Thinking about an LT1 Firebird

[Hallowed_point]

So I've had my SRT-4 for just over a year now. It's been a great car, but I think I'm ready for a change. I've always been a fan of the fourth gen 'birds. I'm considering trading my car in for one.

Now I realize this post probably won't get a lot of love on beyond, but I figured at least I'd get some opinions and maybe some of you have owned one.

This car would be my DD , including the winter (with winter tires of course.) Keeping in mind that my commute to work is only 5K so I think it would be ok for minimal winter driving.

I'm already used to piss poor gas mileage in the city so I don't think it could be much worse with a firebird. The one I've been looking at is a 1994 , it has lowish km (105 K) and 6 speed manual :burnout: It does look to have some ghetto patch repair in a rear wheel well so that part I'm not wild about. Is it common for wheel wells on these to rust out?

Thanks all for any input!

[blackpeople]

Srt4s are pretty boss when it comes to being a quick daily driver. I love mine very much i just get a little bored sometimes. If you are going to get an F-body get one with an Ls and not an LT. I have also heard the Lt cars have some minor ignition issues. But overa good fun cars

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by blackpeople
Srt4s are pretty boss when it comes to being a quick daily driver. I love mine very much i just get a little bored sometimes. If you are going to get an F-body get one with an Ls and not an LT. I have also heard the Lt cars have some minor ignition issues. But overa good fun cars

LS 'birds seem to be a lot more expensive unfortunately. I've also heard about the ignition issues. But on the plus side, I've heard the low end torque on the LT1 is better for everyday fun which is priority 1 for me. If anything the firebird lt1 would be a little slower then the neon, but V8 rumble , RWD and better styling are very appealing ;)

[blackpeople]

Well it seems like you have already made up your mind so go for it. I think its a good trade if the F-body is in good shape because its a way better plateform to build a fast car from.

[strawberrydouch]

get it then swap an LS later, it can be done. The LT1 all around wasnt bad nor was it anything special. my boss used to run one on the daily, it had 320,000k when he traded it of for an 01 with an LS. Even if you did have ignition issues its such a simple platform in general, youd have no problem working on it regardless of what went wrong. as far as rust, its GM its always gonna rust in the quarters haha

[corsvette]

My first Vette had the Lt1, i loved the instant torque and the fuel economy was very good for a V8. Overall i really liked that engine. I had the optispark ignition problem with mine, on the factory setup there is no breather for the distributor, its not a completely waterproof unit so if you hit a deep puddle or washed the engine water could get in there and they corrode inside. It also sits right under the waterpump so if that ever leaks it will cause problems as well. I replace mine with a MSD billet unit from Mopac, it was about $450 and worth every penny! If you do this upgrade replace the waterpump at the same time (you'll have it out anyway) Other than that they are a reliable engine. Aftermarket parts i find very expensive though.

[Anomaly]

Word, check and see if the optispark has been done!
It's no ls1, but the LT1 can still make lots of power and is pretty cheap to modify!

[Hallowed_point]

Thanks for all the great advice guys! :thumbsup: I'm going to check it out this weekend.

[DGill]

I love birds/trans am's let us know how it turns out and if you get it be sure to post up some pics :thumbsup:

[Hallowed_point]

:whipped: ffff they just sold it today...prob been listed for a year:banghead: .Oh well, I'll keep looking. Probably better to get one in the summer anyway!

[Ven]

I had an 1996 LT1 Trans-Am and it was a great car, one of those cars I look back and wish I never sold. Good power, never any issues at all, decent mileage with the 6spd too. Easy to work on and the part/mods are cheap. Never should have got rid of it.

[Rat Fink]

.

[Hallowed_point]

*Update- Potentially trading my neon for a 98 catfish LS1...only hitch is he wants cash on top. Thoughts? I dont want to lose my shirt on this potential trade..damn people selling turbo neons for 6k on kijiji...Im gonna hunt them down!! I think kino must also feel the pain with that one ;) He values his catfish at 11k what do you guys think is a reasonable deal?

