ws6jesse

iTrader: (2)

im looking to buy an LS1 trans am VERY soon after wanting one for years and years. ive heard people say not to buy 1998's becasue of the pcm. i dont know what tey mean by this. Do you run into problems when the mods start? i will be doing heads/cam and full bolt ons. should i stay away from 98's?

Thanks
Jesse

1BDWS6

iTrader: (8)

The 98's do seem to be more tempermental than other years, also they don't respond to mods as well and seem to make less power. That is just the experience that I've had at my dynoshop with them....

jswelburn

I dont know about not responding to Mods as well, but because the computer is different from the 99-02 models, its hard to find hand-held Tuners and other various equipment for them, as many companies are courting to the majority of the market (99+) and aren't going the extra yard to create a product specifically for 1998 models. However, I dont think a 98 car is going to react any differently to Heads/Cam and bolt-ons than any other ls1 f-body will.


At least that's what I've found when researching for my 98. Hope that sheds some light on the subject for ya!

taintedmeat

iTrader: (1)

I also heard that some spot on the block was a little thinner on early 98 blocks. I wouldn't let either of the issues keep you from a 98, I got a great deal on mine. Main annoyance I've seen is the lack of handhelds like mentioned, but they suck anyway. It bothered me when I first got the car, but then I learned about HP Tuners, which is superior in every way.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

the main difference is the PCM and the rod bolts, its the same with the 99 models they have the crappy rod bolts but upgraded PCM. the 98s are a popular year b/c it has bigger injectors and a bigger cam, and one main reason they say not to get a 98 is b/c it doesnt have the LS6 intake, but as most guys on here do is they upgrade and mod there LS1s so i dont see the big deal about the year if your gonna upgrade alot of it. i have a 98 and have beat 00-02 fbodys, and no one uses those hand held tuners to tune they use them to delete codes and scan the codes, if your gonna do it right take it to a tuner and have them tune it right.

BLKWS.6

LS1 isLS1 is LS1. My friend's bone stock with chokemaster muffler 1998 Z28 A4 ran a 13.3@105 bone stock. I have yet to see an A4 00-01 car beat him by enough to convince me.

BLKWS.6

PS. That was with a little over 100K on the odo.

98redM6

iTrader: (39)

There might be the above mentioned differences but I don't see that as a reason to cancel out the purchase of one if it comes around at the right price. I know that some had a recall but I can't remember why they were. My car was one of those cars that was recalled while the original owner had it. I wonder if that has anything to do with me running high 12s?

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

yeah they prolly recalled them b/c they were beating the vettes lol.

1BDWS6

iTrader: (8)

As stated before and to add a little to what I posted. I own a dyno shop, I've done a few 98's and in MY experience. They have dynoed lowered numbers than 99+ cars do. Also they take more tuning when you mod than do the 99+ cars. Like I said that is MY experience only... Not saying it's an end all decision not to get a 98. If a deal came along on one, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 98. Hope that clears up what I posted a little.

WannaBcamaroguy

How much less hp do you see on the 98's compared to other years?

1BDWS6

iTrader: (8)

Anywhere from 10-15RWHP

Mike02Z

iTrader: (13)

I know of one advantage to the 98's....If you buy EFILive you get unlimited tunes for the 98 so you can tune anyone's 98 with one license. They are also the most reasonable if looking for the best deal.

Almost any new body design will have more issues in the first year of production. This was basically the same body but with a totally different power plant and computer than the 93-97 fbody so it makes sense that more folks had issues with the 98's. Still a good car in general though. And no, I don't have a 98.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

cause its the first year of the ls1 in the camaro.

Tensecta

I have a 98 bought it brand new and it is unbelievable. the bottom end of the motor is still stock only thing done to the motor is the LS6 intake and new head gaskets and ARP bolts and it has a V9 Vortech supercharger and has been in the 10's for 3 years now and still running strong.over 515 rwhp w/ 525 torque Nothing wrong with the 98 at all I have seen a few people do the same thing as I have with different years and are not running anywhere close to what I am. Actually its for sale now in the vehicles for sale forum check it out with pictures and all the mods.

UltraZLS1

iTrader: (13)

Only time they are down on power that I have noticed is when you do a cam only swap. This is because the 97-98 ls1 heads are the worst flowing.

After a h/c swap with an ls6 intake and bolt ons of coarse...I dont see why they would put down any less horsepower. Maybe if it is hard to get the tune right on a 98 pcm, this could cause a slight disadvantage...but a good tuner should have no problems.

As far as reliability...mine has been flawless. 91k miles and has never had a part replaced due to malfunction. Oh wait...it had to have the battery replaced once...thats it.

squirrelishere

iTrader: (6)

So far I haven't really had issues with my 98. Other than a code that keeps telling me about my sensor, but that will change when I get my headers and tune done to it. But as of right now, I went and got the car dynoed a few weeks ago at Outlaw and it put down 340hp. All I have is a Borla catback....... plus a misfire code... running to lean.... 87 gas.....

ishot2pac69

98's have a crappy oil pump, but it is still an ls1

Strahley

iTrader: (4)

One nice benefit is a non-dumby guage for your water temp

One downfall is a heavier gas tank

Stock vs stock the 01-02 should edge out a 98, but once you start modding out the differences, that's thrown out the window

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

Rod bolts, and VERY few, actually mine is the only one that anybody has ever heard of having a thinner spot cast in the block. Those are the only issues with the 98's really. Tuning for them is just as good now, and if a shop refuses to invest in the software just because its a 98, walk away. The 98-00 head cast was 853's, those with a combination of the LS1 intake will cause lower numbers than 01 & 02, my car did 316/341 with a lid and cut out through an auto, so they aren't weak. I'm very happy with mine.

Oil pump is the same from 98-00.