i have a 94 ls, with a little over 170000, i plan to swap out the clutch 1st of all, and ill have my mechanic check everything else, but what can u guys tell me about what to look for? what are some parts that will probably need to be swapped out to insure that it'll be running for a while?

so far i know of the clutch, and to check the CV boots/axles and such, what else? btw the engine is in really good condition.

also what is the difference between a cat-back exhaust, and i guess a normal one, and if i buy a full fat back exhaust, do i still need to also buy a high flow catyltic-converter?

 

cat-back exhaust is exactly what it sounds like, its from the cat (catalytic converter) to the back of the car. It is basically the piping from the cat, with the muffler and tip. If you get a cat-back exhuast, it isn't that big of a deal of you don't buy a high flow cat. The only reason for buying a high flow cat is if the stock one is clogged. high-flow cat should be purcahses when your running out of things to do.

 

alright, so does the header connect directly to the cat? or is there a down pipe or sumthing inbetween

 

Cat is under the car, pipe between header and cat. Probably should do the water pump and timing belt while it is down. Get a limited slip diff if you can afford it

 

alright, ill also hit up new suspension too probably, any thing else??

and about the exhaust, so how much of a difference wold a high flow cat make? and does anyone has ideas as to where i can get exhausts for $300 or under? and what about making my own, just buying the pipe and a muffler, how much will that run.

 

Have a look at ALL the fluids, oil, coolant, tranny fluid, brake fluid, clutch fluid, p/s fluid blah blah blah...

The conditions of some of those will tell you not only how well the car was taken care of, but if it was at all, my teg had no tranny fluid in it when i bought it, but i didnt bother to check it till after i bought it...


Also check for leaks, there are cool black light tests that they can do if you want to, but leaks are important cuz they will cost you lots of money to fix later....

(if 5-speed)
Check the condition of the syncros, by seeing at what speed the tranny will allow you downshift into first at, shifting really fast at high rpms and seeing if it grinds...

Check for rust on the body, and under the car

Make sure all electrical systems work, light, motors (windows, wiper, etc), they can be hard and expensive to fix...

Also if things like the windsheild or tires need to be replaced, that offers you much room to get a lower price out of the car...

Have the alighnment checked, if the car has ever had anything happen to it that wont allow it to align right, you need to know about it now...

Check all suspenstion, including bushings, hard and expensive to replace...

Thats about all i got for now