[bjstare]

http://www.mustangevolution.com/forum/attachments/17026d1176387520-goodlawd.jpg

[Hallowed_point]

Hahaha I knew that picture was coming! They kinda remind me of a Chrysler Sebring. If i get it, Ill get "C8FSH8U" for a plate

[Hallowed_point]

So taking another look at a 97 lt1 z28 for sale at treadz tomorrow low kms and 6 speed. test drove it the other day lots of rattle and squeeks in the cabin..although i hear this is normal. also on the lot with a snapped e brake cable. what should i be looking out for?

[Offroad]

There is the odd LS1 that comes up cheap i'd seriously would hold out for one. I have one and love it :thumbsup:

[Hallowed_point]

I'm thinking your right Offroad. The LS1 is better, I just like the fact that the LT1 makes peak torque at way lower rpm's. Makes for a lively daily driver.

So this 97 z28 Lt1 I test drove fell off hard above 3rd gear. It was pathetic really. Also a nasty burning smell in the cabin although no smoke whatsoever. :eek: Any idea what would cause this?

[Offroad]

Ya i agree but takes way less $$$ to get a LS1 to stoopid horse power and the bottom end supposedly good till 1000 hp.....plus none of those nasty optispark problems.

here check out these sites and check it out they are also LT1 sites

LS1.com (http://www.ls1.com/forums/)

CamaroZ28.com (http://www.camaroz28.com/)



LS1tech.com (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/index.php)

[Offroad]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point
I'm thinking your right Offroad. The LS1 is better, I just like the fact that the LT1 makes peak torque at way lower rpm's. Makes for a lively daily driver.

So this 97 z28 Lt1 I test drove fell off hard above 3rd gear. It was pathetic really. Also a nasty burning smell in the cabin although no smoke whatsoever. :eek: Any idea what would cause this?

hmm the burning im not sure my experience with burning with no smoke is usually somthing hitting a hot exhaust and vaporizing right away like head gasket ,oil leak etc

[bourge73]

Leaking valve cover gasket likely

[Offroad]

:D

[Anomaly]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point
So taking another look at a 97 lt1 z28 for sale at treadz tomorrow low kms and 6 speed. test drove it the other day lots of rattle and squeeks in the cabin..although i hear this is normal. also on the lot with a snapped e brake cable. what should i be looking out for?

The odd Squeak or rattle isn't uncommon on fbody's, but for what they want for that 97 I would hold out for a LS1. Drive a LS1 car and I can pretty much guarantee you'll want the LS1 car. :clap:

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Anomaly


The odd Squeak or rattle isn't uncommon on fbody's, but for what they want for that 97 I would hold out for a LS1. Drive a LS1 car and I can pretty much guarantee you'll want the LS1 car. :clap:

Yeah I think I'm going to save my pennies and go LS1. Everyone that has owned both has told me to not screw around with LT1 just step up to the plate! Salesman had some pretty funny responses to my questions.

(1) Has the optispark been replaced? Salesman - .....

(2) When is the ebrake going to be fixed? Salesman: we like to save little details like that till the end

:rofl: :nut:

(3) There is a burning smell when accelerating Salesman: burning clutch? :facepalm: I drive a standard, I know what burning clutch smells like!! :guns:

[Toma]

Buy my 2002 Camaro SS.

Low k (66,000k).

Canadian car.

Black on Black leather with t-tops.

Minor mods (full exhaust, SFI Damper, rear control arms, 12" clutch, mafless tune).

Awesome rubber, nice shape.

STILL faster than a new Camaro, Charger etc.

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/311345/fs-2002-camaro-ss-black-only65k/

[Hallowed_point]

That is an awesome deal Toma, but I don't have anywhere near that kind of money as I need to do a partial trade with my SRT4.

[Kloubek]

Just saw this thread. I thought all the body panels on the 93+ Firebirds were composite? Except maybe for the rear deck or something along those lines... was I wrong?

Just got thrown a little about rust repair... I didn't think that was a problem.

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Kloubek
Just saw this thread. I thought all the body panels on the 93+ Firebirds were composite? Except maybe for the rear deck or something along those lines... was I wrong?

