I had to sell my 99 Z28 due to financial reasons. I am hoping for a nice pay raise soon and want to buy a slightly used 00-02 Camaro SS. When I had my Z28 I was surprized to find out it used oil, about half a quart per 2000 miles. I was able to live with that. Not that I had a choice cause the dealer said that was commercially acceptable according to GM. So I sold it while I could to pay off some bills and eventually get my dream car.To get to the point: what year did GM make changes to the LS1 to stop the oil usage and piston knocking. In other words what year SS should I be looking for??

 

I had a '98 Z28,(bought new), that didn't use a drop of oil or have any "piston knock"? When I sold it it had about 17,000 miles on it and ran like a top, plus with the 6 spd. tranny I got almost 29 mpg. highway. I recently bought an '02 SS, 6 spd. and LOVE IT! I have 3200 miles and she hadn't used a drop of oil before changing it. I don't hear a "piston knock" in the motor either. Personally if you can afford it I'd buy a new '02 SS, break it in right and enjoy the heck out of it, I think the LS1 F-Body is the perfect combo regardless of the year. Good luck!!

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'02 35th anniversary edition camaro SS, 6spd, hurst, t-tops...K&N filter

 

Thanks for the advice I guess I'll just find one I like and look it over really well. What is the right way to break one in any way?

 

The service guy told me to "vary the speed" for the first 500 miles and not use the cruise control for about 700 miles, which I did. Also someone else on this site said something about using deceleration as well as acceleration to wear in both sides of the pistons. I took mine up a nice long canyon road,(accelerating in different gears), and coming back down I used the gears to slow down, didn't use the brakes one time. I'd go through the gears and then slow down using the gears, 5th, 4th, and sometimes 3rd, it was a blast plus the motor really seems to be loosening up nice. I've got over 500 miles on the oil change and haven't used a drop, I'm using Mobil 1 and the oil pressure runs close to 60 all the time now. I love these beasts!! Good luck....

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'02 35th anniversary edition camaro SS, 6spd, hurst, t-tops...K&N filter

 

I have 34K on my 98 and no useage, though I would get the 01-02 for the better manifold, and the other differences.

 

My 99 SS has 56k miles on it and has never burned a drop of oil between changes. If the car was properly broken in, and the oil changes regularly, I don't believe there is an oil consumption problem with these engines.

Most of the oil consumption stories you'll hear are probably due to owner abuse and lack of proper maintenance. If you buy a used one, find one with the maintenance records to prove the oil was changed every 3K miles. Take it for a test drive, then check the oil. If the oil on the dipstick is dirty, the car has not been maintained properly.

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1999 Camaro SS Convertable, #613, A4, Red / Black Top / Graphite Leather

 

I say buy an 02.They brought back 0% financing so your payments might be lower.Just a thought

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2001 Camaro SS M6
11.901@115.82 1.71 60 ft.
342 hp 355 ft/lbs
Boltons running on DR's

1990 Eclipse GSX M5 stock for now

 

I am happy with my 98....No oil burning or piston slap or anything. Just pure no hassle(knock on wood) fun.

Seth

 

I am happy with my 98....No oil burning or piston slap or anything. Just pure no hassle(knock on wood) fun.

Seth