LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Best year/model for an LT1?

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Old 10-07-2003, 07:39 AM
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Best year/model for an LT1?

What year/model would be best in terms of performance?
How about reliablitiy?
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Old 10-07-2003, 07:46 AM
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Thats a tough question, the 95-97 LT1 had 285 horses as opposed to the 275 in 93/4. I have a stock (mostly) 94 with 106,000 miles and still running strong, so its been reliable, it's my daily driver (even in the winter). But I think your going to get a bunch of different answers form everybody based on their expieriences.
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Old 10-07-2003, 07:50 AM
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Read this.

Give this post a read, it might be a good start.
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Old 10-07-2003, 08:16 AM
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Originally posted by IXLR894Z28
Thats a tough question, the 95-97 LT1 had 285 horses as opposed to the 275 in 93/4.
Not all of the 95+ had 285, only the ones with duel cats, correct me if I'm wrong (going on memory at 9:14 am, not exact;y my sharpest ).

The best year is, of couse, the 1993! j/k

You're gonna get a different answer from everyone, allof the years are okay. The most important difference is the vented optispark from 95+. Othert than that just get the best deal you can find.
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Old 10-07-2003, 08:18 AM
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For performance it really depends on if you are talking about stock or modded. As far as stock goes, the best would be a 96-97 WS6 or firehawk. I have seen one hit high 13's bone stock in Florida summer heat. As far as modding goes, I would say 1995 on the basis that it is OBDI and has a vented opti and there's more "meat" on the heads for serious porting than the later years. In reality, there is nothing that the 95 has that the other years cannot be modded to, such as OBD-I from OBD-II or switched to a vented opti or like I did with converting to RAM-AIR. But I suppose to each his own. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Old 10-07-2003, 08:19 AM
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The answer is usually [insert here, whatever year is parked in the poster's driveway].
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Old 10-07-2003, 08:25 AM
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ehh, those were the reasons that I looked for a 1995. It took me a year to find a 1995 Black 6 speed Trans Am for a reasonable price. There were only 3,000 M6's made in 95 who knows how few actually came in black. Oh well, I got what I wanted.
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Old 10-07-2003, 08:31 AM
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Originally posted by shoebox
The answer is usually [insert here, whatever year is parked in the poster's driveway].
That's pretty much a given. But every guy knows what his car's strengths & weaknesses. I'm hoping for a little insight.
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Old 10-07-2003, 08:51 AM
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i say 94 or 95 easier to do mods without needing tuning issues or throwing SES lights, true the 96 up have a vented optispark but you can change over to a vented one. it'll come down to what you find for the price you have.
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Old 10-07-2003, 09:57 AM
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The best year is:

One that you can afford and meets your needs...
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Old 10-07-2003, 11:48 AM
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I'd go with a 97... I'd advise against getting a 93. Its nice having no MAF blocking up your intake, and my car has been very reliable, nothing but basic maintenence, but they're much harder to find parts for, and they are quite a bit different from the other years...
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Old 10-07-2003, 12:10 PM
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Originally posted by LeftoverChinese
For performance it really depends on if you are talking about stock or modded. As far as stock goes, the best would be a 96-97 WS6 or firehawk. I have seen one hit high 13's bone stock in Florida summer heat. As far as modding goes, I would say 1995 on the basis that it is OBDI and has a vented opti and there's more "meat" on the heads for serious porting than the later years. In reality, there is nothing that the 95 has that the other years cannot be modded to, such as OBD-I from OBD-II or switched to a vented opti or like I did with converting to RAM-AIR. But I suppose to each his own. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
So the 95 has a vented? I was under the impression 93-95 were non-vented, 96+ vented.

I have a 95 T/A so I'm very interested to know

How much did the Ram-air conversion cost and can you give me details on yours?
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Old 10-07-2003, 12:28 PM
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Lots of people say the 95 because it has the older and cheaper to mess with OBD1 and a vented opti, single cat style exhaust. The OBD thing is a weak point, the prices are very similar now. The vented opti is good but 96 and 97 have it too, BUT the 95 does have the single cat style exhuast. The only reason people prefer this is because its easier to get headers for and you dont have 2 cats to worry about.

My vote however goes with the model year of my car. I like having the new interior. I can't stand the 93-96 ones, it feels so cheap and your surrounded by hard plastic. I also like having the 97-98 wheels and the newer rear tailights.

Performance wise, they are are very similar. The model years are all withen 13.9-14.2 on average, some faster and some slower of course.
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Old 10-07-2003, 12:30 PM
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Yes, the 95 does have a vented opti. I have an ASCD hood (which I would not recommend). Rather than having grills they have a wiremess kinda like chicken wire. That was about 700. Also they told me that shipping would be $80 but it was 111.18 that needed to be cash and the driver would not wait for me to run to an ATM since he wouldnt take any other method of payment. The airbox I got off someone on this board for 200 plus shipping. I ordered a K&N filter which is arriving tomorrow from Lingenfelter for $54 plus shipping and then I will need a fernco 3 inch sewer pipe which is like $3 or something from home depot to comeplete it. I am getting the entire car painted rather than just the hood which will be $500 from a friend. Its preety expensive, but that was the way I wanted to go.
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Old 10-07-2003, 12:39 PM
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Looking back who would you recommend? What kinda power gains are you thinking you'll see?
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