Western Members CA, AZ, NV, UT, CO, NM, HI

Checking a car's VIN.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 14, 2008 | 09:00 PM
  #1  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default Checking a car's VIN.

I'm looking to buy a LS1 Camaro in the next month or so and I keep seeing dealer adds(example below) for '99 Camaro's but they have the black mirrors, which I thought only came on the '98s? So my question is what is the various codes for years and options to also check if it is a real SS and etc. Also any other easily noticeable differences between the years, especially between '98s and '99s since I'm looking to buy a '99 or newer.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/ctd/955938851.html

Thanks for any help guys.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2008 | 09:02 PM
  #2  
hlaalu's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
Default

99 had the black mirrors as well, 2k was the change. check for the WU8 code, that means it's a real SS.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2008 | 09:04 PM
  #3  
hlaalu's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
Default

and after looking at those pics, looks like the right "S" on the rear is on upside down
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2008 | 09:19 PM
  #4  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default

Originally Posted by hlaalu
99 had the black mirrors as well, 2k was the change. check for the WU8 code, that means it's a real SS.
Woops so I was wrong. Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by hlaalu
and after looking at those pics, looks like the right "S" on the rear is on upside down
Wow didn't even notice that, I'll have to ask about it when I go to check it out.

Thanks for the help.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2008 | 09:26 PM
  #5  
hlaalu's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
Default

Originally Posted by oChristiano
Woops so I was wrong. Thanks for the help.


Wow didn't even notice that, I'll have to ask about it when I go to check it out.

Thanks for the help.
np. i only know because i spent a few hours re-applying my SS badges last week. i must have quadruple (sp?) checked the measurements lol

oh and what i would recommend, write down the vin number, and there is a very nice guy on here who can pull up all the info, OR you can even call SLP and they will tell you if it is a real SS or not.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2008 | 03:16 AM
  #6  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default

Alright sounds good. I'll be sure to write it down.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2008 | 04:19 PM
  #7  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default

He replied to the email and this is the VIN he gave me.

2G1FP22G6X2129440
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2008 | 04:20 PM
  #8  
hlaalu's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
Default

cool. give SLP a call. and what did he say about the upside down S? was the care repainted?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-6

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
Old Dec 15, 2008 | 04:33 PM
  #9  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default

Originally Posted by hlaalu
cool. give SLP a call. and what did he say about the upside down S? was the care repainted?
He hasn't replied to that question yet. Hoping he will by the end of the day so I can go check it out tomorrow while I'm running around.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2008 | 05:32 PM
  #10  
allblacksrt4's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Default

or check inside of the door. SS and WS6 will have a 275/45/17 for a tire size and Z28's v6 with either be 1 245/50/16 or a 235.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2008 | 05:50 PM
  #11  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default

Okay so I went and checked the car out today and was actually really disappointed. Both front fenders were popped out at the bottom of the wheel well and did not fit correctly. Was pretty beat up. Interior was okay but had a few broken odds and ends in the center console and seat belt brackets attached to the seat were broke.


Also I was talking to the guy after I had checked for the WU8 code. From what I know the car is not a real SS(also checked carfax and it came up as a Z28 so this was kinda expected) and when I said this isn't a real SS only a Z28 the guy told me '98's and '99's didn't have a code for SS only 2000 and newer did. I find this hard to believe. So this guy just blowing smoke up my *** or what?

Thanks for any help.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2008 | 05:58 PM
  #12  
hlaalu's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
Default

Originally Posted by oChristiano
Okay so I went and checked the car out today and was actually really disappointed. Both front fenders were popped out at the bottom of the wheel well and did not fit correctly. Was pretty beat up. Interior was okay but had a few broken odds and ends in the center console and seat belt brackets attached to the seat were broke.


Also I was talking to the guy after I had checked for the WU8 code. From what I know the car is not a real SS(also checked carfax and it came up as a Z28 so this was kinda expected) and when I said this isn't a real SS only a Z28 the guy told me '98's and '99's didn't have a code for SS only 2000 and newer did. I find this hard to believe. So this guy just blowing smoke up my *** or what?

Thanks for any help.
well bad fenders, broken seat belt brackets, upside down badges... sounds like this car was in an accident.

Also, the guy is wrong, all SS' had the WU8 code
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca....asp?year=1998

oh and carfax shows the SS as a z28. But nonetheless, don't waste your money on the car
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2008 | 06:28 PM
  #13  
oChristiano's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SFV
Default

Originally Posted by hlaalu
well bad fenders, broken seat belt brackets, upside down badges... sounds like this car was in an accident.

Also, the guy is wrong, all SS' had the WU8 code
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca....asp?year=1998

oh and carfax shows the SS as a z28. But nonetheless, don't waste your money on the car
Yeah I wasn't going to bother with that car after that. The guy actually got really bitching after I asked him about it. Thanks for the help man.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:45 PM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE