Hey guys, I am trying deperatly to get rid of my 3rd gen for a 4th gen so I have been coming to this site alot here lately instead of thirdgen.org.. just trying to educate myself as much as possible.. I have already done several searches and asked a couple questions for the LS-1 guys and now I have a couple for you all.. My dream car is a the 93-97 Trans-Am because of the front nose on it.. however i have been leaning towards the 98+ camaro (cheaper than a T/A) because of the LS-1 engine it has.. However I am now starting to think that I can still have my 93-97 and be just as fast with only one mod.. of course it would never stop there cause im a car nut ... But will a LT-1 keep up or outrun a stock LS-1 with the cc306 or hotcam?? Dont get me wrong, longtubes and full exhaust would be part of the deal but buying a car and having that kind of payment will limit me in money i can spend on mods.. So I guess the real question is how easy will it be for me to get the LT-1 car and still run with my buddies stock LS-1?? Also I have seen a few things about headgaskets and LT-1's.. are they an issue or just a few unlucky people??? I would sincerly appreciate any and all help/advice you could give.. after all I could become a regular member on this board soon

 

With a good cam and boltons, you will beat the ls1. I don't know about head gaskets but i do know the intake leak is a common problem. My car doesn't have this problem but a lot of people have leaks where the intake is connected. It can be fixed, its a matter of doing it right. I think the main reason is the location of the egr(is very hot and melts the gasket material). You basically have to take the intake off, clean the old gasket very good and put a new one on right if you have the problem. Only other problem i can see with lt-1 are optispark problems. I don't have them either but i hear they are common. It is a matter of either replacing the opti if its broken or switching to a delteq system (Try to get the vented opti if possible). These are just 2 more common problems so don't let that discourage you, they both can be fixed. You may be lucky like me and not have either.

I love my 97 camaro, you will love the torque and just about everything about it.

 

Thank you for the reply.. I was already aware of the optispark and was prepared to have to replace if it needed it one day.. I have already done it once with my friends 97 Z so I already know its not alot of fun.. I appreciate the intake gasket suggestion.. I will check out any car I look at now to see if its leaking.. which of course is something I probably would have done anyway.. right now the car in question is a 97 Trans-am.. its red which is great.. however the add does not specify if its an auto or M6.. however since its a dealership I would assume its a M6.. if it were an auto they would advertise that option because that is what most people want.. of course I would much rather have the M6.. the car has 42XXX mile on it and they are only asking 9,995.. if its as pretty as its pic I will try to get it.. Cant pass up that price tag.. If you go to this site you can look at the car.. just do the search for a Pontiac Firebird and it will come up.. It shows 11,900 but they have a "sale" price on the windshield now for 9995.00 http://mosesmeansmore.com/usedsearch.asp
Opinions and reply's are welcome and appreciated guys..

 

Just got back from the dealer.. its 4:55am my time.. I couldnt sleep and wanted to see the car up close.. it is an auto.. if anyone else has any advice or anything feel free to reply.. thanks

 

here's what i'd do..seriously. i'd get the 98+ car, go to the junk yard or find someone here selling parts off a parts car and just get the front pieces...lights, fenders, hood, bumper cover, and put them on the ls1. i havent heard of any reverse upgrades for ls1's but i'm sure it's not that difficult...specially if you sell the parts you take off. that way you'll get the upgraded interior, the steering wheel radio controls, better breaks, driveshaft, engine, superior heads/ignition/basically everything. you may need to make a custom intake or just get the elbow/cai out of an lt1 for the hood to fit, but still a better engine than the lt1. plus you can save $$$ on a cam/head install and get them for the ls1 and stomp a mudhole in us lt1 guys

 

Man where do you live? That's the price LS1 cars are going for around here!!! A NICE LT1 car can be had for $6500 or less. Look at my mods...only major one is the cam..and that time was with one trip to the track. I've beaten several LS1 cars both stock and slightly modded. And I've lost to three so far...one was spray'n, the other was heavily modded and the third unknown...wouldn't talk to me. The one spray'n was the only one that stomped a mudhole in me...I was right there with the other two. I guess the point I'm trying to make is once the mods start comming things even out pretty fast. I am doing heads and spray this Winter myself...have some unfinished business to address this Spring....