Camaro Reliability and upkeep.

HXMan · #1 09-14-2002, 01:34 PM

Hi, new to this forum..but not new to cars. Currently the owner of a once turbocharged 97 Civic Hx that ran a 13.7@104 with 7psi of boost. I was putting down about 210whp. With a better 60ft I am sure low 13's were possible, but I didn't run at the track any more.

I sold the turbo kit, and my civic is just about sold as well. I am in the market for a newer, faster car. A camaro would be great. I love the looks, and love the power.

What I am looking into is a Camaro with the LS1 engine(98+??), 6 speed, maybe T tops....and not spending more then ~$19000

My civic is a VERY reliable car, and even while turbocharged it served me perfectly.

I am wanting the views from camaro owners on their cars problems, and how major they were. Plus, why?

If I get one, my plans are maybe to get an exhuast system, intake....no major mods because I want a fast, reliable car that can get me to and from work everyday dependably. I am the kinda person that takes VERY good care of their car. Oil changes every 1.5k, rotate tires, check plugs, wires. Plus, I don't beat on my cars too much, just occasionally.

Sorry for the long post, but spending $20k on a car is alot to me. Plus, I have alot to learn about other cars besides hondas.

BlkCamaroSS · #2 09-14-2002, 02:39 PM

Sounds like you're a clone of myself.

I show mine when I can, but like to do the occasional 1/4 mile run.

You should have no problem finding a 98-99 Z28 for the price you're looking at. May take a while, but don't settle for one that you don't fall in love with dearly. Make sure it's what you want, makes it alot easier to make it a labor of love.

As for problems, I've only had two. One was the clutch return spring on my 01 SS, snapped in two. Quick easy fix at the dealership. The other was a bent shift fork that I did when I was powershifting. It was my fault, but it was replaced under warranty. I've had no problems with T tops leaking on either of my Camaros. LS1's aren't hard to work on, unless you're trying to change your spark plugs. Then, the last two that are under the cowl are pretty damn hard to get to. Some get to them by coming up from underneath it. It sounds like your plans are where my car is currently. If you see a post of mine after next friday, check and see what my new 1/4 mile time is. I hope it'll drop some. The time that I have posted is the only time that I've ever run, and now that I have a helmet, I hope to get in about 15 runs on the 20th. Hope this helps some. I love my car to death, hope you can find one that please you just as much. Let me know if there's anything else that you need.

HXMan · #3 09-14-2002, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the info. If the guy who wants to buy my car, I will probably not get a new car until next summer. Just buy a beater for the winter.

What kind of milage do you get with your car??

BlkCamaroSS · #4 09-15-2002, 01:44 AM

I get about 20 mpg in the city, and about 30 on the highway. It doesn't use any gas when traveling 70 mph at 1650 rpms in sixth gear.

HXMan · #5 09-15-2002, 11:38 AM

So what kind of gains powerwise did you get with the mods you have??

BlkCamaroSS · #6 09-15-2002, 12:24 PM

I dynoed last spring with everything in the sig except for the Y-pipe. It dynoed at 307 rwhp. Convert that to the crank and you get 353 hp. That means that I have 18 hp more than what it was originally rated at 335.

HXMan · #7 09-18-2002, 06:17 PM

Anyone have the HP/TQ numbers for these camaros??

1994-2002.

Z28 and SS??

BlkCamaroSS · #8 09-18-2002, 06:52 PM

Mine are in my sig. HP and torque at the rear wheels and corrected with everything in the sig except for the y-pipe (put that on yesterday

).

HXMan · #9 09-24-2002, 08:55 PM

I just found a beautiful 2000 Red SS....for not too much money, and only 23,000 miles.

I need to sell my car....it is pretty far from my house, but I don't care. If it is nice I will probably be buying it.

There is also a 98 Z28 I have my eyes on. The owner says it has a LE package....1 out of 99 that year.......

BlkCamaroSS · #10 09-24-2002, 10:01 PM

I'm sure you'd have a blast with either one, and then you can lower your sig time down more by picking up where the HX left off...

Yomama · #11 09-26-2002, 12:44 PM

HEy Blk, We have the same year car. My Dad left me his when he passed away on Aug 26. 2001 SS Black all decked out, with 7000 Miles on it. How do I find out what number it was?

BlkCamaroSS · #12 09-26-2002, 01:32 PM

Yomama, it's easy.

1. Go to www.slpeng.com, and go to their message forums.
2. You're gonna have to register as a member of the forum in order for SLP to help you out.
3. After registering, make a post in the "Camaro SS/Firehawk Build Numbers" forum that includes the VIN # from your vehicle.

SLP will post on your thread what number your car is out of the 6332 produced in 2001 after a few business days. They're generally pretty quick about it. You might even be able to get the build date for it if you ask them when you post.

Sounds like you have an awesome car there, though I'm sorry about your loss. You have alot less miles on it than I do mine, so I assume that it wasn't a daily driver like mine is. Does it have any mods to it?

Yomama · #13 09-26-2002, 04:01 PM

NOT YET!!!! SOON

Yomama · #14 09-26-2002, 04:16 PM

their fourm is down!!!

BlkCamaroSS · #15 09-26-2002, 06:26 PM

I happens from time to time, just keep checking back.

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