LS1 Guys Check In

[VroomPshhTsi]

What are the main issues to look for in a 98-02 F-Body (or 04 GTO) LS1? I found a few good deals on 98-02 F-Bodies but was wondering if there were any big issues with 98-00 models that were fixed in 01-02.

I have test drove a 98 Z28 and an 02 Z28. The 98 was manual and the power steering pump was on it's way out. Everything seemed fine on the 02.

[Prince Valiant]

Check under the car to see if it has a 10 bolt...if it does, AVOID like the plague!


hiyo!

j/king of course....

[Crawlin]

'01 and '02's came with the LS6 manifold
'98's were a different animal in regards to the computer tuning, but i'm sure Tom could help you with everything no matter what year.

'98's had better fuel pump and larger injectors and weak rod bolts supposedly
'01-'02 had close to '98 injector sizing if i remember right

i'd stick with the '01 and '02 cars to be honest, but that's just me.

Others can tell you alot more than I can.

[GTSLOW]

01-02 hands down. If I remember correctly there was all kinds of better things about them. LS6 intake, LS6 clutch, the newer clutch hydraulics. As for the 04 GTO it will certainly be a little heavier than the fbody with close to the same hp so obviously a little slower. However the interior is much better as is the ride quality. Having owned an 02 T/A and 06 GTO the gto is much better.

IMO try to find a steal on a 05-06 GTO. Also Chris all fbodies have the 10bolt.


Things to look for,

- whining rear diffs above 45 (both gto and fbody)
- sticking clutch pedal @ wot on the fbody (poorly maintained clutch system)
- leaking input seal on the fbody 10 bolt
- rear quarter panels on the fobdies were known to tweak a bit if driven aggresivly (I've seen this personally)

[Prince Valiant]

Also Chris all fbodies have the 10boltU don't say?!?
http://www.nonpopulist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/McBain-Simpsons-Standup-1.jpg

[BAD LS1]

All of the above^^^^ The rest of the car is pretty sound other than wear and tear items in the interior/and on extior components. If its an A4 car, you can probably bet your gonna be putting a tranny in it with aftermarket parts inside of it in the near future if you plan to wail on it at all.

[Taetsch Z-24]

U don't say?!?
http://www.nonpopulist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/McBain-Simpsons-Standup-1.jpg

LOL

SS for speed (also cheaper), GTO for build quality.

[VroomPshhTsi]

I found the link on LS1Tech.com for all the minor changes between years. My big question is reliability, especially on the transmission. I am comparing a 98 T/A with 67k (1 owner) and a 02 Z28 with 37k, both are A4s. T/A only has intake/exhaust and Z28 is stock. I can't vouch for how hard they were beat on, but the T/A is considerably cheaper (almost $3g). Do you think the stock transmission (provided I don't beat the crap out of it) can make it to 100k on a stock/lightly modded engine?

[SLOWC5]

I found the link on LS1Tech.com for all the minor changes between years. My big question is reliability, especially on the transmission. I am comparing a 98 T/A with 67k (1 owner) and a 02 Z28 with 37k, both are A4s. T/A only has intake/exhaust and Z28 is stock. I can't vouch for how hard they were beat on, but the T/A is considerably cheaper (almost $3g). Do you think the stock transmission (provided I don't beat the crap out of it) can make it to 100k on a stock/lightly modded engine?


Might want to PM Kyle A B4C Z I know hes looking to make some ridiculous deal on his car to get rid of it.

Jeff

[JC70SS]

Get the camaro you won't have to deal with the BS headlight motor issues like the TA's have! Kyles car is mint.

[HY35F2T]

Get the camaro you won't have to deal with the BS headlight motor issues like the TA's have! Kyles car is mint.

Agreed.If i could sell my soul i would for his car.

[Yooformula]

get the camaro you won't have to deal with the bs headlight motor issues like the ta's have! Kyles car is mint.


/\this!!!!!!!

[Josepy]

I must be one of the lucky ones with a 10 bolt that never broke and no headlight motor issues. Probably just jinxed myself.

