Gen4 Camaro LT1

[OctaneV8]

I'm set on getting one of these with "scaffold pipe mufflers" but have some serious considerations.

Not going to ask about running costs as the sound of the SB chevy is worth its weight
They seem fairly straightforward to work on, I hear the cam can be popped out the front for easy swappage!
Insurance wise, how much should I be paying, considering they are usually LHD and I'm 24?
How big are they? - I know they are larger than most UK cars but are they a pain to manoeuvre and park?
Ideally I'd want to put an LT1/LS1 in a smaller car but for now I want a complete package to enjoy.

What should I look for when viewing?

Model wise, the 6spd Z28 looks a winner as they seem most abundant.

Looks forward to info/ stories

[LuS1fer]

OctaneV8 said:

I'm set on getting one of these with "scaffold pipe mufflers" but have some serious considerations.

Not going to ask about running costs as the sound of the SB chevy is worth its weight
They seem fairly straightforward to work on, I hear the cam can be popped out the front for easy swappage!
Insurance wise, how much should I be paying, considering they are usually LHD and I'm 24?
How big are they? - I know they are larger than most UK cars but are they a pain to manoeuvre and park?
Ideally I'd want to put an LT1/LS1 in a smaller car but for now I want a complete package to enjoy.

What should I look for when viewing?

Model wise, the 6spd Z28 looks a winner as they seem most abundant.

Looks forward to info/ stories

The LT1 runs into a single cat IIRC whereas the LS1 has twin cats. The biggest restriction is over the back axle which only allows a single pipe when the car is lowered, as it needs to be. I had an LS1 with practically a straight pipe front to back, split after the back axle which was plenty loud enough but long runs cause droning.

You can service them yourself - oil changes are usually good enough and can be done at home. Shouldn't cost much to run at all.

In general, I've always paid about £500 a year from age 34-49 but much depends on your postcode. At 24, you may have problems as some won't insure until 25. Modified engines and cams are a no-no for insurance purposes. 275bhp stock isn't bad to be going on with.

They're not that big and perfectly wieldy. Just watch coming out of junctions at an angle as the view to your right disappears behind the B pillar.

Chassis wise they're pretty solid - you'll often find a lot of surface rust but not too much that goes deep. The only panels that aren't plastic are the bonnet and the rear wings. Check the bottom of the front wings which are bolted on by two bolts at the bottom. People often jack on these and bend them.

Engine-wise, the biggest failing of the LT1 is the Optispark which was GM's brilliant idea to replace the distributor. Instead of being driven by a shaft, they put it on the end of the crankshaft where all the water can get to it. early cars had condensation issues and corroded but later '94-on cars had vents but still have the inevitable conflict between electric and water and the leads still need replacing when they break down - easy on a distributor, rather less so on an Optispark.

I'm surprised there are more 6 speeds as they always seemed to be rare. The GM box is a little agricultural and the auto should not be dismissed if it's attached to a better car. If you can run to an LS1 which arrived in 1998 then it's well worth it as it's all-alloy and has 8 nice easy coil packs.

Although the plugs will last for about 80k, remember that the back two cylinders are under the windscreen and you need a bit of manual dexterity to change them from underneath the car.

[maudyZ28]

Hi, well im 22 and had camaro since i was 21. First premium was about £1000 (adrian flux) but now gone upto £1500 cause i had an accident. And yes it was me not respecting the power and didn't expect it to spin that easily. I've rebuit 2 cars and sold them on so i could buy camaro 99 ls1 V8 and was gutted at my stupidity, anyhow i rebuilt this one too and learnt from my mistake (NOT PLANTED FOOT IN RAIN).

Anyhow enough of my life story. Insurance is largely dependent on postcode too though and running and servicing is cheap if you are able to do it yourself (yes 2 back plugs are 1h job on their own). I use mine as a daily driver with 250 miles a week and average 22-23 mpg in traffic conditions to leeds everyday or upto 30+ on a run at 70 mph.

The ls1 is a better choice if you can stretch the cash, with regards to auto or manual its upto you. My auto is nice and smooth and converter is tight (not slack like in some jags etc..), my experience of a manual is heavy (tried in friends monaro with same box T56) but still ok to drive and thats what these cars are all about really.

There is only one condition with gettin a V8, that is the first mod must be an EXHAUST so you can hear the rumble!

If you have any more questions just ask

[JakesterUK]

I've owned a '94 LT1 auto Z28 Camaro, '00 Trans-Am LS1 6 speed and a '94 LT1 Corvette, for out & out road use, cornering & go-kart hadling the corvette out performs hands down, but for 'smile a mile' factor I'd go with a 6 speed LS1 in any of the F-bodies.

