hey guys i have a 3.8l yeah i know not the fastest on the block but at least it is an f-bod. however, i am planning on doing the V6 to V8 swap. and don't worry guys i'm not badging the car as a Z or SS i know you guys who have those paid the extra money for the car and title. and maybe someday i will be able purchase an SS or Z of my own but until then it is the conversion for me. that is where my question comes in what was the best year of the LS1? by best year i mean Preformance to which has the least amount of mechanical problems. any information on this would be greatly appricated. thanks guys
Brett

 

1998 is the best bigger injecters and a little diffrent cam than all the rest.

 

01-02's might have an LS6 in it

 

no considerable differences in any year engines.if there were any improvements besides minor power enhancements they were minor.


yes some did have an ls6 block which might be good for a few more HP.01-02s had a little more power but if you get get an earlier motor cheaper just go with that and mod it.

 

I would say 2002. LS6 intake, possible LS6 BLOCK (not LS6 engine), mild cam upgrade, and 2002 had an increase in build quality. True fact, belive it or not.

I may be biased, though.

 

01-02 F-bods are the fastest

 

another vote for 01-02.

 

Fbodies are like a fine wine, they only get better with age. (another vote for 01-02)

 

"I would say 2002. LS6 intake, possible LS6 BLOCK (not LS6 engine), mild cam upgrade, and 2002 had an increase in build quality. True fact, belive it or not."

i understand if you have the ls6 intake, whats different with the block, 4bolt? bigger stroke, bore?
do you mean ls6 engine like in the zo6 405hp?
please clarify, thanks

 

All 01 & 02 LS1 & LS6 blocks share the same design. They are however, still different due to the casting method used. The LS6 block is stronger because of it. All 03 LS1 & LS6 blocks are manufactured using the same stonger method. Good news for vette owners. Some f-bodies and Y-bodies got an LS6 block while still getting an a LS1 as far as the other engine components are concerned. They got the block simply to keep production schedules when LS1 blocks were not available. It did not matter if your car was an SS, WS6, Formula, or Z28. It did not matter if your car was built early or late, although the chances were better if your car was built late since the LS1 casting method was being phased out. There is a P/N on the back of the block that will id it as an LS6 block. You need a mirror, two elbows on the same arm and a flat head to see it. The easier way was pointed out by a guy on a local board. Look at the front of your block on either side ot your TB. If you do not see a raised circle on either side, you are a winner. Also, the LS6 block will appear to be darker than the LS1 block because of the casting method.

Yeah, I work the over night shift and have way too much time to cruise the boards and pick up info like this. Do a search on LS1Tech for the P/N if you like. The visual method was discovered by a guy named Carl on BADRAP.net, screen name Country Boy.

Good luck on your inspection. I have a LS1 block.

PJ

 

Owning a '99, i'd say 01-02.

98s have a slightly different computer, i don't know if it makes a big difference, but oddballs are not good unless you plan on buying your own set of LS1 edit/EFI Live (if you plan on modding like that at all).

01-02 had .2 lb/hr smaller injectors compared to the '98s 28.8. No big deal, still good for 150 dry shot. 99-00 have 26lb/hr

01-02 make more power than the earlier years b/c of the LS6 intake, despite having a smaller cam (that cam was able to lower emmissions to not have a need for EGR)

02s have a redesigned pass. exhaust manifold which is supposed to be better.

I find it tough to believe better oiling on the LS6 block will create any hp, it is good for an increase in strenght that is (not oiling, the block itself.)


All of this being said, i would base your decision on price and what works best for you. There are plenty of people here who are close to 100k miles w/ a strong running engine still.

 

1 more thing, if buying it w/ a 6 speed, the 01-02s have a much better master/slave cylinder. Doesn't matter for a stock car, but an aftermarket clutch doesn't want to work w/ the other years setups

 

It seems like the LS1's have gotten alittle better every year.

Like said before, the '01-'02's have the LS6 Intake Manifold.

But any year LS1 should be fine, I guess it depends on how much you get it for and how many miles are on it.

 

or you get an older one and just buy a ls6 intake and make more power because they have a bigger cam...
just buy what ever one is in your price range. there is not much of a difference, like maybe 10 hp between all the years.
my $.02

 

i would have to second the 01-02 LS1's as being the fastest. i have a few friends with LS1's and with the same mods, the ones with the 01-02 cars are considerably faster than the 98-99 cars. dont know why, they just are.