Elephantismo

Alright, so ive been lookin for a lsx 6 speed package to do a swap but most go for about 6k. So i figured id just go buy a whole car that was pretty trashed with no options for about *k and part the rest of the car out for 2k. Found one with 60k and not a single option for $8000. It ran like crap though. Right next to it they had a 2002 same drive train 80,000 miles but with a few options for 10k flat from a single owner. It has some light body damage, but its great.

So now im thinkin... engine swap later, car swap now!

Anyone know what need to look for when buying this car? I'm not familiar with LS1's or any of thier quirks, much less fourth gen camaro's and im trying to find a reliable source. I'm the second person to put a deposit on that car today, i saw the other guy write the check for the whole value of the car for the dealer to hold. So i've really got about 20 hours to be sure im gonna buy it.

Please help me with ANY advice you have.

Z28ricer

iTrader: (2)

You can buy an LS1/t56 package all day long for about $4000 + shipping.
Far from 6000, you really dont want a 4th gen if you are going to work on your own car.

LS1 or LT1 thirdgen > >>>>> LS1 4th gen all day long every day of the week.

Elephantismo

Hmmm, i would like something i can just throw in the shop for now.. but can maybe donate its guts later...

mxcrazed

i have seen ls1 t56 combos with the computer and wiring harass for 2k on ebay and i only looked once or twice

also you could find a whole car from a part of the country that gets snow for a lot cheeper

Elephantismo

I wish i had taken more time on this deal and heeded the advice. This car has been a nightmare from day one.

Reading back on my post, i was acting like a little kid in the toy store. What an idiot.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Care to expound on that?

Which of the two did you buy?

NemeSS-TyranT

iTrader: (1)

so are u still looking for a car?
i have tx no rust, clean title 99z28 fs. m6, black, ttops,
all stock, lid, and egr delete. u can use a s donor, although there is nothig wrong with the car. its just in my garage. im concentrating on building my 9 sec. 3rd gen, and i also have a 495rwhp n/a 00 SS anyway,
so i wont miss the z28 too much
6000$ for it

Elephantismo

*Moral of the story... Don't try to buy a car 'real quick' (and don't buy a 4th gen?)


Finally responding two years later...

I ended up talkin them down some on an 02 z28. It was a hard top car, which was nice to me.

It seemed to have been mostly well kept, except for maybe the last year before i got a hold of it.

I'm pretty sure it had been entered in a burn out contest (may have won! it still ran strong).

At 90k all found corners needed wheel bearings and brakes. One of the axles bearing surfaces was heavily worn (no chrome left).
The a/c went out at 92k. Everything on the front of the motor had failed by 97k (maybe a result of sustained high rpm?) The ps seized, the alternator flat lined, the water pump half emptied the cooling system while sitting overnight and the a/c compressor also seized.

Replaced all that except the a/c compressor myself.

I'm pretty sure the pinion bearing was going out when I sold it.

I think I let it go for 7200 with about 100k on it. I had probably fixed most of the serious stuff by then. I was happy to see it gone though... won't do that again.