Hey Dave,
my take is 97,97 and 98 identical everything, although a debate is 97 and 98 are a touch "tighter", and may crank out a few extra HP stock, as well as a bit better fit/finish issues as the plant had a year or 2 break in. Those three years respond the best to mods in general, and can pick up 50 horse with a full exhaust, not too shabby!
1999 is the quasi-cream puff, with a cam spec inbetween the 96-98 run, first year of 18" rims.
2000+ is true "creampuff" status, and responds less to exhaust mods as earlier years.
Spilting hairs in general, over 400 to the tires bone stock is hardly "puff" anything in my book, but nonetheless there is a difference.
Keep in mind the fastest recorded run by a mag tester was in a 2000 Rt/10, which puts all the creampuff status to rest quite nicely......
Then again don't listen to me, I don't own mine yet.......
Ryan