[455Cromartie]

Im looking for one. what are the problem areas? Also how many miles isaproblem? Just what are the things i should look for?


MIKE

1969 Pontiac Firebird 468

[455Cromartie]

Im looking for one. what are the problem areas? Also how many miles isaproblem? Just what are the things i should look for?


MIKE

1969 Pontiac Firebird 468

[Rocky Rotella]

93-97 have the LT1 and they have two main problems, the Optispark ignition system which is behind the balancer. If your water pump leaks, it leaks on IT and it will ruin it. They're not known for longevity, maybe 60,000 or so miles. Also, LT1's are notorious for oil leaks coming off the back on the intake manifold.

98-02 have the LS1 motor. They sometimes burn oil and can have some piston slap but overall, the LS1's are reliable. They can have detination problems if you don't run premium fuel name brand fuel.

The LS1 cars are better with increased brake size and other small things but overall the LT1 cars are fine as well. Depends what kind of money you have to spend and what you're after option wise.

[Zig'sbird]

I have a 94 TA - so far so good with the Optispark and I'm at 105k.

But, on at least the LT1 cars the auto transmission is a big worry. It seems that they are a very weak unit. And yes, this Jan. I need to get mine rebuilt [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

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[455Cromartie]

I will have about 10,000 2 spend. I want a trans-am that is reliable and fast.

[gtopwr]

Go for an LS1 . You will like how much power they can make with a near stock setup . Some guys with f- bods are in the 11's on unopened motor , with just external bolt ons , a converter and tune .

With ported heads and around the 224 / 560-580' cams on the stock short motor , and some weight removal , LS1 f- body's have gone low 11's , even high 10's .

As for reliability , some of them have oil issues , its mainly due to a crap PCV design that lets massive amounts of oil into the cylinders , reducing the octane of the fuel and carboning up the ring lands etc , eventually sticking the rings and causing problems . Remove it and fit breathers or a vaccum pump and you probably wont have any problems .

My ls1 had a slight piston slap at 15k miles , I removed the PCV and ran breathers , and after another 2k of thrashing it the noise went away , funny huh ? stuck rings [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] others might have build issues , but I bet most of them slap cause of carbon build up , which is all caused by the PCV [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

If you go the LS1 , get it tuned with ls1edit (remove all the Torque Managment ) and you will get addicted [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

The stock 4l60e tranny with a high stall cant handle the power of even a stock tuned ls1 . Ive blown up 3 of them . A built one will be OK though , for a while .

A chev pattern TH350/400 or 4l80e bolts straight up , if you want to get serious .

GM did a great effort on this engine , the stock LS1 cylinder heads out flow many aftemarket SBC heads . Ported they can flow over 300 cfm at 600' .

The plastic inlet manifold doesnt heat soak very easily , its the first V8 ive driven that doesnt slow down a lot on a hot day . The LS6 intake is the one to use , it flows well enough to make 600 hp on a 346ci .

hope this helps . I was into the older stuff and never thought of an LS1 as a serious engine , but these LS1's are a whole new experience and fun fun fun . Basically , if you want to get into a new car , but still have the bug for performance and it has to be a GM V8 , this is it !! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] cheers.

[rumair]

LS1's are slow...

97 Trans Am WS6
Best ET: 12.13
Best MPH 114.6
74 Formula 455
Best ET: 12.02
Best MPH: 112