Hey everyone,

First off I want to saw that this is a real clean looking forum so A+ to the Admin and everyone who keeps it in shape.

I'm looking to get my first F-Body and was wondering what to look for or whats common to break. I know of the problematic Optispark but what is the popular fix for that?

I have been looking around recently for an 98 - 97 F-Body and think I have found the one I want.
Now... It's a 95 Trans Am with about 150,000 kms on it, loaded with everything except the T-Tops. It has a WS6 hood and wheels on it but have been told by the owner it's a none functional hood. The rear taillights have been to converted from a 98 - 02 Firebird.

Anything newer than a 97 wouldn't be an option due to the funds available right now. Obviously I would love to have something LSX powered but not gonna happen anytime soon. I would like to get a 96 or 97 for OBDII but is that really necessary on a F-Body?
I currently own a 99 Monte Carlo Z34 and I know OBDII is a plus to have on that.

I am leaning toward a Trans Am because I don't like the look of the front the Formulas and I see Camaros everywhere around here.
I have been reading through some of the material already here, but as everyone knows it's always overwhelming when you join a new forum. So thanks for being kind to a F-Body Newb .

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

suggestions:

OBDI is vastly better than OBDII. If you go LT1 get a '94 or '95. '95 is best (vented opti-spark). The software available to tune an OBDII car is much more expensive. The headaches involved with getting an OBDII car inspected are annoying. In NY, where I live, they MUST plug your car into the computer when they do the inspection. The computer will scan the memory to see if any trouble codes are stored, etc. If you fail a certain amount of emission readiness states, the inspection fails. Check engine lights come on FAR more frequently on OBDII cars. However......on LS1's there are SO MANY tuners out there with the HP Tuners software, they have it down to a science, to sort of "change" what your pcm will deem acceptable to throw an engine code, ie: check engine light. The lack of popularity for an OBDII LT1, has a lot of owners converting their cars over to OBDI.

Opti-spark problems are GREATLY overrated. Any time ANYTHING happens to an LT1 car, everyone thinks it's the opti, when it's usually not the case.

LS1's will walk all over LT1's mod for mod, but there are quite a few advantages to owning an LT1:

1.Price: You can pick up a clean LT1 car for around $4000. You can even find them for cheaper, but in need of some attention.

2.Nitrous: You can whack an LT1 with a 125-150 shot all day long. LT1's can handle nitrous a little better than LS1's

3.Part Prices: should you happen to grenade your motor, rest assured knowing that the entire shortblock is pretty much a small-block chevy. You can take the block to ANY machine shop to get work done, not so with an LS1. A full-motor rebuild can be had for cheap if you do the labor. Cams for LT1's are around $250, LS1's are around $400.

Again, I will say that mod for mod the LS1 is superior, if you can possibly save the coin to get one, do it! The aftermarket for LS1's is growing day by day, and you can get stupid hp numbers out of them, that just aren't possible with an LT1.

That Trans/Am you are looking at sounds good, the best year, already has some mods (visual anyway) that will save you bucks down the road.

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1994 Z28 Black heads/cam th350 drag car
1995 Z28 Teal 'Vert bolt-ons 6-speed cruiser

Welcome to FBO.

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Andy
▌1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 Deluxe
455cid F2 Block | Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads & ARP Bolt Kit | Mondello JM 22-25-10 Cam - 274/280 .512/.523 | Harland Sharp 1.6 Ratio Full Roller Rockers | Edelbrock Modified Performer Intake
▌1995 Chevy Camaro - Slow
My Cars are USDM, it's like JDM in Japan; Crazy Eh?

Got a Myspace? Friend our F-Body Online Account

Thanks, how long has this site be up and running now?

Opened Nov. 1st 2006, so a bit over a year and a half.

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Andy
▌1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 Deluxe
455cid F2 Block | Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads & ARP Bolt Kit | Mondello JM 22-25-10 Cam - 274/280 .512/.523 | Harland Sharp 1.6 Ratio Full Roller Rockers | Edelbrock Modified Performer Intake
▌1995 Chevy Camaro - Slow
My Cars are USDM, it's like JDM in Japan; Crazy Eh?

Got a Myspace? Friend our F-Body Online Account

Welcome! Nice avatar

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"What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to piss off; ending up in some retirement village hoping to die before suffering the indignity of trying to make it to the toilet on time? Wouldn't you consider that to be insane?"
-Steve Buscemi as Garland Greene in Con Air
www.fquick.com/firebirdphil

Welcome to FBO!

Forgot to thanks joelster, "Thank You" appreicate all the info man and thanks for the welcome guys. I just added my sig with my current ride minus the spoiler that on now.

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