gfeller2006

Ok, So I'm not a huge racer or anything and just love my camaro and love to drive it around for my daily driver. I take really good care of it and just recently my rear-end went out... It's going to be around 900 to get it rebuilt!.. My question is how reliable are the trannies and motors in these cars? I don't want any other major problems with the motor/tranny or any of the powertrain. I have the 6 speed manual and the LS1 with only 70k miles on the car. Also I have put in a new clutch already.

vtirocz

73k on my '00 Z28 M6 and only thing I've had to replace is a AIR check valve (~$12) which was sooted up and driver's side power window motor (~$50). I think they are very reliable.

Only other thing I needed to do was clean the MAF sensor.

RedRocketZ28

iTrader: (19)

If you take care of it and do regular maintanence it will last a very long time. The one issue with the manual trannys is the hydraulics (master and slave). My Dad's 98 SS had the slave replaced at 30k miles, my master was going out and took my 3rd gear synchro with it at 35k miles.

Try to find a used 10 bolt rear on here for cheap. I can't imagine paying $900 to have my rear end rebuilt.

Good luck with the car! Should last you quite awhile.

FST SS

the rear-ends are the weak link in the drive train. If you do a lot of "spirited" driving you might want to upgrade to a 9''.

sscamaroburn02

iTrader: (14)

my has 73K and was used as a daily driver commuting 60 miles daily up until recently when I retired it as a garage queen and added the heads/cam to it. Car was completely stock except for a catback. I would say these LS1's are very reliable motor wise. My buddy drove an 01 ws6 HARD and was still chugging along with 145K on it. The weak link in these cars is the rearend and drivetrain. I had alot of issues with my rearend seal leaking. It's fixed now I just have to be careful on hard launches with lots more power now.

I always keep up with regular oil changes and maintenance on the car. If you do this problems should be kept to a minimum. Oh and I forgot. i did have both window motors replaced under warranty at the dealership.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Mine have been extremely reliable. My daily driver '02 is up to 97k miles on a completely original powertrain. The car isn't babied, but I don't abuse it either. It sees plenty of WOT action, but it's also very well maintained.

SSponyh8R

how many people owned it b4 u? sounds like it was drove hard at sum point, my ls1 is the most dependable motor iv owed, ill never go back. i daily drive my ss and it just rolled 123k and my budy drives the **** out of his and it has 202k but its on the 4th rear end and 2nd tranny lol

gfeller2006

I am only the 2nd owner. The guy I bought it from bought it brand new. I bought it with 50 k on it. I really like the car, I just don't want it to run my cash flow dry all the time

Arctic2002ss

The M6 trannies are fairly durable too, unless you screw up a shift (been there, done that). The rear end and clutch hydrolics are the only problems I have had.

TrakJunky

iTrader: (4)

My 01 has 94K miles on it and i auto-x it monthly. NO issues except for it doesnt like to go into second all the time when i take off from a light and shift super fast. Ill probably need to replace the synchro in the future but its cool for now since i dont DD it anymore. but i am the second owner and have all the servicing paperwork for it from the first and it has been well taken care of. I am pretty meticulous with it especially since i Auto-x it. But i dont see any reason for it not lasting til 200K plus. Although i dont think itll ever get close to that as long as its mine!

RikkiTorment

Yeah, 00 Z28 M6 doesnt like to go into third sometimes when I shift hard. D:

TrakJunky

iTrader: (4)

lol i have no issues with thrid gear... Never seem to miss it.. But itll grind a little bit once in a while on the 1-2 from a dig. But the 2-3 works fine.

sscamaroburn02

iTrader: (14)

yeah i've had issues when i first got my camaro where when racing WOT I would go to shift into 3rd and accidentally go into 1st. yeah i thought i blew the trans out but everything still feels solid knock on wood!!

sscamaroburn02

iTrader: (14)

I'll be getting the new MGW shifter for t-56 soon to avoid these problems. heard nothing but great reviews from people who have them.

Midnight02

iTrader: (8)

The LS motors are extremely reliable. I'm heavily modded and drive the car regularly and (knock on wood) haven't had a bit of trouble with it. Motor runs like a gem.

From a maintenance standpoint, I've only had to replace the two window motors since acquiring the car three years ago with 20K miles on it (now at 54K).

The clutch and hydraulics are an issue -- remedied that with a LS7 clutch kit. The cost is similar to the stock replacement. Driveability is exactly like stock, however it just holds MUCH more power! Problem solved.

The rear end is also a major weak link in these cars -- especially for a 6-speed car. Even with stock power a hard launch that finds traction equals trouble for the rear end. If you drive it hard, this will likely be the primary source of your pain until you upgrade (at a considerable expense) to something more reliable -- i.e. 12 bolt, 9 inch, Dana 60.

RikkiTorment

I don't know what is up with it, I know that I don't miss the gear. I'll even put the clutch back in and push the shifter into third even harder, and it just sits there and grinds. Maybe my rings aren't in the best condition from the previous owner? ...Just like the clutch was lol

Marrow SS

My 98 has been very reliable; the only thing I've had to replace is the battery. I take very good care of it though, nothing keeps headaches away better than preventative maintenance. BTW, I would definitely upgrade to a 9 inch rear instead of spending the money to rebuild it. Good luck with it

blue98Z

iTrader: (29)

As long as you maintain it well it'll do you good. I've been racing mine for the past 5yrs now and I decided to take it to Destin, FL (where I'm at now) for vacation. Hasn't given me any problems yet. $900 for a rebuild on the 10 bolt sounds way too high to me. Either pick up a used one or find someone that can do it cheaper. Depending on what went out on yours of course. If it's the posi then you can pick one of those up fairly cheap. I doubt at your mileage bearings would be an issue, but if that's the case as well then they are easy to do for a DIY'er.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

these cars stock or close to it and not beaten on are very reliable. but at this point if youre buying one chances are its had a couple owners before you and its been run hard. you have to expect to have some repairs on cars this old.


if you can find a clean low mileage one pay a little extra for it if you have to.

omarrakeen

iTrader: (2)

120K here! had it 2 years ago its a 1998 ls1 camaro it runs perfect...havent spent anything on it.