Quote (OEM @ May 11 2013 08:48pm)
93-97 v8 cars have the optispark distributor, which is a spline drive design. It's extremely water sensitive, ironically located behind the water pump. The distributor is one of the biggest drawbacks to the car. I have a 97 6 speed.
Ls1's have coil packs, and higher horsepower stock. Other than that, and the front end changes, they're pretty much the same. The interiors of the newer cars are a bit nicer.
There is no 3.6 v6 in these cars. It's either a 3.4 or 3.8. Avoid the 3.4 like the plague. The 3.8 is actually a really good motor. It's no racecar though.
Everyone will tell you to avoid the lt1 as well, but they're great cars.. and the opti is not hardly as bad as people make it out to be. Plus imo they sound better than the ls1's. The firing order on the lt1 is eargasm material.
If you're looking at big horsepower then you'll definitely be looking at a better rear end. The 10 bolts they put in these cars like to grenade themselves.
Also keep in mind that 1996 and newer have obd2, while the older cars have obd1.
i forgot to mention the opti, luckily my opti is still going strong. also you want to get the obdii not the obdi its easier to find a tuner for it