I am new to the ls1 game. can someone tell me the differences between years, as far a performance, reliability, best year, and different features for each year.also twll me what the ls6 package consists of. I want something I can transform into high 12s without a lot of mods.I have 2 I am looking at now-- which one? 98 ta-81,000 miles new factory rebuilt tranny, all stock, white owned by guys wife(no bs) she got a new monte carlo ss. price 10,300.only has k+n box filter.2nd 0ne--- this one I love but am wary of-- at a car lot(I hate those guys!)2000 ram air, pewter, ws6 package 77,900 miles. dont know any history of the car. could of had the heck run out of it.But looks like a monster!! 10,990. so would be sales tax too. help!!snareman

 

The 2001-2002 had the LS6 intake which is a great mod. 98's have slightly different heads than all the other years (you would need new valvecovers if you ever wanted to do heads). Plus the PCM on 98's is not as good as 99+. Other than that they are basically the same. You won't notice the PCM difference to go 12's though.

The LS6 package had a different cam, intake, and heads. You can get ported LS6 heads relatively cheap these days. Getting in the 12's should be easy with an LS1. My 99 ran a 13.12 with nothing but a torque converter. Easy mid-12's on a good tire.

-Geoff

 

If you do some searching and reading you will find much much more info.