Hello,
If this is the wrong forum for these questions I apologize in advance. I'm new to the site. I just bought, sight unseen from out of state, a 2002 SS Convertible. It was just delivered yesterday (yay). (I previously owned a '96 Z28, and got to missing it.)
My '02 temp. gauge is running a lot hotter than my '96 did, at or just above the 210 degree line. Is this normal for this car? Also, my '96 had an switch "ASR" I think it was that would turn the slip limiter on and off; the '02 doesn't have one. Is this an option that just didn't come with this car? Or do none of the '02's have it? The car's owners manual is missing so I can't look things up there; I do have a bid in for one on ebay. Also; any advice on what kind of oil to use? Change diff. oil? Any other advice, comment on the care and feeding of my new "friend"?
(If this is the wrong place for these questions, please advise)
Thanks
dacook

 

the ASR was an option, some came with them, some didn't. and yes it was for traction control.

the temp guage on 99+ fbodies is basically a dumby light only...reads the same temp anywhere from 160-220 degrees...basically useless. i installed a 160* stat in my 99 and expected the guage to drop like my old 96Z....WRONG...but according to my scanner i'm running consistent 170 on the highway and the guage still reads 200ish way to go GM

i would go through and change all the fluids, unless you know they have been changed recently. that way you KNOW when they were done, to keep a schedule for the future. as for engine oil i would go with 5w or 10w in the brand of your choice, my favorite is mobile 1 but its getting $$ any good brand synthetic or synthetic blend will do just fine, just keep a routine schedule.

 

Throw new plugs, wires and a fuel filter in it too. Better to know whats new and what not.

 

Yep, ASR was an option. Since you don't have an Owner's Manual yet, here's one online that should get you through...

2002 Camaro Owner's Manual

As for oil, all of the LS1 engines started coming from the factory with Mobil 1 syn starting in Sept of '01. I'd stick with that. 5W30 or 10W30 weights, depending on where you live.

Enjoy the ride!

 

Yep, that temp gauge was first thing that bugged me about the 02 car over the 97 LT1 car. I think 98 was the last year for a functional temp gauge. Just fot the record GM changed it because of too many complaints from people who should have NEVER sat thier butts in one of these cars. The complaint was that the gauge fluctuated. Go figure.

Hey teke184, did you get that miss fixed?

PJ

 

oh...and run good gas

PJS...as for the miss...no...still have it. dealership wouldn't touch it.

 

Thanks for the info. and advice. I had all the fluids changed, synthetic everything. There is a plaque in the engine compartment I hadn't noticed before saying Mobil 1 5W30 from the factory. The dealer advised against doing the plugs with this low mileage. It runs great, not a ding on it, tires hardly worn, looks brand new, I think I got a good one.

 

how many miles?

i've changed plugs on both of my Zs...and LT1 with 55k miles and my new LS1 with around 50k miles...

on both cars the little platnum pucks on the sparkplugs were missing from 4 of the 8 plugs!!

that means they were running with gaps of about .80" or so

first thing i would do is change plugs to some good inexpnesive NGK tr55s gapped to .60"

 

Mileage is 16,670. The service rep said the plugs should be good for 100,000. ?Not true?

 

There are many opinions on when to change the plugs, but one thing most everyone agrees on is that they don't last for 100K miles. Some say the plugs from the factory are gapped all over the place. Personally, at 16K miles I wouldn't worry about it. Others will say to replace them now. It's up to you.

 

for $16 and a few hours of fun working on your car....why not change them.

and NO the plugs won't last that long. you can proably hold off for a while, maybe wait till you are doing some other work or mods to do it.

but like i said, it's not like it's a lot of money or a huge hassle.

 

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard (the temp. guage). I know I'd rather have guages that behave than perform a function . Some people should stick to hondas and toyotas.

 

I just landed an SS myself. I had a '91 Firebird and changed the plugs on that. It went pretty well except for #7, I beleive. For that one, I needed an extra elbow in my forearm.

Is it still a b!tch on the '98 and newer ones?

 

The plugs are ALOT worse! It took several hours just to put in my wires, they were the 10.4 mm though. The last 2 on the pass side are the worst!!

 

The plugs won't go 100k, I know the dealer claims the they will but realistically they will not. Changing them is the best idea, and it gives peace of mind.