Here is my scenario, I have a 94 Z28 with a stock LT1, minus a pair of headers. I just rolled 110,000 miles and just last week I dropped cylinder 8, confirmed with a temp gauge. The temperature on the cylinder climbs but no where near the others. It also currently is now blowing white smoke. It sounds to me like I may have only blew the head gasket

I am looking for some input and advice. Should I pull the motor and refresh, even add some power?

Should I LS swap the car ( I have the availability of an LS soon from my truck that will be going off the road)?

Ditch the old opti and move to something newer?

 

Manual or auto trans? The LS1 needs a different version of the T56. Then there's the different K-member, adapting an LS1 engine harness to the 94 chassis harness, A front clip (engine, trans, K-member, suspension, brakes) is the cleanest swap. At that point, unless the 94 is in exceptional condition or has a strong emotional bond, a simple trade for a 98-02 might be the least work, and cost.

Just one opinion…… others may have a different view. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of active members left on this site.

 

Manual or auto? A signature describing your car helps other members answer your questions in a more timely fashion. How much do you want to spend?

In the end, I guarantee you already have something in the back of your head that you really want to do. It probably won't matter what anyone says, that's what you're going to do and you're looking for confirmation that you are making the right choice. Problem is, that isn't going to happen. Here's the reality: Whatever you do someone else is going to call you an idiot or say that your choice is a highway to hell, especially when it comes to the LS1 swap debate. There are countless threads on said topic with a bunch of folks calling a bunch of other folks lots of horrible things. Wade through the crap and there's some good information, but that takes time and it's on you to sift through everything and find what's important to you.

Quick exercise based on experience: The answer to this question needs to be delivered to yourself in your own head in less than a second. What do you want to do with the car?

Go with that answer.

 

OP, do what you want but your wallet will remain considerably thicker if you just fix (rebuild if necessary) your LT1

110k mi is not huge for a LT1. New bearings, hone cyl and new rings. H/C package from Lloyd Elliott and a tune will get you as much (read more) power than a donor LS swap

 

What he said! I’d throw in a 24x conversion too. That resolves pretty much all of the issues people have with the Optispark.