Right now Im driving a 98 Regal GS. Slightly modded, runs high 13's in the 1/4 mile. Been a fun car, but I have the dangerous itch to drive a manual again and I cant get my eyes off the LT1 Fbody (M6 of course).

How are the motors to maintain? I hear plugs are a pain (but so are plugs on the SC3800), headers, this and that. My Regal has been 100% reliable, never an issue with it so the replacement needs to fit that bill. Optispark needs to be replaced, I know about that stuff. I just want to get into the mid-low 13's with it and be done (for now ). Im 20, about to move on in college, so once Im done with my 4 year Ill mod it more.

Any reasons for me NOT to get one? Hows the rest of the car? Suspension, A/C compressors, body (rust), etc?

Thanks for your time

 

Lets put it this way, after doing plugs on an LT1, plugs on a supercharged 3.8 is a breeze through the park. Ask me how I know. Overall, they are good, solid cars. Some of the main trouble points are the optispark, as you know, the rear intake manifold oil leak, and the power window motors. You can make a mid 13 second car pretty easily with the LT1 platform.

 

do you plan on using it for a daily driver?

Other than that you sound exactly like me. Take a look at my sig, ive got fairly basic mods and im in the 13s. Mine is a summer car (granted i live in michigan) so i dont have to worry about it being reliable even though it has never let me down. Not sure what else i can say, if you got any more specific questions post em up!

word to the wise however, a good 6 speed LT1 might be a challenge to find. I looked for an entire year before I found one that i looked at for more than 5 minutes... and i ended up buying it. (this was in 03) There are a LOT of tired and abused LT1s out there in comparison to ones that are taken care of.

 

I have an M6 and it makes a great daily driver. You get slightly better mileage in comparison to the auto if you keep your foot out of it. Try and get a low mileage LT1. Mine has almost 108k on it, and I know that isn't exactly low mileage but it runs great. The only thing was the waterpump was going but I took care of it before it started messing with the opti. Most of my mods were too improve the drivability (driveshaft, better shifter, !CAGS (disabled the skipshift), and a better radio). The LT1 gets overshadowed alot by the LS1, but the LT1 is still a great platform especially considering a good LS1 is considerably more expensive (especially where I live).


Plus it'll help you improve your wrenching skills because they're difficult to work on in comparison to alot of other cars.

 

Ill second him on that one!

 

Get a LS1

 

There are allot of cars out there now that out perform the LT1, and can offer you more bang for the buck so to speak. I wouldn't choose an LT1 unless you like the looks of the car, or don't plan on keeping the motor stock.

 

Mid 13's is EASILY attainable... w/an auto =).... My car has 373's CAI and headers. NO upgraded stall... runs 13.35's on street tires all day .... 8.5's in the 1/8th... Any car has its OWN problems... ls1's lt1's... it doesn't really matter... Yeah the opti is a problem.. but its only a problem once if you replace it w/something good the first time... ls1 have power window issues too... There is no doubt the technology is better in the ls1 but a nice lt1 can be had for half the price... and funner to drive around town... my 2 cents...

 

I wish I would have gotten a LS1 years ago....your light years ahead as far as head flow by itself....to each his own

 

my z has 133k miles on it and it stilll runs damn near perfect, just got to replace water pump soon. I think the car is really realiable as long as you maintain it as well.

 

Get a third gen with an Lt1 mid to low 13's with a stock lt1 and they are a breeze to work on! plus they handle alot better!

 

How so?

 

This is from an LT1 owner of over 7 & 1/2 years, get an LS1.

 

if u want an lt1, try to avoid the 95's
nothing wrong with them
its just that its an obd 1 computer with an obd 2 diagnostic connecter
so you need a scan tool to check the ses
94s and older u can use a paper clip
96 and above, obd 2, u can go to autozone to pull a code for free

 

go ls1..more power, easier to work on, and way better aftermarket. Only problem is finding a good deal on one.