Isn't the LT's opti right under the water pump, so if the pump goes bad... Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

well everybody, i went and looked at the 98 z28 ... and i bought it. a far shot from my 97 3.8 i had a month ago. i went to see it and i honestly thought it was a 2002, it was that clean. leather seats t-tops auto(i know) 78k all highway miles. the t-top covers havent even been opened yet n still in the original package. i bought it from a 56 year old man that works for the department of defense for $8700. that thing mustve had 3 clear coats on it... it was absolutely immaculate. you could eat bread off the engine. its snow-white with black top. ALL original. i gave him a deposit and will pick it up by friday. i will post some pics up soon as i can, but pics dont give it justice. thanks to all who gave me advice... but i ended up goin with the LS1

 

Good deal, and don't feel bad about the auto, they will dominate a 6 speed in the 1/4, and with a high stall converter will be down right scary off the line.

 

Oh believe me, I'm not denying that the opti has problems, in fact, it's more a matter of time than an if, but I look at it this way: If my opti goes out, I have to replace it, so thats a couple hundred bucks and a weekend worth of time, if my car uses oil at a rediculous rate, I have to have the motor rebuilt, which is much more timely and costly...I love both the motors, but the LSX isn't as perfect as most people would like to think.

Congrats on your new car! Enjoy it man, and like JD said, tear up some manuals in the quarter with that auto!