as the owner of both an f-body (1992 RS w/ zz4 crate engine) and an Evo (04 w/ buschur stg 2) i would say the F-body is without a doubt the performance bargain. I know the ls1 is not the same as a zz4 but they do put out similar numbers. A well set up f-body is capable of achieving similar handling performance as a stock evo and has all that delicious torque a jab of the throttle away. The evo is the precision instrument of the two and is a more practical (trunk, 4-doors, ect.) vehicle especially if you are going to see any snow or alot of rain. as mentioned the GM 10-bolt rearend is weak,weak weak and if you are running 11's don't plan on having it for too long (though a 12bolt or ford 9 inch is not a difficult fix) also the GM 4l60e tranny starts to reach its limits with the hp you're looking for. my 2cents

 

Evo by far!

My brother has an LS1 Trans Am and I hate driving the thing. The steering wheel is too big in diameter, the wheel too thin, I can't see out of the back of the damned thing and I can hardly see out the windshield, the roof is so low I hit my head unless I tilt the seat way back, then my vision out is even worse. The power is ok, and torque on demand is nice, but it doesn't impress me too much (to be fair, he has an auto and needs a stall upgrade).

Hopping into my Evo is like night and day: I can see out of the car, the seats are nice, I'm comfortable, more power, better brakes, better handling...the list goes on. Pretty much every shortcoming on the TA is more than made up for in the Evo and then some.

You'll be way happier with the Evo.

Edit - I didnt' see you said just "LS1 car," if you're thinking about a C5, I can't help you. But stay away from the f-bods.

 

Mr2's are amazing cars. Atleast in my eyes.


Anyhow, he wants 11s. Yes, RWD is the better straight line performer, but, if he is in the 11s who cares if it's with AWD, FWD, RWD or 1/2WD. If he was going for full out dragster. Yea, id say hands down get the TransAm. I mean, sh it, if you do the mods warr said, you'll have an even more fun car with power of a v8 and then some.

To the original poster: If you came on this board asking for opinions, most likely you are eyeing an evo. I think you know which one you want.

 

Yea the EVO is for me. I like that I can go any buy one new, and not have to worry about something breaking or acting up form abuse.

Thanks for everybodys help

 

What about the fuel pump? What about the cost of the SAFC? Install charges?

TBE(Megan)= $600+$100-150 installation
Cams(HKS)=$550+$300-400 installation
MBC(Hallman)= $80 assuming he can do it himself or $30-60 installation
SAFC(Apexi)=$200-250 used and $100-200 installation
Fuel pump(Walbro 255)= $90+ $50-100 installation
Tuning for SAFC(dyno)= $150 for 1 hour w/wideband and air/fuel

That brings us to a total of around $2,900 give or take depending on prices. Now actually getting into the 11's means you are severely taking a risk of breaking parts by launching your car and achieving a good 60 ft. time. Not to mention the clutch can go out at any time doing this and a decent clutch should be considered when launching this hard.

That raises the total up to another $700-1,500 including labor for a grand total around = $4,000-$4,500. <<< This is a little more realistic.

 

man... you can put the fuel pump in in like 5 minutes. Screw paying $100 for that! You can put on the exhaust in a couple of hours... less if you have access to a lift and a friend. Cams are the only thing you really ought to pay for if you're not sure. Also, Warrtalon was talking about tuning your own SAFC, which isn't too hard - or going for a flash for the same price. Of course you do have to factor in the price of race gas, which is like $8/gal. or so... And also, like you mention, probably a new clutch

You can do it: you just have to really know what you're doing and be mechanically inclined, understand the priciples of air/fuel mixture, and be a killer driver all of which Warrtalon happens to be

I'm pretty stupid myself, and I still installed my own TBE and fuelpump, and had a friend put on my boost controller. The cams I had done, but I bought them cheap from someone who decided they didn't want them. I'll be shooting for 11s in my 03 once the weather gets nicer, and I really haven't spent that much money... (yes, I have a better clutch = $1000)

 

More power? Surely not stock vs. stock.

 

If you have hands, a brain and a computer (hence evom) you should be able to install a mbc no problem.... esp with directions and pics via this forum

 

The LS1 is good, but the EVO is great

 

like i said in the first response to this post... apples to oranges people... just drop it

 

Apparently, your only purpose is to be my antagonist. I have no idea where all those installation prices come from, but you'd have to be a monkey's uncle to pay for all that crap. I am a mechanical misfit, yet I installed everything I have myself. If I can afford to buy a 35k car, I hope that I'm smart enough to find a how-to and follow simple directions.

There was nothing realistic about your final price. Hand me any 05 GSR/RS with the mods I listed, and I can run 11s. The MR has the 4th gear limitation at 111, but I'm going to overcome that anyway...

 

No you're an ***. I was injured in a car accident and just had surgery which limits anything I can do, especially bending over, crawling under, or squatting to work on a car. I won't be able to do any of these things even in the future. If I do I risk reinjuring myself, which I'm not willing to do. Another surgery would cost $40,000-50,000. Hardly worth it in my eyes to install some parts on a car.

Not everybody knows how or wants to mess with installing parts on their car. Stop assuming people can do what you can no matter how easy it is. I can't do the normal things that most people can do. There are many people out there in similar situations like mine.

You say my installation prices and not being able to do it is retarded. You're retarded for even thinking that.

 

Correcto. I mis-worded that.

My Evo feels faster (significantly faster, so I don't think it's just a seat-of-the-pants feel, I pretty sure it is quite a bit faster). Now that I've modded it a bit, it feels muy-significantly faster.

But, let me qualify that by saying his is an automatic, and I think it will wake up quite a bit with a higher stall, K&N, catback, and a tune.

It's an awesome looking and sounding car, and I like some features of the interior (power seats anyone?). But, overall the ergonomics of the interior are so repulsive I could never own one. I've tried to picture auto-xing the car, and I think I would hit every damned cone out there with how well I can see out of the thing.

 

I love the WS6 in black...BADDEST car ever imo...insurance is refockindiculous for a V8 like that!! I am sure with the right suspension setup and rim/tire/brake combo, the WS6 would rape many cars, EVO VIII included...both cars are badass!

 

bump...in reference to his bother's T/A...

BEST QUOTE FROM AN EVO VIII OWNER EVER!!

Not being an a$$ bro, I just find that amusing...