4th gen guys, need a little help! - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

yotaman96 · 11-19-2013, 12:36 PM

Main difference in the heads is they're perimeter bolt instead of center bolt. Not a big deal really. Some say the newer style flow a little better. The 99 and up ecu is better for tuning. I think you got a great deal. I bet it could win some awards in a stock class just based on color and condition.

BullF-16 · 11-19-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yotaman96

Main difference in the heads is they're perimeter bolt instead of center bolt. Not a big deal really. Some say the newer style flow a little better. The 99 and up ecu is better for tuning. I think you got a great deal. I bet it could win some awards in a stock class just based on color and condition.

Yea, i just read this about the heads on Z28.com Not an issue. Im already thinking new heads, cam, exhaust and tune. My wife will have none of that though

nascarnate326 · 11-19-2013, 08:09 PM

I love all the hate on the 1998 cars, I just never understood it.

Who cars about the heads and intake, they get changed anyways.

Any competent tuner will have no problem tuning a 98 PCM.

Fuel pump, racetronix either way.

If anything the negative stigma for the 1998 makes them cheaper and more available.

I jumped at the chance to buy mine and I think it turned out great.

Car is awesome, LOVE that color.

JJ#48Racing · 11-19-2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

I love all the hate on the 1998 cars, I just never understood it.

Who cars about the heads and intake, they get changed anyways.

Any competent tuner will have no problem tuning a 98 PCM.

Fuel pump, racetronix either way.

If anything the negative stigma for the 1998 makes them cheaper and more available.

I jumped at the chance to buy mine and I think it turned out great.

Car is awesome, LOVE that color.

I agree, having a 98' car hasn't held me back with my goals at all. The limitations of a '98 are minimal. The intake isn't as good, but that applies to the 99'-00' cars as well. LS6 intakes are cheap to find and serious builds would change out for a FAST intake anyway. Head choices are more limited, but if I remember correctly you can always buy center bolt valve covers with the new heads to remedy that if you really want. I have perimeter bolt heads from Patriot and they suit my needs well. The ECU isn't an issue either with a decent tuner as long as the build isn't extreme.

One positive about 98's people forget is they actually have a slightly bigger cam and bigger injectors than the 99'-01' cars.

BullF-16 · 11-20-2013, 01:45 PM

Well the wife just brought it home. Its gonna stay stock so PCM, heads etc are all non issues. Besides i have a spare LS3 in my garage that can go in it if needed.

I have my fun mod toy, Im going from 758whp to 1100+ in the next month. funny thing is that my custom TT setup is gonna cost more than this damn near 15 year old brand new car.

nascarnate326 · 11-20-2013, 08:55 PM

the other good thing about early 98's like mine is that the sail panel will not bubble.

BullF-16 · 11-20-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

the other good thing about early 98's like mine is that the sail panel will not bubble.

Interesting, i just checked the owners manual and the one owner of the car bought it in Jan 98, so this bad glue is not a problem on this car, seems pretty early being it was bought in Jan 98.

nascarnate326 · 11-21-2013, 06:48 AM

Awesome. I believe it was around May or June MFG dates that the sail panel resin was changed and resulted in bubbles years later.

Really unfortunate because I know of a lot of really nice 01-02 cars that are garage queens that have this issue.

PHXLT1 · 11-22-2013, 11:01 AM

Good thing it wasn't an LT1 car or you'd have issues.

fbodyrs96 · 11-22-2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHXLT1

Good thing it wasn't an LT1 car or you'd have issues.

Why? Just causes its an lt1

Edwin320 · 11-22-2013, 02:34 PM

Oil pumps had issues on the 98 as did fuel pumps. And the fuel tank is a bit smaller (about 1 gallon smaller I think). My wife had a 98 Z28 auto convertible. It was a great car. Enjoy!

PHXLT1 · 11-22-2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbodyrs96

Why? Just causes its an lt1

No, because LT1's are a pita to work on and once the "issues" show up they are usually a bitch to find. Look at any LT1 sight and you'll see countless "my car won't start" or "my car pops and stumbles" not to mention the infamos "bad opti" threads.
I'm not saying that the engine itself is bad because its pretty durable. Just have to remeber the car is nearly 20 years old so many things will be wore out. Its just when the gremlin shows up its a bitch to chase away. LS1 cars are easier in many ways.

fbodyrs96 · 11-23-2013, 12:07 AM

It all depends on how the car was took care of, and yeah most lt's are high miles and worn out. But if it was 97 bpm in the same condition I wouldn't have a problem buying it. I never had any problems with the 3 that I owned, granted they were almost new at the time, heck my 95 ta was bought in November of 96.

BlueRay2ss · 11-23-2013, 02:39 PM

Wow! Its like looking in a mirror! My daughters just walked in and asked "Is that your car mom?" My purple has t-tops, It had 106,000 miles when I bought it 2 years ago, 111,000 now. I absolutely love it! My sons are 19 and 16 and there's no way they drive it unless myself or hubby is in passenger seat. It's a fun car to drive, your wife will love it!

