tici

iTrader: (1)

Is there something bad in the 98 F-Body LS1 compared to the later years?
I ask because I see here and there comments like "ah, the 98 heads..." "oh, the 98 PCM...", bah, the 98 whatever..."

Mine IS a 98 and I start to feel bad about all that... so everytime something doesn't perform as I expected I think "maybe it's the damn 98!"

See my sig for my poor performance (is it really that bad? It's what Vortec advertises with their 6 PSI kit).

Thanks - Stefano

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

Dont sweat it man they arent bad, they were just the first production f bodys out, so yeah they had a few small quirks that were changed in the later years.

95 Z28

iTrader: (21)

I started to feel down about having a 98 too. But after doing A LOT of researching and searching on here, I found that us 98ers aren't really at that much of a disadvantage. Yes, some things on 98 LS1s are inferior to the later models, such as thinner sleeves, weaker rod bolts, and that damn 98 PCM. But there are also a few pluses (sp?). We have a slightly larger cam that the later years, and larger injectors than the 99-00 (I believe those are the years that had the smaller 26 lb. injectors, someone correct me if I am wrong) cars. To this day, I am not really sure if the early LS1 head castings flow worse than the later heads or not, I have heard things going both ways. But after doing a whole bunch of research, I've seen a lot of people on here making great power on simple setups, and with stock heads to boot. Don't feel down, it could be worse, you could be driving an LT1!!! J/k Hope that helps you out a little.

mvvette97

iTrader: (18)

There is nothing wrong with the 98 at all. That is the second year for the ls1 so I don't think they have any problems at all. The first year is 97 in the vette. I know because I have a 97 vette. I would almost rather have the early LS1 because they seem to be the only ones that don't have the oil using problem. My 2000 ta uses oil but my 97 vette uses none at all.

LS1Formulation

iTrader: (13)

I have a '98 Formula and I can attest to the fact that they are just as stout as their later model counterparts. A lid, catback, and 4.10 gears gave me near 111 MPH trap speeds. I don't see too many 99-02 F-bodies hitting that kind of MPH with the same mods.

HAMRHEAD

iTrader: (8)

98's are fine! Like said above they actually have some advantages.

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Like he 93 Fbodies, the red headed step child of the fbody world. A good kid, just a little "different"

GR33N GoblinM6

iTrader: (14)

+1 for not using oil..

+1 for the slightly better cam

+1 for having the only real working water temp gauge and not the dummy gauge

-1 for the 98pcm which you can only tune with HPtuners or EFILive (no hand helds other than Hypercrap)

-1 for the 806 heads.. the other years got the baby LS6 241's

KurtRardin

iTrader: (11)

Dont forget about the vinci tuner though, it works on 97 LS1s. It costs a lot, but i've enjoyed mine.

kawasakiklx

iTrader: (8)

... My '00 has 853 castings

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

my 00 has 241's

got milk??

iTrader: (18)

i got a 1998 camaro never had a oil consumption problem the 99 and laters were so plagued with as for tuning the only downside is for handheld tuners but they are junk anyway. throw the ls6 intake on and you wouldnt dyno that differently from a 01 and up the intake is the main drawback not the heads, the heads can be cleaned up and flow almost identical to a worked 241 casting the only other thing i can think of that might be a drawback is the sleeves in the block i think are slightly thinner than the later years, but unless you beat the **** out of your car you wouldnt have too much of a problem you can find plenty of people running heads cam and nitrous through a 98 and it takes it just like everything else another downside is the new real time moates tuning computer isnt currently offered but maybe in the near future

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

EARLY 98's had 806's, mine and all other 99-00 cars have 853's (except for the late 00 cars that got 241's) 01-02 got 241's. Nothing wrong with a 98, PCM and fuel tank (steel opposed to plastic) are the only real draw backs, and they AREN'T A BIG DEAL. The PCM just doesn't have as many tuning manufactures offering software for it (and it is missing one table that the 99+ cars have, but you only usually get into that with FI and high HP applications. A good tuner can work their way around it without sacrificing numbers or anything). My 98 does just fine. There are quite a few differences, but nothing major. 01-02 also had 28lbs injectors like the 98's.

JKDZ28

iTrader: (14)

Man, I've stirred up alot of crap


I'm the king of the first model year cars, 93 and 98.

Mike98WS6

iTrader: (5)

My car is a 98, and I have no problems at all since new.

sledneck687

iTrader: (1)

im happy with my 98. i was down at first when i got it because i thought that it wasnt as good as the other ls1's bu then i got to reading and realized that its not really bad at all. also another +1 for no oil consumption. today my buddy told me his friend was getting a 00 ls1, and tried to tell me his car was gunna be so much better. Im like tell me whats so bad about the 98, ive run just as fast of times as other later LS1's. then he comes back with the comeback...well we was gunna throw a cam in it lol

dnm12

iTrader: (13)

Love my 98 to death its the year I started driving

1sick'98WS6

iTrader: (19)

I agree. i love my 98 to death as well, I like it as much as any other 99+ f body. EXCEPT for that damn piece of **** metal tank

slowscott

iTrader: (8)

At least we don't have to worry about it melting

nukeemall454

oh man i was always having second thoughts about my car due to it being a 98. i was always thinking about trading it in for newer model but now i dont care hell ill be swapping engines in the future for something a little bigger anyways Now after reading all this i feel even better and hey we got the first ls1 f bodys.