98 camaros/ firebirds
 

Can anyone explain to me the exact reason why 98 camaros and firbirds have to run lt1s seeing it was the year LS1s debuted in the fbody line with them coming in corvettes a year ealier in 97..

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

Pontiac was the "Official Car" of NHRA
The LS-1 was having "teething" problems
GM claimed that they made LT-1 Firebirds and Camaros in Canada
GM wanted 98 year F-bodys out there
GM didn't want the LS-1 stuff breaking in front of spectators so they only submitted the LT-1 specs to NHRA

It's gonna be a long winter.

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

Billy - The real reason is that the General had no LS-1's for us to race with .

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

I think that I will stand pat on my answer Jack.

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

Last year I sold a '98 Trans Am convertible I owned since late 1998. An LS1 car. When I started going to watch NHRA national events again, and saw "1998" LT1 cars running Stock Eliminator, I asked a tech guy that very question. Was told just what Billy said here. He is correct.

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

There are plenty of LS1's now.

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

Is there a reason to call one a 1998 now? It was for the mfgr's cup back then, so they would show up as new cars.

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

Calling a Firebird a 1998 means you get the newer front end look without having to use the LS1 engine. It is a popular combination for SS/HA and SS/IA.

Re: 98 camaros/ firebirds
 

If you like that front end better, you can have it claiming 1998. Since the LS1 engine that actually came in a 1998, is aluminum, the '98 shipping weight might be a little lighter, could be a plus for higher classes. I never checked on that.