chadaclysm

LT1 if you buy the one my friend is selling.

Otherwise, definitely LS1.





I might be wrong, but I want to say that the 98's had problems with the oil pump...

Camaro_94

iTrader: (5)

Having owned both LT1 and LS1, the LS1 is a better all around motor. Make more power easier, faster stock, and theres a bigger aftermarket. Better gas milage too and no opti.

I'm running over a second faster with my current LS1 SS with the same mods (bolt-ons) over my A4 LT1 Formula (bolt-ons)

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

weaker rod bolts
perimeter bolt valvecovers
853/806 heads
98 pcm can be flaky

obviously these are all issues that can be rectified... but if you have a choice get a 01-02' model year. Although the 98's did NOT have the piston slap issues that the later models had... so thats +1 back for the 98's lol!!

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

No, that's a '98-'00 potential issue. There was no '98 specific oil pump.

The valve covers are not a "problem", they do their job quite well. Neither are the 806 ('98) or 853 ('99-'00) heads. They have just as much potential as the 241s. Rod bolts would only be a potential issue when revving beyond the stock limiter. PCM is fine for most applications with an experianced tuner. Might be an issue if you're planning a serious forced induction setup though.

Given the choice between a '98 or another model year, I would pick the one in the best condition, and at the best price. All model years have some advantages and disadvantages over the others, it mostly ends up equaling out.

badass383formula96

I love how ppl knock the lt1, especially the part saying u cant drive in rain or car washes cuz the opti. My car is H/C/I sprayed 6 speed an geared an full bolt ons sees 7k rpms everyday and is my daily driver. And has been through many car washes with under body sprayers. Has been through many flooded roads water up to the doors, since i live in Florida and no issues. Seems to me ls1 owners make the opti out to be worse then it is. Ive owned this car since 08, had another one before that. Even have a 99 TA with a cam only lt1/stalled auto swap. Now to me it would be crazy for u not to pick up a 28k mile ws6 for 9k. Lsx motors maybe great, but i have yet to get beat by one.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

I didnt mean it as they are a problem... 98 Pcm is fine, but the 99+ is a lil better. The 806 heads have as much potential, but the 241's are still a lil better in stock form. the perimeter valve covers are not as nice... the center bolt style allows coils come off easier(since you can remove the whole bracket and coils together)atleast this is what Ive herd... I personally have no experience with 98's. My point is it seems the 01-02's were tweaked in a bit compared to the 98's... but In the end not one year is more capable than the other!

Kev SS

iTrader: (5)

What are you going to be using the car for?

Show, pleasure, race?

I have had 2 lt1's and 7 ls1's

Lt1's are fun to drive.

Pros, you can get them cheap.
Cons
Ugly (to me) body style isnt great.
opti spakr
not much power.

Ls1s are better overall.

Be patient in this economy you can find anything. I found my 98 trans am with 134,000 miles on it and payed 3500 for it. It needed tires and paint work on the hood. So a set of tires and some paint later I have 4400 in it. It ran a 9.0 on the 1.8th bone stock with bald tires spinning. Still holds good oil preasure and all....this is what I have 4400 in..



Trust me...wait and find a ls1.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

Always hear about the people who never have trouble from the opti, but all 3 lt1 cars I've been around have had tons.

One guy replaced his 3 times in the same damn year.

It's not a cheap fix either. Especially if you factor in the towing bills and the fact they are a pain in the *** to change.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

*02WS6TURK*

iTrader: (13)

I kick myself for not buying a LS1 to begin with. Although I did get a great buy on my first LT1 and after owning a LTx based car, it makes me appreciate my LS1 even more.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I do agree that the later years had some improvements/positives over the early years, including the items you've already listed. However, not all the tweaks were positive. Here are some negatives in place by '02:

- weaker flexplate
- dummy temp gage
- chattering Torsen diff
- bubbling roof paint (this affected only very late '98s, but otherwise it's a '99+ issue)
- slower reacting throttle body cam
- more prone to piston slap
- less aggressive stock cam
- PCM that freaks out more easily with transmissions related mods (auto cars)

The '98s didn't have these issues. Then you also have the minor cosmetic changes made in certain years (mirrors [camaro], wheels, colors, interior colors/patterns/trim, etc). Which looks "better" is strictly opinion, but still matters subjectively when looking for an LS1 car.

