One take "with Matt farah"
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,098
Likes: 14
From: WINDSOR, CO
Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Hey congrats man! That is seriously cool. You need to throw up a youtube video looking for parts donations for that LS swap, while you got people all over the world drooling about your car, and thinking about how cool it would be with a LS1/T56... You never know who might wanna help?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Hey congrats man! That is seriously cool. You need to throw up a youtube video looking for parts donations for that LS swap, while you got people all over the world drooling about your car, and thinking about how cool it would be with a LS1/T56... You never know who might wanna help?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
The heads are ported the intake is port matched . Tube headers. Larger injectors . Carbon fiber cool air intake I made from scratch , radiator is two times the size over all than stock . Side tanks were notched to fit into the frame. Fuel mapping was reflagged as well as cooling fan programming. And a few other things
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
That it's a stock 6... it's not lol
The heads are ported the intake is port matched . Tube headers. Larger injectors . Carbon fiber cool air intake I made from scratch , radiator is two times the size over all than stock . Side tanks were notched to fit into the frame. Fuel mapping was reflagged as well as cooling fan programming. And a few other things
The heads are ported the intake is port matched . Tube headers. Larger injectors . Carbon fiber cool air intake I made from scratch , radiator is two times the size over all than stock . Side tanks were notched to fit into the frame. Fuel mapping was reflagged as well as cooling fan programming. And a few other things
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
That it's a stock 6... it's not lol
The heads are ported the intake is port matched . Tube headers. Larger injectors . Carbon fiber cool air intake I made from scratch , radiator is two times the size over all than stock . Side tanks were notched to fit into the frame. Fuel mapping was reflagged as well as cooling fan programming. And a few other things
The heads are ported the intake is port matched . Tube headers. Larger injectors . Carbon fiber cool air intake I made from scratch , radiator is two times the size over all than stock . Side tanks were notched to fit into the frame. Fuel mapping was reflagged as well as cooling fan programming. And a few other things
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 329
From: NJ
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 406 on N20 w/ EFI
Transmission: P.B. 700R4
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt w/ 3.91
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
definitely cool experience I bet to have Matt drive and review the car. cool
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Very true ... but if I can get the weight with an aluminum v8 down low at least on paper it should be within 20 lbs .. he didn't have the aluminum v6 in his car yet. He was building it from what I understand but it never got finished
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Car: 1983 Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 2.8L V6
Transmission: 700r4
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
First off, I'm in love with the car, and second, what did it take to get that steering wheel to fit? I cant seem to find much info on the spline compatibility between our steering columns and a newer steering wheel.
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 60
Likes: 5
From: Dirty Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: LS3 w/ HCI
Transmission: Magnum F (T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th gen 3:42 posi rear
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
What ever happened to this car? Did it ever get the LS swap? I would love to see an update!!
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 60
Likes: 5
From: Dirty Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: LS3 w/ HCI
Transmission: Magnum F (T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th gen 3:42 posi rear
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
All that awesome fabrication work and still no LS? Hope he gets it done soon.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
"I drove about 10 of them and hated them, IROCs, RS's... hated them"

Sometimes I feel like I don't fit into the "car guy" group. This dude sounded like an idiot.

Sometimes I feel like I don't fit into the "car guy" group. This dude sounded like an idiot.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
... the car has be completly redesigned a couple times since then and is now going under the knife once again as we speek
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
mines an rs too, has nothing to do with the package, its the heavy front end, , its the nose weight. thats what diffrent, the steering isnt vas crisp due to the added weight, and consider at that time i had all the hotchkis bolt ons on A V6 which has its engine mostly behind the front wheels, were tghe v8 puts an added 200 pounds over my car did infront of the front wheels, that changes handling caractyeristics dramaticaly
... the car has be completly redesigned a couple times since then and is now going under the knife once again as we speek
... the car has be completly redesigned a couple times since then and is now going under the knife once again as we speek
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
mines an rs too, has nothing to do with the package, its the heavy front end, , its the nose weight. thats what diffrent, the steering isnt vas crisp due to the added weight, and consider at that time i had all the hotchkis bolt ons on A V6 which has its engine mostly behind the front wheels, were tghe v8 puts an added 200 pounds over my car did infront of the front wheels, that changes handling caractyeristics dramaticaly
... the car has be completly redesigned a couple times since then and is now going under the knife once again as we speek
... the car has be completly redesigned a couple times since then and is now going under the knife once again as we speek
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 240
From: Chicagoland Suburbs
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: LT1, AFR 195cc, 231/239 LE cam.
Transmission: M28 T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10bolt waiting to explode.
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
The auto industry likes to classify cars as Front, Mid, or Rear.
But in reality the Thirdgen is a front/mid design. just about everything but the accessories is actually behind the front axle centerline.
As far as weight distribution goes its really not all that bad considering that the transmission is mounted to the engine, unlike most sports cars now that even with the engine up front they use a rear mounted transaxle with a torque tube, ala Porsche 944 and Corvette C5.
Its really hard to go wrong with a LS1 front engine because the aluminum block and heads drop significant weight.
I won't go LS in my car unless I'm dropping an all aluminum combo. I don't want the cast iron weight.
Even just ditching the emissions and moving to the AFR heads dropped a ton of weight off the car with the LT1 swap. So much so the front end is practically an inch higher that it moved the car to positive camber on the stock springs.
One of the things I always thought would make a good candidate to turn a Thirdgen mid-engined was the LS4 combo out of the FWD V8 platforms. Not sure what you'd do for a Manual transmission, I think most guys who manual swap those cars end up with the F40 transmission out of the G6 GTP. But the F40 is pretty weak sauce, and really no aftermarket to beef it up.
But you'd end up with a very mid-engined car.
But in reality the Thirdgen is a front/mid design. just about everything but the accessories is actually behind the front axle centerline.
As far as weight distribution goes its really not all that bad considering that the transmission is mounted to the engine, unlike most sports cars now that even with the engine up front they use a rear mounted transaxle with a torque tube, ala Porsche 944 and Corvette C5.
Its really hard to go wrong with a LS1 front engine because the aluminum block and heads drop significant weight.
I won't go LS in my car unless I'm dropping an all aluminum combo. I don't want the cast iron weight.
Even just ditching the emissions and moving to the AFR heads dropped a ton of weight off the car with the LT1 swap. So much so the front end is practically an inch higher that it moved the car to positive camber on the stock springs.
One of the things I always thought would make a good candidate to turn a Thirdgen mid-engined was the LS4 combo out of the FWD V8 platforms. Not sure what you'd do for a Manual transmission, I think most guys who manual swap those cars end up with the F40 transmission out of the G6 GTP. But the F40 is pretty weak sauce, and really no aftermarket to beef it up.
But you'd end up with a very mid-engined car.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,439
Likes: 2,093
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
My aluminum LS engine with T56 tips the scales at 55.7 / 44.3% weight distribution. And that's with other weight reductions up front, and a heavy 12 bolt in the rear. Looks like front engine proportions to me!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 240
From: Chicagoland Suburbs
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: LT1, AFR 195cc, 231/239 LE cam.
Transmission: M28 T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10bolt waiting to explode.
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Look at the overall dimensions. Wheel base is 101.9", but overall length 191". Thats quite a bit of sheet metal not related to the engine hanging out in front and behind the wheels. Thirdgens have huge over-hangs.
And 55/45 really isn't that bad at all. The old reviews place it between 57/43, and 59/41 depending on which year/model was reviewed.
And for those of us with Birds, those pop-up head-lights aren't exactly light.
Most FF cars are 60/40 or worse. Audi's and Subaru's with their front/longitudinal engines have the entire engine in front of the front axle.
55/45 isn't bad.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
I'm not everybody but in his situation I would have probably swapped parts over to another fbody. He could relocate his battery in any 3rd gen for a nice front end weight loss.
Back in topic, as someone stated already I kinda like the idea of sticking with a V6. Why not find a 4.3L? They're a dime a dozen and great motors. Or why not look for a V6 out of a 5th or 6th gen Camaro? I would think they would do well in a 3rd
Back in topic, as someone stated already I kinda like the idea of sticking with a V6. Why not find a 4.3L? They're a dime a dozen and great motors. Or why not look for a V6 out of a 5th or 6th gen Camaro? I would think they would do well in a 3rd
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
just for refrence , the car in the video is notghing like the car was when i crashed it. track widthe is 7 inches wider than stock and has perfect front end geometry, sitting on 315 30 18 all 4 corners and sits 3 inches off the ground, my plan is ls1 block and heads, 4.8 crank and rod with custom pistobns, pushing back the engin 6 inches and noching back the fire wall...as well as lowering the engin in the chasiss AS much as posible,
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
just for refrence , the car in the video is notghing like the car was when i crashed it. track widthe is 7 inches wider than stock and has perfect front end geometry, sitting on 315 30 18 all 4 corners and sits 3 inches off the ground, my plan is ls1 block and heads, 4.8 crank and rod with custom pistobns, pushing back the engin 6 inches and noching back the fire wall...as well as lowering the engin in the chasiss AS much as posible,
If you get into any sort of collision from the front you're gonna have a engine sitting in your lap
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
You're young so I'm guessing this will go in one ear and out the other. But going off your video, this car appears to be somewhat of a daily driver? It's not a track only car? If that's the case I would highly suggest you reconsider notching the fire wall and moving the engine rearward. Having the car 3 inches off the ground isn't the greatest idea either.
