Expensive introduction to the LT1

[tab1217]

That's no way to welcome someone to the hobby. Most people don't start working on the cars themselves unless they already have experience wrenching or they find sites like this and get comfortable reading and learning on how to do it. Since he just bought the car he probably wasn't comfortable or doesn't have the tools (yet ). Having just bought the car I don't blame him at all for taking it to the shop. And really - $900 for all the parts and labor isn't bad at all considering the optispark is almost half of that cost. He'd only be saving a couple hundred doing the labor himself but he's saving himself tons of busted knuckles and aggravation paying for it to be done.

I've never worked on my own cars because they have always had a warranty, but since I do live in Michigan, I can no longer afford another 400 dollar a month car payment. I do plan on learning and working on my own car, I already picked up some books on repairing and maintaining the car, but I wasnt ready to jump into it on the very first day I had the car. My lease is up on august 1st, and I had to make sure I had a car to drive to work, so I opted to have someone fix it rather than risk making things a lot worse by trying to learn as I go on day one with no prior experience. I am a journeyman machine repairman so I have tools (not specific to repairing cars yet but i love to buy tools lol) and I am very mechanically inclined, I just didnt have the time to learn it, buy the stuff and figure it out on my own. I did expect some problems with a 16 year old car, Im no idiot, I just didnt expect it to happen before I even made it home lol.

[Bad_Z28]

Welcome to mifbody, you'll be happy when it's running top notch!

[prorac1]

Our cars are very finickey, and keep you very busy keeping them in top condition when used as a daily driver. Eric L

[meissen]

I've never worked on my own cars because they have always had a warranty, but since I do live in Michigan, I can no longer afford another 400 dollar a month car payment. I do plan on learning and working on my own car, I already picked up some books on repairing and maintaining the car, but I wasnt ready to jump into it on the very first day I had the car. My lease is up on august 1st, and I had to make sure I had a car to drive to work, so I opted to have someone fix it rather than risk making things a lot worse by trying to learn as I go on day one with no prior experience. I am a journeyman machine repairman so I have tools (not specific to repairing cars yet but i love to buy tools lol) and I am very mechanically inclined, I just didnt have the time to learn it, buy the stuff and figure it out on my own. I did expect some problems with a 16 year old car, Im no idiot, I just didnt expect it to happen before I even made it home lol.

Like I said - I wouldn't expect someone who JUST bought the car to want to dig into it and start fixing it themselves.

[prorac1]

Like I said, I wouldnt expect someone to buy a 16 year old car as a daily driver if they didnt know how to fix it. What ever works I guess

[ICEPICK]

Like I said, I wouldnt expect someone to buy a 16 year old car as a daily driver if they didnt know how to fix it. What ever works I guess

why not, my buddie bacamaro who hasnt been on for a while drives a 1982 Z28 for a daily driver all summer, you sound just plain ole negative. the wifes 1980 trans am is good enough to be a daily driver.
i bet you there are alot of people that have 3rd gens for daily drivers, its all how YOU take care of it, he will be happy now that it has all new parts shouldnt give him problems, but i always had old beaters for daily drivers. citation, buick centry, old suburban, and so on,

maybe only you think brand new should be a daily driver, not tryin to be a dick, just being honest myself.

[prorac1]

Yes, you can drive an old car for a daily driver. My newest vehical is 11 years old, lol. All im saying is why go from one extreem to another. Go from leasing a vehical, to daily driving a 16 year old performance car, with no prior experience of doing your own maintance? Sorry if I came off as Nancy Negative, I didnt mean to.

[SoulTerror]

I DD my 96 and I don't know very much. All I've ever had was DD.

[ICEPICK]

ok. ill forgive you this time.
he said he moved here and couldnt afford a new lease or loan. dont blame him if he could. leases are hard core on rules.

[Gottork]

welcome, Eric is a TOTAL Nancy so just get used to him...lol kidding Eric is a great guy and a mountain of info on LT1s so don't pay him much attention he is a straight shooter and will always say whats on his mind not to be mean just to say it..

Welcome to the site and you cannot find a better area to find help and info or a great bunch of people to be around

[prorac1]

Yeah, thats pretty much me, lol. Ok, Ok, you guys are right, I came off a little harsh, Im sorry. Heres my point. A LOT of people get a LT1 car, take it to a mechanic, and get a tune up done. A tune up on an LT1 can be a daunting task for a newbie. The problem is, is that you usually dont get a gm opti, good wires, and plugs and a GOOD waterpump for $900 dollars. If the mechanic used a cheaper rebuilt version of the opti, it might last 10,000 miles, it might last 10 miles. Thats the problem. Than you tear into your car when you start working on it your self and find all the OTHER stuff that he MESSED up and didnt tell you about. Its a slippery slope that ive seen A LOT of people slip down, and it was just a "here we go again" situation for me. Again, sorry for coming off like a prick, lol. Eric L

[prorac1]

Another good one to watch out for is the intake gaskets, those are natorious as well. Along with the rear main seals. The intake can cause problems, for the most part, the rear main dosent cause any big problems, just makes a mess. Now for a daily driver, the LS1 is about the best choice. Far more advance ignition system, and the LS series has proven to be a very reliable series. Eric L

[Gottork]

We love you man!!!

[prorac1]

If you hug me Jess, ill punch you in the balls, lol. Eric L

[Phantom409]

If you hug me Jess, ill punch you in the balls, lol. Eric L

Yup, Eric shoots straight!

Like he said the LT1 can be a cruel animal but if you take your time you can do anything by your self on these cars.