LSWaaa?

im lookin into buying a LS1 Z28 but its a '98. ive been told to stay away from '98s because of certain failures. anybody know what goes wrong with 98 LS1s or 98 Fbodys in general? does it just apply for only 98 model year cars or after?

TheAntiRice

my ls1 had no issues i replaced my tstat at 150k

NxLS1496

iTrader: (1)

I have a 98 a4 with 75k miles on it. runs like a brand new car. no lie. The automatic tranny is still very very strong, will bark second gear sometimes and just glides. no overheating, no sagging shocks(yet), no broken window motors, no a/c problems, nothing. i love my car. the pervious owner was a younger guy but took very nice care of everything and before that it was ownder by an old lady. i might be lucky though, this is just my experience.

LS1T/A4

iTrader: (3)

I have a 98 Auto w/61xxx miles, runs perfect. Replaced alternator at 60k, recharged a/c at 58k. Alot of it is internet talk, an LS1 fbody is an LS1 fbody.

jfman

iTrader: (6)

The "problems" people refer to when they are talking about the 98 are the computer system that is different from other years is all.

1998SuperSportCAMARO

i know that the 97-99 LS1 has a oil pump problem where it can drop all pressure and wipe out the motor. 98's have less hp/tq then other years cuz of intake and head design.

98redM6

iTrader: (39)

All I can remember is that there was a recall on some 98s for cylinder head problems or something regarding the engine internals. Mine was one of those cars but i didn't have to deal with it, the original owner did.

Other than that, in stock or modded form they should hold up just as well as newer f-bodys. There have been some upgrades in certain parts (t-stat, computer, tb, heads, intake, etc.) These are upgrades that were due to advancement not to complaints from owners. If I had a choice between a 98 and a newer car of course I would pick the newer car, given that it is the same condition. If you come across a nicely modded 98 for a decent price don't shy away from it.

LSWaaa?

i heard that the bottom ends are weak, piston slaps, oil pumps go bad, and some other odds and ends. pretty tall list just right there if you ask me.

KHShapiro

iTrader: (10)

98's have a harder time in the tuning department due to analog signal
98 blocks have a thinner sleeves and a pass thru vent between the cyls. this doesnt mean the block is weaker it just means if something happenen you might have to buy a new block or have it resleeved and have the vent cut in by a company like RACE ENGINE DEVELOPEMENT
97-98 heads are slightly different, valve cover bolts
98's have 28 lbs injectors 99-00 went to 26 then back to 28 in 01-02
98 have a working temp gauge unlike the other years which are dummy gauges
The piston slap issue plagued all ls1's until the pcv system was redesigned and the ls6 pcv system was used. It is commom practice now if you havent updated to the ls6 pcv system is to add a catch can inbetween the VC and the TB to catch the access oil before entering the intake causing the knocking sound on start up.
99-00 have the oil pumps issues
all of this can be researched here using the search feature

KHShapiro

iTrader: (10)

oh and as far as the tunning its not that it cant be done with ls1edit or HPtuners, it is just if you went FI that it becomes harder beacuse you reach the limit of the pcm quicker than the 99+ pcm's

98's are a great choice esp if the price is right

LSWaaa?

can guys with '98s give me an assessment of what they have changed? bolt on cars and ones that have been heavily modded.

LSWaaa?

ttt???

KHShapiro

iTrader: (10)

reread my post and maybe use the search feature

LS1T/A4

iTrader: (3)

I have added a SLP lid, B&M Trans Cooler and a Hooker Catback system. My particular LS1 has no piston slap and the valvtrain is fairly quiet with the normal rocker "tick". I spin it up to ~6000rpm atleast twice a week and it has been down the track 10 times.

LSWaaa?

i did and the search is too broad a subject, just looking for more peoples opinion.

~RedLineLs1~

iTrader: (1)

I have over 100,000 miles on my car and the only major thing that went wrong was trashing the transmission when the car was stock, which has no relation to being a 98...the 4l60e is just a weak tranny. Ive never had a problem with piston slap, never burn oil, oil pressure is awesome, etc. The only things that have went bad were the window motors, headlight gears, etc which is also very common on any ls1. Since the tranny gave out I have added everything in my sig. If I wasn't confident in my 98, I sure as hell wouldn't be spraying with 100k miles on the engine.

The major downfall to the 98s is the PCM. It becomes difficult to tune once certain power levels are reached, usually related to forced induction. Its not impossible though.

s1ck s0n

iTrader: (7)

i have a 98 z28 with 88k on it and it still runs like a champ, i drive it everyday, and not very nicely all time lol. it pulls on my friends 02 ws6, and went 8.3 @88 with just a lid in the 1/8.

WhiteKnightZ28

iTrader: (5)

No problem makeing over 400rwhp here...

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Potential oil pump issues were from '98 to '00. They all had the same pump till the '01+ cars. Anyway, oil pump failures are very rare and nothing that should keep you away from the '98-'00 cars.

My '98 burns no oil.

My '98 has no piston slap.

I have only a small amount of the normal LS1 valvetrain noise (sewing machine) that all these cars have. My '99 and my '00 had the same thing.

People telling you that '98s are bad is just from plain ignorance.

TA Dave

My 98 TA made 351/362 with headers, LS6 intake, but stock internals... I sold it 2 months ago and it was running 100%.

My 98 SS is a lid only car and there are no issues with it at all.

I have no problems owning a 98, and I'd buy another if the price was right.