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Old 11-24-2005, 10:16 PM
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Default Need info on LS1 differences

Hi all, I'm new here and this is my first post and I have a question about the differences in ls1 motors by year. First a little history.

I have a 94 Z-28 lt1 A4 slightly modded that I just started playing with, a couple of mo9nths ago. Turned 14.40's 2.20 60 ft. After a few weeks of playing I'm down to 13.82 with 1.98 60 ft. I think there is still a couple of tenths left to find next year before I turn on the spray 75-175 wet system.

I bought the lt1 car because I just wanted a high tech car to play with without spending a lot of money. I really wanted an ls1 because of the increased potential. Well as luck would have it I ran across a beautiful black 98 trans am t-top automatic car for a steal, so I did. Now I have two great F bodies in my garage. Now to my questions.

I want to do some bolt on mods to the t/a to bring it somewhere in the mid to low 12's, but while reading Summit and Jegs's catalogs a lot of the products are not for the 98 model year, they are for th 99-02 models. Is the 98 some sort of a slug or something that is different than the 99 or newer cars.

I am going to sell one of the cars in the spring and cannot do anything till then as the snow is *** deep to a tall indian here in Michigan. Should I sell the 98 t/a and look for a 99 or newer or is the 98 an alright ride. Thanks in advance for your input and I hope I wasnt too wordy. See ya.
John
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Old 11-24-2005, 10:24 PM
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the biggest difference witht he 98 is the computer. the 98 also has a steel gas tank, compared to plastic with 99+. look in the sticky, there is a full breakdown on the differences between the years
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Old 11-25-2005, 02:59 AM
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Read the sticky at the top of this forum , it has mostly everything.
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Old 11-26-2005, 05:50 AM
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Thanks guys, I had done searches and looked through the stickies prior to posting and didnt find what I wanted. I found the sticky with all the little differences between years, but I dont know if that is the answer I was looking for. I guess I'll hold on to the 98 T/A and play and find out. Thanks again guys.
John

94 Camaro Z-28 LT1
98 Trans Am LS1
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Old 11-26-2005, 07:29 AM
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Check with the sponsors to the left------------->
They sell a lot of parts for your car.
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Old 11-26-2005, 07:31 AM
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I've owned two '98's and a '99, and I can tell you that there's so little difference between the cars in terms of actual performance that it's not worth getting rid of one for the other.

They changed the computer in the cars '99.. and '98's have the older LT1 style computer. That's why you don't see some products for the '98. But you can easily order mods for '98s, just don't rely on Jegs or Summit for parts.

See that list over there? --------------->

Try some of those guys instead.
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Old 11-26-2005, 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by DrEvyl
I've owned two '98's and a '99, and I can tell you that there's so little difference between the cars in terms of actual performance that it's not worth getting rid of one for the other.
I agree 100%.

I've had a '98, a '99, and a '00. I have seen NO real difference in performance level stock for stock or mod for mod between the years. If anything, my '98 has seemed a little stronger when stock than the other two were.

And if you've searched and read all the info on the little differences between the years, then you should already be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages that the '98s have compared to the newer years.

Once again, there is nothing wrong with the '98s. Don't know how that rumor ever got started?
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Old 11-26-2005, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by RPM WS6
Don't know how that rumor ever got started?
I think people see that **** like the Predator is only available for '99 and up because of the computer change... and then assume there's something wrong with '98s.

My '98 Formula is every bit as fast as my '99 Trans Am was.... the '98 WS6, I have no idea where it's at, but it certainly hauls ***, too.
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Old 11-27-2005, 04:12 PM
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the only difference i see worth considering between any of the ls1 engines: the oil return differences in pre-00 blocks. if you have a pre-00 car and plan on spinning a lot of rpm, you might want to look into this. i bought an 00 because it was substantially cheaper than an 01+...i can get an ls6 intake and rod bolts for the difference in my insurance on an 01+ car for a year.
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Old 11-28-2005, 08:00 AM
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Read sticky
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