I was wanting some opinions on something and wondered if you all could help me out. I have a 1998 Camaro Z28. I bought it a few years ago when it had 36,000 on it and it just went over 85,000. Now, I've had no problem at all with the engine - I keep the thing clean enough that it looks practically brand new. I've always changed with synthetic oil and all that good stuff. I've just started making mods on the car and I have a cold air induction kit and lid on it now. I want to do more.

Now, my question is - should I just pay the car off and trade it in for a newer Z28 with less milage and THEN start making major upgrades or do you think this one is fine? It runs great, like I said, but I wonder about little things like compression ratio and maybe any internal parts that could start to go bad once it gets near 100,000 miles. Or is the LS1 engine so good that this thing is good to go for a long time and there is no difference internally between this car with 85,000 on it or say a 2002 with 30,000? I just hate to start doing mods this late if maybe getting a newer car with less milage would be smarter. The lid and cold air kit didn't cost much, but once I start getting into the exhaust, tranny, and cam stuff - then I'm putting alot of $ into the car.

Thoughts?

 

If youre going to be doing MAJOR upgrades, youl likely be replacing everything anyway (atleast eventually). Really, if you plan on doing eads and cam, youll easily swap the timing chain and oil pump. Get race headers and eliminate EGR. Swap out to an ls6 manifold. Depending if you need new injectors, change them. Now youve got everything covered that a newer model would have, but for a lot less money.

 

100% keep your own. No sense in getting other peoples problems! You know that your car runs well, and I would mod away.

 

Thanks, that means alot coming from 2 guys with 2002 cars! Anyone else have any thoughts on it?

 

As stated above, since your going to spend money anyway, keep what you have and mod away. The upgrades you mentioned are all going to bring you performance gains and you will not be paying on a newer (a.k.a. More expensive car) Start with the trans and a good vert., headers, exhaust, a cam, heads ....etc, etc,,,,,,money all well spent.

Kev

 

I agree with whats been said already plus I'll add the fact that you said the car is almost paid off right? Really the only thing that would make sense if you wanted to upgrade would be to trade in for a used Zo6. IF your going to take on more payments make it worth while. You can get used vette these days for very reasonable money. We have the new vettes to thank for that. Other than that your current car will be fine with mod's. I have a 99 w/76k and I've got a few mods with more ariving tommorow. I thought about the vette but my car is paid off within a year and can really use that payment on other things instead but thats a personal choice. Plus I need the backseat for my kids.