My 1998 trans am is pileing up miles

**matt7890_1** · 11-01-2006, 05:34 PM

First of all my name is Matt and i am new here and have really enjoyed the post and the site all together. I live near atlanta ga and the only thing around here is ricers and mustangs. Anyways to the point I bought my 1998 ta 3 yrs ago with 40k mile and now im at 105k and am really putting on the miles since i swiched schools. my ques is how well do these motors and gm componets hold up. Is there anything I need to have replaced as far as things other than tune ups. Also Im trying to see what people think I should do as far as selling my car next spring when i graduate and getting a 05 or 06 corvette. I love my car and would like to keep it I just dont think it would be feasable with that many miles and really am excited about the ls2 motors. I have the ram air ho hood 06 z06 wheels slp exhaust, intake, maf, lid, cold air induction. Also I have read some posts that say the slp induction doesnt add hp to ram air cars, is this true even with the ho as the airbox is still the small crapy one as the ws6 or ss lower box wont fit. I also didnt notice a gain when I put the ho hood on. thank yall for your time and for the great site.

**smokeyburnouts** · 11-01-2006, 07:45 PM

if you keep up on your car, you should have plenty of life left. even after, it will be fairly inexpensive to rebuild/replace the motor, rather than get rid of the ccar in favor of an LS2 powered car. just drive it and have fun

**Jims455** · 11-02-2006, 03:57 AM

The american public has been conditioned over the years to believe that after 100K miles their vehicle is worn out, this is not true. Sure there were some "throw away" cars built in the eighties and the seventies were not friendly do to the manufacturers not being able to keep up technologically. But todays cars can be made to life many more miles by just taking care of them. The smaller cars are harder to keep up, chassiss wise cause they are subjected to theame driving forces as the larger cars but have less "meat" then say a full size sedan or a truck. The engines are very small but are still expected to do a lot of work. My '89 Cavalier went 160k with nothing done to the engine, chassis or starter, alt ect.. all because I tookcare of it. I sold it cause I was bored with it and I wanted something more powerful. My '99 Grand AM has 140K and is still going strong with jsut one issue with a minor coolant leak that I took care of muself. So keep your cxar and take care of it and DRIVE it...

**Followthehollowx** · 11-02-2006, 07:59 AM

Just keep everything basic taken care of and it will last, 100k is nothing for a well taken care of vehicle.

My daily driver in a 1997 Chrysler Sebring with 254k miles on it. The only thing thats been done is alternator/starter/belt replacement, the engine is still running strong. Tranmission is getting a little jerky though.

**matt7890_1** · 11-02-2006, 11:53 AM

Thanx I had a 92 camaro conevrt with 305tbi before this and It was a beautifull car white with black top but seriusly it broke down at least once a week. I love car and want to do everything I can to keep it going. When you say keeping up the car what do yall mean. I do oil change with synthetic every 2500 miles and have had a tune up. Im getting all the fluids flushed this weekend anything else I can do? Also do you know where i can get some pigtails for my rear lights as they are 30 apiece at the dealership

**Jims455** · 11-02-2006, 05:35 PM

Scrounge the wrecking yard for the pig tails, or look up "Painless wiring" they may make some up for you.
Changing the oil regularly is a very small part of the equation. The transmission fluid and filter need to be serviced reguarly and the fuel filter needs to be changed periodically. Check and replace all rubber hoses as needed. Insure all ground wires are in good condition. As things break or loosen repair them instead of neglecting them so problems do not pile up. If you drive over rough roads regularly it will tend to shake things loose on the car so put the car up on jacks and check all bolts underneath. keep the engine bay and clean so it easier to spot problems. Replace your brake padds before they cut into the rotors. F body owners should pat particular attention to how they get in and out of the car as you can easily damage the side bolster of the seat from repeatedly rubbing against it. Keep the exterior clean and be careful not to use abrasive opr strong detergent or high pressure washers that could damage the paint. Keep the car out of the sun if at all possible because the UV rays will fade the paint and shrink /damage plastic parts.

**feet739** · 11-02-2006, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jims455

Scrounge the wrecking yard for the pig tails, or look up "Painless wiring" they may make some up for you.
Changing the oil regularly is a very small part of the equation. The transmission fluid and filter need to be serviced reguarly and the fuel filter needs to be changed periodically. Check and replace all rubber hoses as needed. Insure all ground wires are in good condition. As things break or loosen repair them instead of neglecting them so problems do not pile up. If you drive over rough roads regularly it will tend to shake things loose on the car so put the car up on jacks and check all bolts underneath. keep the engine bay and clean so it easier to spot problems. Replace your brake padds before they cut into the rotors. F body owners should pat particular attention to how they get in and out of the car as you can easily damage the side bolster of the seat from repeatedly rubbing against it. Keep the exterior clean and be careful not to use abrasive opr strong detergent or high pressure washers that could damage the paint. Keep the car out of the sun if at all possible because the UV rays will fade the paint and shrink /damage plastic parts.

Amen to all of that and most of all don"t abuse the car just have fun with it once in a blue moon,you know what I mean opn her up,but don"t abuse.