Is it even worth it?

[V8Killer]

OK this is a question for all the FI converts here, turbo and super.

For 4 grand or more (much more depending on what you do and who does it) you can take a average performing 3.4/3.8 f-body ang get something that would easily enough eat a stock LS1/LT1 and match or maybe even beat a '05 Charger SRT, a C5 ZO6 or a Cobra (not the '07, mind you...:bowdown:)

But if your unlucky, a klutz, suffer catastrophic part failure or shoddy work from shady mechs, you could be flushing much much much more down the drain than just a comparatively "measily" 4 grand. Considering that and the fact that LS1s ared getting close to that 5 grand sweet spot and can get an extra 80hp off the bat with a head and cam job, which is far lower on the ZOMG-BLEW-tH3-ENGINE!!!!!! risk factor totem poll, I've just got to ask from the people who have been there....

Was it worth it?

[Shirl]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Oh Yeah, Yes.

[V8Killer]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Oh Yeah, Yes.

So... I should take that as a no? ;) ;) :)

[grayman]

Re: Is it even worth it?

well,
it takes more than 4 grand to beat an ls1. can't even put ls1 in the same sentence as lt1. now an lt1 can be beat on by a suped up 3.8. (unless the ltl has some work done to it...like a new ignition system, stuff like that.)

it has been worth it for me. still get 20 mpg in combo driving and over 26mpg on freeway driving. i don't drive slow either. always zooming around. my bros 98 trans am gets about 14 mpg....unless he starts to get on it a lot....then it's worse.

ilike the suped up v6 for: gas mileage, performance and rareness.

(6psi powerdyne and other mods)

[Shodown]

Re: Is it even worth it?

I have been contemplating the very same thing cuz I am financially ready to buy a T/A or Z28, but look on peoples faces when they just got beat or even almost beat by a v6 is priceless and makes it all worth it. Plus a v6 that runs mid to high 13's is rare and respectful, its expected from a v8 ;)

[V8Killer]

Re: Is it even worth it?

Good points. I never even considered the gas mileage issue. V-8 owners would probably counter with "theres nothing like owning a genuine v8" or something like that.

can't even put ls1 in the same sentence as lt1

Forgive my ignorance but why not? Sure the LT1 made slightly less power (25 hp I believe), had a heavy iron block and had that optifart distributor destroyer system, but outside of those issues we aren't talking a night/day difference in performance here are we?

[01PewterDropTop]

Re: Is it even worth it?

385 CID LS1 Z-28 = 9 MPG, and 400 dollor a month insurence, but is a low 11 second car worth it?

[V8Killer]

Re: Is it even worth it?

385 CID LS1 Z-28 = 9 MPG, and 400 dollor a month insurence, but is a low 11 second car worth it?

v8 gas mileages is worse than our cars but I think you're exaggerating just a little there. You can get a 4th gen LT1 v8 for about 5 grand + .5 to 3 for an LS1, While a 3.4/3.8 plus mods would be well over 9. Although you will end up with the faster car, you run the kind of risks stock v8 owners wouldn't, something, obviously, someone who would boost their six wouldn't care about anyway.

$400 a month for full coverage insurance maybe, but, honestly, for older LT1 owners paying the car's full value every ten months just so you can pay another $500 deductible when the inevitable happens doesn't make any sense for a car thats (financially speaking here people!) already 'worthless'. Sixes get lower rates, but if you wreck your car and the insurance company finds out you boosted it without telling them, they're not gonna like you.

I don't really have a preference. A boosted six would be cool, but I could get an LT1 for a thousand if I sold my car right now. Plus, I'm about to become a broke as nails college student, so I can't really afford to put my car out for 2 months and risk blowing her engine, as cool as a 440 hp 3.8 sounds....


(rice boy interga R driver pulls up) Hey, yo! I got a hundred HP per Liter!
(me in my turbo bird) Oh yea? well SO DO I!!!:burn:

[asdf1234]

Re: Is it even worth it?

well,
it takes more than 4 grand to beat an ls1.

Don't know where you came up with that. I've beaten stock/lightly modded LS1's before.

[vanbibber]

Re: Is it even worth it?

:)

Forgive my ignorance but why not? Sure the LT1 made slightly less power (25 hp I believe), had a heavy iron block and had that optifart distributor destroyer system, but outside of those issues we aren't talking a night/day difference in performance here are we?

its not really the block or opti crap. its the heads. they flow like ****.

heavier yes, but its an excellent motor even with its weak points being ****y head design and worlds worst idea on where the optispark is located fix those and its on par with the ls1.

if i could do it over again. i would have just kept my v6 and went FI. v8s are fun and all, but its not all its cracked up to be.

so...

this v8 owner says: yes its worth going FI on a v6 just for the underdog and wow wtf just beat that ls1 factor.

[blackFbird_98]

Re: Is it even worth it?

well when i had mine I was beatin pretty much anything even the saleen but the top end of the V8 killed me after the 1/4 mile or at a rooling start about the only thing I lost to were built Ls1s and a damn stealth, so this winter I sold it and next summer I will by a WS6 or a SS and start moddin that

[Gerbonium]

Re: Is it even worth it?

im wondering the same thing. i could probably get a used ls1 with manual tranny (waht i want) for 3-4 grand. about the same as supercharger + headers are new. i would love to go the ls1 route, but my bro has an LS1 SS M6 that i can drive whenever i want.

another thing im somewhat worried about is reliability. I would go powerdyne route (needs to be carb legal :() anyone have any issues. how many miles on ur car? i got only 76000 miles on my 95 3.8 but i used to beat on it a lot. i dont currently have any reliability issues but something that is in the back of the mind

[Just Another V6]

Re: Is it even worth it?

A wise man once told me

Reliable
Fast
Cheap

You can chose only 2

[Gerbonium]

Re: Is it even worth it?

A wise man once told me

Reliable
Fast
Cheap

You can chose only 2

:cry: