which camaro to buy

[needtoobuild]

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!

[NailZ69]

get an IROC

[4onFloor]

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

[Machine154]

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.

[NailZ69]

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

[Chevyracincamaro]

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...

[needtoobuild]

i just have always loved the 3rd generation

[NailZ69]

just buy an IROC thats ur best bet.

[needtoobuild]

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

[NailZ69]

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..

[needtoobuild]

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?

[NailZ69]

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 )

[korndogg]

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

[NailZ69]

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

[94CamaroZ28]

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)