[Dave B]

I have one of the last LT1 cars and need to upgrade to an LS1. The '01s and '02 are coming off lease and seem tempting.

I figure there must be somethings to look out for compared to the LT1. What are the common engine failure/warranty fixes? I know the power steering pump is a big problem for race track use. On my LT1 this was solved with pulleys but it has a remote reservoir. Are pulleys available for LS1 cars? Do they work or do I need a power steering cooler?

Any easy fix for the rear wheel brake hop?

This car will be used for street and track use including competition but the engine will be stock except for a lid and possibly headers ( if they are worth it)

Also if I get an intake lid is there any difference in power between SS/WS6 cars and regular coupes? I will be altering the suspension significantly so it doesn't matter about the stock spring rates etc.

Another small point. I bought my LT1 new and defintely did not want T tops as they seem to leak. If you have them do your T tops leak? It may take me a while to find a relatively loaded car without them.

[trackbird]

Still seems the LS1 doesn't have an equivalent to the intake manifold leak or optispark issues.

Oh no! Not an intake manifold leak, that takes a whole 3hrs to fix permanently... And replacing an optispark every 3-4yrs (at the most) seems a small price to pay to save thousands on buying another car.

Don't fool yourself, the LS1 is a good engine but those cars have their share of problems too. Oil consumption/piston slap, weak clutches & hydraulics, wheelhop under braking , etc.

The roller rockers can spit out bearings on occasion (none so far on mine), mine uses oil...sometimes. It just depends. One oil change it is 1.5 quarts less than I've put in it, other times, it's perfect??? They are not perfect. I'd do the LT4 swap and look at the new Hot rod (I think, or GMHTP) where they show the Direct Ignition System to replace the opti. Still probably cheaper than a new car.