Anyone Savy with F-Bodies?

[XiKeiyaZI]

So, I ended up getting rid of the 2G N/T because I just didn't have time to get the title lined out. I was able to contact the previous owner, but the hoops I was going to have to leap through didn't settle with me. I gave the kid back his car, dealt with a sad woman, and had the cash in my hand. So I started looking about.. and something caught my eye. A Formula LT1... for $1500?

Long story short.. I drove it, I liked it.. it's now the woman's car. Crane Cam, Roller Rockers, more and more and more...It was honestly a steal. I mean, sure.. there's a 5'4 lady driving it, so I'm a bit scared for her driving a 400+ HP RWD car.. but I think it'll be fine with it's full coverage. I'll post some pictures this afternoon. The ONLY fault with the entire car is there is a tiny bit of damage on the driver door where a branch hit it. Probably the side (in diameter) of a coffee mug.

Anywho, is anyone here familiar with these vehicles on an extensive level? I'd like to pick your brain for a while.

 

[95talongirl]

Automatic?

They are and tend to be good cars except for ONE thing. The Optispark. Those are notorious on LT1's to go out. For some stupid reason GM thought that putting an electrical component on the front of the engine UNDER the water pump would be a good idea. So if the pump leaks, or if condensation builds up.. The distributor goes bad. You'll experience a multicylinder misfire. These used to be expensive to replace; but I don't think thats the case anymore. They are labor intensive to replace. The spark plugs are a pain in the butt as well.

I believe MSD makes a kit to convert it to coil-over like the LS1.

Other than that, they tedn to run forever. I've heard of people having some transmission issues over the years; but anything will with age. The run the 4L60E trans if its an Auto.

For $1500 tho.. you got a deal. Pics please

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Yes, it's auto. Trans and engine were rebuilt no later than 20K ago. Engine is nice and solid. There is one thing that stood out before, the original owner had somehow damaged the main power to the starter so he ran a new wire down to it. I didn't like how it was 'wired' (Southern style of twisting and wrapping in electrical tape) and reconnected the original wire and repaired the damaged areas. It came with receipts including a brand new starter that he 'thought' was going bad. Just turned out to be poor power delivery.

Car ran 8.46 in the 1/8th, so it's fairly quick, quicker than what I was expecting considering it's weight. I've already crawled underneath it and inspected everything. It's solid. Not a loose bolt, drip, smudge..there's your average dirt and such, especially considering that it was housed on a gravel road. Transmission shifts smooth. Engine is nice, lopey, and loud. It has turn-downs right under the passenger side.. which is already beginning to irritate me and will be resolved this weekend with it being extended to the rear.

I noticed how damned hard the spark plugs are going to be, and will fight with them to finally get them changed, but it'll be worth it. The oil was pretty dirty.. so after a basic oil tune up, it went from running good to running great. Anything specific I should be aware of?

 

[housegsx]

Yes, optisparks are evil! Especially pre-1995.

 

[Dsm4lyfe12]

Pics or it didnt happen. Nice pickup!

 

[95talongirl]

A few other points of interest; since I'm sure you'll get asked "why didn't you just go LS1?"

The LT1 is a true 350cu displacement, based of the old tried-and true Chevy 350. It was referred to as the "GENII" and based off the based off of the Ed Cole small block design dating back to 1955. But when it comes to intake, fuel delivery, head design (use of aluminum here), ect... the LT1 is, of course, better than the early 350's.

The LS1 or "GENIII" was a complete redesign. It's actually only 347cu but is all-aluminum. This also severed as the basis for the 5.3L engine found in the trucks. It was designed with computers in mind, as well. They take well to tuning and turbocharging and such. Oh yeah.. can't forget that they were "touched by the hand of God." hahaha.. sorry I heard some LSx owner say that before and cracked up.

The LT, then... will be easier and cheaper to modify than the LS. That's a huge advantage when on a budget! However, you already got one with some extras, so just have some fun with it!

Honestly.. the only other thing I've seen with them was intake gasket failure. All in all you will find that there's not much you need to do to those cars other and keep up on oil changes and drive it. ha! I almost bought one, but found a 302 mustang for a better price so went that route. the 302 is another one of those "can't kill it" engines. Gotta love the old school pushrod v8s.

 

[housegsx]

The LT, then... will be easier and cheaper to modify than the LS. That's a huge advantage when on a budget! However, you already got one with some extras, so just have some fun with it!

Really? I had a 94 LT1 Vette and the aftermarket seemed almost nonexistant and expensive. The LS aftermarket seems to be much cheaper and diverse.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

A few other points of interest; since I'm sure you'll get asked "why didn't you just go LS1?"

The LT1 is a true 350cu displacement, based of the old tried-and true Chevy 350. It was referred to as the "GENII" and based off the based off of the Ed Cole small block design dating back to 1955. But when it comes to intake, fuel delivery, head design (use of aluminum here), ect... the LT1 is, of course, better than the early 350's.

The LS1 or "GENIII" was a complete redesign. It's actually only 347cu but is all-aluminum. This also severed as the basis for the 5.3L engine found in the trucks. It was designed with computers in mind, as well. They take well to tuning and turbocharging and such. Oh yeah.. can't forget that they were "touched by the hand of God." hahaha.. sorry I heard some LSx owner say that before and cracked up.