That's normally the issue, people that haven't owned them spread the rumors or over exaggerate the impact of the differences. Like I always say, as a person that's owned every model year (except 2001), there is no single year that's best overall for everyone - they all have some positives and negatives compared to other years. Depending on your goals and preferances, any year could be better than another.

CamaroZ28_LS1

iTrader: (5)

I had a 98 Z28 auto with 2.73's and it ran low 13's with just headers and a LS6 intake on street tires. My Z28 ran strong and the only issue i ever had was the fuel pump system/tank was that of a LT1 body style still and my gas gauge always fluctuated. So I converted the fuel system over to a 99+ system. Still on the stock 806 heads, cam, and etc. A 98 is still not a bad thing and can be modded out just fine. My 98 never had that bubbling paint issue,but my 01 does on the roof panel. My 98 never had piston slap, my 2001 has piston slap like a mother ****** lol

My 01 SS is def a much better car, faster stock for stock since I was putting a few lengths on stock LS1 cars older then mine. All I had was 4.10's w/ m6 and a cat back. Put down 313whp and 325 torque stock, now Im at 378whp and 369 torque.

But they are right about the better 241 heads, ls6 intake, better factory exhaust, stronger rod bolts, better pcm, fuel system etc. in the 01/02 models.

CamaroZ28_LS1

iTrader: (5)

That less agressive stock cam still put down more power stock for stock then my 98 Z28 did. I put down 280ish whp on my z28 stock and around 330whp with full exhaust and LS6 intake.

BlueRamAir

iTrader: (3)

I owned 3 LS1 cars before I bought my LT1. Stock for stock the LS1 is faster, but either one will make great power once you open your wallet. The opti problem is way overrated. Either one is a great platform to start with. This is a very biased site becasue it is more for LS1 cars. I would think hard about what your final goals for the car are and buy appropriately.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

1) You can't directly compare dyno numbers from your stock or modded A4 car vs your stock or modded M6 car.

2) The reason '01-'02 cars dyno a bit higher is due to the 241 heads, LS6 intake and better flowing exhaust manifolds; not the cam change (which was to a milder cam). The best combo of stock parts (horsepower wise) would be to put a '98-'00 cam in an '01-'02 engine.

3) You mentioned "fuel system". It's true that the '98s have the old LT1-style steel fuel tank, but that's not necessarily a negative (again, depending on your goals). It's the '99 & '00 year cars that get the smaller injectors ('98 and '01-'02 get the bigger factory injectors).

CamaroZ28_LS1

iTrader: (5)

my 01 313whp and 325Torque - mustang dyno
my 98 Z28 around 280whp and 285 torque. - dyno dynamics

modded/dyno numbers your right, they are not relevant. But my m6 was still much faster stock for stock. I don't believe that the cams made that much of a difference anyways. Maybe 10hp?

Kev SS

iTrader: (5)

I know 98s had more of an aggresive stock cam in it..but was not aware of differant injectors???

TheBlueKnight

iTrader: (4)

On tick performance's site I read that 98-99 cars' trannys don't have the "Viper" style gear that came standard in 2000 and up models. The Viper style gear has longer engagement teeth that make it much stronger.

Quoted from Tick...

"Suggested for all pre-2000 model six speed transmissions equipped with the non-Viper gear. This older gear is the weakest gear inside your T56! Starting in 2000, all T56 Transmissions came equipped with the Viper Style 2nd Gear, which features longer engagement teeth, making it much stronger. A very wise option for your pre-2000 F-Body!"

*CAMARO*

The camaro's look the exact same, except when I look in my rearview mirror and see a beat catfish smiling at me!

ZGOBYBY

iTrader: (14)

I have both, and I still love my LT1 car more. Sorry guys... shoot me.