which camaro to buy

hello, this is my first post on the forum and i have some camaro questions. me and my dad were thinking about a third generation camaro for a project car. i was thinking a car from 1984-1989. i have a goal of anywhere from 500 to 600 hp for the final result. i wanted to know what engine/year car i would get the best/easiest results from. would a carburator or tpi work better for me, Transmission? even though it will probably get replaced, i know a V8 will be needed and probly a 350, but i wanted to get some sugestions from you guys. i know there will be a lot of work and rebuilding to be done, but im looking forward to it!

get an IROC

naturally aspirated, your best bet would be to go carb. if tpi is what your looking for, i'd suggest 1990-92. in 1990 the tuned ports switched over to speed density which is more forgiving and far less expensive to replace than a MAF sensor. if you go with tbi, it is well capable of 500-600hp. dont mess with a holley 670 throttle body, get a 454 throttle body and have the bores milled out to 50mm, that'l bump it up to 750 cfm then use an injector spacer. but tbi was only available on 305's...atleast in the camaro's it was.

which ever you go with, get a pair of good flowing heads, Vortec, torquer SR's, edelbrock etc. then get a cam and intake to match.

if you dont already have an engine, get a 350 and stroke it, or get a 400. for 5-600hp you'l probly wanna go with a th400 or a well built 700R4

Just wondering what would make you choose the 3rd gen when you could get a high-mileage 4th gen 1998 Z28 for prolly $6k? Seems like the availability of parts and upgrades might be worth it.

thats a waste newbie...high milage sux ur gonna need a new eng soon so why not just get a 3rd gen to swap? they look better

well if youre gonna just end up swapping everything out, i would save money by getting a sixer and converting it. if you dont want to go through all that trouble then i would say get an IROC...

i just have always loved the 3rd generation

just buy an IROC thats ur best bet.

its partly my dads decision too. considering he is the one who is going to help me out with the build i want him to like the car we our working on

well man, look at my car...its an IROC...i have a new eng now but even when i had the tpi modded it was HELLA fast it would be a no brainer if i had to decide again..

i like the idea of getting just getting a third gen and doing a swap, i dont want to do a conversion, rather stick to a V8, so say i get a 86 with a high milige 305 V8 and swap the thing for a 350, then what year 350 would i get for it?

u can get a low milage IROC or just one that has already been swapped but if u get a 305 and goto a 350...pull it out of a suburban...(knock 4th gens out of the question u'll have more room in a 3rd ;))

imma tell u what i tell everyone. Get a first gen ;)

get a chevette and a frame extension and a 454!!! :O =O

here is what I would do if I were you... pic up a '93 Z28 with a lot of miles (easily find for no more than $4000) then bore it 30 over and put a stroker in it ($800) and then get the LT4 conversion ($2000). Right there for not much money you got a bad-ass ride!!

"3rd gens best looking camaro's".... i don't know about that, I would take any camaro over a 3rd gen (i still like them more than most any other car though)

why u gonna stroke and bore a high mile car? thats a waste

why u gonna stroke and bore a high mile car? thats a waste

engine rebuild.... 383 stroker will come with your cylinders and crank, and the lt4 conversion has your cam, manifold and heads. all you need after that is gaskets and its like a brand new engine... hence buying a high milage engine instead of getting a new one and then replacing everything that doesn't need to be.

Hmmm...im going to soon be shipping my Camaro to me and it has a low mileage LT1 swap in it. Would a LT4 conversion work well with what i have? (its an 89 Z28) And the other things you pointed out? Oh yeah and the car has been sitting in a garage for three years now since the guy blew the current transmission. It was born manual, then he got the LT1 and put a 4 speed auto in it. (fried it fast) Would any of those suggestions help me out any? and would it be a good idea since i have to do an engine rebuild anyways hence it sitting lonely in a garage for three years? And what transmission would you suggest? i just want a decent not to expensive manual one i can beat on a bit and not worry about it breaking. I was looking into a T56 but they are a bit spendy. Any ideas? Sorry for all the questions and for not just making my own post... :rolleyes: :grinno:

here ya go... these part numbers are from Summit:

Lt1 to lt4 conversion (nal-gmp3287-2) for $2,329 includes heads, valves, springs, manifold, cam, roller rockers, and gaskets... 425+hp

383 stroker kit (sum-csum383kit) for $1,079.95 includes 3.75 crank, stage 2 rods, pistons, sealed power rings and gaskets, bearings, and oil pump

b&m tranny (bmm-112002) for $987.95

high strength drive shaft (ied-cf8200) $324.95

ram clutch set (ram-88516) for $349.99 includes pressure plat, disc, bearing, and alignment tool

then just throw on this vortech supercharger (vor-4gh218-060s) for $3,615.95

and since you now have all this HP your probably gonna need a new rear-end... SLP sells a complete Moser rear axle assembly for $2395.87 (65054B)


... now all you need is $11,000 :)

i think im going to get a high milelige iroc and just do the swap to a 96-99 taho or suburban 350, i think there the ones with the stock vortec heads that are suspod' to be really good.

is there any way i could just get by getting the Clutch set, Stroker kit, LT4 kit, and the tranny...? haha im scraping bottom trying to afford the car in the first place. :banghead:

is there any way i could just get by getting the Clutch set, Stroker kit, LT4 kit, and the tranny...? haha im scraping bottom trying to afford the car in the first place. :banghead:

yeah, of course... those part numbers are for 93-97 lt1, so check on them first to make sure all that shit will work in a 3rd gen with an lt1

I just bought my 89RS with no rust and only 100k on the original 305 engine for 2k. Body's in good shape too. I spent 500 bucks on eibach springs and gas shox then dropped another 250 on a new radiator. For a cool 2-3k you can swap the tired old 305 with an LT1 or LS1. If u go with a fourth gen. camaro, you'll have a better front suspension, but u can always get the control arms pressed at a machine shop too.

thx a lot guys

I will go with a 94 z28... they have better computer, accesorise, shape, body, parts are about the same to find replasement for, plus they come with more power... I got my 94Z28 and I put everything new, engine 350, transmition, computer,etc and I have spent 9500 so far on it.. and it works perfect
I will go with a fourth generation... they are the best year camaro. looking and speed...

If you are building a camaro I wouldn't put anything but a camaro engine back in it. LT-1's are dirt cheap or you can find low mileage LS-1's w/ tranny on e-bay for around 2 grand and no one will argue that it is about the strongest motor. It all depends on what you want. Before you make your descision I wish you would go to one or both of these 2 sites below and ask the same question.
www.ls1tech.com
www.camaroz28.com

whats with all this lt1 , whats wrong with a regular 350 block , wheres 89iroc :p
you could reach your goal with a regular 350 and prolly be cheaper , as for the ls1 from what ive heard from ALOT of professionals is its ALOT to take on for a home project and your prolly gunna end up spending alot more then it would be to get a regular block , id just go with a 350 stroke it to a 383 get some nice heads port and polish , maybe bigger values