01Z28M6

I think you are right in that the 98s are unique with their PCMs. Of the aftermarket LS1 pcm related items I have bought or eyed, the 98 was separate from the 99-02s. At least with the fbody. I still wouldn't steer clear of them for that reason.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

This is one of the things I like about the '97-'99 interior, it's got color accent. Mostly dark gray, with the accessories like *****, switches, etc. being black (true black, not charcoal gray). I went with some nice black custom floor mats in mine to tie it all together, and I think it looks great.

I really don't like an interior or exterior that's 100% one color. Looks boring, IMO.

ChocoTaco369

I wouldn't go that far. They had crappy oil pumps. Also, the 98 PCM is garbage. I woudn't buy a 1998 because of its PCM.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

The revised LS6 pump was not released until '01. The '98s had the exact same oil pump as the '99 & '00 cars. So in that case, you should avoid all three years. But the simple fact is, these oil pump failures are VERY rare.

The '98 PCM is not "garbage" by any means. It does it's job just as well as any other year PCM in stock form. The '98 PCM offers no real disadvantage for someone intending to keep a car at stock or bolt-on levels. Only thing you lose with the '98 are some of the handheld tuning options. And for the average heads/cam build-ups, custom tuning will take care of ANY year PCM, though for big forced induction build-ups some tuning options will be limited.

I tend to avoid the '01/'02 cars due to their inflated price. The positives of the '01/'02 don't outweigh the negatives enough to justify the cost difference for two comparable condition/mileage cars, IMO. However, I won't avoid them completely if I find a good deal, actually I'm looking at an '01 that I may be buying in the very near future. But if I find a better deal on a similar mileage/condition '98, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

blackhawk J

I cant speak for the PCM on the cars but I can say that my 99 firehawk needing an oil change and with a dirty air filter put 308 hp to the ground when it was bone stock with 65k on the clock. Not too shabby for a 99 ls1. I would say that any year is a good year!

ChocoTaco369

I know the '99 and '00 cars had them, too. I didn't specify because both the '98 and '99 were in question I did avoid them all. I bought an '01

I don't like the limitedness of the PCM. I suppose you could always swap the PCM from another year in, but it's just something else you have to do. I know you have a '98 and I'm sure you're sick of people griping over them, but there are disadvantages to the early years. It's nothing worth turning down a great deal over, but the '01 - '02 cars do have advantages from the !EGR, the better PCM, the revised oil pump and the LS6 intake.

I got a good deal on mine I think the biggest scam of all is the HUGE markup on a WS6 or an SS. You wind up paying $4,000 for a hood.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

The PCM would only concern me if I planned a major blower/turbo setup or a stupid sized cam build on stock cubes.

The ‘01/’02 cars have some limitations and disavantages too. Like the weak stock flexplate, that has been known to crack even with a stock TC and stock motor. Or the more sensitive torque management of the ‘01+ cars. You can put a higher stall and/or shift kit in a ’98-’00 car and have very little (if any) issues with TM, but with an ‘01+ car you are far more at risk for setting trans solenoid DTCs, and getting TM that lasts halfway into 2nd gear during WOT blasts.

Or you might have to deal with piston slap. Most '98s don't have much (if any) piston slap. The newer LS1s seem to have much more of an issue with excessive slap right after engine start. Not to mention oil use. My ’98 uses NO oil at all, even when I had the thinner M1 5W30 in it. However, my '00 LS1 used a considerable amount of oil, using the same brand/weight as my '98.

Then there’s the sail panel (B-pillar)/roof paint bubbling issue. Very few ‘98s have ever had this issue, and the ones that did seem to be very late ’98 build date cars. On the other hand, it seems like 50%+ of the ‘99+ cars have had it. That’s one very expensive repair.

And all of this doesn’t even cover the little pluses of the ’98, like the working temp gage, the nicer rear-view mirror of the ’98-’00 cars, and the nicer front and rear window trim (doesn’t sun damage as easy) of the ’98-’00 cars. Or the better pattern on the cloth Camaro seats for ’98-’99.

Yep, mostly because now that I own a '98 I know there is nothing wrong with them. Most people that tend to bash these cars are just passing along flawed opinions, and have never owned one.

This I agree with. That's why these days I tend to look more for Z28s and Formulas (looking at adding a '01 Formula to my line-up right now) because they look just as cool (IMO) and offer the same performance for the money. Sure, the ram air hoods look nice, but not really any better.... just different IMO. Actually in many ways I like the cleaner look of the flat hoods. I could really go either way.

Rick99TAWS6

iTrader: (4)

'I got a good deal on mine I think the biggest scam of all is the HUGE markup on a WS6 or an SS. You wind up paying $4,000 for a hood.'

And a point not brought up is that the early(98 & 99) WS6's(SS's also I believe) actually got some 1le suspension pieces in there(springs and sway bars at least), GM stopped doing that in 2000 from what i have heard

bad6as

iTrader: (17)

yea making 346/355 aint with a 98 that great is it?
btw, mods in sig

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

True.

The only 1LE parts still used on the '00+ WS6s was the front sway bar. My '00 WS6 had the same springs/shocks as my friends '00 Z28.

99HorseSlayer

iTrader: (1)

i'd avoid people who make dumb *** comments like avoid ls1's lol no matter what the year
imo

Fifedogg

iTrader: (15)

it's not completely accurate. My gas cap hangs down off the tether long enough to actually hang from the fuel door while open. I have a 2000 SS which shouldn't have this. I also got 241 heads instead of 853's. My buddy's 99 also has a working Temp gage that only the 98's were supposed to have.

hasenbonkers

cuz their slow
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6dRf9eDBxU4
98 a4

3ls1s

the one thing i hated and never understood on the 98-99 was the black mirrors,and on my 99 Z the leather seats where hard as a rock,my 01 SS and 02 T/A seats are very comfortable.

TA1364

iTrader: (11)

I got a 98 ta with 78k for 7600, I love it, pretty quick stock. I do agree that the newer ones prices are inflated but its all basically the same damn thing besides Egr and ls6 and they can easily be done.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I love the black mirrors on the '98/'99 V8 Camaros. One of my favorite differences!

AronZ28

iTrader: (2)

5_02ls1

iTrader: (20)

DONT get a 98 once they hit 150,000 miles this is all they will do at one of the slowest tracks in the country......stock motor and tranny...

whatch this....

this **** kills me the only real reason not to go with a 98 is if you plan on doin a big fi setup on sd....hell the 99 up pcm isnt a hard swap a lil re pinninmg of the ecu harness.....my car is an early 98 had the shitty 806 heads...it has 154,000 miles and can run down and pass newer lower mileage cars......i have upgraded knock sensors rod bolts and oil pump though......

all these cars lsx are easy to make fast...dont let the year stop ya.....

5_02ls1

iTrader: (20)

lol i bet my 98 will anhilate your 01 and it still has the garbage 98 pcm....works great for me.....

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

806 heads aren't any worse than the 853 heads found on the '99-'00 cars. Only the 241s on the very late '00 thru '02 were slightly better in stock form.

I think the knock sensors were an early '98 issue. I have a March '98 built car, and mine holds good timing all the way though a WOT run with the stock knock sensors.