diff. between a 97 and 98 up Trans am

**snaggeltooth** · 09-04-2006, 12:46 PM

Not a question about the engines but just car for car .. Anyone had both ???Is the build quality any better ??

**candlelit** · 09-04-2006, 02:02 PM

I'm also interested in opinions between the LT-1 and LS-1 TAs.

**snaggeltooth** · 09-04-2006, 05:41 PM

Ill try and give a little more info.. I have a 97 T/A and of corse it has the LT1. I know the LS1 is faster. I am seeing the 98+ cars droping in price alot. So I was wondering if the 98+ are better built cars ...

**tigersport14** · 09-04-2006, 07:07 PM

i would hope so but im not sure, dont most come with leather interior?

**snaggeltooth** · 09-04-2006, 07:18 PM

as far as I know they all have leather ...my 97 does ..

**tigersport14** · 09-04-2006, 07:24 PM

oh ok, yay i learned another thing from these forums

**Wyoming T/A** · 09-04-2006, 07:32 PM

had a 95, 97, 98,now have a 99,very little difference in any of the cars except motor,liked all of them

**candlelit** · 09-04-2006, 09:05 PM

just the motor & front end is the noticeable differences I think. but how's the handling between the 2 and the power/speed wise? more reliable? the ls1 should get better gas mileage right?

**F-Bomb** · 09-05-2006, 06:41 AM

i had a 97 now i have a 98 the only difference other than what is posted. lt-1 is more difficult to work on in comparison to the ls-1 it seems that horse power is easier to acheive with the ls-1 also lt-1 had more of an overheating issue when it sat in traffic.

**Redphoenix1998** · 09-05-2006, 07:34 AM

NOt much differences at all to be honest but from what I heard, the 98's were build a little better than the 99+. Less squeaks and rattles because I guess they did some assembly by hand before the plant was fully automized the next year. That's what I heard but it was never confirmed

**snaggeltooth** · 09-05-2006, 08:46 AM

What about the windows?? do the seal any better ?? I can deal with a rattle or two ..

**landstuhltaylor** · 09-05-2006, 08:54 AM

leather was an option, not standard

**Armor** · 09-05-2006, 05:04 PM

I currently own a '97 T/A and a '99 WS6 Forumla....the differences between the two are primarily cosmetic (engine and power aside

) My '97 is a hardtop with cloth interior, the '99 is a T-Top with leather interior. Cosmetically, the '98 and up have a different nose, a different hood and vents in the front quarter panels. The interior options are the same from LT1 equipped vehicles to LS1 ones. Suspention and handling packages are the same as well. As to which looks better, it's a matter of personal preference...personally I like the smoother, more aggressize looks of the LS1 equipped cars. The REAL difference is in the motor....and if you are looking at both LT1 and LS1 equipped cars to purchase, take my word for it, it's a BIG difference...the LS1 is much more powerful. My '97 LT1 is low miles, and has a bunch of bolt-ons....CIA, catback, programmer, ect, ect....but even with all that, it's no match at all for my bone stock LS1 WS6....lots of LT1 owners may say different, but I have both cars, and I know the truth...

...the LS1 is superior, period....

As for "quailty" issues....a few things were fixed as the 4th gens evolved...but overall, there really is no significant quality difference between an LT1 and LS1 equipped F-body. They all seem to have the same problems.

Armor

**Scorch** · 09-07-2006, 07:23 AM

LS1's react better to mods. LT1's are good though because of the iron block. They take a hell of a beating.

**Scorch** · 09-07-2006, 07:25 AM

I've had a 93 Formula, 96 Trans Am, 95 Formula, then a 99 Trans Am. Love them all. Although I prefer a TA over a Formula, it was hard to find one and I didn't want to be too picky since it was just appearance that was different.