If you get into any sort of collision from the front you're gonna have a engine sitting in your lap
If you get into any sort of collision from the front you're gonna have a engine sitting in your lap
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
That's a lot of work for not much gain. Like you I also have the ability for complex projects like this but If I were you I would just purchase a kit car or build a one off rather than chop up and modify a factory car. The Locost variants are very appealing and can easily be built in a garage.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
To push back the engine you will need to notch the firewall, cut the transmission tunnel open and widen it, get a custom made driveshaft, create a custom trans mount and trans mount bolt location for the frame. Exhaust will need redone.
That's a lot of work for not much gain. Like you I also have the ability for complex projects like this but If I were you I would just purchase a kit car or build a one off rather than chop up and modify a factory car. The Locost variants are very appealing and can easily be built in a garage.
That's a lot of work for not much gain. Like you I also have the ability for complex projects like this but If I were you I would just purchase a kit car or build a one off rather than chop up and modify a factory car. The Locost variants are very appealing and can easily be built in a garage.
where is the fun in that, i love this car, anyone csan just buy a kit car and build it, but it takes tallent and skill to do this right, not only that but its way more inexpensive to go this route then get a kit car that ill probably have to re engineer half of it anyway
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,439
Likes: 2,093
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Every time I look at that car it boggles my mind how wide it is because it looks so normal in proportions. Never seen a widebody done that well.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,439
Likes: 2,093
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
Car: 88 gta
Engine: 5.8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 POSI
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
You're young so I'm guessing this will go in one ear and out the other. But going off your video, this car appears to be somewhat of a daily driver? It's not a track only car? If that's the case I would highly suggest you reconsider notching the fire wall and moving the engine rearward. Having the car 3 inches off the ground isn't the greatest idea either.
If you get into any sort of collision from the front you're gonna have a engine sitting in your lap
If you get into any sort of collision from the front you're gonna have a engine sitting in your lap
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
I believe that Cadillac is offering their 3.6L V6 with a manual transmission in their new ATS and CTS V sport series. Its all aluminum direct injection and the 2016 and up supposedly weighs 20 lbs less than the earlier models. Stock it is reported to make 336 hp- that's an LT1 or LS1 with a few small bolt-ons. That could save you the need of cutting apart the firewall.
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Why all the hate on this guys build?sound to me you're a lil jealous of this guys ideas an accomplishments on his car.people like you are why I HATE most forums F keyboard worriers.guy has done some great mods all by himself he has been on shows an in magazines what the hell have you accomplished with you car?
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
I believe that Cadillac is offering their 3.6L V6 with a manual transmission in their new ATS and CTS V sport series. Its all aluminum direct injection and the 2016 and up supposedly weighs 20 lbs less than the earlier models. Stock it is reported to make 336 hp- that's an LT1 or LS1 with a few small bolt-ons. That could save you the need of cutting apart the firewall.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
I don't think the effort is worth the payout. But it's his car and he seems to have the skills and knowledge to do it so I'll watch. OTOH I'm sure many people could point out things I've done to my car that they don't think were worth the effort.
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 69
From: TEXAS
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: Stage III T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
I like the car, the overall idea, and I agree with you. I think leaving the car as it is and going with a stronger powerplant will cure his itch. I'd love to see this car with a 5th or 6th gen Camaro V6. Beating some larger displacement cars with this combo would be cool
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-2019-C...YAAOSwdmdc0Xi1
Brand new, 3.6L twin turbo V6 464 horsepower. $7500.
Brand new, 3.6L twin turbo V6 464 horsepower. $7500.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-2019-C...YAAOSwdmdc0Xi1
Brand new, 3.6L twin turbo V6 464 horsepower. $7500.
Brand new, 3.6L twin turbo V6 464 horsepower. $7500.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Car: 1983 Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 2.8L V6
Transmission: 700r4
Re: One take "with Matt farah"
Frankly, just throwing this idea out there but, have you considered moving the front suspension forward a few inches? It'd probably be easier to switch to an sla suspension at that point. Its an idea I hope to do with my car at some point, or another third gen. But overall, relocation of the front suspension would probably yield better results while paired with moving the engine further back. Big problem with that though would be you'd have to come up with your own front fenders at that point.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: simi valley, southern cali
Car: 92 Camaro Rs.R
Transmission: wc t-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
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