more "meat" on the heads for serious porting than the later years. In reality, there is nothing that the 95 has that the other years cannot be modded to, such as OBD-I from OBD-II or switched to a vented opti or like I did with converting to RAM-AIR. But I suppose to each his own. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I have a 95 T/A so I'm very interested to know
How much did the Ram-air conversion cost and can you give me details on yours?
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 130
From: Santa Cruz, California
Lots of people say the 95 because it has the older and cheaper to mess with OBD1 and a vented opti, single cat style exhaust. The OBD thing is a weak point, the prices are very similar now. The vented opti is good but 96 and 97 have it too, BUT the 95 does have the single cat style exhuast. The only reason people prefer this is because its easier to get headers for and you dont have 2 cats to worry about.
My vote however goes with the model year of my car. I like having the new interior. I can't stand the 93-96 ones, it feels so cheap and your surrounded by hard plastic. I also like having the 97-98 wheels and the newer rear tailights.
Performance wise, they are are very similar. The model years are all withen 13.9-14.2 on average, some faster and some slower of course.
My vote however goes with the model year of my car. I like having the new interior. I can't stand the 93-96 ones, it feels so cheap and your surrounded by hard plastic. I also like having the 97-98 wheels and the newer rear tailights.
Performance wise, they are are very similar. The model years are all withen 13.9-14.2 on average, some faster and some slower of course.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 286
From: Florida
Yes, the 95 does have a vented opti. I have an ASCD hood (which I would not recommend). Rather than having grills they have a wiremess kinda like chicken wire. 
That was about 700. Also they told me that shipping would be $80 but it was 111.18 that needed to be cash and the driver would not wait for me to run to an ATM since he wouldnt take any other method of payment. The airbox I got off someone on this board for 200 plus shipping. I ordered a K&N filter which is arriving tomorrow from Lingenfelter for $54 plus shipping and then I will need a fernco 3 inch sewer pipe which is like $3 or something from home depot to comeplete it. I am getting the entire car painted rather than just the hood which will be $500 from a friend. Its preety expensive, but that was the way I wanted to go.
That was about 700. Also they told me that shipping would be $80 but it was 111.18 that needed to be cash and the driver would not wait for me to run to an ATM since he wouldnt take any other method of payment. The airbox I got off someone on this board for 200 plus shipping. I ordered a K&N filter which is arriving tomorrow from Lingenfelter for $54 plus shipping and then I will need a fernco 3 inch sewer pipe which is like $3 or something from home depot to comeplete it. I am getting the entire car painted rather than just the hood which will be $500 from a friend. Its preety expensive, but that was the way I wanted to go.