Just got thrown a little about rust repair... I didn't think that was a problem.

Sorry, to clarify the rust was inside the rear wheel well area not on the body panels.

[Toma]

What's your SRT4 worth?

How many K?

Shape?

I had one, didn't mind it.

Or... get a bank car loan lol.

You will hate the Lt1. It's the bastard child of GM engines. No one likes them. Gutless, heavy, unerliable, poor aftermarket support.

Even the early LS1 cars I have been seeing.... as they get cheaper, people take less care of them.

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Toma
What's your SRT4 worth?

How many K?

Shape?

I had one, didn't mind it.

Or... get a bank car loan lol.

You will hate the Lt1. It's the bastard child of GM engines. No one likes them. Gutless, heavy, unerliable, poor aftermarket support.

Even the early LS1 cars I have been seeing.... as they get cheaper, people take less care of them.

What's it worth, not a hell of a lot with people selling them for 7 K :banghead: :rofl:

I'll pm you my kijiji ad

[blackpeople]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point


What's it worth, not a hell of a lot with people selling them for 7 K :banghead: :rofl:

I'll pm you my kijiji ad
I have mine up for 10 and i think thats fair

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by blackpeople

I have mine up for 10 and i think thats fair

Yeah but yours is Stage3 I think..mines stock turbo with bolt ons. But I guess upgrades don't always factor in depending on the buyer. It just sucks when you take good care of your car and then there is some douche with one that was bagged on for a blowout price driving prices down.

[blackpeople]

yeah that happens with everything though. You just have to hold firm on your price and remmber different people look for different things in cars. some people are all about buying an already modded car and some like to look for an unmolested one and do all the work themselves.

[finboy]

if i were in the market for an srt4, i'd sooner go for a stocker than modded, mods = driven hard and usually put away wet. dodge parts are cheap, but repairing broken shit that you didn't even have the enjoyment of breaking yourself is always a pain in the ass. stay firm on the price, and wait for the right buyer.

[Offroad]

1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe LS1 6 Speed-Trade Accepted (http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1999-Chevrolet-Camaro-Z28-Coupe-LS1-6-Speed-W0QQAdIdZ324089726)

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Offroad
1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe LS1 6 Speed-Trade Accepted (http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1999-Chevrolet-Camaro-Z28-Coupe-LS1-6-Speed-W0QQAdIdZ324089726)

Thanks buddy, I got excited when I saw that one but unfortunately he can't trade for another car. The nawz setup also concerns me..but still awesome deal :drool:

[Hallowed_point]

Some good news, looking at a 98 LS1 tomorrow, 6 spd, 112 km. Too good of a deal to pass up. Details to follow... :eek: :burnout:

[Offroad]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point
Some good news, looking at a 98 LS1 tomorrow, 6 spd, 112 km. Too good of a deal to pass up. Details to follow... :eek: :burnout:


Heeeeyyyy i got a 98 :)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251666_2066165091118_1154507432_2537995_2723158_n.jpg

[Kardon]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point


What's it worth, not a hell of a lot with people selling them for 7 K :banghead: :rofl:

I'll pm you my kijiji ad

Its still like $5000 more than a regular neon of the same year, its hard finding a buyer that wants to spend such a premium just to get a quicker car with nicer seats. If you can find a trade that will value your srt for more than 8k I'd take it.

[Hallowed_point]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Offroad
[B]


Heeeeyyyy i got a 98 :)



Uh that looks exactly like the car I bought today!! God damn I love downshifting in this beast, sounds like

:devil: when it goes into 2nd gear!!.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/69224925@N02/6293855200/

[Offroad]

:thumbsup: Shit we are twins .....wait till your on the highway and doing 110 in 6th then drop to 4th and floor it ....its a very angry sounding motor :devil:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/261915_2194394376770_1154507432_2680188_1623361_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253941_2066163251072_1154507432_2537982_785630_n.jpg

[Ven]

Looks awesome. Those cars a such fun.

