Wow, way to kill a guy's dream...but you're right (except for the find a new hobby part).

For an 18 year old, you're doing WAY better than most teens simply by having a hi-po car in the first place - way better than the typical Civic or hand me down Accord from a fun perspective. Remember, you're dealing with at least a 10 year old car and it's going to cost you bucks just to keep it reliable in stock form. Since I bought my used 97 Camaro last year, I've put over a grand in just maintenance parts (opti, plugs, wires, alternator, hoses, alignments, etc., etc.,) and more $1500 towards a blown head gasket.

If I were you I'd go with a simple CAI ($200) and maybe a catback or even just a performance muffler ($100) and save the rest of the cash for "repairs". If you're into cosmetic stuff, clear corners, inlays, even SS spoilers are relatively cheap. When you get into internal engine changes, you're talking about $600 for just a hotcam, not including the other stuff that goes along with it. A good set of headers? At least $600, if you do it right. Remember, it's gonna cost you probably more than $50 a tank (premium recommended) to just cruise around.

Wash it, wax it, shampoo it, drive it and have fun would be my advice.

 

$600 for headers? I opnly paid like 285 for my PS LT's (coated) and 125 for the ORY.

 

Pretty much. Either engine can be built to run very fast times. For the price of a LS1, you can throw a couple bolt-ons on and run right with a stock LS1.

Make your decision. Which body style do you like best? Do you want a newer car with less miles? etc.

IMO, LT1's sound better and there's not much sexier than a LT1 SS.

 

still not sure what to do, and as far as money, and getting a new hobby, i should be fine, im going to school to be an orthodontist

 

New Plugs/Wires and throw some headers on and catback. It will be way fun to drive then and faster then most of the stuff on the road and close to a 98 LS1. When I was your age (which is only 2 years ago lol), I originally bought a v6 mustang when I was 17, realized that was gay and picked up a 93 LT1 Formula when I was 18 did some bolt ons and raced that had a lot of fun with it, sold that for my current car which turned out to be quite the lemon...needing a new trans and head gaskets. So I am well invested in this car already.

In short my advice is to throw a few bolt ons onto it and stop modding, drive it till it dies (you will be out of college) get a new job and buy something nicer. (Thats my plan, I intend to pickup an LS2 GTO when I'm out of college)

 

Don't forget the case of PB Blaster, Easy-out bits and band-aids. That should bring it up to about $600.

(You're right - I stand corrected, it's close to $400 retail - I was offered a set of LT's installed for about $600.)

 

an ls1 is about 40 more hp and 10-15 more tq than an lt1. That can be made up with 1k or maybe less depending on how much you can do yourself. LS parts are more expensive but will give more hp per item. So its a crap shoot.
Dont listen to these guys, ive had my car since i was 16 (23 now) and if i had the chance id do it all over again. Its kept me broke as a joke but i could care less. Would rather give up a finger or two.

 

yeah, looks like maybe ill do exhaust or possibly leave it the way it is, and save up for an ls1 car hopefully by mid summer

 

If you plan on buying an LS1 in the near future, I wouldnt mod it. You'll never recover the money in the sale.

 

Were they brand new? Where did you get them for that price?

 

on ebay pasesetters lts cost that much

 

Even the coated ones? I should have looked there originally if that is the case.