Model year differences.
Model year differences. I'm looking at a 1998 ws6 trans am and was wanting to know if the Ls1 was changed in anyway after 1998. I seem to remember hearing the 98's had some small difference that was upgraded. I'm new to this Ls1 stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shawn
Thanks,
Shawn
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,631
Likes: 2,555
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: Model year differences. Some stuff changed.
Valve covers
Coil pack mounting
Manifolds ('00 and up)
Injectors
PCM
PCV
That's just off the top of my head. There's probably more....
Valve covers
Coil pack mounting
Manifolds ('00 and up)
Injectors
PCM
PCV
That's just off the top of my head. There's probably more....
Re: Model year differences. Gas tank
Heads
Gauges (some mechanical stuff to electronic)
Intake
EGR
Fuel Pump
Oil Pump
Rod Bolts
Cam
Gaskets
Clutch
Fuel injectors
And im sure I left some more stuff out
Heads
Gauges (some mechanical stuff to electronic)
Intake
EGR
Fuel Pump
Oil Pump
Rod Bolts
Cam
Gaskets
Clutch
Fuel injectors
And im sure I left some more stuff out
Re: Model year differences. Ok maybe i asked this wrong.... is the 98 just as good as the later or should i hold out for a 99+ due to all the differences? im lookin for a very strong street some strip car occasional use only of course.
thanks again,
shawn
thanks again,
shawn
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx
Re: Model year differences. Stock for stock (and with the same drive-trains), a 98-00 will lose every time to an 01 or newer LS1. But there are always those few exceptions, known as factory freaks.
I'd be happy with any year LS1, because with a 98, you're only an intake away from being as fast or faster then an 01+.
But if you do decide to hold out for a later year model, then hold out for an 01 or newer. The 01 and up LS1s are the only ones with the LS6 intake. Not to mention no EGR crap.
I'd be happy with any year LS1, because with a 98, you're only an intake away from being as fast or faster then an 01+.
But if you do decide to hold out for a later year model, then hold out for an 01 or newer. The 01 and up LS1s are the only ones with the LS6 intake. Not to mention no EGR crap.
Re: Model year differences. A 98 would be just fine. The later models aren't much different performance-wise. The biggest change in all the years performance-wise was in 2001 when they added the LS6 intake manifold to all of the LS1s. But, you can buy that brand new for $400 and it will bolt right onto a 98 engine. Its only worth about 6 rwhp on a stock LS1, not a big difference.
The only negative I consider on the 98s is that the heads have different valvecovers (10 mounting bolts instead of 4) and were only used for 1 year on F-bodies. But, 99+ heads will bolt right onto the block no problem. The computers on 98s also take longer to program for some reason.
If I were shopping for a used LS1 f-body, I'd choose a 99 or newer. If I were going to build a drag car, I'd start with a 98+ V6 and gut the car down to the chassis and replace everything.
Tony
The only negative I consider on the 98s is that the heads have different valvecovers (10 mounting bolts instead of 4) and were only used for 1 year on F-bodies. But, 99+ heads will bolt right onto the block no problem. The computers on 98s also take longer to program for some reason.
If I were shopping for a used LS1 f-body, I'd choose a 99 or newer. If I were going to build a drag car, I'd start with a 98+ V6 and gut the car down to the chassis and replace everything.
Tony
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Re: Model year differences. You really can't go wrong with any year though. If the 98 is cheaper, that is reason enough to go with it. You can spend that money to be as fast or faster than the newer cars.
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Re: Model year differences. any year is a "good" year if the price is right and its in good shape.....
three big things to keep in mind about the 98s:
1) the heads/valve covers/coil packs are different so if you do heads some day, you will need to either get ported 98s, or change everything (heads/valve covers/coil packs)....
2) the 98 oil pumps have had some problems with dying out of nowhere so if you ever open up the motor (heads/cam), go ahead and do a ported LS6 version
3) the pre-00 rod bolts are not as strong as even the factory 00 and up bolts so they are in even bigger need of an upgrade to ARP bolts (don't just upgrade to 00 and up factory bolts, go all the way...) if you plan on really hot rodding the engine.....
no matter what you do, if you buy any pre-01 f-body, swap the stock intake for an LS6 intake and get rid of all the EGR and AIR crud....it really cleans up the engine and gives some more power....
three big things to keep in mind about the 98s:
1) the heads/valve covers/coil packs are different so if you do heads some day, you will need to either get ported 98s, or change everything (heads/valve covers/coil packs)....
2) the 98 oil pumps have had some problems with dying out of nowhere so if you ever open up the motor (heads/cam), go ahead and do a ported LS6 version
3) the pre-00 rod bolts are not as strong as even the factory 00 and up bolts so they are in even bigger need of an upgrade to ARP bolts (don't just upgrade to 00 and up factory bolts, go all the way...) if you plan on really hot rodding the engine.....
no matter what you do, if you buy any pre-01 f-body, swap the stock intake for an LS6 intake and get rid of all the EGR and AIR crud....it really cleans up the engine and gives some more power....
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Model year differences. A couple of good points in favor of the '98s...
They have accurate coolant temp gages (the '00s and later are a joke.)
They have higher capacity fuel pumps and injectors than the '99-00s (28.6 lb instead of 26.4 lb.)
Worst things about a '98 are the exhaust manifold and the LS1 intake manifold. Easy fixes though.
They have accurate coolant temp gages (the '00s and later are a joke.)
They have higher capacity fuel pumps and injectors than the '99-00s (28.6 lb instead of 26.4 lb.)
Worst things about a '98 are the exhaust manifold and the LS1 intake manifold. Easy fixes though.
Re: Model year differences. Well i bought it it's a 98 ws6 only thing i dont like is its an a4 but ill deal with it for the price.. it's fully loaded and has just turned 50k miles, one female owner. i paid 13,5 out the door from a bud whos a dealer in texas. only problem is i gotta go from ohio to texas and pick it up 
oh well i think i got a helluva deal. thanks for all the replies.
Shawn
oh well i think i got a helluva deal. thanks for all the replies. Shawn
