well as the subject says trying to decide wether to head cam my lt1 Z or sell it and get a 99 SS. I know a head and cammed LT1 would kill a 99 SS but i still would like to have a new car. Let me know what you think and what head and cams u would recomend for the job and other parts that would be needed complete the project.

 

I vote for Heads & Cam....

 

I was faced with the same dilemma you are in. I was going to buy a new Z28...25000, but then decided to beef up my 95 LT1...paid for. I haven't started yet, but I am going do this in June. I am going to get my heads and intake ported ready to bolt on by Lloyd, add an XE 224/230 cam(have), true duals with a dr. Gas X pipe(have) and thinking of either borla again (homemade) or dynomouth with cats(sniffer legal), Jet hot LT's(want bad), aluminum drive shaft with either 3.42's(have) or 3.73's(thinking of)(rear end swap down the road). I have the cam on order($215.00), drive shaft in the garage(~$200), bolt on heads and intake (~$900-$1100), X pipe ($200) and mufflers ($35-50) and $150 for the custom install for the exhaust, (~600) for LT's headers and custom tuning(~200). So, for ~$2000 and some really nice friends and budlight, I think I will be okay...oh and I forgot about the rebuild when the engine is out (kit ~$500 and was quoted $1000 with the engine out and ready to rebuild) so the new figure is ~$3500. And hopefully around 400rwhp...not too shabby if all goes well.

 

Well i hate to say this being an LT1 owner. But if u are given the chance to get the 99 SS, i would in a heart beat get it. Its just a beautiful car, not that yours or lt1's arent, but its an SS and it truely is the real deal in my book. Either way, you still will have a bomb a** ride!

Good luck!

 

i think it would be a lot easier to get an ls1 and go from there. plus you can get a lot of power by just doing cam and headers with the ls1.

 

Yah 99 SS are bad *** cars and have always wanted to have since i got my first camaro. I told my dad about the heads and cam and he told to wait a little while and get the SS because he knows i want it and im sure his old *** will drive it sometimes.
However the first person who posted THEMADTYPHOON one of my bes freinds thinks i should just head and cam it and have somewhat of a sleeper. I forgot to mention this too. The LT1 is already on autotrader and has been for little while. At that point i was for sure going to buy SS then i hit a light pole in the winter car the last time it snowed. So that means i would have to buy 2 new cars. And then the buddy tossed the head and cammed idea up and now im all undecided again.

 

I say if u keep the LT1. Do a 355 or a 383 stroker along with the heads and cam. That would be a bomb a** car in my book, depending on the flow numbers on the heads and the cam u choose to go with.
Emmisions a problem for u?

 

LS1 is superior plain and simple. I've seen bolt-on LS1's lay down 350rwhp. Thats what I am making with a cam. Granted, once I get heads I will be in the 390rwhp range. All an LS1 needs is a cam and stock heads to get 380-390rwhp easy. Its just a better platform to start on. If your on a budget, LT1 all the way. If my Z was paid for, I would sell it and buy an LS1 in a heart beat.

 

Make the LT1 into a monster. Plain and simple.

 

depends on what you want to do...if cost is a factor, you will come out much cheaper building up the car you already own...plus those $400+ in car payments you would make every month can go to buying more goodies for a car you don't need to make payments on.

As far as which is faster, once you start getting into heads/cam/stroker/etc territory, things even out pretty fast, except the money part...I understand parts for LS1 cars are way more expensive than LT1's.

 

I would say if the LT1 is paid for, then just build it up.

If it's not though, I would go for the SS. I love the LS1.

 

Hate to say it. Get the LS1. But it is your choice. I am just sick of chasing my buddies LS1 cars with twice the mods as them. A couple of my friends are putting down over 370 to the wheels in A4 LS1 cars with basically the same mods I did to my LT1. Stock heads. I have what is in my sig not to mention they are all 100 - 200 pounds lighter then me. It is frustrating but my Z has been with me since day one & it is paid for. That is why I am staying with my LT1. But I can't wait til the day I can afford an LS1 car.

 

i wont even get into lt1 vs ls1 or how a build motor can be as good as any other built motor...having either is sweet...

so ill just register my vote for heads and cam on your current Z ...cheaper, faster, still a fairly new car and with a bunch of new parts

LT1 Z28 4L

 

If you're not having any problems with your car (it's no a lemon), I'd stick with it.

A heads/cam package + some suspension upgrades would give you a nice, fast, good handling car... that would be pretty reliable.

Moving up to an LS1....
-you would have a newer car that may/may not be more reliable (check the history of the car)
-would have less power (realtive to heads/cam LT1)
-would not handle as well (relative to LT1 with suspension)
-would cost a lot more

 

Thanks for all the responses. THe lt1 runs strong has 62,xxx miles just put a complete new igintion and slp clutch on ti this winter so it goes. I still have a like 2000 to pay off on it but someone has offered $9000 and he waiting to hear my answer. I love the LS1 SS how ****ing bad *** they look and i like to have ppl tunr head when i drive by and doesnt happen that much with LT1 car unless im passing them at like 100. SO i still dont know what im gunna do but thank for all the input. Will take it all into consideration.