Just picked up a 98 Trans am yesterday. I've done a lot of research on these engines because I was going to do an ls swap in my 73 Camaro but came across this Trans am at a dealership and couldn't pass it up. What does everybody do for exhaust and everything else?

 

Well for starters these LS based push rod motors respond a lot like old muscle car motors in the regard that they respond good to basic engine work...headers, full exhaust, heads, cam, intake, etc...

 

Ya I assumed that. Ls6 intake, 243/799 heads tsp cam etc.

But exhaust wheels and interior type things & little nick nacks if that makes sense?

Engine has 140k on it from what the odometer says

 

I'm not insulting you by posting this link, I am only because it explains what a lot of people do with these LS1's and you may be able to pull some info off it. May be worthwhile to just run through it. https://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-o...anna-fast.html

Obviously with any used car; wires and plugs, synthetic oil, you know all the basic used car stuff. regarding exhaust, there are plenty of long tube header options but make sure are painted or coated, they tend to rust at the collector from road splashes. Look into true duals, the old way was to Y pipe, to a cat and cat back system. Lots of people do X pipe or true duals and I wish I'd done that first. Check your state regs and maybe you can delete cats, put some cutous after headers... Have fun, tons of stuff to do! Congrats on that Trans Am

 

Great thread, and thanks for that! There wouldn't happen to be anybody in the central Texas region looking at this would there be?

 

Swap drivetrain into split bumper

 

there probably is here: https://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-members-54/

you can post a thread and introduce yourself. You may be able to find some local meets and some Fbody and LS1 specialists nearby too and they always seem to know the best vendors, shops and tuners with first hand knowledge.

 

Thanks. I posted but no replys does there happen to be a thread of people posting pics of there cars? If really like to see the different wheels set ups along with the different color combinations people went with

 

 

I'd just point you to my build thread.

 

I know it is I'm just asking

 

Great build advice from this guy. I would start with lid, long tubes, exhaust go ahead and do it right run true duals if you have the cash. I ended up doing it twice after buying a aftermarket cat back.

The 98s can with the ls1 intake which a lot of people upgrade for the either LS6 that came on 01-02 cars or go with a FAST intake.

 

Ya I just got done looking at his engines build thread and he like most knows way more than I probly ever will.

 

Since you know way more specifics about these engines what route do you think I should go with my engine it's basically going to be a daily driver but I still want it to be a wicked street car. Basically a "street/strip" with a lot of street but with the strip power and attitude

 

Camaro73, welcome to L1tech!

While you've found the best website for GM tech....

You've posted general vehicle questions in a section reserved for internal engine issues-cranks, rods, pistons, etc.

Come on over to the Firebird section and join all the other Firebird people. We have a vast amount of Firebird specific stickies that'll help you.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-f...-1967-2002-73/

Thanks!

 

Sometimes it takes a little time for the TX threads to be read and responded to, I know there are a lot of modded Fbodies in TX, so just a matter of time. For specific info I just google search, example: Long tube headers LS1tech. or FAST vs. LS6 intake LS1tech, etc. And then those threads come up that may have been dormant (sometimes for years) come up, but are all chock full of excellent information. I agree with an earlier poster, research and do it right first time (like true duals), then you can put that mod to bed and build on it rather than waste time and money to re do it.

Daily driver, no problem with mild cam / heads / intake. Lots of these cars and vettes (and Mustangs, Challengers too LOL) are like that as dd, just make sure is tuned by a pro, it will idle and drive like a dream.

 

Slam it on some c5 zo6 staggered rim, slp loudmouths 1s, QTP cutouts
Long tubes

 

Great way to sound horrible. True duals sound best by far, but most run dumps and they're loud inside and can introduce interior rattles and squeeks you didnt know you had along with increased exhaust fumes, and more often than not sacrifice a good bit of ground clearance, however that's what's going on mine soon. MOST stick with a y pipe setup, higher pitched tone espicially wot and depending on setup can be very raspy. Everyone that swaps to true duals claims better tone and half say more low end power and smoother acceleration throughout powerband or no gain at all. Never hear anyone claim power loss. Gains will depend on rest of combo.

From the vast majority on here the best sounding exhaust on stock manifolds is the SLP Loudmouth. After headers most hate it. With longtubes and cats GMMG takes the prize according to most. The only two catbacks that have CONSISTENT great reviews with longtubes and NO cats are Magnaflow and Hooker. There are pros and cons to either. Magnaflows are quiet cruising and loud wot but nottoo loud. Idle/cruise is deep but for at least half too quiet. For the other half just right. The Hooker seems to sound better as a whole but its not stainless like the others, it's aluminized.

Headers are all over the board on price. Best are ARH. Close second is Kooks. I'd put TSPs behind them then Pacesetters.

QTPs would probably make the most average power but theyre fitment is worse than the top 2 for sure and cant comment compared to the other two. Theyre ground clearance the worst of those, but the reason I didnt rank them with the others is weld quality thats been talked about causing several leaks that have been a pain for most people and their ypipe, while the best design on paper for power fits horribly on the car with horrible ground clearance.

If you were to go with a ypipe style exhaust one of the best things you can do after headers is have a true y-merge welded in. Probably cost an extra $150 but worth it for power/sound gains

 

When it comes to othe first time mods the best initial besides exhaust would be first a lid and depending on your driving conditions possibly an under lid ram air system. Id skip straight over every setup but FTPs or Fast Toys Performance then ported throttle body and after that LS6 intake. Maybe underdrive pulley depending on personal preference. Youll need a tune after headers but theyll gain as much and probably more by their selves than the other mods together.

After that it gets expensive.

 

Ya intenseblue your rite I had the slp LM 1s were hella loud then After LT's it was tooooo LoUD switched slp lm2 wasn't as loud still loud