LT-1 vs.LS-1 1998 F-body Stocker question?

[Ed Wright]

It was a bogus deal, probably so GM would be able to win the Mfgr's cup thing again, they were furnishing NHRA's trucks, right?

Really makes no difference otherwise, they were no faster than the '93/'97 cars. No advantage at all, just gave guys running other brands something to cry about. The '98 front clip won't make one run any faster.

The Ford and Chrysler companys are the ones that may have come up short there, if they have anything new for 1998 that was being raced so they might have won that. Probably just a silly trophy anyway. I had just started to come back watch a few in '98, so don't know if they did or not.

[W J]

Alan, if I were to convert a '98 LS-1 Formula Firebird or Camaro to a LT-1 motored car, wouldn't the complete K-member, plus other front suspension pieces have to be changed to accomodate the LT-1? Also, do the LS-1 motored '98 cars have the motors set back farther than the LT-1, or??? Does NHRA check v.i.n.'s on these 1998 4th gens that are made into LT-1's, or are most people using '97 or older LT-1 or even V-6 cars, and making the small body trim and nose changes, in order to call them '98 model yr. cars? What works w/NHRA here, and what does not fly w/them? Thanks. WJ

[Alan Roehrich]

I'm no absolute expert on the late model F body cars, I have friends that race them, I'm an old school guy. I can work on the late model cars, I'm sure I could build one from the ground up, but I'm far more comfortable with the old stuff.

You need to talk to someone like Bobby Brannon, Woodro Josey, or Painter Stevenson.

[Ed Wright]

To put an LS1 in my '96 Trans Am I need the front K member and wiring harness. Then the front clip to make it look like a '98. Not sure if the fenders are different or not. I own both models, but have not look into the fenders. The backup light/tail light assemblies are different in a '96, but look the same as a '97. $100.00 each from the GM dealer.They have never checked a vin with any car I have ever raced.

[W J]

Thanks for the help, Ed and Alan.
Warren Lederer......WJ

[Ed Wright]

If it's an SS car with motorplates, I doubt you would need the K member. Mine still has rubber mounts off the stock K member. Mine ain't very SS.

[Jeff Lee]

See my point? Just change a few hundred dollars worth of parts and call your '98 a '97 if you want to run an LT-1. Junkyards are probably full of these cars by now. I know I see some pretty tattered 4th gen F-bodies on the street.

[Ed Wright]

Jeff's right. They are common and cheap.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

To put an LS1 in my '96 Trans Am I need the front K member and wiring harness. Then the front clip to make it look like a '98. Not sure if the fenders are different or not. I own both models, but have not look into the fenders. The backup light/tail light assemblies are different in a '96, but look the same as a '97. $100.00 each from the GM dealer.They have never checked a vin with any car I have ever raced.

Ed - Don't need the K-member and wire harness -- do need all sheetmetal forward of the windshield including fenders - also - tailights etc --- VIN's don't matter ............