Powder96SS

I'm looking to buy an LS1 i've been a die hard 93-97 camaro fan since high school simply because i hate the rounded headlights. I've had a 97Z28 and right now i drive a 96SS. I was wondering which model 98-02 SS would be the best to buy. I want to know the best bone stock platform to start with.

blk97z28

iTrader: (3)

if at all possible you want the 2002 camaro ss model with all SLP options, 01-02 also has an LS6 intake manifold which is always good.

jp74

iTrader: (3)

Save your money and find a 1998-1999 that has been taken care of. Then take that etra money and start modding!!!!

CRAGER

Must be an 01-02, they are the same. Both 01-02's come with LS6 intakes and LS6 clutch (if you get an M6). Everybody already knows that the LS6 intake is better, and does not have EGR. Thats one less thing you will not have to delete with a tune.

Also, since you want to stay with a Camaro, the 01-02 steering wheels have radio controls (really 2000-2002 but 01-02 for that and LS6 intake, clutch, etc..). I hate the square box golf cart looking steering wheel's on the 98-99. lol

So 01-02 is the best way to go!

Peace,
Craig.

1meantransam

iTrader: (8)

my 99 T/A has radio controls? did all the T/A years 98+ come with those and camaros didn't? or is there something sneaky behind my 99 T/A lol

CRAGER

All the T/A's have them, hell even some of the last years of the LT1 T/A's have them.

Now the Camaro's did not, only 2000-2002 have them and none of the LT1 Camaro's have them.

Bad thing about the T/A steering wheels is that they have the girth about the size of a pencil, while the 2000-2002 Camaro's have the same controls but have the girth of a baseball bat!

Peace,
Craig.

WhosNXT

O1-02 for the reasons above, ls6 intake, ls6 clutch, and better looking steering wheel. Also you could save money by buying a Z and adding the hood and spoiler yourself.

CRAGER

Not all the time is it just a hood & wing. SLP had a crap load of options like Bilstein suspension, dual-dual cat-back, etc...

Do not cut corners here!

The only spoilers that fit with a damn are the real deal ones from SLP, same goes for the hood. And buying them from SLP is very expensive, plus shipping, and you then have to get them painted. And hope the painter can match up well giving that the cars are getting some age now.

So in my opinion, get an SS. If you have to cut corners because of cost then just get a Z.

Peace,
Craig.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Are you really dead set on the aluminum motor? Because you
could get an appropriate K-member and swap in a 6.0 truck
powertrain real easily, maybe a little more nose weight but
nothing your early 4th-gen isn't already sprung for. You get
the same basic benefits (great heads, higher compression if
you want to swap 'em, coil per cylinder ignition and a nice
big throttle & manifold (maybe go with a LS6 or a Professional
Products 85mm) and you can tune it by wire.

You can keep the body style you like and put an equal but
cheaper motor (trucks go for way less than LS1s) and find a
way to lose the extra pounds if you care.

Just a thought.

CRAGER

Good idea there, get an LSX motor & tranny!!! Painless wire harness too.

And the weight difference would probably be a tiny bit lighter since he already has a cast iron block but with the swap he'd now have a compsite intake.

Peace,
Craig.

1meantransam

iTrader: (8)

damn crager you got my hopes up lol, thought i had me a special edition limited 99 buttons on steering wheel T/A lol

Powder96SS

i'd thought of doing a drivetrain swap but the guy i bought the car from afro engineered alot of the wiring inside the car the passenger window has a mind of its own as to whether the drivers side switch will operate it. and the trunk popper quit recently and the interior is not in good condition cracked dash pad and the interior of the 96 models is completley different i loved my 97 interior the 96 dash and console is poorly designed. also the gauges suck even tho i installed white glow face gauges i still dont like them.

SmaknaSS

iTrader: (1)

+1 on the 01-02 Camaro. BTW, I love the leather interior of my Camaro.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Don't get me wrong, if I wanted one good-to-go it'd be an '01-'02
(less smog crap, better OS for tuning, and especially by '02 the
piston slap / overbore stuff was finally fixed in production). But hey,
if you like the '93-'97s you'll be way ahead on money going the way
I said with the truck powertrain, and a Camaro body with a blown
LT1 motor. Or even a V6, with a solid color roof everybody who
knows Camaros will think you got nothin'. Put a pea shooter exhaust
on the right and a cutout underneath and surprise some folks