Well I finnally got a 02 LS-1 M-6, F-Body(Trans Am) just 5 days ago!! I was starting to think I would never come again to this site after I sold my 94 Z28.

Happily here I am and my wife is already complaining again about my computer time on this site.

One thing we both would like to know though is what is the common problem with the LS-1 engine, I purchased a new PCV fitting today and that seemed to be the thing we found most on this site, although we did also buy a new seatbelt guide also, and noticed while shopping for a new LS-1 that the seatbelts were broken on probably more than half of the Trans AMs we drove.

Example on my 94, I probably replaced a opti every year for awhile, coils, map sensors ext... always playing the guessing game with the LT-1. Does the LS-1 have a weak spot?

 

I bought mine new and the part by the headrest is broken if that is what you are talking about.

 

Changed Opti every year?? Thats far from normal.

As far as the LS1, its normal for the engine to "tick" from either Piston slap, or slightly bent rods. So far thats all I know of.

 

Yea, I meant the guide on the headrest, I guess they seem to break alot?
Also some ticking or piston slap would probably be a problem if I felt I was gonna still race like I use to, but right now I am actually debating if I am even gonna put an exhaust, I kinda like it quite. I guess it makes it feel more new to me even though it is a used car?

I was thinking of geeting an electric cut out, this way I can be sophisticate and crazy at my leisure

 

Stock rotors tend to warp easily, and the fuel tank keeps getting empty on me....must be a leak somewhere.

 

lol, I've definatly noticed the gas leak!

I've finnally gotten the car I want, and I'm forced to decide wether to take the Jetta or the Trans AM to work becuase of the gas.

 

Mine gets the same milage as the wife's GAGT, over 20 mpg around town.

 

Weak spots: manual trannys on these cars were crap, and some still are. I went through 4 before my warranty period was up. Piston slap is a common issue... various other small bugs too.

 

WOAH WOAH WOAH....


PISTON SLAP???? COMMON PROBLEM?!?!


whats that costing me for performance/reliablity???


and what do you have to do to fix it?

 

Gas ... pedal ... always ... stuck ... to ... floor ... !!!!

Bent pushrods are only an issue if the motor has been seriously over-revved.

Piston slap is pretty common in most Gen-III small blocks ... even in the 5.3's and other truck engines.

Besides piston slap, the LS1's also make a constant "ticking" noise that sounds like lifters or something ... I think it's the roller rockers?

 

yeah i've noticed something like that. The sound mine makes reminds me of a diesel truck, albiet much, much quieter. It has that rer rer rer rer noice going on.
Is this normal? Although my last car was a Tahoe, and as such i got virtually no engine noise.

 

They make the same sounds as a cast iron block engine, its just the aluminum block lets you hear more.

 

Piston slap is way overblown as a problem... The T56 is a world-class tranny and mine has taken just shy of 600rwhp on a regular basis. The rears are weak and will leak and explode, but overall the LS1 F-bod was/is a helluva lot of car for the money...

 

my '00 z28 has no piston slap or ticking of any kind. 80k miles ... tranny shifts great, but i added a short stick to help it out in the fun area. i dont like the coal truck style tallness of the stock stick. so far i havent had any major problems with mine. i agree, the brake rotors are garbage from the factory though.

 

i hear a lot about the waterpumps always going out early on the ls1,and the pinion seal ive already had to replace mine at 36,000 miles,but those are all very minor things.