I am looking ot make the step up.

I want honest opinions, I know one guy ran 400,000 miles at 55 mpg and runs 11s, on 87 octane gas, and all he chnaged was his PVC valve.


Cars in the 80-120k range...

I am hoping for 6-speed and t-tops. EIther way things I have to worry about will affect soem of the things I do.

-Opti, seems to be a big thing, I understand the basis of it. About how long does it take a decent car guy to change? Its about a $300 part right? and usually lasts 60k, as long as the water pump is fine, right?

-Clutches... from a fellow member I hear about $350 for a decent clutch maybe a few other things to do while changing it, maybe a total of $500 doing the work yourself.

Any other things I shoudl look for that is common? or even semi common? I understand to be careful with an higher mileage sports car, but Jsut trying to see some other things.

Thanks in advance...

 

Right here you got a stone cold liar with that combination of facts.

 

hehe I was being sarcastic...

I have just come across some people that think a little too highly of htere car, and boast alot. I am jsut looking for some facts on stuff to look out for on higher mileage cars...

 

there could be a variety of things that go bad. i have replaced o2's, map sensor, fuel filter, tps, bushings, brakes, pcv, oil pressure sending unit, batter and the snubbers in 6 months. some of these items were not shot but i am just doing regular maintenance to keep her running in tip top shape. of course you don't want to forget little things like changing oil, airfilter etc. yes, opti is one thing that just goes out. alternator, plugs, wires, coil, and waterpump are others. my car has not caused too many problems but i just keep up on the maintenance.

 

Well, the fuel pumps very often go for the border after about 50K, they could last longer, never ever ever run out of gas it usually puts it over the edge. Mine lasted for about 50K with me treating it well, followed a year later by the water pump. My opti hasn't gone yet (knock on wood) but I expect it will in the near future.

I love the LT1 engine, just be prepared for expected expenses like these after that many miles.

The rest of the parts, it just depends on how long before you decide the need to be upgraded. That's a good time for them to "break"

 

ill be honest, i dont know what was done to my car before i got it, but i have the basic bolt on's with 102k, and i did the water pump about 2k ago, car still runs great(knock on wood) however my starter is slowy taking a ****, but everything else still feels fine.

edit: i did my rear brakes on the car at around 70ish

 

I'm at about 208000, and I've had the car from about 175000, and I'm replaced the optispark and water pump twice. Doesn't seem like good odds to me. I replaced teh clutch after it broke over the summer. Other than that, just the usual repair and maintenance.

 

wow, i hope my '97Z and my 93Z last that long! 208,000 miles is a long life!

 

My opti just went at 130,000 miles......my thermostat went and blew my opti which was previously changed 15,000 miles ago. I would defienetly keep up on the cooling system. If you come by some extra cash the water pump might be something to change so you don't blow your opti. I am putting on an electric water pump now while i pu on my opti. A couple of machanics around here told me they won't touch the opti if they aren't going to replace the water pump too. Clutch went out at about 125,000 miles....Everything else seems to be pretty good. They are a great car. I used to have a 88 irocz and I kind of miss that sometimes...but I love my t-tops and 6 speed now.

 

brakes it sort of depends on the car, I was thinking of swapping my stuff over anywasy(I have a 94 v6) I was thinking of swapping all my brakes and rotors(I have a lt1 rear end so 4 wheel disc). Since they are hawks, and only have 6 months, maybe 5k on them.


Alternators? what do they run about?

Walboro fuel pumps are only like $150 right?

If I do get an lt1 I am thining of swapping the waterpump and opti anyways. Change the fluids. I am pretty meticulous about keeping up on the cooling system, a Florida thing...

I was sort of planning the basics...
-plugs
-wires
-(maybe a coil)
-pcv
-fuel filter
-do it yourself motor flusher
-tranny fluid change
-differential fluid change
-coolant system change
-thermostat

Some of the major things..
-waterpump(looking maybe electric not sure on costs)
-opti
-Clutch
-rear main seal

Maybe injectors depending on cost. I am very much into prevenitive maintenance.

 

Forgit to mention, I will be doing

-oil pressure sensor(had a messy incident with my pressure sensor, lost a quart of oil every 40 mile, and took a 3-4 days to get the part in
-also the o2s if they are original nto expecitng over 100k on most 02s.

 

Lets not forget about the window motors. It takes a few minutes for my passenger window to go up or down. I also replaced the power steering pump not so long ago. That was in addition to the water pump, opti, and the clutch that all died in one summer. I have about 88k on it.

 

my car is now pushing 165thousand I have only changed the oil in it.....it is driven hard and 45thousand of the miles are mine still grabs third and is now showing sighns of a leaky water pump am\nd im putting in a new dual friction clutch luv my LT1

 

the main problems are opti, wp, leaky intake... those are LT1 specific. now everything else you should check out would be the same as any other high performance car... brakes, tranny, rear, ext. i wouldnt buy a car thats been in the hands of more than 2 people and definitely not a car that has any mod outside a K&N replacement filter. its really just typical stuff and all the LT1 troubles should be evident within 5 minutes of looking at and driving the car.

 

Ok basically stuff I know to look for...


What do you guys think of an exhasut system on a car? I think of that in the same category of a drop in filter, I mena everybody has exhaust on a v8(well a very common mod) I am looking ot avoid some of the mroe modded cars.