Any 92 - 2002 Z28 Camaro Owners ??

[dmnall]

I am thinking of getting rid of my 94 GMC for a 99 z28 Camaro Convertible and am wondering how good are these cars ? I know it is off topic of 67 - 72 trucks but as a Truck and Car Nut maybe someone could tell me are these cars worth owning ??

Thanx,
Charlie

[LS1 K-5 Blazer]

I have a 2001 artic white Z28. Right out of the box it ran 12.99 at 110.45 mph. I love it. I had a 98 and now the 2001. 98 and up are LS1 powered. 93 to 97 are LT1 powered and the 92 is L-98 powered. The LT1 is a good motor. As they get older two things that go bad are the water pump and optispark(like the distributor) The cost anywhere from 300 to 500 dollars. But they make good power and can be made very fast fairly cheap. The LS1 is an aluminum motor. Mine have both been good, but both have used oil since day 1, it is the ring design. The 98 had 98,000 miles on it when i traded it in and it still ran 13.20 at 108.02 mph with a cutout and whisper Lid. Hope this helps.

[dmnall]

Thanks for the information but another question, was your camaros 6 speed manual or 4L60E Auto ?? And what kind of mileage do you pull out of your 2001 z28 ??

I am really seriously thinking of buying that black 99 Convertible but it is an Auto but hell over 120 on the Freeway was pretty cool with that car when I test drove it the other night!!

Thanks Again,
Charlie

[LS1 K-5 Blazer]

6 speed. I have seen as high as 30 mpg average on some trips, depends on how hard my foot is in it.
This mis my current car. I have 4.10 gears, a wishper Lid, cutout and Lower control arm relocation brakets.
12.80s on street tires. 12.50s on M/T ET streets. A cam and headers are going in soon, the K-5 boned me, it spun a carrier bearing and screwed up my whole time schedule.

[Ackattack]

I have a '01 formula (see specs in sig)
Mine hasn't used any oil since I've had it (14000 miles). I haven't really had any problems with this one. I did have a 99 T/A before (also 6 speed) and was told from the dealer after trading it in that they were replacing the rearend....they're weak for the amount of power they had. It also didn't use oil. I've gotten a best of 28 mpg.

I would be in the 12s with it if I were a better driver, but with a 2.360 60 foot time...kinda hard to do.

I haven't had a 'vert though. I did drive one once. I thought it had a huge blind spot. Both of my cars have had t-tops which I like...like a hardtop, but on nice days, you can just pop out the tops and have the open air....kinda like the best of both worlds.

If you want to know more about these cars, check out LS1.com, LS1tech.com, camaroz28.com.

I would suggest getting a 98 or newer if you can afford it. It will take quite a bit of work and money to get an LT1 (cam and headers at least) up to the power level of a stock LS1.

[Txstruck]

GF has a black 95 Z28 auto and it does use a little oil or maybe it leaks it. but it is stock and is very fast and strong! Cany hardly keep good tires on it.

[Tony]

I read an article by a GM engineer about the LT1 oil consumption problem. In certain situations, like low rpm driving, the piston rings loose their seal enough to let some oil pass by.So some cars may not experience an oil control problem and some will. The article didn't mention what is considered excessive oil use, like a quart every 1000 miles or whatever. All I know is these Camaros offer a lot of bang for the buck and they make genuine V-8 noises, not some farty sounding V-6 or turbo 4

[SCOTI]

My GF bought one of the 'collector edition' T/A's w/an auto. It pulls hard & rides fairly smooth for having 17's. It has the t-top option (which I hate w/a passion since they will eventually leak). The car gets lots of looks & thumbs up everywhere it goes & is hard to miss w/the bright yellow & black paint scheme. My biggest complaint (besides the t-tops) is the damn thing makes more valvetrain noise than my ancient original 6cyl in my beater 68.

[Ackattack]

The t-tops in these are much better than the old 3rd gen camaros and vettes had. I don't think leaking will be a big problem.

You are right that the valvetrain is a little noisy, but that is because of the high tech roller lifters that are in them. Just something you have to get used to.

[SCOTI]

Her mom has a 01 vette & it doesn't make 1/2 the noise. Of course the dealership feels it's not excessive. I guess I'll bring both of them up there & when the dealership tells me that again I'll let them listen to the vette & then tell me there isn't a difference. Still a smooth ride though for everyday commuting.

[Zurbo]

I've got a '98 SS that is my pride and joy right along with my '72.

I've got piccy's of both on my wesite which is in my sig.

[dmnall]

Thanks for the information. Hopefully tomorrow, a friend of the family is going to look at my 94 Gmc sierra and if they pay off what I owe, I will be going down the Chev Lot and buy that 99 z28 Convertible black w/ gray leather w/ Auto (downside) but at least I will get the car for 3 - 4 grand below Blue Book!! And hopefully the car will get better then 18 mpg, that my GMC gets and that truck has a 4.3 l Vortec V6 !!

