Chevrolet Camaro 1967-2002 - 98-02 differences

hey im looking to buy a 98 camaro SS M6. Orginally i was only looking to buy a 2000-2002 camaro SS. I have come across a very nice 98. I wanted to know the differences bewteen the years,( like if one year is more powerful). Such as fo example i own a 99 cobra (which im getting rid of), and the 99's amd 2001 cobras are pretty much the same, but ther is a few diffrences such as seats, Intake manifold, heads, radio,rims and bumper for example. another example would be the 99 had a ''fix'' cause the horspower was lower than advertised, so ford did the ''fix'' to correct it, generally even with the fix the 99's dyno lower than 01's even though its the same engine. So if anyone could tell me the differences bewteen the years that would be appreciated, thanks.

They have a different intake LS-1 ,01-02 have a LS-6,heads,cam are different.But all in all they are just as nice maybe a little less HP but easy to fix it's all up to you what you want to do.

The 98s have a slightley differant instrument cluster, the computer is differant, 98 & 99 have egr where as the 2000 + don't. I think the valve covers have parimeter mounting bolts and the 99+ have center bolts. The coil brackets are differant too. The pully for the water pump changed in 2000. None of this makes any differance to performance, but I have heard that the 98 computer is harder to tune.

The 98s have a slightley differant instrument cluster, the computer is differant, 98 & 99 have egr where as the 2000 + don't. I think the valve covers have parimeter mounting bolts and the 99+ have center bolts. The coil brackets are differant too. The pully for the water pump changed in 2000. None of this makes any differance to performance, but I have heard that the 98 computer is harder to tune.

gonna correct u a lil mcnord if u dont mind. 2000's do have egr. 01-02 dont
:D

All i can say is as long as it's got a LS-1 in it your good to go.I remember when the 97 vette got the LS-1 and they compared it to the ZL-1 which as most of us know is the all aluminum 650hp 427 big block in the 69 Camaro so those are some big shoes to fill but every year they build on it and make it better.

so 98's are harder to tune? i dont want to get stuck with one, thats like my 99, worse intake manifold,heads, and doesnt look as good as an 01 (99 cobras dont have a cobra bumper or cobras on the seats) Which year would be preferred?

Also whats an HO ??( i know HO means high output), I keep seeing ones for sale that say HO SS, i thought all SS's were the same. I also keep hearing different putting out different stock hp numbers too. So if there are different SS's what are they and what makes them different?

HO means Hugger Orange the color of the car and they should be 1999 cars it's like a 30th. ann. for the 69 Camaro the first Hugger Orange.The 98-01 SS put out 320hp and the 02 SS had 325hp,330 and 345 and the exhaust system made the difference in the HP.

o ok thanks, i didnt know that i just assumed cause when talking about motors HO means high output, i feel like a dumass now lol

and so if the exhaust system makes the difference in HP, Since once i get one im going to put an full aftermarket system with long tubes on anyway, it wouldnt even matter then anyway then right? cause wouldnt it make up the difference?

Yes, just change the full exhaust and that will make the biggest difference and a air lid.The biggest problem w/ the new cars is they are restricted w/ air in & exhaust out so you free up the air coming in and the exhaust going out and you gain lot's of HP.

Do you plan to mod it? The differences in the 98 cars are very small.

The 98 cars actually have a couple small advantages.

They had the largest injectors of any year Fbody
They have a different fuel pump setup which is easier to upgrade (not by much but its simpler)
They had the metal tank instead of plastic

The computers are slightly different, but it shouldn't hold you back.

The heads are slightly different, but only for the fact that they have perimeter valve cover bolts vs center like on the 99+ cars. You can still put any aftermarket head you want on it, just have to hunt down some valve covers when you do.

I found a 98 car on the cheap and jumped on it, no problems so far. If its a nice car and the price is right go for it.

Do you plan to mod it? The differences in the 98 cars are very small.

The 98 cars actually have a couple small advantages.

They had the largest injectors of any year Fbody
They have a different fuel pump setup which is easier to upgrade (not by much but its simpler)
They had the metal tank instead of plastic

The computers are slightly different, but it shouldn't hold you back.

The heads are slightly different, but only for the fact that they have perimeter valve cover bolts vs center like on the 99+ cars. You can still put any aftermarket head you want on it, just have to hunt down some valve covers when you do.

I found a 98 car on the cheap and jumped on it, no problems so far. If its a nice car and the price is right go for it.

The 01-02 have the same size injectors as the 98 they are just known by a different part number. I wouldn't say a metal gas tank is an advantage more of a disadvantage. The heads flow less than the new 241's style however it is a small difference. They lack the LS6 intake manifold, the LS6 clutch, and the 98's had weaker rod bolts..

The 01-02 have the same size injectors as the 98 they are just known by a different part number. I wouldn't say a metal gas tank is an advantage more of a disadvantage. The heads flow less than the new 241's style however it is a small difference. They lack the LS6 intake manifold, the LS6 clutch, and the 98's had weaker rod bolts..

