guys i have a major problem here! i currently have a 2002 5 speed v-6 3.8 camaro with 74xxx miles. not loaded with t-tops or leather, but everything else. i recently posted how i wanted to do some mods (supercharge) or engine swap. however most of you told me that was not the way to go and to just get a v8...well that leads to the problem. i have found a 1994 z28 lt1 with 144k on it and a 6 speed. t-tops, power everything with the exception of leather. the man who is selling the car said its a 3 owner vehicle, him, his friend, and the friends sister. background i guess is key? recent upgrades/extras.

flowmaster dual exhaust
recent plugs and wires
new clutch and cable

thats what he told me anyway. so now with all that being said is it worth it? are the lt1's known for durability? miles on it an issue? my concern is going from a 2002 with 74k to 144k z28. im sure the guys not going to be very forthcoming on how the car has been treated. he wants to sell it. hes not going to tell me if its had the **** ran out of it.

he said the ONLY thing this car will need is new springs and struts. if so is that a costly project?

lastly heres the link to his ad. keep mine or buy his? you guys decide for me as im VERY torn!!!

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1184646111.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1178905099.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1178929266.html

he posted 3 times in 3 days sounds like he really wants the car gone. also what is the real tq/hp as i know the 93-02 camaro power was underrated. tq/hp to the rear wheels.

 

all the looks and no help?

 

Around me that is a good price. I have seen Lt1 6 speed sell for $2500 that I would have to pick up with a tow truck. But also your 2002 should bring more the $3500. If you are worried about which car is more dependable keep your 3.8. The 3.8 is just as solid as a motor as the LT1 but a motor that has twice the miles?

Also the below quote makes me nervous.
"Off the track I averaged 20.1 mph "

After saying that you 3.8 could get a intake leak tomorrow and leak antifreeze in the oil and wipe out your motor and the 5.7 could make it to 200K without a single issue. There is no way of knowing.

One thing I can say for sure is you would have a tuff time swaping low milage V-8 in your car for $3500. In a perfect world you would keep you 3.8 as you daliy and buy the Z for the weekends. Then if you do push it to hard it sits till you get it fixed.

 

gorn, thanks for the reply. also i noticed the whole "track" remark he has in the ad. i also asked him about it and he said what he meant was that on a daily drive highway and byway thats what he observed for gas mileage. also do we know what the hp/tq is to the rear wheels? if i do need to work on the suspension is it a costly fix all 4 corners im assuming?

i just really want the power of the v8 yet im scared to lose my reliable v6...

 

Both are bullet proof usually.. but like Gorn said.. anything can happen.

Hp/Tq rating for the LT1's are about 300 horse and 335 torque to the crank. (Approx)

As for the springs struts, getting a quote is free. You should go to a nearby shop and ask. Mine cost $1000 for parts and labor, but I live in Canada.