What to look for in an LS1 car...?

[Z28]

Well I'm probably gonna get rid of my car when the winter comes this year.

As a replacement car I want to get another Camaro but obviously with an LS1. I want to buy a car that is completely stock and build it how I want from the ground up. Since most of you guys have a lot of experience with them I want to know of any issues you guys have ran into over the years aside from 10 bolts breaking or just the really well known issues.

[KLAB]

The first thing you should look for in an ls1 caris the ls1 engine. Just kidding. I been poking through the ls's in my area just to see what they're like, I'd check under the floors for rot obviously esp around the rear seat floors, any kind of body damage,, and get an 02 or 01 because they have the better 411 pcm and ls6 intake amongst other goodies. As far as maintenance I don't know never owned one check the oil lol

[camarokid91]

My rear end is fine it has 115k on it and it had my 433hp motor beating on it for 15k miles.

Get a 99 or newer the ECMs are not good in the 98's I think they are the slower lt1 style ECM. Also the 01-02's and some 00' come with the LS6 manifold which is a plus.

[BigMac76]

Steer clear of the 98's, it's the first year of the LSx in these cars and they were basically the bastard child such as the 93 LT1's were.

I know you have mentioned previously that you were looking for a t56, still going that route or looking for an auto as well?

Obviously you want to check all the common stuff, oil & pressure, coolant level & color, etc. and you will also want to verify what has or hasn't been done to the car. Let the car start up and get to operating range and check temp on the cluster. Usually if the car has been tuned or chipped the fans will trigger early, ~200ish. Stock I believe low kicks in at 220ish, not sure because mine was not stock lol. Also look for any signs of bodywork, right up your alley for any "forgotten" incidents, headlight/fender/door gaps.

[Z28]

Going to T56 route this time around. The goal is to find an unmolested Z28, I just want to really go thru the car so I am going to have to do my homework as far as what's normal for these cars such as temps, oil pressure, etc. I just don't want to start modding the car and break something I can't afford to fix. But my goal is as such

Heads/cam/intake
Bolt ons
Sunoco hood and ss wing
Nice set of wheels
Good suspension to handle the drag strip
Supporting drivetrain mods

I've only driven one ls1/6speed and the car has high miles as well. I noticed that it had trouble getting in and out of reverse...

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

guys are right stay away from 1998. i have one tuning sucks! ls6 intake is a nice freeby on the 01-02 cars. listen for anything out of the ordinary when its cold. a good tapp in the engine and id walk if it were me. if its been warmed up BEFORE you get there. id maybe look and go back and start it up cold. alot of engine noises "go away" when its warm.

[KLAB]

Supporting drivetrain mods...

Ha....

if its been warmed up BEFORE you get there. id maybe look and go back and start it up cold. alot of engine noises "go away" when its warm.

Thats a good point :klab:

[BigMac76]

Yup, make sure it's cold when you get there. Piston slap and valvetrain noises get washed away when it's warm.

Oil pressure should be around 60 psi cold, 45-50 warm and under light load. Mine usually runs like this until the oil starts to thin out, then runs about 40-45 psi hot, and about 45-50psi under a moderate load, casual driving at highway speeds.

[smokinss]

I wouldn't consider piston slap to be a bad thing. My 06 Chevy 5.3 has it and so does my 99z28. It goes away as soon as it starts to warm up. It is a pretty common issue. Its when it doesn't go away is when there is a problem.

[LSX-Nation]

A bunch of ls1 f bodys have piston slap I wouldnt worrie too much about that. 01 and 02 have the ls6 intake 241, head and a little bit better clutch apparently .

[fluffy]

if its still making noise when its warm be careful some ls1s do seem to get lifter tick and unless u wanna pull heads immediately i would stay away... see if odometer is at 0.0 if he pulled the battery to clear the check engine light, oil pressure and if u get a chance to get under the car where the spring seats in the rear tend to get really rusty and even break... check clutch engagement, all the basics, oil consistancy, coolant smell and color etc etc, synchros in the t56 have been known to go in the t56 with abuse, exhaust smell make sure it isnt sweet, just general stuff tires brakes all that good stuff that goes with any other car

[Z28]

Well it looks like ill be looking specifically at 01-02's unless a MTM or Hugger Orange Z28 pops its face up.

And thanks for the tips guys, I tend to overlook things being a kid and what not

[LSX-Nation]

I wouldn't pass on a 99 and up. The differences sound big but they don't add up to much.

[*LS1* Queen]

all ls1s have that little slap/knock but like they said if it doesnt go away once its warm then there is an issue..mine has had it since i bought the car in 03 lol... also lookout for alot of smoke driving or reving it up..yes they are oil burners but u have to watch out for worn seals, rings...also always check the rpo codes..someone can always bs u saying such and such came stock..def keep an eye out on the 01 and 02s as well as the ls6 intake some also came with the ls6 heads casting number is 243..u could get lucky and find one.. good luck on your search.

[DemonWithin99]

agree to the 99' + route if the coin isn't an issue then by all means aim high, but you should be able to find an unmolested or mildly modded ls1 for a decent $.

(or replace anything with a newer crate ls1 great price) my brother's runs quiet as a fkn prius right now... lol
puts down good base numbers and sounds nice when you know all it has is a catback.

[Z28]

I think I'm gonna try and set a 8k spending goal. That way I could find one listed for 10k or so, and talk it down. I'm going to try to find a Z28 because I won't feel bad doing visual mods. Hopefully I can't find a black one for a good price, that's what I'm looking for right now unless a rarer color comes up for sale