Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

High milage engine question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2013 | 09:56 AM
  #1  
thecobrahunter's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area
Default High milage engine question

So, gotta '98 Z28 LS1 6spd. Has 152,000 miles on it.

(1) What are some of the causes that might make the engine gradually lose power or torque? (p.s. thinking of doing a cam swap, but not sure about the high mileage thing)

(2) Have also noticed that when I punch it, 1st - 5th gear, frequently, the inside of the car gets this pungent smoke smell. Gear shifting is as smooth as silk all the way through 5th. Smell stays in the car for a while till it all airs out.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2013 | 10:38 AM
  #2  
Grimes's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 2
From: Northern NJ
Default

With a 98, all you would have to worry about is the oil pump. Connecting rod bolts are not as good as later years, but not an issue as long as you're not spinning the engine to the moon.

As long as maintenance has been done, I wouldn't worry about much. Your smoking could just be slightly worn valve seals. I probably would just leave them alone, especially if you are planning to mod stuff later.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2013 | 01:08 PM
  #3  
sreve's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
Default

That smoke smell is probably giving you the hebe jebees but it could be as simple as a broken PCV line check behind the intake. i just went bigger on the cam @ 136,000
look at it this way when it lets go is anyones guess but the **** blows out the bottom
most of the time and a reasonably priced short block will fix it in addition to going bigger.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2013 | 08:43 PM
  #4  
wildcamaro's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 4
From: Western PA
Default

Those miles aren't that big of an issue if taken care of, a cam swap is good in a way as you get to replace things such as oil pump, timing chain, lifters, etc...
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2013 | 09:30 PM
  #5  
ds98formula's Avatar
TECH Resident
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Joliet Illinois
Default

That's around the miles that my cam went in 98 as well. Change valve seals. Oil pump timing chain, springs, push rods
However you may think about doing a compression test if your worried about it
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2013 | 09:39 PM
  #6  
00MaroonZ28's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn Center, MN
Default

Compression test will really tell how worn the engine is at that mileage. Like said, valve seals, timing chain, gaskets, lifters, ect.....

It's fine for a cam swap. Personally, if this isn't your daily driver, it's not a bad time to pull the motor and just do an overhaul of parts that wear out. Gives you an opportunity to get the heads off and have the valve seals replaced along with lifters and trays.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 08:14 AM
  #7  
2000ultraZ1911's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: new castle PA
Default

I don't think that's bad MI at all we,ve got a wrk truck at our shop with a 6.0 and 300,000 the only thing done was oil pump and timing chain. N trust me since it ain't mine I drive it like I stole it lol
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 09:42 AM
  #8  
thecobrahunter's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area
Default

Originally Posted by Grimes
With a 98, all you would have to worry about is the oil pump. Connecting rod bolts are not as good as later years, but not an issue as long as you're not spinning the engine to the moon.

As long as maintenance has been done, I wouldn't worry about much. Your smoking could just be slightly worn valve seals. I probably would just leave them alone, especially if you are planning to mod stuff later.
Thanx. Yeah, stock rev limiter is in place. Even so, rarely do I go past 5K rpm. Thinking of doing a cam swap soon.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 09:47 AM
  #9  
thecobrahunter's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area
Default

Thanks guys. Yeah, wanna go with a cam swap soon, but it is my daily, so can't be down for a long time, and gotta be mindful of the whole smog thing...I'm in California.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2013 | 03:26 PM
  #10  
ds98formula's Avatar
TECH Resident
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Joliet Illinois
Default

Yuck California. Got any relatives out of state you can register car in
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:16 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE