Lt1 and Ls1

For a 16 year old a v6 is fine!

tim95z28

For a 16 year old learning to drive a z28 is a death trap. Get something big and slow and learn how to drive first, then go for the power.

blckbrd84

I noticed the V6's handle better too.
My 84 2.8L felt like it handled better then my 87 TA
My 00 3.8L felt like it handled better then my 02 WS6.

I'm sure the TA's actually had higher skid pad numbers and could whip around quicker, but they really don't feel as light on their feet as the V6's.

Oh, and since we were talking about the comparison of LT1 to LS1 <> LT1 to 3.8 figure this:

Stock times LS1 = low 13's
Stock times LT1 = low 14's
Stock times 3.8L= low 15's

There are always cars that can run quicker, but those seem to be the average. Looks like a pretty fair comparison to me.

And I'm not saying a V8 (LT1 or LS1) is junk or not quicker then the V6, but comeon, no need to rag the car as if it's crap. Nothing wrong with owning a V6 or modifying it to be quicker. It's all about enjoying your f-body no matter what engine

Chris

soontobeGN

My first car was a 94 3.4L V6. If your looking for a rear drive V8 in the future, one of these is a good starting point. I, myself wouldnt modify the car much if any, but if you decide to make it fast, then go for it. V8 or V6, it really doesnt matter if your running the same times. That would be like me running up to a guy in a grand national running 13.7s and saying "Ya, but mines a V8" Or me racing Tiago, who runs a lower 13 second pass than me and sayin "Well, if ya had a V8........................ummm you..........still would have beat me" The bottom line is, fast is fast, if you race someone, it aint gonna matter what he has, if you win, you win. End of story.

And if you arent looking for speed, than any camaro will do. It all depends on what your looking for.

If you start on the V6, as I did, you will get a good feel for how the car drives, especially in bad weather. This will give you a good foundation if decide to step up to a Z28 later.

Don't listen to anyone that says "A V8 is supreme, they shouldnt make V6s" If I am not mistaken, they have made V6 camaros pretty much since its creation. It isnt meant to be a corvette, which is only for performance. If you look at all the "muscle cars", the majority have had V6 versions. If they didnt, they probably would not survive in todays market, or the market in the past either.

This is coming from someone that has owned both and has liked both.

Paul

shoebox

I would not mind having a V6. They are pretty fun to drive. I think one outfitted with the same suspension mods on my Z would out handle it. No, it won't go as fast or get there as quickly, but how often do you use all that power? Don't get me wrong, I like the torque and HP of the LT1 and have had many big block cars of the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile variety.

As far as "better", how can you compare "better"? As I posted before-apples and oranges. The 3800 has been acclaimed much over the years for it's design and power. But it is what it is and designed to fit in the market as such. If you want to compare the things that plague the LT1 vs. 3800, the 3800 would probably come out as "better" just because it has direct fire ignition and no optispark.

jasons93z

are you retarted My LT1 is VERY VERY smooth, and fast. You probably just couldnt afford a v8.

BradfromPGH

In all honesty, this is a pretty bad first post, but I've been reading this forum for around 2 years now.

Why you ask - to answer constant questions I have regarding problems with my car. It's a 3.4, and I know they're not all like this, but this is the worst car I have ever owned and worse than any car anyone I know has ever owned.

Not only does it sucks in the snow (forget going up any large hill), but the engine has had one problem after another and the more this car gets on my last nerve, the uglier I think it is.

I gotta be honest - get something else. I am 24 and if I had this car when I was 16, God only knows how I would have paid thousands and thousands (nearly $6,000 in the past year) to fix this junker. The car ran fine until it hit 100,000 miles. From then on it literally started to fall apart and something new needed fixed once a week, including a head gaskets, the radiator, a rebuilt transmission, an engine replacement and then later on an engine rebuild because the one I bought used ended up being a POS as well after 6 months.

Sorry to be so negative, I know you guys are passionate die hards here with a ton of knowledge, but I just wanted to give the advice I wish someone would have given me four years ago.

Brad

simple

i stepped up gradually, by accident not by choice tho and i'm happy the way i did it, i feel i learned to respect each car i've owned in different ways and having slower cars to begin with made a difference in the respect i have for driving
1st car...'85 Honda Accord SEI 4cyl (17yrs old)
2nd car...'92 Chevy Lumina Z34 DOHC 6cyl (19yrs old)
3rd car (present)...'97 M6 Camaro Z28 8cyl (bought it when i was 21 and i'm now 24)

my opinion to you is go out and test drive so many cars that you will get sick of test driving them, dont just aim for one particular model, you might end up not being happy with it!
weigh all options and abilitys that every car has that you test drive and make your choice from there
good luck

Steve
hell you might be happier in a Civic, you never know....

Amped96

I owned a 3.8 V6 Fbody for 3 years before getting my Z. It was and still is a fun car to drive. I drive it to work as much as possible to save some gas and keep miles off the Z. (can put 87 octane in the v6 and my Z still doesn't get quite the milage of the v6 even with the 6spd).

I drive both cars pretty often, so I get a good comparison on them. Both are even manual tranny cars. The Z feels stiffer in the turns and is quicker for sure. I have no idea what that guy was talking about the LT1 being clunky though.

The 6 has a softer suspension, which you can even notice when accelerating because it squats a lot more than the Z does and it also lacks a lot of the torque down low, which is mainly what I miss when going back to the 6 after driving the Z. Even after driving my Z the 6 is still fun to drive, especially when I drive it a while and get used to it again. I love picking on rice in it. My 6 went a best of 15.4 and I think it has a 15.2 in it. It takes a lot for most hondas to do that. I also think the v6 is a great car to learn how to handle one of these cars with.

I do love my Z and definately do not regret getting it. I don't hate V6s because I have it though. Its all about what you are looking for. I think it makes a good car for a 16yr old (thats when i got mine). The 3.8 will go 15s stock and thats good to whoop on most hondas out there, who by the way, all think V6 f-bodies are the slowest cars ever made and get really pissed when you beat them.

So take it from a guy who has both...they are both good cars. It just matters what kind of money you have and what you are really looking for or think you are ready for.

jeffwood

fast cars are safe... suppose you cut someone off and they are about to hit you, you just floor it to get out of harms way

Tair

if you're getting the car for speed get the V8, otherwise stick to the V6.

Lt1 and Ls1

This is getting silly. A v6 is no faster than a v8 stock vs. stock, and a v6 doesn't handle better then a v8. Yes they are probably smoother but handle BETTER,,, no. This is getting SILLY. All in all the v8 is the way to go. I have NEVER owned a v6 but have driven a 01 v6 camaro. It was a nice car, but no they are not better and faster than a v8. Being 16 the v6 will be fast enough for you,

93Z286Speed

and i thought the same thing of a stock z28 man was i wrong

v6maro

Navy, you are such a tool it isn't even funny.

I simply stated for a 16y/o the v6 is fine, but it is not worth modding, as in $/hp.

Name one mod on the v6 that will net 30rwhp+ for < $400 and not require, boost, or motor work. Yep, nothing. (ls1 headers do - and yes, you can get them that cheap if needed)

Anyhoo, that's besides my point in this post. Calling me out? On what? You want to race me? V6 vs V8?? Ok, you name the time and i'll name the track that's close to both of us, that's ME calling YOU out. I need a new rear end care to wager any $? Let's see what you got!

-Steve

95z28 -quicksilver

Yeah i got my Z when i was 16 and i havent wrecked it yet and im 19 now. I just love to mod and race my car. As long as you learn your cars limits then you wont kill yourself !!!