I've alway liked the 98-02 z28 camaro. I have found one with 135k miles. It has a light cam, port & polished heads , long tubes And a dyno tune. With papers. 3 owners. 6 speed. In good condition. I can get it for around 6000$. What should I look for in the test drive. And how many miles can I get out of this ls1 motor with the proper oil changes and a little bit of spirited driving. Thanks in advance. Hope this is not to stupid of a question!!

 

No question is stupid. Nobody knows everything, anyways...it's not a bad price for what's done to it. Downside is the miles, the car was probably beat then raced then beat some more. Was all the other mods done along with the cam swap? Springs/pushrods/timing set? Hard to say how much longer it'll last. I've seen LS1's throw a rod at 50k and last to 200k. All depends how the previous owners took care of it. For 6k that's not bad, they're worth around 10k so with the money you don't spend maybe do a rebuild

 

You can always take it to a mechanic and have them check it out for you.

 

Well I thought about it like you guys were saying. And yea who knows how many times it's been beaten on. But I'm on the middle of buying a 01 SS with 81 k miles 3 owner clean car fax. And it runs and drives like new. Got it for 8500$. Hope fully I can pick it up next week. What engine oil are you guys running?

 

Roughly the same miles as the z28 I just bought, and that's the same price I paid, I also knew that the trans was about to go on mine and that the rear end was whining. If you like the car and are comfortable with the price buy it! What part of the country are you in? When I was looking last year in southern Cali it was near impossible to find a red 6-speed ls1 with t-tops (my personal have to have list)

Look for:
-Clutch disengagement issues
-3rd gear popping
-Rear end whining
-My experience on these is that the valvetrain may seem noisier than other cars
-check the power steering system
-louder than normal fuel pump could be a sign it's on it's way out
-clunky creaky suspension as it's probably worn out
-depending on where you live rust could be a major concern

The cars are solid even with a lot of mileage. Once my trans is rebuilt and rear end swapped I'll be doing H/C/I and I fully expect to get 200k out of the motor. I may not but based on my research that doesn't seem like a long shot at all.

 

That sounds like the better buy to me. Spend a little more and get something in better condition. I run royal purple 5w30 and I've heard good things from mobile 1 full synthetic. Everyone has their own opinions on this topic

 

^^how did I miss that post...

 

Cool!! On all the good info. My bank contacted him today to let him know he needs to fax over the payoff amount and the process would start. So hopefully I dosent get sold out from under me. That's a pic of it on my avatar. And it has the t-tops

 

It's looking good. Maybe Sunday I can go get her. Is these spark plugs going to be a bitch to change. Sure looks like it lol

 

The back bolt for the coilpack bracket on the passenger sideis hard to get to good luck with it. Most people just leave if off and I wish I did too. That bolt along with the back plug on passenger side as well is tight. Mechanic bible says 4-5 hours haha

 

Haaaa hell!! Well at least it's only every few years! What hand held tuner are you guys going with. Is the DS intune any good for the money? I am picking up the car Sunday. Yahoo!!!

 

Good luck on the purchase you'll fall in love with it once it becomes yours a never ending project

 

Will be picking up my car tommarrow at noon. I've been waiting 2 months for this moment! From looking for the right car. To cutting a deal ,to trying to pay for it with out somebody out bidding me at the last minute!!

 

Congrats make sure you post some pictures. As for plug. They are a bitch but it shouldn't take you 4-5 hours. You can do all 7 in about 20 minutes. for the number 8 plug, jack the car up and go from underneath. Just make sure your exhaust has had time to cool off before you go that route. That's the best way to get that number 8 plug.

 

Finally got her home and she is every thing I hoped for and more. She didn't come with the manual. So I got to figure out What oil weight, diff oil, trans fluid types,,So I can make sure every thing is fresh. I took my 12 year old nephew for a ride. And he told me "Bret don't ever sell this car, please".

 

More pics

 

It's only letting me load one at a time!!?

 

Sorry not real good at up loading pics yet

 

Getting there ! Lol

 

And another