rgaynor85

ok well im lookin into buying a 98-02 trans am and i have been looking at some performance sites like SLP and the parts made and have noticed that its split between mostly 98-99 and 00-02 for the parts, from reading the details it seems that alot of 98-99 parts require other supporrting parts and 00-02 are ready to bolt on, so my question is to the oh knowledgeable LS1 enthusiests, what would u guys recomend as a better year to buy for a car i plan on moding. is what i am reading correct and a 98-99 require more parts the do certain mods or am i an idiot.

777

iTrader: (21)

hmm, it depends on what your needs are. If you are low on cash get a 99. If you have money and can find a good deal get an 01 or 02. They have an ls6 intake. However the main thing is an ls6 intake is only ~$400. So if you are buying on 01 out of the sheer fact that it has an ls6 intake, realize you can put one on for $400.

If you are basically just going to mod it pretty heavily get the 99 so you can have more money for mods.

DarkAzNite

iTrader: (2)

00-02 made more power..albeit not much more but I am with you, I have a 99 and there are a few other differences as well such as the EGR, AIR, LS6 intake, I heard that also some of the 01-02 models had LS6 blocks since GM had run out of the LS1 blocks for some of the production. so if you know how to tell you can look at an 02 and see if it is one of the lucky ones.
Good Luck.
IMO you really can't go wrong with any LS1..

Nautilus

iTrader: (15)

It really comes down to your long term plans... If your planning on doing lots of mods and making lots of power.... buy a '98-'00 for in good shape for a decent price. If your not planning on go crazy with mods, and can afford it, I would go with a nice low mile '01-'02.

soul strife

An LS1 is an LS1. There are minor differances but, nothing huge. Find the best deal and start Learning about your car and what Mods you want to do. There is a sticky that has the differance in the years. The drivetrain stuff is very minor.

rgaynor85

well one thing i noticed on slp specficaflly was the 1.8 ratio rockers, 98-00 i think required double spring and a titanium guages or somethin like that, and the 01-02 bolt right on thats just one of the many diffrences i noticed

Transcoupled

I am still an ls1 rookie but does the price of the car matter? Will this be strictly a toy and not a means of transportation. Are you going to rebuild or swap engines? Paying cash or finance?

If you are going to be rebuilding the engine or swapping or stroking, I would find a cheap 98-99 with a decent body and interior. If you want decent miles and want to do the bolt ons find a 2000-02 just dont pay extra for the drivetrain warranty because I doubt they honor any warranty if you have nitrous solenoids and the like under the hood. (not positive how strict they are on warranties so I could be wrong but ask those questions before you buy) Overall The 98-99's are generally going to have higher mileage (unless you search hard) but a lower price. 00-02's Are going to have lower mileage and "should" be in better overall condition than the elders. If its going to be a full blown race car you might want to look into "salvage title" cars. I have a 2000 which is financed so I don't really want to get too deep into the modding right now and it is also a means of transportation for me, granite I have two other cars. I think I made the right decision for ME because I still want to have reliable transportation, I am basically stock for now since I paid for my warranty but I can still cruise on the weekends and run it at the track for some decent numbers. Then when it gets paid off, I can do like you go mod crazy so I don't get bored with the thing. Hopefully I wont catch the bug and I can stick to this plan.....lol Sorry so longwinded, hope this helps!

rgaynor85

well im lookin to find something very very clean with under 40k miles it will be an everyday driver,it will be financed but i want to do some bolt on's, in the future i plan on saving for a vortech supercharger and aftercooler kit. im not gonna be swapping engines and i dont wanna be rebuidling anything,just some minor bolt on mods to make a little to get me into the 12's untill i save enough for the supercharger then after that ill prolly be good and done with mods.

Transcoupled

Then I would just try to find the best deal for the money. Best condition and miles for your allowance. And like someone said earlier, the more you save the more you have in your pocket as "spendable income"............lol 12's should be fun and easily attainable.

Nautilus

iTrader: (15)

If it was me... I'd go with a nice low mile '01-'02. '98-'00 are getting rare with less than 40k miles, and even more rare if your looking for a certain color, model, trans...etc. JMO, it's really a personal decision though, but in the long run I wouldn't let the small differences weigh too much on your desicion, just keep your eyes open, and the right one will come along.....Goodluck

777

iTrader: (21)

I wouldn't really consider this lucky. The ls1 blocks are said to be stronger as they do not have the bay to bay breathing. Take it for what it's worth. an ls1 and ls6 block is basically the same.

SladeX

If you find a low mileage 98-00 for a good price, take it. My area has low mileage 01-02, but commanding almost 3k-5k more due to my area. Considering the LS6 intake + headers <$1500 in mods installed by a shop, and virtually the rest of the parts not making too serious of a difference in performance.

Best case scenario: 01-02 with LS6 intake and lucky LS6 block
Worst case scenario: you still get an LS1...

rgaynor85

ok well nobody has mentioned much else besides the block and the ls6 intake, now the ls6 intake on the 00-02 does it make much of a diffrence because i thought the 98-02 all made the same power, and as far as these performance ls6 intakes i see for sale are they any better than the stock ls6's the 00-02 comes with or is it basically just for the 98-99 drivers who dont have it

Sharpe

iTrader: (7)

Since an LS1 is an LS1, it's all about price to performance ratio.

I'd recommend a '98, but there is a stigma against them on here. I hunted for a '99, and that would be the year I would recommend.

There are '99-'00 cars on here in excellent condition for under $10,000. I paid $9,000 and got mine off eBay. If I were to order a Camaro new from GM, this car would have been it in every way without a single tiny exception.

Cop Car

iTrader: (14)

98-99s dont have as good oil return and have LS1 intakes instead of LS6 intakes and have a not as good looking grey interior M6s have inferior clutches

00 have good oil return, and have black interiors. but no LS6 intake M6s have inferior clutches

01-02 LS6 clutch, LS6 intake, black interior. you will pay more for these cars but its worth it IMO

rgaynor85

oh so only the 98-99 had that uguly charcaol interior i like the black beter ive seen a 00 and a 01 with it and i thought it was just an option

777

iTrader: (21)

98's have pcm issues when you get into big hp applications and you cannot have a speed density tune with them. That's the main reason I wouldn't get a 98 again.

8GTOKLR

iTrader: (6)

I have a 00 TA(non WS6) and was a tough find being a M6. If i had too do it over i would go with a 01-02 model.

The previous owners drove the **** out of the car. So I had to replace struts and shocks, coolant flush, wires and plugs, brakes, with mods in sig doesnt quite get me in the 12's, In fact 13.8@105 2.311 60ft lol

I have seen, read and heard of 02's doing 12.9 in stock form has even been documented and tested.

In the end go with the SS or Ws6 and get the bigger rims and better intake and exhaust, less money you'll spend in after market.

Oh and in any years 98-02 you'll definatley need to replace the 10 bolt when you start hooking power. Hope that helps

rgaynor85

what is a speed density tune ??? and from the sounds of everything im gonna avoid getting a 98 im gonna look for a 01-02 but would consider a 99-00 if i find a nice one

wvutransam

There is nothing wrong with the 98s. Mine has 81k miles and has no problems at all, except for a stripped healight gear. I dont understand where people come up with the bias against them.