Ok so here we go. Most of you know me as the v8 hater. Well I rode in a 2002 Mustang GT with 4.10 gears yesterday and I fell in love. So to anyone with a v8, who I may have bashed on, I'm truly sorry. I'm in the process of looking for a 1994-1997 lt1 with a blown head gasket or something of those lines so that I can get it cheap. I won't settle for an automatic. 6-speed will be a must. I'll use my v6 as a daily driver as I build the v8. So my question to you who are more familiar with the lt1, what are the common issues with the motor/trans? I just want to get more familiar with this platform before I commit myself to buying one. Also, what do you think I will spend on an lt1 6-speed. I don't mind a trashed interior or screwed up paint but the body should be straight with minimal dings. I can always put my mint condition interior in it and repaint it. So what do you all think. I'm waiting on darling reject to chime in and gag on me looking for that nasty v8 power lol. I'll keep the sixxer to for a daily driver. The z28 will be a weekend warrior. I would like something with under 200xxx miles. I'll rebuild the motor myself and throw in a new flywheel, centerforce dual friction clutch, and 3.73 gears. I'll use the cold air intake out of my 3.4 and run some new exhaust and headers. Planning on a full valvetrain job while the motor is out of the car. I'll gasket match the heads and intake for a little more flow too. Insight and input are appreciated.

 

Shoot! Can a mod please move this to the 4th gen section. I'm posting from an iPod touch an must have hit the wrong section when posting. Thanks in advance!!!

 

Good choice for your next car. I'm not very familiar with LT1's at all, but a high mileage LT1 Camaro can be had for about $3K-$5K in my area. A very affordable car for a young person.

 

Well I'm also looking for one with a blown motor to rebuild.mom hoping to get my hands on something for $1500-$2000

 

Just a suggestion. I'm just glad that you're "upgrading" to the V8 muscle car class of Camaro.

 

Welcome to the club haha. Im trying to save the cash to move up from my lt1 to an ls1. Wait until you ride in a big block car. I drove a 68 440 superbee with mild cam, holley carb, headers and a stall. Needless to say I want a big block now lol. It had tons of torque and it was a very mild build meant to be a driver not a street/ strip. I couldnt imagine driving one with a beefier cam and top end.

 

im torn on whether i agree to go LS over LT

but LT1s common issues include (and this is down to finite details inluding the cars themselves not just the engines)

1. Opti spark (cars run hard and between 75,000-145,000 tends to go out most often)

2. Electrical system can be screwey especially if the car has been messed with at all (mine was ridiculous i replaced the whole wiring harness because i was fed up)

3. Stupid 10 bolt rear, im sure you already know this, but with your build i believe youll need a new one

4. IMPORTANT 6 speed 4th gens tend to usually run almost 1000 dollars more than autos regularly which sucks

5. Insurance, insurance will be outrageous, especially for a kid your age, mine was

6. Parts. are. expensive. ...but not as expensive as LS1's

But overall, craby knows all, wait for him to pounce on this thread

 

you'd be better off saving for an LS powered car, parts are cheaper, power is much easier to come by and you don't have to deal with that horrible optispark crap

 

I have to disagree with you about parts being cheaper for lt cars. You can very cheaply add a decent set of heads and cam for less than it would cost for you to send heads out to lloyd elliot etc

 

I don't have a rich daddy to pay me allowance. I work minimum wage and I go to college full time. LT1 takes the cake. I don't care about opti issues because the entire engine is being rebuilt before I even drive it. Every nut and bolt will be removed. I'll replace anything that is a potential threat. Of course this will be a gradual build. I'll use my 3.4 as a daily driver until it's complete. $100 here and there will go a long way over a year's time.