Looking into getting an LT1

[z9_87]

I'm looking at getting a 93-97 LT1, preferably the later years but if a car is well taken car of, the year doens't matter much to me as far as cosmetics go.
Thats where my question comes in. What breaks on lt1's? What years should I watch out for because gm did something stupid that year etc. I want to know a lot about the car before I go to buy it because if I don't later on I'll want a different one. I do like the TA's more than the z28's and I wont have an auto.

Thanks for the help,

Zach

[lt4ever]

If you get an LT1, you'll soon learn to hate your optispark, as we all do. This is your distributor/ cap & rotor. Very prone to failure! Nothing you can do, but become an expert on changing it out and recognizing when its about to go.

One of the leading culprits in the optispark failure is a leaking water pump impeller seal. Water pump drips coolant down onto the optispark and pretty soon, corrosion sets in.

Other than that, the engine is a beast, tranny is stout and rest of the drive train is adequate. All of this is assuming the car is bone stock. Once you get into modifying it, you'll replace it all.

[z9_87]

Well as long as it doesn't quit on you as your driving down the road like it did in my 302 last summer.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

I'd say go for the 95. It has the OBD-I and you don't have to worry about the cats when you decide to drop them. 96 up got the OBD-II. The 93's have the bad MAF's that really suck.

[z9_87]

By bad MAF do you mean the sensor is (generally) bad or the housing is to small? It seems both of those can be fixed rather easily.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

wrong type. It's the speed density which don't make as good power. It can be fixed but why fix it if you can get one with out it. I remember something about the trany's too that weren't as strong, but I don't remember the specifics. IMO it is always better to not get the first year of production for a new car or generation. I like to give them a year or 2 to the bugs worked out. I don't like the 93 wheels either. If you want to mod it then I guess it doesn't really matter.

[z9_87]

Oh ok, so there is no mass air flow sensor. I know all about speed density, switched my 302 over from a v6 maf harness and soldered in the maf part into the SD v8 harness.

SD is also bad because it doesn't accept mods to the engine well. Chaning like a cam or something and not telling the computer that the map pressure is changing with the cam is going to make it think it's always under a load. However speed density is argued to run a little better if it's tuned to the car's mods.

[sret43]

Just talked to MSD Ignition this afternoon and they said that their new LT1 distributor will be coming out in about a month. Approximate price through Jegs is $499.95. As far as the leaky water pump, I'll be changing over to an electric powered pump by Mezier. This will at least rid the back side of the pump of a leak.

[oneBADDz]

wrong type. It's the speed density which don't make as good power. It can be fixed but why fix it if you can get one with out it. I remember something about the trany's too that weren't as strong, but I don't remember the specifics. IMO it is always better to not get the first year of production for a new car or generation. I like to give them a year or 2 to the bugs worked out. I don't like the 93 wheels either. If you want to mod it then I guess it doesn't really matter.

93 had the 700r4, 94 up graduated to 4l60e, that may be what you are thinkin of

[z9_87]

Just talked to MSD Ignition this afternoon and they said that their new LT1 distributor will be coming out in about a month. Approximate price through Jegs is $499.95. As far as the leaky water pump, I'll be changing over to an electric powered pump by Mezier. This will at least rid the back side of the pump of a leak.

Wow, $500 for a distributor. That's a little steep. Seems to me like it'd be worth it to just put an aftermarket water pump in right away and save some money. Maybe throw in a new cam since I'm so close anyways

[kingls1]

save your self some time and trouble and get an LS1.

[z9_87]

how so?

[5.0THIS]

save your self some time and trouble and get an LS1.

Save yourself from getting banned and get the fuck out of the LT1 section.


kthxbye

[Raoul-Duke]

93 had the 700r4, 94 up graduated to 4l60e, that may be what you are thinkin of

ACTUALLY THE 93'S HAD THE 4L60... NOT THE 4L60E WHICH IS THE ELECTRONIC ONE WHICH CAME IN 94

[Raoul-Duke]

wrong type. It's the speed density which don't make as good power. It can be fixed but why fix it if you can get one with out it. I remember something about the trany's too that weren't as strong, but I don't remember the specifics. IMO it is always better to not get the first year of production for a new car or generation. I like to give them a year or 2 to the bugs worked out. I don't like the 93 wheels either. If you want to mod it then I guess it doesn't really matter.

ALSO THE REAREND IN THE 93 Z M6'S CAME WITH 3.23'S GEARS INSTEAD OF 3.42'S WHICH WAS ALSO INTRODUCED IN 94

[oneBADDz]

ALSO THE REAREND IN THE 93 Z M6'S CAME WITH 3.23'S GEARS INSTEAD OF 3.42'S WHICH WAS ALSO INTRODUCED IN 94

nope they were 3.42s, you are right about the 4l60 not the 700r4 though, my mistake

[lt4ever]

Wow, $500 for a distributor. That's a little steep. Seems to me like it'd be worth it to just put an aftermarket water pump in right away and save some money. Maybe throw in a new cam since I'm so close anyways

I've heard the MSD optispark is made by the same manufacturer as the factory opticrap... just painted orange/ black just for MSD. Save your self the $$$ and just get a unit from your local auto parts store.

[kingls1]

Save yourself from getting banned and get the fuck out of the LT1 section.


kthxbye

Power trippin? I just speak the truth Brotha.

[5.0THIS]

Power trippin? I just speak the truth Brotha.

Nope, not power tripping... Nothing LT1 owners havent heard a million times from LS1 owners....

So, like I said, you can stop posting this kind of crap in here, or I will give you a vacation.

[ss~zoso~ss]

lt1 =