The LT1 is an old engine now & tuning options are far less than the LS1. If you go for a 6 speed you'll need to fit the 'skip shift' else it'll drive you mad 'pottering' around town..

I had the Z28 when I was in my twenties (can't remember the insurance as it was a good few years ago)..

[balls-out]

OctaneV8 said:

I'm set on getting one of these with "scaffold pipe mufflers" but have some serious considerations.

Not going to ask about running costs as the sound of the SB chevy is worth its weight
They seem fairly straightforward to work on, I hear the cam can be popped out the front for easy swappage!
Insurance wise, how much should I be paying, considering they are usually LHD and I'm 24?
How big are they? - I know they are larger than most UK cars but are they a pain to manoeuvre and park?
Ideally I'd want to put an LT1/LS1 in a smaller car but for now I want a complete package to enjoy.

What should I look for when viewing?

Model wise, the 6spd Z28 looks a winner as they seem most abundant.

Looks forward to info/ stories

I'm on my second LT1 camaro. both manuals, as I'm a confirmed auto hater. I'm no expert, but that doesn't stop me having an opinion!
In terms of length, similiar to a volvo estate, so fine for car park. The combination of the width and the massive doors, mean that narrow parking spaces are tight. Certainly I park mine in Tescos, multi stories etcs.
I've only ever seen one RHD 4th gencamaro - so for all intensive purposes they are all LHD.
I don't know how deep your pockets are, nor what you are after, but at 280 odd bhp you may decide that further tuning isn't your top priority. Thats plenty of ponies to light em up and make every round about a sideways experience. Mine is an SS (so a few more bhp), but although I'd always like more power, I haven't really felt the need to throw £s at performance mods, but..
LT1 brakes are terrible, they just aren't man enough for a heavy car in UK roads. LS1 are better, but still nothing special.

In 5 years of camaro ownership, I've found it a cheap car to run. Obviously Mpg isn't good, but its OK. parts are cheap and they have both been highly reliable. one water pump and one air pump were the only additional costs to oil/filter etc changes. changing the plugs is not a simple job, but is only every 100k miles...

The diff isn't that strong and manuals lack the cushion of a fluid converter. listen for it whining. Optipark can be a problem - do a google search for background.

You wil have to keep the cats for the MOT, but a new rear box will get a nice sounds.

I understand the LS1 motor has more bhp, but IMHO the facelift is pug ugly. I've heard that the LT1 is a cheaper engine in the longer term with cheap and more rugged parts. (I don't know if thats true)

As I said I had one for 3 years - and then sold it for what I paid for it I missed it so much I got another. Its family transport for me the wife and 2 kids, complete with tow bar for Trials bike on trailer.

I'd recommend this book. will give you loads of background


Jap imports have folding wing mirror and US have fixed. Somehow a US soured one seems more 'approriate' to me, but there are a lot of Jap inports around and there seem some well priced ones about.

remember in the US its a cheap car - maybe like a capri used to be here once, so expect 90s Vauxhall build and fit inside. if you want to spend your life edmiring the quality of the plastic, get a BMW!

Edited by balls-out on Thursday 16th April 12:10

[JulesV]

I have owned a Z28 for about five years and generally speaking it has been great. Until a year or so ago it was my only source of transport. I had to have the gearbox built very soon after I bought the car but other than that it has been fairly reliable. The interior is pretty cheap but durable, the T tops can leak slightly on occasions. I fitted an adjustable Borla stainless steel exhaust which sounds absolutley fantastic. I have always found it to be fast enough, if I were to spend any money on mods I would look at the brakes first. They always seemed OK when I drove the car all the time but now I am used to the AP Racing brakes on my MG they feel terrible.

I would highly recommend the car, go for it!

[LuS1fer]

On my Z28, I fitted a set of Powerslot grooved rotors which in themselves probably make little difference. However, a set of quality Hawk Performance pads made all the difference. I'm sure the EBC red and yellow would do likewise and changing the brake fluid for a DOT 4 or 5 helps too.

[qube_TA]

Under the hood the LT1 Camaros/Firebirds are very snug to work on. Also IMO they're a bit ugly and given how much better the facelift LS1 cars were I think the LT1's are a bit pointless now.

[irocfan]

qube_TA said:

Under the hood the LT1 Camaros/Firebirds are very snug to work on. Also IMO they're a bit ugly and given how much better the facelift LS1 cars were I think the LT1's are a bit pointless now.

nearly... the early 4th gen 'maros are far better than the peanut headlight ones but the later transams are just spot-on

[qube_TA]

The LT1 Camaro was better than the LT1 Firebrd?

Dang if that's so I feel sorry for the Firebird owner, worked a bit on the Camaro as I had a mate with one, absolute nightmare.

But if working under the hood is a concern then 3rd gens and earlier are much nicer.