AW794

iTrader: (7)

Hello. I am soon going to buy a new (to me) trans am. I have been looking at 96 / 97 WS6's which are about the same price as 98 trans am's. Anyway, i have heard some bad things about the 98 / 99 Ls1's and was wondering what everyone thought about them. I like the Ls1's better than the lt1's and if im going to spend the money i want to get something im happy with. Thanks for your help

AW

jrp

iTrader: (16)

go with the 98/99 ls1. there is nothing "bad" about them. go to the info link in my sig for info.

Zo6Killer

I love my '98 Z. Nothing wrong with those years.

AW794

iTrader: (7)

Im not sure if its just rumors or what, but i heard that there were problems with the oil pumps on 98 / 99 Ls1's. Also i heard the the computer is different for the 98 model Trans am. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks


AW

santino04

Each of these engines are both excellent performers and both have their plus, minuses, and quirks about them. I was also looking at 96 97 LT1 at one time but the LS1 is more advanced if not the most advanced small block built today and puts out a lot more power also. As far as reliabilty you know it all depends on the previous owner if it was taken care of or beaten to ****, but if you get a good one you will have miles and miles of worry free driving and modding. Id by far choose the LS1 over the LT1 any day, POWER and reliabilty says it all. Im sure LT1 guys will tell you different of course but my vote goes to the LS1. Just think for a second if the LT1 was so great why was the switch made to the LS1. Why is the LS1 offered as a crate motor and most popular in many hotrod builds? Simply its the best! ahaha no burns intended on the LT1.....LT1 I loved you long ago but I found someone better and stronger that is willing to put up with my stomping of your gas pedal I hope we can still be freinds.....miller lite commercial but I love budwieser always

jrp

iTrader: (16)

like i said, go to the info link in my sig

Ponyhtr

First off, drop any thought of getting an LT1 if you can afford the LS1! I have owned 3 LT1 powered cars and 2 LS1 powered cars and the performance difference is night and day. If you have driven the two cars the LT1 may even FEEL faster, I will assure you that it is not, what you experienced is the LT1s hefty low end torque.

santino04

[QUOTE= If you have driven the two cars the LT1 may even FEEL faster, I will assure you that it is not, what you experienced is the LT1s hefty low end torque.[/QUOTE]

TRUE DAT!!!!!!!!!!1 HE AINT LYIN

Rogue Leader

I faced the same dilemma when deciding what to buy.. I was DEAD SET on a 97 WS6 TA... Then as I was selling my turbo trans am and people were asking me what my plans were everyone was like Why waste the $$ on the LT1 when the LS1s are only a bit more and SOOOO MUCH FASTER. Plus I like the LS1 nose better. I had LT1 owners telling me that! Plus if and when it comes to resale, the LS1 will be worth a lot more.

I went LS1 and havent regretted it!

ZR2877

I have a 98 and no problems yet. Oil pump is still going fine at 85,000 miles and great oil pressure. Knock on wood. IIRC I haven't spent any money on repairs just maintinence like coolant, plugs, wires. I bought it in Jan 98 before I even knew about the almighty LS1. Once I drove it I had to have it.

AW794

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the info guys! I have been doing some research and came across some piston slap info . I have to say its got me skerd. I really want a Ls1 too

AW

TA TED

The only thing I miss about my LT1 was it sounded better. Deeper grumble.

4mula1

Piston slap, while it can be annoying for a short while, is usually no big deal.
It generally goes away as soon as the engine is warmed up. Some rare cases have had real issues with it. But to determine if your potential car has it, you should be able to tell by doing a cold start in cool/cold weather. It usually sounds a bit like dieseling, but I think 99% of the cars with PS don't hear it anymore as soon as it is warmed up. I like LT1's, but your making a mistake if you don't take advantage of what the LS1 offers.

Strahley

iTrader: (4)

The only thing I like about the LT1 over the LS1 is the sound it produces on most exhaust systems. However, there are ways around this. I have heard some LS1s that do not sound like an LS1 at all

The computers in the '98 LS1 F-Bods are a bit different than '99 through '02. The only downfall to this is you can't use a Predator (computer tuning device) on the '98. This is not a big deal at all, as you can use LS1Edit anyways

I too, was in the market for a 4th gen F-Body. After driving a few LT1 cars, I was very close to buying one. One day though, I saw an ad for what is now my '01 Z28. Although the LT1 feels stronger down low, there was NO comparison between the LT1s I drove and this (ahem...modded...) LS1 I drove. I bought the car the very next day

What I'm saying is go with the LS1, you will not regret it! Best of luck

AW794

iTrader: (7)

thanks guys i really appreciate your input!

AW