What to buy?

[SnApPzz]

Hi guys,

i currently drive a modified 94 Cavalier Z24 but i feel like i have hit a stumbling block and would cost to much money to go farther,

i want to upgrade from a J-body to a f-body..but i am not sure what is the best years to get...is there some years that are better then others? I would be looking at doing enigne work but i also want something that looks modern. My thinking is i want like a 95-96 Z28...is there lots i can do with the car? any problems or issues i should look at when buying one and lastly what year would you guys recomend.

I realize i am new here and i tried a search but couldn't find anything relevent.

Thanks in advance for any light anyone can shed on the situation.

Jeremy Daniels

[RangerBob]

How much $ ?

98's and up have the LS1
95-97 Have Vented (less problems) Optispark on the LT1
94 non vented optispark LT1
93's I don't know the deal on those

Of course I would love a big block 1st generation F body

I'd go with a LS1

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Re: How much $ ?

Originally posted by RangerBob
98's and up have the LS1
95-97 Have Vented (less problems) Optispark on the LT1
94 non vented optispark LT1
93's I don't know the deal on those

Of course I would love a big block 1st generation F body

I'd go with a LS1

In my opinon, 1998 and up f-bodies rule because of the LS1 (but I am probbaly a bit biased ). They are about a full second faster in the 1/4 mile stock... relatively easy and inexpensive to do some minor mods and squeeze out a little more HP. Serious upgrades, like any other car, will still cost you though. If you can afford it, get a 2001 or 2002 LS1 f-body, they make even more power than the 98, 99, and 2000...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Don't take this the wrong way... but don't throw any more money into your Cavalier, it's time to say hello to some real power with an f-body

[SnApPzz]

Jay: don't worry that is why i am here

the cavalier was a fun toy...3400 swapped engine with a 5 spd...but i mean it is nothing compared to you guys. I am 0nly 20 and i think a 98+ f-body will ripp me in insurance...atleast if i pay cash for a 95ish Z then i can deal with the insurance and mods.

I know a convertible would be heavier but is there any cons in buying a t-top? any hidden weight?

[4THGEN Z]

if you are looking at an LT1 for the reasons you mentioned.....and plan on seriously modding it, I would choose a 95 only for the reasons that as RangerBob said it has a vented opti and plus it is still OBDI and will cost less, and be easier to tune, especially if you have it dyno-tuned as I did.....(1996+ f-bods are OBDII) The dyno-tuning for OBDII cars were a couple hundred dollars more than what min cost, regardless of mods.

My $0.02 though.....=)

[TimeLord]

Go with a 94[my year]or 95-96 for the LT1, more low end torque and generally more pleasant to drive everyday.

Not wild about the LS1,beat them to shreads every weekend.

[wolfdogs]

Originally posted by TimeLord
Go with a 94[my year]or 95-96 for the LT1, more low end torque and generally more pleasant to drive everyday.

Not wild about the LS1,beat them to shreads every weekend.

not to mention..the body style is cleaner and better looking without all the humps and bubbles........

heee heeeee


(duckin and runnin)

[Jeff_in_Atl]

As you see, everybody has an opinion on this. LOL And since you are looking for it, here is mine. 93-94 had a non vented OPTI. From what I read and hear, they retain more moisture and corrode faster. 95-97 had vented OPTI. Better for corrosion however the can be effected immediately if you run through a huge puddle. I did last week and it sputtered for about 5 miles. I wasn't sure if it was going to make it home. 96-97 got dual catalytic converters. 10 more horses. All 93-97 Camaros have these sucky little headlights. There are very limited options to fix them. The 98+ have 9005, 9006 replaceable bulbs. Many options for that. 98's also have LS1 motors which scrapped the OPTI crap. They have separate coils for each plug (Fred's is an exception LOL)

The real question is how much do you have to spend. Every year improved something. The newer the better. I wish I could get a 98+.

[TimeLord]

Zeke's installed a vented opti on mine when they did the H/C and timing chain.

Lights are THE worst EVER installed on any car,they are horrendous.

Older cars are less expensive , thus more money is available for mods!!!!!

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Originally posted by TimeLord
Go with a 94[my year]or 95-96 for the LT1, more low end torque and generally more pleasant to drive everyday.

Not wild about the LS1,beat them to shreads every weekend.

More low-end torque, but doesn't rev as high, or make as much power or torque at its peak. An LT1 car might have an edge from 0-20 mph, but after that, that's all she wrote... this is comparing stock to stock of course...

What do you have done to your LT1 in order to beat LS1's to shreds?

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Originally posted by SnApPzz
Jay: don't worry that is why i am here

the cavalier was a fun toy...3400 swapped engine with a 5 spd...but i mean it is nothing compared to you guys. I am 0nly 20 and i think a 98+ f-body will ripp me in insurance...atleast if i pay cash for a 95ish Z then i can deal with the insurance and mods.

I know a convertible would be heavier but is there any cons in buying a t-top? any hidden weight?

By the way, I am 21.

[TimeLord]

Some "STUFF"

Mods looked a lot like KeRm's at the end of last year,they kind of expanded without notice!!!!

[SnApPzz]

i am looking at a budget of around 10-15K cdn...i am pretty sure i can find a camaro in around that price range. i found one for 8k but it was auto.

i appreciate alll your input guys, it means alot to me.


Do you guys meet up at all in Southern Ontario.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

If "Southern Ontario" is close to Detroit... you may see some of us at the Woodward Dream Cruise in August.