Ok, SO i bought a 98' 3.8L / v6 / auto camaro about a month ago. Wasn't really looking for a camaro, but i got what seems (so far so good) to be a kick a** deal.
The cars looks ok, and (again so far) runs, drivesand shifts great. Plus, beleive it or not, gets better gas mileage than what I was previously driving. So overall I'm happy.

I am not however, sure that the person I bought the car from was completely straight with me...but i was fully aware of that possibility before i bought the car.Anyways, thus comes my questions.... lol

I bought the car from a guy who builds race cars for a living, and who (it seems) wheels and deals in cars on the side. I was told that when he got the car the motor was blown. He bought it cheap &because he had a buddy who had a wrecked 02 who he could buy cheap as well... so he switched out the motors.

Thus comes my first question: Is there any way to tell if the motor is the original motor or if it is indeed out of an 02? Vin number or something like it that would be located somewhere on the motor? Some other difference between the two I could look / check for?

I was told the car had 119K miles on it when he got it, and the motor hadapprox. 42K miles. (title marked as non actual mileage @ 119K)However, the odometer isn't working. By not working I mean it is not lit up. He (seller) told me it was that way when he bought it and he took it to advance / some auto parts place and had them check the computer for mileage ; as in the mileage is stored in the computer. Is that true?

My next question also has to do with the odometer/ mileage. What would cause the odometer to not read anything / not be lit up? Is this something easily fixed or checked?

Honestly I'm not stressed about how many miles are actually on the car, or if indeed the motor has been switched. I got the car pretty cheap, and it's just a daily driver for me. (atleast untill it snows, then i'm back to the jeep lol)Like i said, so far it's running great so it's serving it's purpose for me. I am curious though and would like to fix the odometer if possible.

any ideas or suggestions?

 

hmm, u mind saying how much you got yours for? i bought mine last spring for 3500, but the guy wasn't very honest with me as well, and i ended up having to put a new engine, clutch and tires in it.all in all though i'm now very happy with it, cuz i've got just about all the bugs worked out. you'll find they're the best cars money can buy. anyhow, congratulations on the new car. as long as the engine is running good, thats all that matters

 

I'm curious as to how you know it gets better mileage if your odometer doesn't work... As for if the engine has been swapped out or not, you could check the exhaust manifolds. In either '99 or '00 GM started putting tubular style manifolds on the Camaro, whereas '98 would still have the "log" style manifold. This would be one way to tell if the engine was indeed swapped. Unless he put the old ones on the new engine, in which case you would have to find another way to tell.

 

I paid $2400 for mine. Don't mind saying, just figured ifI put that in the original post those who might reply would be more apt to think the guy lied. lol
He seemed pretty straight up, but then again you never know about ppl. ya know? Regardless, yeah runs and drives great... Body has a few minor issues; stone chips in the paint, scuffs on the nose (to which i've since addedmore lol), interiori had acouple burn holes, but cleaned up nice. So i'm not complaining or even all that worried about whether or not the engien has been swapped, but it wouldstill eb good to know if indeed there is a way to tell.

Oh, and the gas mileage thing.... I pretty much drive the same routes.A trip that would eat atleast a 1/4 tank in my jeep really doesn't even move the needle in the camaro. (or barely moves it anyways) so no, i (obviously) don't know exactly how many mpg i'm getting in it, but i do know I fill up a lot less than in my jeep.

Will check out the manifold thing. thanks
any other indicators? Or info about the odometer?
Much appreciated.