Ok so I before I deployed in May I purchased a 96 conv 6sp z28. Car had misfires,bad rearend and needed a new carpet. A month before I arrived back home I got orders to FL. Driving from cali to fl is a long haul and military wont ship the Z. Soooo I sold it and I am now looking in getting another LT1 when I get settled in my new home in FL.

I am either looking for a 97 ss or ws6 or waiting a little longer and finding a LS1 z28 or trans am. What would you do? I like the LT1 front end but dont like the optispark issues and the ls1 puts out more power for less money. Just wondering if an extra 4-5 grand is worth it for the LS1. Thanks

 

In your position I would wait until I could find a 99 or newer LS1.
I purchased my LT-1 new so I am keeping it, but in your case you have more options.

 

Newsflash.... this is not an LT1 site (not "sight"). We cover 1st through 5th Gens, and there are supporters here of a variety of engines, including Gen 1, LT1, LS1, LSx.....

 

sorry i copied and pasted it from an lt1 site "my bad"

 

I was in your shoes about two years ago to the date. Pick up an LT-1 for about 5K or save a little more and pick up an LS-1? Since I too liked the LT-1 front end, I chose to go with the LT-1. I picked up a 95 Z28 with 86K for $4,800, exactly what I wanted, except for the T-Tops, and I couldn't be any happier. It'll be two years in Feb. since I bought it . I've only replaced the waterpump during those 2 years. I see running into a similiar desicion here in a few years down the line, pick up a LS1 SS or upgrade to a 5TH Gen? I guess I'll worry about that one down the line?

 

Yeah I guess it all depends on what i can get for the money, cuz just owning this lt-1 for a year. I already hated the idea of the optispark and trying not to get it wet, along with the pita plugs and wires. UGH!

 

Go with something that has a good body and interior. You can always swap out the motor/transmission or front end.

 

yeah but swapping engines is a hassle, id rather just have it from the get go.

 

Went I first began looking for a 4th gen a few years ago, people told me to spend the extra money (only about two grand) for the LS1, but I just liked the looks of the LT1 better.

Fast forward - After several optis and being stranded on the side of the road, plus the cost of replacing said optis, I should have listened and got the LS1.

Looks = LT1
Reliability/speed = LS1

I just traded in my LT1 for a LS1. Right now the difference really is only about $2k or less if you go with a high mile LS1 and shop carefully.

 

It seems to me that LT1's look better and are easier to set up for dragging (in stock form at least) than LS1's on account of the iron block. However, this comes at a price considering the fact that aluminum heads sit on that iron block. LT1 is notorious for overheating problems due to this in addition to the dreaded optispark.

LS1's are all aluminum which eliminates this and more capable as daily drivers and get better fuel economy than LT1's. LT1's don't seem as capable as DD's until they've been well cared for and/or had bolt-ons installed to them, LS1's are pretty much ready to go as a DD. I guess it all depends on what route you prefer to go. I'd say if you're looking to build a track star, I'd go for the LT1. If you want a more versatile ride that you'd like to drive daily or have the capability of doing so that you could also make pretty trackworthy, get the LS1.

There were multiple LS1's I could've bought when I was looking for my '94, I didn't quite have the room I wanted for mods financially for an LS1, but none of them felt right anyway. That being said, I passed on them. I've put a considerable amount of money into my LT1, but I have no regrets. I absolutely love the car and got a killer deal on it, won't part with it unless there's either a trade involved for another f-body, or I could put myself in a position to acquire another f-body shortly thereafter. Hope this has helped, good luck with your search.