1998 WS6 or 2002 TA - which one?

[Kicker806]

Hi all - first post on LS1. Sold my 70 455HO GTO last winter and having horsepower withdrawls. Looking at getting into an LS1 TA to hold me over until I can get some "old muscle" again. I'll probabaly hold on to the TA, however, even when I can replace the Goat.

Have come across two TA's - a 1998 WS6 and a 2002 TA - basically the same cars - mileage, T-tops, even the color. Same money, too. Is the WS6 worth going back in years? Any other differences in the cars besides what the WS6 offers? Look forward to learning more about these cars! Thanks!

[slphwk1]

2002 for sure!

[9T8W66]

Do a search on the difference of years `98-02.
But essentially their the same car with the same Power. An LS1 is an LS1 is an LS1.
The WS6 parts (except the hood) would most likely be changes down the road with better stuff anyway.

[dragonchick]

I'd go with the '02 The '98-'00 has the EGR valve, it got eliminated for the "01-'02 models and the '01-'02 got the LS6 intake. Granted The '98 WS6 will have a more beefed up suspension than the base T/A, but a base T/A still has great handling. I had a '99 base T/A (now totaled) and now I have an '01 WS6 T/A. Both handle great. And it won't be hard to "convert" the '02 into a "WS6"

[StuntmanMike]

Def the '02. Likewas said above, no EGR, and they already have the LS6 intake, which is a popular upgrade for the earlier cars.

Plus the '98's have some wierd one year only quirks about them that are probably best to avoid.

Only thing you'll really miss by not buying a WS6 is the hood and emblems, everything else is normally updgraded on these cars anyway, you just lose the fact that you don't have a "real" WS6. Most people change the wheels on them anyway, so it's easy to find a used set of factory WS6 wheels, and you can get a WS6 hood aftermarket from numerous sources if you really want to get the look.

In fact I run used '02 WS6 wheels on my car that I bought from a member on another LS1 board.

[KMdef9]

Do a search on the difference of years `98-02.
But essentially their the same car with the same Power. An LS1 is an LS1 is an LS1.
The WS6 parts (except the hood) would most likely be changes down the road with better stuff anyway.

I have to disagree b/c of what's stated below.

I'd go with the '02 The '98-'00 has the EGR valve, it got eliminated for the "01-'02 models and the '01-'02 got the LS6 intake. Granted The '98 WS6 will have a more beefed up suspension than the base T/A, but a base T/A still has great handling. I had a '99 base T/A (now totaled) and now I have an '01 WS6 T/A. Both handle great. And it won't be hard to "convert" the '02 into a "WS6"

I would get the '02!

[V8MUSCLE]

02. unless the 98 is in much better condition or significantly cheaper.

[SSwt00SS]

i would do the '98 ws6 for the simple fact, it was not as produced of a car, speaking in terms of production numbers, and 1st year of the ls1 in the f-body.

for example, my '98 is only 1 of 1110 ws6's broken down only by the model year, body color and the TA optioned with the ws6 package. it would be even lower if i was able to break it down by the 6spd transmission, and graphite leather interior. now,think about how many are still on the road.

i guess the car you get should depend on how you choose to use it. if you dont care about the miles and will only add to them, then its a toss up. if they are the same price, then go with the newer since lower milage would then be the deciding factor.

there are differences between the '98 to the '02 TA that performance wise would give the '02 TA the advantage (no egr, ls6 intake, less fickle of a PCM to tune, etc.) but really both models are similar outside the ws6 package. all f-bodies regardless of their year, all pretty much have the same issues, so again, a toss up.

[00ls-1]

definitely go 02 you can add a hood and lid and have the look of ws6.. with the 02 your getting the ls6 intake without egr as stated above i have a 00 z28 and am going w the ls6 intake

[SSwt00SS]

dont waste your money on the ls6 intake. if you get an intake, get the FAST and be done with it. im telling you this from personal experience...

[00ls-1]

alright....ill check that out

[SHines-IT]

If your only going to drive the car on the weekends and leave the car stock, get the 98 WS6. If you want to drive it and toy with it get the 02.

[fuel1999]

i would go with the ws6 they are more rare and will be worth more in the long run it would be pointless to take a trans am and try to make it look like a ws6 when you can just buy the ws6 plus the trans am will never have the ws6 option code to prove its a ws6 engine wise the 98-00 ls1 has a better cam than 01-02 ls1 that would respond better to mods in the future

[Mr. Luos]

for example, my '98 is only 1 of 1110 ws6's broken down only by the model year, body color and the TA optioned with the ws6 package.

My 1999 is one of 1000 (give or take apparently) black WS.6's from that year.
Not sure that matters all that much, but it may to some.

I think it depends on if you plan to mod heavy or leave it mostly factory.
Mod heavily? Get the 1998, and update the 'older' LS1 stuff under the hood while modding.
Not much too it....get the 2002 and get a hood for it (if you want one).

[StuntmanMike]

i would do the '98 ws6 for the simple fact, it was not as produced of a car, speaking in terms of production numbers, and 1st year of the ls1 in the f-body.

That doesn't reallly matter, to 99.9% of people these are just used cars. Unless you plan on keeping it for 20 years then MAYBE it'll make a difference, but I'd still think the LAST year of production would be more desireable.

And anyway, if he wanted a rare car, he'd be looking at a WS6 FORMULA, since those are much rarer than the T/A's. I see T/A's all over the place, very rarely do I see another Formula.

[FutureWS6]

isnt the 1998 harder to tune or something like that

[02transamce]

all things being equal,as far conditions of the two cars,i would take the 02 t/a

[RyanJM]

If both are equal I would get the 02 since it's newer and has a LS6 intake. WS6's are ok if you don't mod your cars otherwise there useless. I have a 98TA with a aftermarket WS6 hood. I already changed all the exhaust switched to a volant rather than lid and have a complete suspension from spings, struts, sway bars, lca's and a panhard so basically if I would have wasted the extra money back in 98 all that would be left it the hood. Even the 17's are to small for my taste so I would have the badge too if I didn't pull it off chrome badges look better on Caddy's. Although if it was a Firehawk then I would say go for it. Stick with the 02 if price and condition are equal. Newer is usually better and parts aren't as old.

[Mieux97]

If both are equal I would get the 02 since it's newer and has a LS6 intake. WS6's are ok if you don't mod your cars otherwise there useless. I have a 98TA with a aftermarket WS6 hood. I already changed all the exhaust switched to a volant rather than lid and have a complete suspension from spings, struts, sway bars, lca's and a panhard so basically if I would have wasted the extra money back in 98 all that would be left it the hood. Even the 17's are to small for my taste so I would have the badge too if I didn't pull it off chrome badges look better on Caddy's. Although if it was a Firehawk then I would say go for it. Stick with the 02 if price and condition are equal. Newer is usually better and parts aren't as old.

This

[sjgreen6]

Like you I recently sold my muscle car ('71 Pontiac LeMans Sport 455) and picked up a TA. Since I no longer have time to spend working in the garage every weekend I found a 2002 WS6 Convertible with very low miles.

I think you might be going about this a little backwards, first decide what you want then go find it. Don't try to make what you find into what you want. In my experience this is a great time to find an excellent low mileage car with whatever options you want. If you aren't sure about the two you are looking at, keep looking. Also, don't be afraid to travel for the right car. Shipping is cheaper than most people realize.

Steve