1996 Trans Am, is it worth it?

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

We are going to drive a 96 Trans Am with 93XXX mile on it. The guy is wanting 7900.00 for it.

Was that a good year for the cars? Outside does not look to bad. I do want to see it up on a rack and have the techs at the dealership look it over.

[silkrckt]

Seems a little over priced. I would rather look for an LS1 car 99 or later. Should be close in price with similar miles. Superior engine. I'd stay away from 98's. For comprision, there was 2002 WS6 in my area for 12k with 60k on it.

[Muscle Car Memories]

Originally Posted by Scott@Bjorn3D

We are going to drive a 96 Trans Am with 93XXX mile on it. The guy is wanting 7900.00 for it.

Was that a good year for the cars? Outside does not look to bad. I do want to see it up on a rack and have the techs at the dealership look it over.

Little bit over priced....

[IOMCamaroSS]

I would say it's AT LEAST a couple grand over priced..

[Fish-man]

I bought a 95 Formula with original red leather seats back in 2009 for 5500... same mileage as that one.

still have that car... LT1s can be a little finicky with the optisparks (mine has not been an issue)... LT1 is HELL to put headers on and change plugs.

[zr1chris]

I agree with the rest. About $2,000 over priced.

[dcpatters]

Originally Posted by Fish-man

LT1s can be a little finicky with the optisparks (mine has not been an issue)... LT1 is HELL to put headers on and change plugs.

So true. Had a 95 Z28 and replaced the opti-spark twice. Prefer the LS1's 98-02. Much better motor.

[RMarion]

You can buy the 98-02 with the LS1 for about the same with those miles. I have a 2002 SS with 51k miles and I'll sell it for $11k if your interested. Mobile AL. IMO the LS1 is a big improvement.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Fish-man

I bought a 95 Formula with original red leather seats back in 2009 for 5500... same mileage as that one.

still have that car... LT1s can be a little finicky with the optisparks (mine has not been an issue)... LT1 is HELL to put headers on and change plugs.

run Hooker Longtubes. slip fit #1 primary, easy to install.
and you can run an LTCC (coil on plug) conversion for the optispark to eliminate the failure mode and only use the optical pickup portion.



Optispark... 60% of the time it works every time.

[Fish-man]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

run Hooker Longtubes. slip fit #1 primary, easy to install.
and you can run an LTCC (coil on plug) conversion for the optispark to eliminate the failure mode and only use the optical pickup portion.



Optispark... 60% of the time it works every time.

didn't know about the Hooker LTs... but the headers I bought were JET coated - brand new Stainless Works, for a severe discount from someone that never got around to installing. Had to jack up the motor to install the pass. side. Had to remove starter too. Getting the orig stuff out was a pain. (including EGR/A.I.R)

Fall of '12 I did a minor overhaul including head removal... the 2nd time installing the headers wasn't too bad. At the time, I considered the coil on plug deal, but its expensive, so I just put on a new cap and rotor. Runs fine. I decided, that since I was getting the 5th gen, not to spend more than needed on the 'bird.

showin' off:

[DevilsReject97]

Way overpriced for an LT1....you can buy LS powered Firebirds for around that price

And to give you an idea....

Here's a 1996 Chevy Camaro Z28, 60k miles, LT1 - $6900 - only about 40 miles from you...

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...3145/overview/

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Fish-man

didn't know about the Hooker LTs... but the headers I bought were JET coated - brand new Stainless Works, for a severe discount from someone that never got around to installing. Had to jack up the motor to install the pass. side. Had to remove starter too. Getting the orig stuff out was a pain. (including EGR/A.I.R)

Fall of '12 I did a minor overhaul including head removal... the 2nd time installing the headers wasn't too bad. At the time, I considered the coil on plug deal, but its expensive, so I just put on a new cap and rotor. Runs fine. I decided, that since I was getting the 5th gen, not to spend more than needed on the 'bird.

showin' off:

shoulda replaced your motor mounts while you were doing the headers. helps a lot.

thats one thing that I've found causes the most hassle with 4th gens is the motor mounts are worn and the engine sags 1-2 inches from stock height and makes it a pain to install headers.

the other benefit of the Hookers is you don't have to disconnect the steering linkage to install them.

I think I paid like $350 shipped to my door for mine. bought them used off a guy and sold them for $300 when I got rid of my 94Z after 40k miles on them

the LTCC conversion can be pricey, but a lot of that was in the brackets and coils. you could buy a set of used coils for ~$100.00 and the module/harness was like 3-400. I got mine used (back when it was a wiring monster, newer versions use the stock LS style coil harness and 2 main wires).

I do remember a couple sites that showed you how to make your own harness and module on the cheap ~$150 in parts depending on availability as well as how to convert the "octopus" version to the "coil harness" version.

The other thing to consider with the LTCC kit is that it eliminates the failure point of the opti by only utilizing the optical pickup portion of it and moves the spark creation to the individual coils, thereby eliminating the creation of ozone within the housing which corrodes the contacts and causes failures.
It also eliminates contamination of the opti if the water pump fails and drips on the opti.

in addition to the LTCC kit, there is the Delteq kit
http://www.delteq.com/opti_design.htm
which uses 4 coils instead of 8 using the "negative spark" technology.

[Fish-man]

Yup did the mounts too.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Fish-man

Yup did the mounts too.

well damn... lol