Thanks Again,

Charlie

[gangforward]

Here's my "other baby"

Between my 67 C10 Fleetside and this baby I feel like I've got the best of all worlds. Don't drive the Z in the winter. I dedcided to keep my 95 instead of trading it in, and put a lingenfelter 406 in it. Best choice I've ever made!

[Project1970]

You'll enjoy a fourthgen, that's for sure...

My brother's ride is a very-near-stock '94 Z28 6-speed. An absolute blast to drive around town, on the autocross, or on the strip...

[jmil1974]

I had a 96 Z28 convertible, 6 speed. Do yourself a favor, wait and get the stick. Best transmission I have ever had or used. F-bodies are CHEAP because most people don't want to put up with their quirks. Your resale will suck too, so don't be shocked. There's a reason a dealer is selling to you so cheap. If you're buying, you can get the one you want if you wait. Look at the classifieds on the web sites mentioned above. You'll likely be able to get a modded car for the same price.

LS1s can have what's known as piston slap, from ring design and short skirted pistons. This is a common affliction for 98-mid year 2001s (all LS1s). They are awesome motors if you don't get one of these. Even then, most find it livable once warmed up.
LT1s are strong and cheap to mod. Most oil loss from these motors is leaks, rear mains, and esp. the intake leak. Optis are notoriously bad and water pumps are not uncommon. These motors easily run 150-250k miles, depending on the care given. LS1s might be slightly less due to the aluminum blocks, my opinion on this one. Can't beat the power and smoothness though.

My ragtop leaked. I could have fixed it with some new rubber but I sold it b/c the wife hated it. My suggestion, go hardtop for the tightness or ragtop for fun. The websites mentioned above are AWESOME resources. Theyare great cars, I kissed 30 MPG on a trip or two in mine and they respond famously to mods. Good luck.

[PHOENIX]

I wish I could afford a z28 with 6-speed

Some day..................

[Project1970]

You'd be surprised how cheap they are...I think your average '93 to '97 Z28 6-speed is under 8,000 now...I wouldn't be surprised to see some for $6000 or less.

[Brian76GMC]

I have a 2000 Sebring Silver Z28. I swore I would NEVER buy a new car until I test drove one of these bad boys. The LS1 is an awesome engine. I had mine run 12.08 with just bolt ons and have gone 11.6 @ 117 with a lil bit more camshaft and some mild head porting. I have replaced the factory 4L60 trans with a built one, the stockers are good for cruisers not drag strip abuse. I also ditched the stock 10 bolt for an aftermarket 12 bolt rear. I bought the car with the intention of making it a mid 11 second true street car and still be able to cruise to the beach 200 miles away with the A/C on, mission accomplished!
I would not buy one of these f-bodies for a daily driver. If gas mileage is a concern look elsewhere. A 6 speed car will get respectable mileage on the highway if you can keep your foot out of it. The other thing with these cars is driving on wet roads/in the rain. It does not take much for the rear end to break loose and fishtail.
Best of luck if you do buy it, they are sweet cars!!!

[Jeff M.]

My brother has an '02 Z-28 rag top. It has the auto. He just klicked out 24 mpg on a run to L.A. He said he had about 20 miles in town off of the freeways driving. Oh, the wet roads aren't a problem with the traction control on. Its that dark blue, looks black in the shade, with black top, the chrome plated wheels, and the extra ground effects. Nice lookin ride.

[dmnall]

I just bought a used 2002 z28 w/ 9,942 miles at a great deal!! So far this car is great but could have been better w/ a 6 speed trans.. Overall I am glad that I did because I am getting 24 - 25 mpg on freeway so far.. A lot better then 16 - 18 w/ my GMC truck that I traded (4.3L V6 in that 94)!!

[sgtjed]

i have 97 z28 with a 6 speed,t-tops and fully loaded.
all i can say is WOW!!!! its pretty quick and i get pretty good gas milage. havent had a problem with it yet.
i gotta say ,that you will be way happier with the 6speed over the auto. i have driven both and the 3:42 gearing in the 6speed cars feels just right for these cars. the auto's that i have driven felt a little to soft for my taste.
but either way ya go these cars are blast to drive.
my 70 truck was great to drive but gotta admit that the z28 has all the creature comforts and decent gas milage over my 70 c/10.

[dmnall]

I know I would be happier with a 6 Speed but I have to say that so far I love this 2002 z28 I bought except for the fact that if I hit a dip in the road a little too fast it scrapes!! Other then that it is a great car that I am getting so far between both town and freeway driving, I am averaging 22 mpg !!