ok, heres the story, i just picked up a 01 ss for $4800, with a 6 speed and a exenon body kit and 3in exhaust with 104,xxx miles, BUT, it runs, but has a sound in the motor, and when you rev it up, its all good untill the down rev, then it smokes, i believe its oil. now, either i can fix this, or buy a 99 ls1 motor and just put it in, and my question is will a 1999 camaro ls1 motor fit and work properly in my 2001 camaro ss, because i can pick it up for pretty cheap
( my plan for the 01 motor is 600hp build with a procharger. i wanna get it running first so i can drive it while i do the build)

 

Yes, the engines are the same except the '01 has the LS6 intake manifold.

 

I have heard rumors from other camaro ss owners that my specific year has a LS6 intake. Is this true? Why did they put a LS6 intake on the later 4th gen models? Did this add horsepower? If this is true, I should have the same intake plenum as a ZO6 with an LS6, right?

 

Yes, the 2001 and 2002 model year Z28's and SS's were equipped with the LS6 intake. Some were even equipped with the LS6 block with LS1 heads. GM did all this just for supply reasons.

 

You also have a Z06 clutch. Ls6 intakes were put in during 01 and were good for about 5hp more than the LS1. In late 2001 and part of 2002, GM didn't have enough aluminum for LS1 blocks, but already had LS6 blocks, so some F bodies were give the LS6 block. You can find this out by looking for a specific code on the back of the engine block (LS1tech has all the info); there is no performance gains though with the LS6 block.

OP, the 99 also had the EGR while 2000-2002 did not. However, that is of minimal concern for you, but just be aware of it