What to look out for in an LS1 4th Gen Camaro?
10-08-2013, 03:38 PM
#1
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What to look out for in an LS1 4th Gen Camaro? Hello,
I will be selling what I have now and want to get something I can have more fun with. I've narrowed it down to a 4th Generation F-body LS1 with the manual but I was wondering a few things:
-What kind of mileage can I typically see with regular driving?
-Anything to avoid other than the normal cancerous auto things?
Thanks!
I will be selling what I have now and want to get something I can have more fun with. I've narrowed it down to a 4th Generation F-body LS1 with the manual but I was wondering a few things:
-What kind of mileage can I typically see with regular driving?
-Anything to avoid other than the normal cancerous auto things?
Thanks!
10-08-2013, 08:00 PM
#3
I've pulled 28-30mpg on the highway. Now that I no longer use my car as a DD it sees probably closer to 10mpg on average 
The only thing to be concerned with when buying these cars is having enough money for the next mod. That's my only problem, anyway.
The only thing to be concerned with when buying these cars is having enough money for the next mod. That's my only problem, anyway.
10-08-2013, 10:35 PM
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Wow! That's much better than I thought! Sure is an improvement over my current vehicle. I want something I can drag/autocross but drive every day. I didn't know if there were any problems that are wide-ranging with them. Thanks!
10-09-2013, 08:27 AM
#7
That's what's so great about these cars -- they are quite reliable despite the bad rap they get for their outdated design and ergonomics. I'll try to be as serious as possible here with these "problems" that I've personally experienced over the years (I'm on my third LS1 Camaro since 2003).
Yes, window motors seem to be a common thing; however, they are very easy and inexpensive to replace ($15? for the motor).
If you pick up one that has the factory power steering cooler, you'll eventually run into the cooler leaking into the antifreeze as the cooler is actually part of the upper radiator hose. It's actually not a cooler at all; rather, it's a heat exchanger. It's another super easy and affordable fix (less than $20 for the hose) -- just replace the entire hose/cooler assembly with a hose from a non-cooler LS1 and flush both the coolant and power steering systems and be done!
Speaking of the power steering system, the pressure hose starts to leak after some time. This is going to happen on any vehicle, but just something to consider replacing at the same time you remove the factory power steering cooler (or vise-versa). Again, another easy and cheap fix ($20? for the hose)
The great thing is that anything you run into is something that others have had to deal with before as well. Just do a search on this site and you'll find an answer. Since the costs are nominal with these maintenance items, I don't even remember how much they truly cost me.
Yes, window motors seem to be a common thing; however, they are very easy and inexpensive to replace ($15? for the motor).
If you pick up one that has the factory power steering cooler, you'll eventually run into the cooler leaking into the antifreeze as the cooler is actually part of the upper radiator hose. It's actually not a cooler at all; rather, it's a heat exchanger. It's another super easy and affordable fix (less than $20 for the hose) -- just replace the entire hose/cooler assembly with a hose from a non-cooler LS1 and flush both the coolant and power steering systems and be done!
Speaking of the power steering system, the pressure hose starts to leak after some time. This is going to happen on any vehicle, but just something to consider replacing at the same time you remove the factory power steering cooler (or vise-versa). Again, another easy and cheap fix ($20? for the hose)
The great thing is that anything you run into is something that others have had to deal with before as well. Just do a search on this site and you'll find an answer. Since the costs are nominal with these maintenance items, I don't even remember how much they truly cost me.
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10-09-2013, 09:04 AM
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I agree with everything mentioned here so far. Only major issue that will affect most LS1 4th gens that you might consider is this:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...e-dummies.html
Unless you buy one built before 05/98, or a convertible, then it will eventually need the roof panel to be replaced if you want to get rid of the bubbles. Darker colors will have this problem more seriously (especially V8 Camaros because they all have black tops), and it will be worse in climates with more heat/UV exposure.
IMO, this is the biggest common hassle with an LS1 4th gen. Other common stuff is generally simple and cheap, such as the window motors and power steering "cooler" mentioned above. As they get older and gain more mileage, you can expect more items to wear out as with any car. My advice is to always buy the nicest condition, best maintained and lowest mileage example that you can afford and find - always better to start off with a good base IMO.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...e-dummies.html
Unless you buy one built before 05/98, or a convertible, then it will eventually need the roof panel to be replaced if you want to get rid of the bubbles. Darker colors will have this problem more seriously (especially V8 Camaros because they all have black tops), and it will be worse in climates with more heat/UV exposure.
IMO, this is the biggest common hassle with an LS1 4th gen. Other common stuff is generally simple and cheap, such as the window motors and power steering "cooler" mentioned above. As they get older and gain more mileage, you can expect more items to wear out as with any car. My advice is to always buy the nicest condition, best maintained and lowest mileage example that you can afford and find - always better to start off with a good base IMO.
10-09-2013, 11:23 AM
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Thanks for all of the information! Over my past two trucks, I have had to do everything short of rebuilding the engine. Right now I'm driving a 00 7.3 f250 that I needed for work but, since my dad got his, I no longer need a full size truck. (Not to mention my university makes all their spots for compact cars). I know the engines are some of the best for stock power and budgrt modding as I'd kike to do a bit of autocross and drag racing as well as DD. I'm curently getting 14 doing my driving as of now.
The problems seem to be merely an "inconvenience".
Ill have time over my summer bresk to sell my truck and take the time to find a grest deal.
Thanks for all of the help!
The problems seem to be merely an "inconvenience".
Ill have time over my summer bresk to sell my truck and take the time to find a grest deal.
Thanks for all of the help!
10-24-2013, 09:33 AM
#14
I'd say the major things they are prone to is gear whine and lifter tick. These are not a deal breaker by any means but just so you are aware of it. I bought my car new and it did both off the dealer lot. The gears whined between 60-70mph and had lifter noise when cold. I personally think GM had 'loose' valve trains setup for these cars because when I did H/C it went away. Wrong size pushrods possibly?
10-24-2013, 03:03 PM
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rear end pinion seal leak, (very expensive if a shop does it), bird chirping sound is either the idler pulley or tensioner pulley (about every 2 yrs), almost everyone has piston slap, cant fix that, light knock sound at idle, goes away about 2k rpm. i have original slow moving power windows, hopefully my new alternator sitting in garage will fix that. my car takes a lickin & keeps on tickin! I LUV IT!
10-24-2013, 05:06 PM
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