The metal gas tank setup is a lot easier to put a aftermarket pump in, especially if you want to put dual pumps in it. Its also better if you ever decide to sump the tank, you dont have to worry about cracking and it seals a lot better than the plastic tanks.

I dont think the head difference woudl make much difference... at least not enough to notice. It would be a drivers race between the two cars, nothing really to sway the decision one way or the other.

LS6 intakes could be had for $300 all day long, and the older cars actually had a slightly larger cam (if you want to get super technical... not much difference but is it a difference)

Unless he is going to make big power the rod bolts will never matter, and if it does, well Katechs are a direct replacement and not a bad idea regardless of what year car.

Bone stock vs bone stock it might make a couple tenths difference, but very few people leave the car bone stock, and those that do obviously dont care about a couple tenths.

i have an 02 and my buddy has a 98..i was tripping out when i seen the cassette tape deck in his car..:D


its been like forever since i seen a tape deck..:D

i have an 02 and my buddy has a 98..i was tripping out when i seen the cassette tape deck in his car..:D


its been like forever since i seen a tape deck..:D

Lol, yeah i would be shocked to see one in a 4th gen.

Lol, yeah i would be shocked to see one in a 4th gen.

My 99 has a tape deck (I have never used it in the 7 years I have owned the car lol). I think they came that way with the 12 disc changers, but I don't know.

My 99 has a tape deck (I have never used it in the 7 years I have owned the car lol). I think they came that way with the 12 disc changers, but I don't know.

Yeah i think you are right

My 99 had a CD player in it and my 98 already had an aftermarket CD player in it when i got it.

Hi my 2001 has a tape player & a 12 dics player!! I have some older tapes that still work , so it ok that way for me!! As far as what year to buy as long as it has the LS1 go for it!!

yea i do plan to mod and i plan to do H/C setup down the road, so i guess it wouldnt matter anyway, are the rod bolts expensive to change? Now besides the rims does the exterior look any different, like little subtle differences? and are the clutches on the 98 alot weaker than the ls6 clutch?

Not sure on the clutch, but if you plan to do H/C you are probably going to want something better than anything that comes in any of them stock anyway.

The 01-02 have the same size injectors as the 98 they are just known by a different part number. I wouldn't say a metal gas tank is an advantage more of a disadvantage. The heads flow less than the new 241's style however it is a small difference. They lack the LS6 intake manifold, the LS6 clutch, and the 98's had weaker rod bolts..

Actually the 98's had 28# injectors where as the 01-02's had 26# i believe...

Actually the 98's had 28# injectors where as the 01-02's had 26# i believe...

Thats what i was thinkin but was sure enough about it to correct him

As far as apperance, I think the earlier years came with black mirrors, and the later Z's came with color matched rear view mirrors.

Thats what i was thinkin but was sure enough about it to correct him

Actually the 98's had 28# injectors where as the 01-02's had 26# i believe...

Your both wrong look at these thread please..

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/1740881-post3.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/1740880-post2.html

Your both wrong look at these thread please..

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/1740881-post3.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/1740880-post2.html

Fair enough.

I guess i never really cared enough about stock cars to look into it. :eyes:

Fair enough.

I guess i never really cared enough about stock cars to look into it. :eyes:

I just read the newb stickies so I don't give incorrect advice on these boards..........Its better to say nothing than open your mouth and be wrong..

I just read the newb stickies so I don't give incorrect advice on these boards..........Its better to say nothing than open your mouth and be wrong..

I dont think 26 vs 28lb injectors are going to make any difference.

Everything you need here
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/1740880-post2.html

you say that the 1998 has a oil life feature or whatever by using "AUTO-TAP" ..how do I do this??

ive heard that the 98 block has smaller oil passages in the block

well there was a stick that compared the years and it said you can check oil life or what not through auto tap and it was confusing? im wondering what auto tap is? the computer program?

The 98-99 had grey leather available and no steering wheel radio controls. 00-02 ha black leather interior and radio controls. SOME 01s and 02s had the LS6 block. I've heard they 98 LS1s aren't as strong as 99 and up. Really only minor differences from 98-02.

Enzyte would be a good investment for you.

u talking to the guy above you or me?

Sorry guys. damn kids have been watching too much TV. my apologies

Best bet would be a 01-02... You will get better flowing heads, intake, smaller cam but can easily be swapped out.

If your gonna do mods it wont make a diff in the year....if you find a good deal hit it up!!!

The 98-99 had grey leather available and no steering wheel radio controls. 00-02 ha black leather interior and radio controls. SOME 01s and 02s had the LS6 block. I've heard they 98 LS1s aren't as strong as 99 and up. Really only minor differences from 98-02.

not 100% true. My buddy has a '98 formula with steering wheel controls. my '98 camaro does not.

But honestly, if you are going to be modding the car anyway, get the best deal you can find, and drive a car you can be proud of. i feel as though i got a great deal on my '98, and i love it to death. best part about owning a vehicle is makngi it yours, and putting your own touch on it.

Buy the best deal in the 98-02 year range. You won't be disappointed!