LS1 block question

[AV8]

Hey guys, still kinda a new guy and I got a couple questions if anyone cares to throw out some opinions/knowledge:

Backgound 1st-

I have a 98 (i think) LS1 with the 806 heads out of a ws6 (or so I was told). I plan on changing the heads and associated valve train to aftermarket (afr hopefully), intake to a fast, going with headers from BRP,bigger injectors later, upgrade the cam and various other upgrades. This is a LS1 swap project into a v6 G-body. Since I plan on making all the normal LS1 upgrades to this engine I am not worried about the performance really.I am not a street racer/drag racer/high horse power junky (yet) so I am going to keep it fairly mild for now.

Questions:
1. should I be concerned about the 98 block?
2. is there any suggested mods to the block that should be done before I undertake the external/internal mods?
3. Any trouble with the stock bottom end with the 98's?
4. can I use a later model ECM? if so which ECM's are the best for reprograming with these mods?


Thanks all
any help/opinions are appreciated

[casperss]

What G body are you putting this into?

[AV8]

ah..
sorry
82-88 g-body
regal

[casperss]

there is a sticky on this swap on malibu racing I'm a g body fan also 80 malibu for me

[AV8]

yeah, I know how the swap goes.. got most of the goodies for that..
but I was searching more for the 98 LS1 info more than anything...

I know its one of the oldest ones out there... but mine only has 50K miles on it along with the tranny... so I really dont want to just give up on it..
Plus i think they are still a valid platform to build on...

thanks for the malibu racing bump though..
I am also a member over there - love that site aswell infact thats where i bought 3 of my 5 buicks.. one of them being a pretty rare 87 T-type limited.. and dont worry.. I am not converting that one... she is sitting in the barn for when I want to restore 'er and she will be keeping the turbo 3.8...

[FORD RECOVERY EXPERT]

I don't know of any short block defects that pertain only to 98...

The pistons are the weak link in most all of them... and as you prolly know, they have perimeter bolt valvecovers....

[AV8]

That's good to know... I think I remember reading something about an oil passage that needed to be ported... But not sure...
Also, seen a grand national at a show with a LS3 that was using a ls1 ecu... Didn't know if it really mattered which ecu to use since I am running an aftermarket wire harness..
Thx for the block info
- matt

[blackSS01]

Rod bolts upgraded for sure, oil pump issues on the 98's also Its hit or miss with the oil pump but better safe then sorry. I have more info on the differences with the 98 thru 02 blocks at home and I'm at work. When I get off I will post everything I got

[AV8]

Any info on the 98 shortcomings would be great. I figure if I know what's wrong with it then I can upgrade it

[shady milkman]

ok ..well the block's oil passageways are restricted and different then the 99+s ..the perimeter valve cover bolts are kind of a pain. 98 pcm has some tuning limitations. Those are the big ones..that and the exhaust manis are very restrictive, even compared to the 99+s ..and the fuel regulator is not on the fuel rails on a 98 as compared to the 99+s.

[shady milkman]

we also are known for having bearing problems also i believe.

[shady milkman]

The pistons are the weak link in most all of them...

we have very good pistons..do you mean connecting rod bolts ?

[AV8]

Yeah I can't say i've ever heard of piston problems other than piston slap on the 97s- but bearing problems could be a bad thing... Not much I can do about thatuntill they spin...now the rod bolts I have never heard about.. Do you mean the connecting rod?

[shady milkman]

Yeah I can't say i've ever heard of piston problems other than piston slap on the 97s- but bearing problems could be a bad thing... Not much I can do about thatuntill they spin...now the rod bolts I have never heard about.. Do you mean the connecting rod?

no the connecting rod itself isn't the weak point..but the bolts we use. that is why it is recommended that once we get close to 400-420 crank we upgrade to some arp connecting rod bolts....the stock ones are known to fail..obviously leading to some serious problems

[AV8]

Oh wow I did not knowthat one! Thx I will make sure I Change thoseout when I change the oil pan!
Thanks that will save me headaches done the road am sure

[shady milkman]

Oh wow I did not knowthat one! Thx I will make sure I Change thoseout when I change the oil pan!
Thanks that will save me headaches done the road am sure

yea some people get by without changing them..but quite a few dont..and personally ..if i have several thousands in my engine..im not going to cheap out on 200 buck bolts to save it ya know...in Russian roulette..there is always 1 bullet in some chamber

[AV8]

Well I agree with that logic... Do it once and do it right..
I was already planning on using arp head studs so no big deal to buy another bolt kit

And you hit the nail on the head -450-500 is the magic # for hp
I think its very possible with the 98 ls1 and that will be pretty good power 4 a street cruiser for a g-body

[AV8]

anybody know if it matters which computer you run if I am doing a custom wire harness? (painless wire harness)


like i said this is a 98 block and its getting upgraded for LS swap.

thanks again all

[shady milkman]

anybody know if it matters which computer you run if I am doing a custom wire harness? (painless wire harness)


like i said this is a 98 block and its getting upgraded for LS swap.

thanks again all

well no you could run any 98+ pcm...BUT for ease of tuning etc..go with the 99+s ..also remember it might be a bitch to get the gauges to work..especially the fuel gauge...you should pm frost and talk to him about it.

[0rion]

the mains don't have windows in them like the 99+ blocks do and the back oil passages are 2 round holes instead of one hogged out area. Those are the 2 main oiling issues with the 98's and contribute to the spun bearings. That being said as long as you don't spin the motor very high and upgrade the rod bolts I think you'll be fine.
There is a write up somewhere I'll try to find that shows exactly how to repin for a 99+ pcm. I know people hate the 98 pcms but I can't tell you for me that it's that much of a big deal. I have a 98 heads/cam car and it's what I'm used too. I know there are some differences that might make tuning easier but the 98's can still be tuned.