The LT, then... will be easier and cheaper to modify than the LS. That's a huge advantage when on a budget! However, you already got one with some extras, so just have some fun with it!

Wonderful bits of information. Really need that address.

I did quite a bit of research on the differences in the LS and the LT, and I have to say that I'm not really bothered that it's an LT1 and not an LS1. Both seem to be great engines by what I've found and considering that this one has a few extra goodies, who cares? It's not going to be the revolving factor of my time, that's what I have the Talon for, but it's certainly starting to seem pretty fun. It's an expansion into a World that I don't know and it's exciting for me. I won't be throwing the loudest exhaust setup on it, running stupid hoods, or anything else like what I commonly see. I like it being stockish. It's... sexy.

As for the year, it's a 96. I can't find the original ad for it, but I'll snap pictures when I get home. It's got Tan interior, it's all there, just a bit dirty which I'll be fixing today. Also will be spraying down the engine bay and getting it cleaned up as well. The tires HAVE to be rotated. The rear are worn but the front are perfect. guess I need to get used to that, eh?

 

[95talongirl]

That is interesting...

It seems pretty plentiful on the f-body side of things... I know a guy I worked with built his LT1 z28 up with no issues at all finding parts for decent prices.

Yeah there is a TON out there for LS's thats for sure, too. Espeically as time goes on. Now I'm curious, though. Wonder if it has to do with the body style? Kinda like how when the SN95 mustang came out you couldn't get the old 5.0L headers on them because of the body shape.

 

[95talongirl]

Wonderful bits of information. Really need that address.

I did quite a bit of research on the differences in the LS and the LT, and I have to say that I'm not really bothered that it's an LT1 and not an LS1. Both seem to be great engines by what I've found and considering that this one has a few extra goodies, who cares? It's not going to be the revolving factor of my time, that's what I have the Talon for, but it's certainly starting to seem pretty fun. It's an expansion into a World that I don't know and it's exciting for me. I won't be throwing the loudest exhaust setup on it, running stupid hoods, or anything else like what I commonly see. I like it being stockish. It's... sexy.

As for the year, it's a 96. I can't find the original ad for it, but I'll snap pictures when I get home. It's got Tan interior, it's all there, just a bit dirty which I'll be fixing today. Also will be spraying down the engine bay and getting it cleaned up as well. The tires HAVE to be rotated. The rear are worn but the front are perfect. guess I need to get used to that, eh?

It's in IL; sometimes MI

You will get hooked on the v8.... I know I have... and it's taking all the power in me to leave the Mustang alone.

 

[Dsm4lyfe12]

Keiya, just pull the motor and put it in your talon..

 

[housegsx]

Also will be spraying down the engine bay and getting it cleaned up as well.

You've been warned!

 

[BigBeans]

You've been warned!

^This. Don't expect the car to run properly for 2 days after you get water on the Opti.

On a side note, the LT1 is ok, kind of crude compared to the LS series but they can make ok power. As i'm sure you know, the LS is vastly superior in every way, including the driveshaft, brakes, etc.

4L60Es suck if you start making good power. I had a friend with a cammed LT1 that ate 4 of them in a few years, and i've destroyed 2 in my truck.

That said, for $1500 it's hard to go wrong. Slap a 100 shot on it and have some fun.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

1 : I like to cover anything that shouldn't see moisture

2 : Why swap an LT1 into a Talon? ;P I'm fine with my 4 Cylinder beast.

3 : I couldn't stray from DSMs. If it were for them, I wouldn't be mechanically inclined.

 

[coryd21]

Oh yeah.. can't forget that they were "touched by the hand of God."

You can't forget about the LT5 that came in the C4 ZR1 which was truly an amazing v8 considering its the only LT or LS series motor to be overhead cam

 

[housegsx]

^zr1

 

[Dsm4lyfe12]

Joking. People always give me a heard time, so i was returning the favor

 

[coryd21]

Yes i realized it was the zr1 before I could change it...

 

[91stocker]

A big plus of LT1's is the free tuning software available. Any option for tuning an ls1 is pretty pricey. 600+

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

A big plus of LT1's is the free tuning software available. Any option for tuning an ls1 is pretty pricey. 600+

Details?

 

[coryd21]

A friend of mine I went to college with just swapped his 99 ws6 with a pro charged fully built LS7. Without a tune on it he put down 488 hp and 490 tq on a mustang dyno. It should be in the 600 rang when it gets tuned here soon.

 

[housegsx]

TunerPro and TunerPro RT - Professional Automobile Tuning Software

http://www.moates.net/


And if you ever have optispark issues and want to get rid of it.
EFI Connection, LLC - Welcome to www.eficonnection.com

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Tunerpro eh? I'm familiar with it. It's what I used to tune my 1G Talon. How about interfacing? Basic USB - OBDII cable or are we talking Pre-OBDII?

 

[housegsx]

Tunerpro eh? I'm familiar with it. It's what I used to tune my 1G Talon. How about interfacing? Basic USB - OBDII cable?

You should be able to find that info from the 2nd link I posted. I think.

 

[BigBeans]

A friend of mine I went to college with just swapped his 99 ws6 with a pro charged fully built LS7. Without a tune on it he put down 488 hp and 490 tq on a mustang dyno. It should be in the 600 rang when it gets tuned here soon.

You sure it's an LS7? I'd cry if my built & boosted LS7 only made 600whp.

They can do that with a head/cam package on a stock motor.