11-19-2013, 12:36 PM	#15
yotaman96 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS1LE 2000 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, TN Posts: 2,955 View My Garage	Main difference in the heads is they're perimeter bolt instead of center bolt. Not a big deal really. Some say the newer style flow a little better. The 99 and up ecu is better for tuning. I think you got a great deal. I bet it could win some awards in a stock class just based on color and condition. __________________ 2017 Krypton Green SS 1LE Magnacharged 2000 Trans Am WS6 manual trans 2002 Trans Am 2015 Ram Crew Cab Cummins

11-19-2013, 08:09 PM	#17
nascarnate326 Team Green Drives: 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Olivet, MI Posts: 288	I love all the hate on the 1998 cars, I just never understood it. Who cars about the heads and intake, they get changed anyways. Any competent tuner will have no problem tuning a 98 PCM. Fuel pump, racetronix either way. If anything the negative stigma for the 1998 makes them cheaper and more available. I jumped at the chance to buy mine and I think it turned out great. Car is awesome, LOVE that color. __________________ '98 Camaro Z28 M6 -Toy '07 HHR LT - DD

11-20-2013, 01:45 PM	#19
BullF-16 USAF retired! Thank God! Drives: 2011 1SS, 1LT red,1LT/RS SGM 98Z28 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,799	Well the wife just brought it home. Its gonna stay stock so PCM, heads etc are all non issues. Besides i have a spare LS3 in my garage that can go in it if needed. I have my fun mod toy, Im going from 758whp to 1100+ in the next month. funny thing is that my custom TT setup is gonna cost more than this damn near 15 year old brand new car. __________________ HKE LSX427(Mast blk lbl 305 6bolt LS7heads, PatG231/246 blower cam, RWHP/TQ: 1281/1133 SNL Performance Custom Twin PT6766 BB turbos 4 to 25psi selectable on the Boost Leash controller, Squash dual 400LPH/ID2000s, ALKY 4 gal meth, Autometer AFR/Bst/oilpres/oiltemp/fuelpress gauges, Pedders Justice road crs pkg: All HD bushes, supercar 12kg coil overs, supercar ZL1 sways, camber plates all setup by JusticePete! :Gforce 9" 35spline S-Trac, 1500hp Outlaw axles, 3.5"alum DS, Monster Triple disc; 4xForgeline 19x10.5 4xBridgestone 305/30R19 RE-11, CTS-v calipers/rotors/Cobalt friction XR1/3 pads

11-20-2013, 08:55 PM	#20
nascarnate326 Team Green Drives: 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Olivet, MI Posts: 288	the other good thing about early 98's like mine is that the sail panel will not bubble. __________________ '98 Camaro Z28 M6 -Toy '07 HHR LT - DD

11-21-2013, 06:48 AM	#22
nascarnate326 Team Green Drives: 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Olivet, MI Posts: 288	Awesome. I believe it was around May or June MFG dates that the sail panel resin was changed and resulted in bubbles years later. Really unfortunate because I know of a lot of really nice 01-02 cars that are garage queens that have this issue. __________________ '98 Camaro Z28 M6 -Toy '07 HHR LT - DD

11-22-2013, 11:01 AM	#23
PHXLT1 Drives: black Z28 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: el mirage Posts: 1,323	Good thing it wasn't an LT1 car or you'd have issues. __________________ My family 1994 Z28 (mine) 2015 Camaro (wife's) 2015 Silverado (mine!) 54 Belair (wife's) 2004 silverado (daughters)

11-22-2013, 02:34 PM	#25
Edwin320 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Convertible A10 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 427 View My Garage	Oil pumps had issues on the 98 as did fuel pumps. And the fuel tank is a bit smaller (about 1 gallon smaller I think). My wife had a 98 Z28 auto convertible. It was a great car. Enjoy! __________________ Ed 2018 ZL1 A10 'Vert

11-23-2013, 12:07 AM	#27
fbodyrs96 Drives: 1996 Camaro RS convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: Calhoun GA Posts: 370	It all depends on how the car was took care of, and yeah most lt's are high miles and worn out. But if it was 97 bpm in the same condition I wouldn't have a problem buying it. I never had any problems with the 3 that I owned, granted they were almost new at the time, heck my 95 ta was bought in November of 96. __________________ Borla_PRO_XS_Sound_Clip Cammed Open Headers Kris

11-23-2013, 02:39 PM	#28
BlueRay2ss Drives: 2013 2SS/RS 2013 2LS 1998 Z28 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 98	Wow! Its like looking in a mirror! My daughters just walked in and asked "Is that your car mom?" My purple has t-tops, It had 106,000 miles when I bought it 2 years ago, 111,000 now. I absolutely love it! My sons are 19 and 16 and there's no way they drive it unless myself or hubby is in passenger seat. It's a fun car to drive, your wife will love it!