[Hallowed_point]

I literally knocked my brothers hat off shifting into 2nd and gunning it haha. It also came with long tube headers and a corvette intake unistalled. Handling feels so much more planted then my srt4.!

[R!zz0]

This is a nice bird

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Ghand/100_090020small.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Ghand/100_089920small.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Ghand/000_0139.jpg


Nice Camaro

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Ghand/CMEps.jpg

[R!zz0]

Wanna buy mine? (http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&postid=2122253#post2122253)

[Hallowed_point]

I love the look of those firebirds for some reason they remind me of a scorpion or a tarantula so menacing looking esp with that ram air hood!

[Hallowed_point]

Only thing is it does remind me of the chrysler intrepids from the front good thing its not champagne or one of those other ghey colors bright red helps!

[Offroad]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point
I literally knocked my brothers hat off shifting into 2nd and gunning it haha. It also came with long tube headers and a corvette intake unistalled. Handling feels so much more planted then my srt4.!

i haven't decided if i'm going to mod mine yet . It has barely any k on it it, only the second owner and have original window sticker and its never seen a winter. it has a K&N fipk on it but i have stock air box to put back on. I just think its value will decrease alot if i start modding and it goes just fine without.

[Offroad]

Originally posted by Hallowed_point
I literally knocked my brothers hat off shifting into 2nd and gunning it haha. It also came with long tube headers and a corvette intake unistalled. Handling feels so much more planted then my srt4.!

Hit up those sites i listed for pic by pic install threads for that intake and other easy cheap/free mods :bigpimp:

[Offroad]

I started tinkering the first week this made big improvement in throttle response


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283565_2246454878250_1154507432_2753614_4339422_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281723_2246455398263_1154507432_2753617_6627163_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283845_2246455558267_1154507432_2753618_2068935_n.jpg

[Hallowed_point]

Cool Offroad, thanks buddy

[Hallowed_point]

That site is awesome!! 24rwhp & 14rwtq from the intake alone :eek: :clap: Throttle body also makes a difference? on a lot of cars I hear it doesn't do sh&t.

[Offroad]

Even the TB coolant bypass mod is good for 8hp ....so they say :thumbsup:

[Offroad]

Also intake upgrades either the LS6 intake or Fast intake hp gains go even higher after heads and a cam. Toma was telling me changing rocker arm ratio good increase too.

[Hallowed_point]

Toma would know lol his dyno is the ultimate "reality check" for mods. *Offroad did you eliminate that skip shift feature? Ive gotta do that its beyond retarded. Like I care about city fuel economy in this car lol

[Offroad]

Previous owner eliminated the skip shift with the old resister trick ....slp has a skip shift eliminator kit or I think Toma may be able to switch it off with programing, im glad i never got to experience the skip shift :D

[Offroad]

Tah Dah.... Skip Shift (http://www.lmperformance.com/2003/1.html)

Slp's cheaper SLP (https://www.slponline.com/view_cart_site.asp)

[Hallowed_point]

:D So much for not modding it, I have to get rid of that feature so annoying and potentially dangerous to be lugging around in 4th :guns:

[Hallowed_point]

So I added the SLP skip shift eliminator - so much better now. . to hell with the fuel economy :devil: Also changed the disgusting oil (guy was using what looks like conventional with a cheapo filter that has been re-used.) She now has fresh quaker state syn , amsoil & redline proprietary blend..the results of having left over random oil :D Also a mobil 1 syn filter. Seems to be liking the cold starts more now :thumbsup:

Next I'll be changing out tranny fluid (looks easy) with some Redline D4 :burnout:

[Offroad]

Careful with synthetics in the tranny i hear on those sites i gave you the paper blocker rings dont like it....most on there suggest sticking with the dexron 3:)

[Offroad]

Read Here >> T56 Fluid (http://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/871730-what-fluid-should-i-use-my-t-56-per-tremec-techincal-support.html)

[Offroad]

More here >>> Fluids (http://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/1395447-what-fluid-you-running-your-t-56-a.html)

[Offroad]

