1998 bad year for f-body?
08-31-2007, 10:30 PM
#42
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Those of you talking about " '98s having the worst flowing heads", etc. I hope you realize that the power difference from '98 to '99 is basically non-exisitant. And when comparing a '98 to any other year but '99, you have to look at more than just the head difference for the slight power gains year by year. '00 gets improved exhaust manifolds, '01+ gets the further improvements of (again) upgraded heads and the LS6 intake. Going from stock '98 806 head castings to stock '99 853 catsings, without any other changes, will net you nothing measureable on the dyno or track.
All years have their good and bad. Since everyone sees fit to rag on the "bad" points about the '98, here are some of the things that I personally dislike about the '99+ years:
- '99+, dummy temp gage.
- '99+, sail panel paint bubbling issues are FAR more common (only seen a couple late '98s have this issue).
- '99+, piston slap more common, in my experiance.
- '99-'00, smaller stock injectors.
- '00+, requires a separate breather filter for the AIR pump when installing an air lid.
- '00+, don't like the new pattern on the cloth Camaro seats.
- '00+, don't like the new steering wheel for the Camaros.
- '00+, body colored side view mirrors on V8 Camaros (black for the '98/'99 is better, IMO).
- '01+, smaller stock cam.
- '01+, weaker stock flexplate (auto trans).
- '01+, more issues with torque management and trans DTCs when using higher stall TCs with stock tuning (auto trans).
- '01+, cheaper new rear-view mirror.
- '01+, cheaper, flat black trim around windshield and hatch glass that looks faded even when new and gets sun damaged easier.
Now, being fair, here are the things I dislike about the '98:
- PCM has less aftermarket support, gets a little trickier to tune for big power mods.
- Coil packs don't have the rail mount system that makes removal for plug changes easier.
- Heads give up a small bit of power over the 241 castings of later years.
- Lack of LS6 intake, and exisitance of the EGR system.
- Factory tuning does not disengage the A/C compressor clutch quickly enough at WOT.
- Last year of the steel gas tank.
- '98-'99 "Dark Gray" interior isn't quite as dark as the '00+ cars with "Ebony". Also, for some reason the '98-'99 Firebird interior seems to be a little less dark than the Camaros of those years.
Overall, at least for me, there is no "perfect" year. I have to make concessions for each and every model year. In the end, I would buy another '98 if the deal was right without a second thought. And I would never sell/trade a '98 for a newer model of comparable mileage/condition.
All years have their good and bad. Since everyone sees fit to rag on the "bad" points about the '98, here are some of the things that I personally dislike about the '99+ years:
- '99+, dummy temp gage.
- '99+, sail panel paint bubbling issues are FAR more common (only seen a couple late '98s have this issue).
- '99+, piston slap more common, in my experiance.
- '99-'00, smaller stock injectors.
- '00+, requires a separate breather filter for the AIR pump when installing an air lid.
- '00+, don't like the new pattern on the cloth Camaro seats.
- '00+, don't like the new steering wheel for the Camaros.
- '00+, body colored side view mirrors on V8 Camaros (black for the '98/'99 is better, IMO).
- '01+, smaller stock cam.
- '01+, weaker stock flexplate (auto trans).
- '01+, more issues with torque management and trans DTCs when using higher stall TCs with stock tuning (auto trans).
- '01+, cheaper new rear-view mirror.
- '01+, cheaper, flat black trim around windshield and hatch glass that looks faded even when new and gets sun damaged easier.
Now, being fair, here are the things I dislike about the '98:
- PCM has less aftermarket support, gets a little trickier to tune for big power mods.
- Coil packs don't have the rail mount system that makes removal for plug changes easier.
- Heads give up a small bit of power over the 241 castings of later years.
- Lack of LS6 intake, and exisitance of the EGR system.
- Factory tuning does not disengage the A/C compressor clutch quickly enough at WOT.
- Last year of the steel gas tank.
- '98-'99 "Dark Gray" interior isn't quite as dark as the '00+ cars with "Ebony". Also, for some reason the '98-'99 Firebird interior seems to be a little less dark than the Camaros of those years.
Overall, at least for me, there is no "perfect" year. I have to make concessions for each and every model year. In the end, I would buy another '98 if the deal was right without a second thought. And I would never sell/trade a '98 for a newer model of comparable mileage/condition.
Last edited by RPM WS6; 08-31-2007 at 10:36 PM.
The only reason I would want a newer one is just to have the newest of the Last of the breed.... 
09-01-2007, 12:21 AM
#49
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Originally Posted by GMmexican
less oil consumption.
And less miles!!!!
And less miles!!!!
My '00 burned a lot of oil though.
09-01-2007, 01:12 AM
#50
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Originally Posted by RPM WS6
As for the sensor, you must mean the coolant temp sensor right above cyl. #1? I think you can only get that from GM.
That's actually a rumor. You just have to know where to look!
I broke mine when I "tapped" it while removing my stock exhaust. I was disappointed to find mostly two prong sensors on NAPA's website, but there is one part number that is a three prong and correct '98 sensor.
I went down to NAPA, paid $18 and it was installed within a day.
09-01-2007, 01:43 AM
#52
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I'm not seeing this oil consumption issue with the 98 ta i have, or the 98 Z I just sold. In fact, my 01 Z burned up a quart or more between oil changes, and neither of my 98s burn any
09-01-2007, 07:34 AM
#53
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In my experiance, '98s usually don't burn oil as bad as the other years. Nor is piston slap as common.
09-01-2007, 12:11 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by RPM WS6
Those of you talking about " '98s having the worst flowing heads", etc. I hope you realize that the power difference from '98 to '99 is basically non-exisitant. And when comparing a '98 to any other year but '99, you have to look at more than just the head difference for the slight power gains year by year. '00 gets improved exhaust manifolds, '01+ gets the further improvements of (again) upgraded heads and the LS6 intake. Going from stock '98 806 head castings to stock '99 853 catsings, without any other changes, will net you nothing measureable on the dyno or track.
