What's the best LS1 F-body year (1998-2002)?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 131
What's the best LS1 F-body year (1998-2002)?
I have a 94 z28 w/ 130k miles. Thinking of upgrading to a newer Camaro, or even a Trans AM.... Just wondering which year is the best, or if there is any clear difference. Most people will agree that 95 was the best year for the LT1 F body.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,719
From: Bay Area, CA
I'd say 2001/2002 becuase of the LS6 intake manifold. Other then that all the other little changes are minute. But here are some side notes.
-98 has a gas tank that is about one gallon smaller then the 99-02 gas tank
-98 - early 00 the SSs came standard with good suspension
-00 was the first year for radio controls on the steering wheel
-98 has a gas tank that is about one gallon smaller then the 99-02 gas tank
-98 - early 00 the SSs came standard with good suspension
-00 was the first year for radio controls on the steering wheel
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 989
From: Rochester, NY
99 of course
Just kidding. No the 01's and 02's as previously mentioned came with the LS6 intake. They tend to dyno about 10-15 rwhp more then 98-00 models. However if your gonna do Headers and LSX intake manifold at any point and time then it really does not matter what year you get.
So the honest answer is 01 or 02 but realistically if your gonna mod then get the best deal you can and don't worry about it. 98's & 99's can be had for well under 15k now
Good Luck with your car hunting!
Just kidding. No the 01's and 02's as previously mentioned came with the LS6 intake. They tend to dyno about 10-15 rwhp more then 98-00 models. However if your gonna do Headers and LSX intake manifold at any point and time then it really does not matter what year you get.
So the honest answer is 01 or 02 but realistically if your gonna mod then get the best deal you can and don't worry about it. 98's & 99's can be had for well under 15k now
Good Luck with your car hunting!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,308
From: Oshawa - Home of the 5th-gen
'98 - '00 used a cam with higher lift than '01 - '02, so in theory, if you put the LS6 intake on a '98 - '00 LS1, then you should dyno higher than a stock '01/'02.
Basically, the best year LS1 is the one which you can afford, and the one that you own
. They're all good, they all dyno pretty close to one another, so basically pick your price range and/or mileage range that you're looking for, and happy shopping!
.Basically, the best year LS1 is the one which you can afford, and the one that you own
. They're all good, they all dyno pretty close to one another, so basically pick your price range and/or mileage range that you're looking for, and happy shopping!
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 139
From: martinez, CA
Originally posted by Capn Pete
'98 - '00 used a cam with higher lift than '01 - '02, so in theory, if you put the LS6 intake on a '98 - '00 LS1, then you should dyno higher than a stock '01/'02.
Basically, the best year LS1 is the one which you can afford, and the one that you own. They're all good, they all dyno pretty close to one another, so basically pick your price range and/or mileage range that you're looking for, and happy shopping!
'98 - '00 used a cam with higher lift than '01 - '02, so in theory, if you put the LS6 intake on a '98 - '00 LS1, then you should dyno higher than a stock '01/'02
.Basically, the best year LS1 is the one which you can afford, and the one that you own
. They're all good, they all dyno pretty close to one another, so basically pick your price range and/or mileage range that you're looking for, and happy shopping!
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 615
From: Lexington, Kentucky
Originally posted by Capn Pete
'98 - '00 used a cam with higher lift than '01 - '02, so in theory, if you put the LS6 intake on a '98 - '00 LS1, then you should dyno higher than a stock '01/'02.
'98 - '00 used a cam with higher lift than '01 - '02, so in theory, if you put the LS6 intake on a '98 - '00 LS1, then you should dyno higher than a stock '01/'02
.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 514
From: Columbia, South Carolina
From my point of view, i work on mine alot, it has all the bolt ons, ported heads, nitrous, and then im getting a matching cam and turbo400 tranny and a big stall in the future so i was better off with a cheaper older LS1 since stock for stock all LS1s run the same anyway all im really in it for is an LS1 motor itself which power train wise is the only thing good.
However, i wouldnt mind spending the extra money on a newer one since they already have the LS6 intake and would come with lower miles n most cases which is REALLY good to have when you start doing head and work to the bottom end of the motor, buying an 01-02 will save you from buying a new intake in the future, plus they are easier to work on becaus they dont have that EGR and some air hoses, and the spark plugs are easier to change in the passanger side becaus of the way the coil packs are on the 99+ models btu the coil packs and EGR is nothing really. Eitherway, you wont go wrong with any LS1. There are LOTS of little differences in them, some help and some dont and when the dust settles they dont really run any different, that LS6 intake is pointless on an LS1 unless you at least have headers and ported heads. If you have the money go ahead and get a newer one with less miles and the LS6 intake.
However, i wouldnt mind spending the extra money on a newer one since they already have the LS6 intake and would come with lower miles n most cases which is REALLY good to have when you start doing head and work to the bottom end of the motor, buying an 01-02 will save you from buying a new intake in the future, plus they are easier to work on becaus they dont have that EGR and some air hoses, and the spark plugs are easier to change in the passanger side becaus of the way the coil packs are on the 99+ models btu the coil packs and EGR is nothing really. Eitherway, you wont go wrong with any LS1. There are LOTS of little differences in them, some help and some dont and when the dust settles they dont really run any different, that LS6 intake is pointless on an LS1 unless you at least have headers and ported heads. If you have the money go ahead and get a newer one with less miles and the LS6 intake.
Last edited by KamaroL98; Apr 4, 2004 at 07:11 PM.