TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

I am buying a 98 T/A tomorrow which I sold my 2000 Z28 to get, mainly I wanted a red car, I wanted a T/A instead of a camaro, and it is super clean and has the same mileage as the 2000 and is 4 grand cheaper.

heres my question... a guy that works on alot of these who i am planning on getting any work I need done by tells me tonite that i am a moron for trading and I might as well save my 4 grand for a new motor. Because these 98 models have oil flow issues, and oil pumps lock up on them like a bitch. PLZ tell me taht this 98 model is not about to ruin my year. BTW i drove it its very clean and taken care of, bone stock.

Black_Bird

iTrader: (6)

Mines never had any kind of problem like that. '98 T/A, A4 with 80,000 miles.

Nate_Taufer

iTrader: (1)

I think your buddy is on drugs. My car doesn't burn oil like most. It has never locked up the oil pump, and it has 78,000 miles on the clock, 10,000 of me driving like an idiot.

Only thing the 98's are notorious for is false knock although i've never experienced it. Just like any other auto, if properly maintained it will provide you with years of service.

Now go kick you auto guy in the ***** and challenge him to a race.

Nate

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

I had a 98 SS with 67k until this kid hit me and totalled it, it never had problems. I duno either cuz this guy always wants to tell me that whatever im thinking, there is something better lol. I just dont want this to turn into a trainwreck over 'oil flow' issues?? anyone heard of this?

scottyballs

iTrader: (3)

all year LS1's could benifit from a ported oil pump.. but I have a 98 too with the stock pump and it works like a charm Ive seen it crank over 80psi and idles at 40+psi there are also alot of benifits to 98's they dont freak out over high stalls I have a vig 4000 stall with no tunning needed, they have the better built flywheel and also I dont think that there is a piston slap problum like some of the other years...

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

its an M6 so the stall thing doesnt do much for me, but i dont see why he would act like i was gonna need a new motor.. never even heard of that before. Hopefully I wont the car was taken very well care of, I could tell when I drove it and oil pressure was fine, everything was good. What would it take to have a ported oil pump? hes got me all scared lol

s346k

iTrader: (4)

98s (and 99s) have poor oil return to the pan from the top end of the motor. which means: you are more apt to spin a bearing in high rpm situations.

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

so how can you correct that problem?

Syxx613

iTrader: (8)

by kicking your guy in the ***** and shaking ur head at him. seriously, just port ur oil pump and ull never have to worry. or just go to ls1howto.com and there is a write up on how to install a new pump.

blkZ28spt

Don't worry about it being a 98, they are perfectly fine. This topic comes up pretty frequently on here and just about all you find are satisfied 98 owners responding.

Oil pumps are the same design with the same slight unreliability from 98 till sometime in the 2000 model. When you get to the cam swap stage you can replace it with a newer "LS6" style pump. Or sooner for piece of mind and practice for the cam swap

s346k

iTrader: (4)

fixing the oil pump won't fix oil starvation, if anything, it will accelerate it.

slow

iTrader: (7)

what is the cause of the oil starvation, and how it is fixed in the 99 and newer cars? This is the first i have heard of it for the 98's, i've heard lots of bad stuff about the pumps though.

Ryan

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

explain. i dont know what you are trying to say. why is it oil starved? why didnt i have any problems on my 98 SS?

s346k

iTrader: (4)

http://www.automotiverebuilder.com/ar/eb040538.htm

3rd picture down is 98-99
4th picture down is 2000+

notice the oil return at the top of the block? that's what i am talking about. popular hotrodding or hot rod mag did an article on the oil return due to the decreased ability (98 & 99) to return oil to the pan. see how the 3rd pic down only has 2 small holes and the 4th down is all open?

circled in red

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

i see... so the right 'galley' can become oil starved due to the design issue there.... so how can it be fixed?

s346k

iTrader: (4)

you can't chang it unless you machine the block. it doesn't affect the oil return until ~6,300 rpm. if you'll notice HOW the engines blow up, as i've been keeping track from what i read in the forums. 98-99 blocks spin bearings and 00+ blocks throw rods. or so it seems to me. i read that article and did some research, which lead me to purchase a 2000 model. had i done further research i would've bought an 01 just for the rod upgrade. but i think i'll be fine. i'm sure you'll be fine, too, as long as you don't hang out above 6,500 too long. i believe there were also slight difference in windage and oil passage, as well, between the pre-99 & 00 blocks. i need to find the article and scan it or something.

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

thanks for the info.... im not too worried about it the car is a daily driver maybe once a month to the track... i do plan on modding though atleast full bolt ons, maybe a cam.... is this gonna hurt? i guess i can throw getting a big cam out if i want to keep it under ~6500

s346k

iTrader: (4)

a lot of guys spin them close to 7k with no problems - yet. if you don't drive your car much and don't spin 6,800 all the time, i think you'll be perfectly fine. i didn't buy my car to leave it stock, so i will be one of the rare breeds willing to spin 7k to get the best ET out of it. i'm sure i will throw a rod and i'm sure it will totally trash my block. but hey, that's part of it. i will thrash on it until something breaks so i can replace it with something better. i'm not trying to scare you, just letting people know that there ARE differences, somewhat important differences, in the blocks.

TTU98SS

iTrader: (5)

yea, i bought the '98 because it was a good price, the only color I REALLY love, and I have had 4 camaros I wanted to get a T/A. I also wanted a car that was stock so I could choose my own mods and go through the fun of installing/having a broke *** car etc... lol

I prob wont EVER spin it above 6500, even if I do get a cam it wont be a monster. Im sure the guy that told me that was thinkin HE wouldnt get a 98 because basically he goes ***** out constantly, biggest cam possible, biggest stall, biggest N20 shot... races every weekend etc. Im sure I will survive, if not I guess I will have to order an LS7 or somethin haha ill need a lien just for that

s346k

iTrader: (4)

after i get some tires and susp. i will be at the track(s) every weekend. this is a weekender for me. i'm trying to go ***** out and still retain some longevity with my motor. i only went 4k on the stall, and a g5x3 114 lsa is in the VERY near future. i think this combo will net the best results while still keeping my car alive long enough for me to enjoy it.