Hey Gm Tech

i am almost done with my neon and it is going to be my dd.

I've always wanted to own a V-8 Camaro and finally have the time and money to pick one up.

What year and Trim do you guys think i should go with?

I want to get a general idea of what is best to work on and mod "happy"

Thanks for your input



- got_bst?

 

IMO a 91-92 RS is the perfect platform if you are flat out going to do something worthwhile, preferribly a 92 6 cyl auto.

4th gens come with better engines, but are a lot more trouble to work on, starting with a thirdgen 82-92, makes things much easier to work on than a 4th gen (93-02), and saves you some weight, though its really going to come down to which you like exterior better. Some hate 3rdgens, some hate 4th gen, some are in the middle, i've owned a few of each, stripped countless of both for parts, and done several swaps.

IMO the best way to go is to get a 92' 6 cyl hardtop RS, auto, then get to work on an LS1/T56, or LS1/4L60E swap, depending on if you want manual or auto.

 

i don't mind the 3rd gens i used to but they kind grew on me.

Alrighty i will look for a 3rd gen and start from there.

Ls1's have a 6spd correct? The lti's were the ones that had the 5?

 

no the LT1's and LS1's got the T56 6 spd... the 88-92 have the WC T5 and 82-87 have NON-WC T5...

 

^ thanks for the clearing that up.
Is there a forum were i can read up on all that good stuff?

 

LS1Tech.com

 

thank u rep.

 

www.thirdgen.org will get you lots of thirdgen info, and numerous examples of LT1 and LS1 swaps to check out.

Which you go with really depends on what you want to spend, both are a great choice, and an LT1 can be done cheap, and will perform very well, its amazing how much nicer a thirdgen drives with an LT1 compared to the LB9, L98, L03, i've owned them all.

The cheapest would be getting a 92 L03 (5.0 TBI) car, and just put an LT1 in front, using the T5, just know T5's arent tremendously strong, however if you just want a really nice street car and dont plan on running slicks, this will get you there.

The total opposite end of the cost spectrum, will be doing an LS1/T56, however can be done for a reasonable cost if you try. It also requires more work than simply installing an LT1 in front of a T5, however well worth it.

 

The third gen Camaro's are pretty easy to work on.The www.thirdgen.org site is good.

 

Get a 98+ Camaro if thats what you want. 98's can be found between 3500-6500 in decent shape, usually with mods already done. Can't go wrong w/ the LS1 which excels greatly with mods. Full bolt ons and a huge cam can get you close to 450 wheel HP, a milder cam, with some headwork can get you 450 and make it a little more streetable. Huge cam, huge heads, and a ported FAST 90/90, get you closer to the 480-500 range to the wheels.