Yoosof all the problems with your car I would of burned it years ago.

[lilws6]

my headlights have been fine and my ten bolt held up to what i put it thru. it was in one piece when i gave it to tom. you'd have to ask him what it looked like inside tho.

[GTSLOW]

I dealt with one head light motor after the other. Then the window motor went out. Also replaced rusted out knock sensors?? Other than that great car.

[lilws6]

my windows are slow now but they still work for now :)

[VroomPshhTsi]

After some searching I found A B4C Z's Camaro. Damn that thing is nice but much too nice for me. I am looking to spend roughly half that (this will be my dd).

So from what I hear the transmissions aren't as bad as some people are making them out to be. Also the window and headlight motors tend to suck. Anything else reliability wise?

[SLOWC5]

You might be surprised what Kyle's thrown out there to move the car down the road.....

Jeff

[GTSLOW]

Get yourself a M6 trust me you wont look back.

Hell I think everyone in here has/had a M6 LSX of some sort. :D

[lilws6]

i love my m6 i would get bored if i didn't use my left foot for something

[JC70SS]

I agree A4 are great for a track only car otherwise 6 speed is a must

[Yooformula]

my windows are slow now but they still work for now :)

there is a wiring kit that is insytalled on the passenger side that regulates/increases the voltage to the window motors keeping them from slowing down & burning out. I replaced 4 motors before finally doing the mod and the windows work fast and motors have actually lasted awhile now.

[0TransAm0]

I have a 2000 A4 with a nice size stall converter and I've never had any problems with it. My car should be putting down just over 400 rwhp on a stock 10 bolt(besides the 3,73's) and also never had any problems with that. Ran all last summer on DR's with some track time and hard launches.. not sure why everybody hates on the A4 over the M6 but I love it and its just as fun to drive with the high stall.

[lilws6]

If i wer building a drag car by all means i would build a a4. But for the fun factor of driving the car i like having the 6 speed. Yoo you got a how to or a part list of this wiring fix? i haven't gone thru any motors yet but i have a feeling one will go sooner or later. i have read somewhere about this but i forgot where i seen it.

[GTSLOW]

If i wer building a drag car by all means i would build a a4. But for the fun factor of driving the car i like having the 6 speed. Yoo you got a how to or a part list of this wiring fix? i haven't gone thru any motors yet but i have a feeling one will go sooner or later. i have read somewhere about this but i forgot where i seen it.

Express Window Mod (http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/expresswindow.htm)

Also I agree completely and even then you can have fun at the dragstrip with an M6.

[outlawgibbs]

I love my 6-speed, Im just upset its sitting behind a LT1 instead of the LS motor but it still moves around just fine for my needs. And I havent found anything better then shifting gears with the top down.

[lilws6]

Express Window Mod (http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/expresswindow.htm)

Also I agree completely and even then you can have fun at the dragstrip with an M6.

thats for the auto down on the pass. side thats not the same thing is it?

[Yooformula]

Express Window Mod (http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/expresswindow.htm)

Also I agree completely and even then you can have fun at the dragstrip with an M6.

not this mod. There is an actual wiring kit that supplies a separate power supply to the pass window so that both dont draw off of the same supply. So when when you raise/lower both windows, one doesnt run slower.

This is the kit...http://www.autotrix.net/Product-Passenger-Window-Fix-Kit_1.aspx

and these are a few links discussing the issue with the wiring to the window motor.

http://www.fbodyonline.com/forum/f20/write-up-how-make-your-own-passenger-window-fix-23707/

http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-145075.html

http://www.autotrix.net/

[lilws6]

Thanks yoo

[SSLEVO]

Great cars, best performance for the money. I had a lt1 m6 and the 10 bolt held up to hundreds of low 12 second passes cam only. I'm onto an ls2 now and love it so far!

[GTSLOW]

Great cars, best performance for the money. I had a lt1 m6 and the 10 bolt held up to hundreds of low 12 second passes cam only. I'm onto an ls2 now and love it so far!

Ported TB and intake on the LS2 work WONDERS.