I hope this is the right spot, but anyway.

I'm wanting another hard top car for a swap project. I've found 2 that are in my general area and budget. 92 V6 5spd RS with a bad engine. 85 Z28 LG4/auto with a bad engine. From the pics both cars need TLC,but are straight and rust free with clean titles. This will not be a drag car, just a fun street car and maybe some track action, as my skills,budget and car improve.

I know alot of people have done swaps on here, if you had a choice, which and why? Prices of the cars are the same.


85 Z28


92 RS

 

Id go with the 92 RS because i like the way the 91-92 look the best. With the right mods any body can be whatever performance machine you build it to be.

In 92 they added glue to all the seams to make the body a lil stronger and quieter than the 85. the 5 speed will be a lil easier to swap in a TKO or t56 if your into manuals. Also check on this but i don't think the v6 t5 will work with a v8.I think the input shaft splines are different. Even if the v6 t5 would match up to a v8, the t5 wouldn't handle the power of any v8 you'd WANT to put in the car.

The 85 is carbed? No computer to deal with. the auto trans will hold more power (should, depending on wear and tear) than the t5 in the 92.

do some research, find out what options each car has for suspension, interior, brakes (discs or drums), Rear gear ratio, etc. Chosse which car you would enjoy driving the most based on creature features (power windows, AC, etc). Which car is in better shape? Steering linkage and brakes in good shape? which one needs the most repairs besides an engine? check the frame for cracks behind the steering gearbox. If they both had 500+hp v8s under the hood, which one would you buy?

No matter which one you get add a wonder bar!!! Good luck!!

 

92:
The v6 engine mounts need to be modified/changed to fit the v8. The sway bars are smaller. Suspension is softer, probably. Already a manual so a T56 swap is MUCH easier/cheaper. Speedo adapter setup for a T56 in a 92 RS is super easy. TPI models are a little more complicated and somehwere in the late 80s (89?) they switched to a fully electric dash, so the crazy analog/digital speedo adapter box that's $250 isnt needed. An $80 box is all that's necessary. You have 28 spline axles so any modern posi carrier will fit in the differential, like the 98-02 Zexel Torsen.

85: Already a v8. Already has the cool hood. Has much better chance of having a posi. Rear brakes for this year are terrible, posi axle rears aren't expensive, just irritating because you almost have to source on locally and their condition is a crapshoot. The aforementioned Zexel Torsen carrier doesn't have clutches so unless it's broken, it doesn't really wear out, but to put one in this 85 will require new axles on each side.


Personally, I'd probably go with the RS just because it seems to be in better condition.

 

the v6 car probably has 3.42 rear gears which is better imo.

 

The engine,trans& rear end will be going into the junk pile.

Both cars are low option. Only A/C and cruise on the 92. 85 only has AC. Interiors are about the same, old and dirty.LOL

Thanks for your input.

 

Depends on what you want to do with it.

Good aurguments can be had for both.

 

defiantly the 8. such a better looking car in my opinion lol and ive always hated the 91 and 92 gauge clusters

 

Heres a fix for those who don't like the 91-91 gauges.
http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...eatured&page=2

They are both good looking cars. I love everything about the 91-92's styling and appearance, but to each their own.

 

I actually like the interior of the 92 best, but hate the gfx on it. Another drawback to the 92 is VATS BS, but that doesn't take long to fix.

 

That's a little pricey to fix something you aesthetically don't like. Yes, they're quality gauges, but that money can be better spent in the build at this point.
I personally don't care for the aero GFX either, especially the firebirds.

 

I really like the 90-92 cluster. Looks a LOT more modern. The 91-92 gfx look really nice in good condition, but when they look a little raggedy tehy look terrible.

 

I wish I had the time, money, and extra space to buy both. Build what I want, then put the other back together with the leftovers, to recoup some cash. LOL

 

those do look pretty sick, but that would be a pretty pricey fix lol but to each his own

 

Also, I love the 90-92 gauges, here are mine:



I hate the airbag wheel, so it's a tradeoff.

 

Nice! Well thought out and laid out. Looks good.

I hate the bag wheel myself, but that is an easy fix. I have a mint Cavi wheel in the closet. I plan to go look at these 2 and a 91 this week. I'll keep y'all posted if one follows me home.

 

I would vote for the Z28, just on the grounds that I have a personal preference for Z's over all other models. But according to the stuff under your name you already have an '83 Z(awesome car, btw) so it's really up to you.

I think it'd take less money (assuming you wanted to go the V8 route) to just swap out the motor in the '85 and have a running car than to swap the motor and tranny out of the 92.

 

I would go with the Z28.My personal preference as I have an 85 myself.
As others have said, it would be less work, and already have the V8, if it is worth fixing.
The choice is yours.


Alicat.

 

Camaros from 1981 on up in the U.S. had computers regardless of it being carb'd or fuel injection. Not sure about the export models though.

 

I went and looked at a few cars, most are busted junk. My wife made a good point, why don't I just buy a nice driver and continue working on my 83 and drive the new car. I think that is a pretty good idea.

 

Yep, I wish I didn't have multiple project cars.

Lately I've been thinking about thining the heard, which would mean getting rid of my irocz, but I just can't talk myself into it.

I agree with the wife, if you need a driver, buy one, and spend the play money on the camaro you already have.

 

It's less work as long as you never do a T5 or T56 swap. In which case it's a lot more work... Just depends.

 

Both will be good weather toys. I got 4cyl/5spd S10 for a daily, so that is one worry I don't have to deal with. I am taking my wife's advice and starting a search for a nice driver that doesn't need major work.