I'm possibly buying a high mileage Impala SS and wondering if there is any long term problems I need to be aware of.

I've got 94 Firebird with the LT1 the only common problems are:

1. Intake manifolds leak oil, usually in the back

2.The stock waterpumps start leaking usually in the first 20,000 miles.

3. The optispark (the distributer in these cars for the most part), will go bad, and leave you stranded.

4. Rear axle is weak, if you tweek the car, the you'll brake it.

Chances are if it's a high milage car, he's already changed that stuff a couple of times. I beat the heck out of my car and really haven't had any other problems with the drivetrain. The optispark costs around $200 for parts, and the waterpump around $150.
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Be different but be yourself.

I just picked up a 95 Caprice ex-cop car with the LT1.

Body has 345K on it but I dont know the engine history yet. It went from cruiser to taxi to me!

Runs great so far. Im going to be using it as a tow vehicle for my car trailer; the HD suspension and cooling should handle it.

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Carl
Automotive gold is everywhere; you just have to learn how to dig for it

I'm doing a '93 LT-1 in my 32 Ford. So far (haven't got it running yet), all I have found is that everything for this motor is very expensive. I did a total rebuild and found that a engine gasket set cost $400 from summit. The head gaskets are around $200. Maybe they will come down in price as more people start using them.
The rings were "low tension" rings and cost $80. You heard about the water pump and distributer already.

Most of that stuff you only do once, but when you think about the main reason people use SBC power in a street rod, it is because of price and availability. I sort of overlooked that when I decided it would be cool to have a stealth looking LT-1 (with no huge spider behind the carb).

I am interested in your progress with that, so keep in touch.

I should be firing mine for the first time in a month or so. Just getting the wiring done now.

wow 32.....
iam shocked at those price quotes........for the LT 1.
but i guess iam not surprised........this is not an ordinary 350............not a part i know of from a reg 350 will fit the LT1...... and remember THIS is basicly a SMOG motor..........computer tuned for emissions.... my 302 z28 would walk this LT1.....a 383/406 would be no contest......
but ....but ...but i really like my LT1.......up to 30 mpg in 6th on the hwy, smooth, powerful manageable street eng, CANNOT overheat it... and looks to kill....at a show ...will suck them in from 20 feet and make em stare like their on acid......that blank what the hell is it stare.......lol. that part is what i like.
however......they are NOT the fastest thing in town..... i would have loved to pair up ,a few years ago ,with a new camaro LT1 at the local 1320 with my 65 cuda 340 mopar power...boy would i have sent him out the front gate with a kleenex to his nose.....
anyway...i will probably not use another LT/LS 1 in my new 53 studebaker........... if i use a chevy it will be a standard 383/420 or whatever w/ a carb and no computers or efi.....to much tuning hassel......
my thoughts....
tom
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pink rod ... tom

I was also in "sticker shock" when I started to replace stuff on the Vette. Have had the Vette for 109,000 miles/12 years and prices have not gone down. Those motors are not for the faint of heart or shallow pockets! LOL Good luck :)
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Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Lipstick Run Survivor

http://www.geocities.com/lipstickrun/
www.loboys.com

ok that does it......iam not fixing anything on this LT 1....... ill buy a new crate motor with carb first....lol
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pink rod ... tom

Tom, I now have about 20 miles on my '32 with the LT1 and 4LE60 trans. It does all I imagined and more. Starts, runs, idles, responds and is scary on hard throttle. The '94 engine I have has 43K miles on it and uses a Street & Performance harness.
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QT32LT1

sounds like you really have a nice machine there.....your car is no doubt very lite.......a nice feature. believe me if you stand on it you will know its no dog...... i just dont feel its a big giant powerhouse but indeed a wonderful package for the street. the hp runs from 260 [buick type] to 300 [corvett.] not overly exciting -- but sufficient.
mine is a 96 z28 with alumn heads and stuff like that. i reworked the camaro wiring harness made all my own mounts and had to fab all front brackets cause nothing would fit under the low hood....the clutch linkage was something else....wound up fabing a bracket ,pushrod ,and a slave from a formula one car.. and it all works perfect. i used the tuned camaro manifolds....cause i think closed headders are a waste of time on the street. i have put 37000 miles on it since jan 01. no trouble. bought the entire pullout for 1400.00.... cant do that anymore.....lol
my 53 studebaker aero body weighs 2680 lbs without driver.
my buddie has a 53 studie with buick LT1/700r ... we have been on the road together and once was able to drive 78 miles at 100+ without stopping......boy that was fun.....those LT1 s were just purring...... his 700/r car is not as good on the open road as a 6 speed car as u can imagine.....mine tacs 2000@ 84mph [6 speed] and will get close to 30 mpg at 80+ mph cruise.

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pink rod ... tom

sounds like you really have a nice machine there.....your car is no doubt very lite.......a nice feature. believe me if you stand on it you will know its no dog...... i just dont feel its a big giant powerhouse but indeed a wonderful package for the street. the hp runs from 260 [buick type] to 300 [corvett.] not overly exciting -- but sufficient.
mine is a 96 z28 with alumn heads and stuff like that. i reworked the camaro wiring harness made all my own mounts and had to fab all front brackets cause nothing would fit under the low hood....the clutch linkage was something else....wound up fabing a bracket ,pushrod ,and a slave from a formula one car.. and it all works perfect. i used the tuned camaro manifolds....cause i think closed headders are a waste of time on the street. i have put 37000 miles on it since jan 01. no trouble. bought the entire pullout for 1400.00.... cant do that anymore.....lol
my 53 studebaker aero body weighs 2680 lbs without driver.
my buddie has a 53 studie with buick LT1/700r ... we have been on the road together and once was able to drive 78 miles at 100+ without stopping......boy that was fun.....those LT1 s were just purring...... his 700/r car is not as good on the open road as a 6 speed car as u can imagine.....mine tacs 2000@ 84mph [6 speed] and will get close to 30 mpg at 80+ mph cruise.

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pink rod ... tom

Ive been driving my 95 a bit and its a suprise in such a lead sled.
Reading around a few of the LT1 speciality sites there are several changes that can get 400+ ponies without breaking the bank, mounting a huffer or bottle.

Changing mufflers and tossing the rear resonators along with an H pipe may help also. Any suggestions?

BTW, the complete car cost me $750. Add in new ball joints, tie rod ends, alignment and title and Im still under $1k.

Next step is some minor bodywork and a complete paint job. Then the wife may let me bring it home!
Last owner was a taxi company, originally a Maine Statey "high speed pursuit vehicle".

I was originally just going to yank the goodies and scrap the body. one thing led to another and another...
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Carl
Automotive gold is everywhere; you just have to learn how to dig for it