Quote from thread >>> "Ok so my understanding is that the "paper' on the blocker ring engages based on the amoutn of friction. So the more friction, ie thicker oil, the better they engage and function. The thinner the oil, ie synthetic, the thinner the oil the less friction the less the block ring wants to function or the faster it wears out. Thats why they recommend switching to the kevlar backed rings so you can run better oils and get better engagement. Dont quote me just my understanding "

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Offroad
Quote from thread >>> "Ok so my understanding is that the "paper' on the blocker ring engages based on the amoutn of friction. So the more friction, ie thicker oil, the better they engage and function. The thinner the oil, ie synthetic, the thinner the oil the less friction the less the block ring wants to function or the faster it wears out. Thats why they recommend switching to the kevlar backed rings so you can run better oils and get better engagement. Dont quote me just my understanding "

Thanks Offroad!!! :thumbsup: that makes sense, no need to re-invent the wheel if the OEM fluid is the better choice.
I just like teh syn ;)

[Offroad]

No problem.....hey we should do a Tims soon to compare The Z's and check out your mods before the snow stays and i put mine away for winter. I may hit ups Tims Barlow South on saturday night see if any die hards are there :nut:

[Hallowed_point]

Sounds great , I pm'd you my # :thumbsup:

[Hallowed_point]

Some much needed pictures for the thread :)

[Offroad]

Ya i got the message just now...but think we are screwed next few days with 10cm of snow comin' tonight ....nice pic i like the stock exhaust tips just like mine :)

[Offroad]

Think i should get off here and go for quick rip before snow starts :P

[Hallowed_point]

Side shot

[Hallowed_point]

The Goods :D

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Offroad
Ya i got the message just now...but think we are screwed next few days with 10cm of snow comin' tonight ....nice pic i like the stock exhaust tips just like mine :)

Haha, thanks yeah I love the factory tips :thumbsup: Snow? meh studded winters and plenty of 3M armor..bring it on scary with the summer's tho :nut:

[Offroad]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/260595_10150204663501695_680376694_7489596_8189534_n.jpg

Not mine its mint with 70k and never driven in snow and how cheap i got it for gotta keep the investment value. I've already had it out longer than i should but hard to put it away and drive the fart canned cav winter beater :P

[Hallowed_point]

Nice man, I'm jealous!! Yeah on really horrible days I'll be taking the Chinook LRT - 10 min walk from my door :D It's not ideal, but I figure I'll keep my distance from the sanding trucks/rigs with no flaps :banghead: Only got one parking stall and its better then it sitting outside all winter.

[Offroad]

Tell ya what im craving a coffee and car needs a rinse b4 the snow hits so how about since your near chinook lrt i meet ya at the timmies on 58th right by mohawk and td bank ?

[Hallowed_point]

Hey man later on I can meet you , stuck at work till 6ish :dunno:

[Offroad]

No worries had a coffee and then treated the Camaro too a nice touch less wash :thumbsup:

[TurboZombie]

Nice find! It'll be awsome to cruise in the summer with the t-tops off!

[Hallowed_point]

Thanks man, yeah I can't wait :D

*I like the LT1's though, they have a nice snarly sound. Lot's of torque down low probably super fun for a DD. I just wish they had more power up top, but nothing $$ can't fix! :burnout:

[Ven]

'Bout time with the pics. Sweet car dude.

[Hallowed_point]

Thanks..in the summer I'm thinking Bassani true duals with high flow cats, a lid, install my longtube headers and Corvette intake manifold and call it a day :D It's a little too quiet , guy at my work with his damn 400 big block Charger said he can't even hear it, need to fix that!! :rofl: :burnout:

[Hallowed_point]

So far I've added the SLP skip shift eliminator, a Magnaflow muffler & last night I put on the SLP air lid. It's a little louder WOT, tough to test it during the winter though! :D

*Next on the list will be SLP sub frame connectors. :burnout:

[Hallowed_point]

le subframe connectors..wow these should have came installed from the factory. Powder coated red , a perfect match!! :D Way less flex with these..very impressed indeed :bigpimp: Waiting for my Lou's short stick shifter upgrade next!