All years have their good and bad. Since everyone sees fit to rag on the "bad" points about the '98, here are some of the things that I personally dislike about the '99+ years:
- '99+, dummy temp gage.
- '99+, sail panel paint bubbling issues are FAR more common (only seen a couple late '98s have this issue).
- '99+, piston slap more common, in my experiance.
- '99-'00, smaller stock injectors.
- '00+, requires a separate breather filter for the AIR pump when installing an air lid.
- '00+, don't like the new pattern on the cloth Camaro seats.
- '00+, don't like the new steering wheel for the Camaros.
- '00+, body colored side view mirrors on V8 Camaros (black for the '98/'99 is better, IMO).
- '01+, smaller stock cam.
- '01+, weaker stock flexplate (auto trans).
- '01+, more issues with torque management and trans DTCs when using higher stall TCs with stock tuning (auto trans).
- '01+, cheaper new rear-view mirror.
- '01+, cheaper, flat black trim around windshield and hatch glass that looks faded even when new and gets sun damaged easier.
Now, being fair, here are the things I dislike about the '98:
- PCM has less aftermarket support, gets a little trickier to tune for big power mods.
- Coil packs don't have the rail mount system that makes removal for plug changes easier.
- Heads give up a small bit of power over the 241 castings of later years.
- Lack of LS6 intake, and exisitance of the EGR system.
- Factory tuning does not disengage the A/C compressor clutch quickly enough at WOT.
- Last year of the steel gas tank.
- '98-'99 "Dark Gray" interior isn't quite as dark as the '00+ cars with "Ebony". Also, for some reason the '98-'99 Firebird interior seems to be a little less dark than the Camaros of those years.
Overall, at least for me, there is no "perfect" year. I have to make concessions for each and every model year. In the end, I would buy another '98 if the deal was right without a second thought. And I would never sell/trade a '98 for a newer model of comparable mileage/condition.
All years have their good and bad. Since everyone sees fit to rag on the "bad" points about the '98, here are some of the things that I personally dislike about the '99+ years:
- '99+, dummy temp gage.
- '99+, sail panel paint bubbling issues are FAR more common (only seen a couple late '98s have this issue).
- '99+, piston slap more common, in my experiance.
- '99-'00, smaller stock injectors.
- '00+, requires a separate breather filter for the AIR pump when installing an air lid.
- '00+, don't like the new pattern on the cloth Camaro seats.
- '00+, don't like the new steering wheel for the Camaros.
- '00+, body colored side view mirrors on V8 Camaros (black for the '98/'99 is better, IMO).
- '01+, smaller stock cam.
- '01+, weaker stock flexplate (auto trans).
- '01+, more issues with torque management and trans DTCs when using higher stall TCs with stock tuning (auto trans).
- '01+, cheaper new rear-view mirror.
- '01+, cheaper, flat black trim around windshield and hatch glass that looks faded even when new and gets sun damaged easier.
Now, being fair, here are the things I dislike about the '98:
- PCM has less aftermarket support, gets a little trickier to tune for big power mods.
- Coil packs don't have the rail mount system that makes removal for plug changes easier.
- Heads give up a small bit of power over the 241 castings of later years.
- Lack of LS6 intake, and exisitance of the EGR system.
- Factory tuning does not disengage the A/C compressor clutch quickly enough at WOT.
- Last year of the steel gas tank.
- '98-'99 "Dark Gray" interior isn't quite as dark as the '00+ cars with "Ebony". Also, for some reason the '98-'99 Firebird interior seems to be a little less dark than the Camaros of those years.
Overall, at least for me, there is no "perfect" year. I have to make concessions for each and every model year. In the end, I would buy another '98 if the deal was right without a second thought. And I would never sell/trade a '98 for a newer model of comparable mileage/condition.
09-01-2007, 08:55 PM
#55
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I love my 98 as well I have absolutly no piston slam and even at 3 trips to the track with about 12-14 runs I hardly burned a drop of oil. As far as performance I basicly just have a 3000stall and cutout and drag radials and can keep or or very slightly pass any fbody with similar mods. I just dont have that dam ls6intake witch I will soon ive got quite a bit of winter mods planned
hopfully it wont burn oil then
but as for other things I have 80,000 miles now and it still runs better then some of my buddies cars with way less
I love it to death
hopfully it wont burn oil then
but as for other things I have 80,000 miles now and it still runs better then some of my buddies cars with way less
I love it to death
09-03-2007, 11:08 AM
#56
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Like said above every year has it's pluses or minuses.
I Love my `98 Owned since new never leaked or burned a drop of oil.
117K miles Hundreds of street runs 30 plus Track passes and STILL on the Original Clutch.
I Love my `98 Owned since new never leaked or burned a drop of oil.
117K miles Hundreds of street runs 30 plus Track passes and STILL on the Original Clutch.
09-03-2007, 11:15 AM
#57
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Originally Posted by JKDZ28
My 98 is great. Like stated above, I wouldn't have it any other way.
My 98 makes just as much power as any other year and runs great too!
My 98 makes just as much power as any other year and runs great too!
09-06-2007, 05:57 PM
#60
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I cant believe it took three pages for someone to mention the fact that the 01+ came with ls6 intake, ls6 clutch if your and m6, better pcm, also you dont have the ugly *** go-cart steering wheel. Thats the reason ever f-bod I have had has been 01+, you might as well make it easier on your self when you start modding. The ls6 intake is good for mild h/c packages, you only need the fast for the bigger h/c and large cube blocks. Also when the tuning comes around its far better. JMHO