Hey guys, im new to the forums and i was just looking for some helpful input.

I dont know much about cars but im going off to college in august and im going to start a third gen camaro project. I am thinking about a 383 but didnt know overall how much money would be needed. Time doesnt really matter, me and a few friends will be working on it all through college and im not worried about having it ready in a few months.

Basically im asking what would it take to build a car with these restrictions:
1. Im wanting it to be a street / strip car
2. I have a daily driver so it doesnt have to get me around all the time but i do want to take it out on the weekends and stuff
3. Im lookin to run low 12's and work my way up after that
4. Money is an issue, i have maybe 5,000 total but will be working in college and droppin more money
5. We will be doing all the labor that we can ourselves

So im wondering what a basic build would be and how to go about doing it.
Also, what year camaros are better than others.

Thanks in advance

 

Anyone?

Anything will help

 

None.

Basic 350 build with a healthy cam, decent heads, simple carb set-up, automatic transmission with higher stall torque converter, gears, sticky tires. You could do a 383, but it will cost more to do, although it would have better street manners for the same ET.

Does the $5000 need to cover the purchase of the car as well?

 

No, the car is covered

 

You sound close to the same as me im looking at a 7500 budget realisticly. I bought my second 3rd gen and have my DD already too . food for thought... I have a 1984 camaro with a 383 cratemotor (got lazy and lack of time) 405 hp and 440tq to flywheel. you can save some money here i wanted a t56 but you can get a good auto for cheeper. some odds and end totally changed int. from brown to black and a paintjob from a shop i know for 1500 (not best price not worst) but thats about mine. only advice I would have is do your HW on parts and the how too.

 

agree with 57kid, a good 350 block, good flowing heads (maybe some late 90's vortecs) a vortec intake, good cam, 750 carb, 3.73 gear if auto, maybe 4.11 if manual tranny, good stickies, sub frame connectors for sure, maybe a 6-8 point roll bar for extra strength and you should be good. and if you get some GOOD deals on the block and heads youll be within your 5K. if you wanna beef up your rear end a 9 bolt might be able to hold, or if your wanting to pull out the pocket book, get a 12 bolt. get the 12 bolt and 99% of the time ill be the last rear end you have to buy.

do plenty of research before getting anything.

 

Thanks for the help guys. What different auto transmissions would be good and how much would they cost?

Im trying to get everything figured out before i start because ive seen too many people wish they would have done something different after its too late.

 

The TH700 is a good choice for the street part.

You might also want to consider an LT1/4L60E combo. You can pick up take-outs for about $1500-$2000, some upgrades to get the power, you can cover it for your $5000 budget.

 

What do you mean you can pick up take-outs for 1500-2000?

 

"Take-out" - a complete unit that is taken out of a vehicle (usually been wrecked). Usually include engine, transmission, all induction and accessories, harness, and PCM. See the LT1 swap sticky in the top section of this forum for what it entails.

 

Allright, thanks, i didnt know that. And where do you go about looking for a take out? Like at an auto salvage place im assuming

 

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/index.php is a good site to look over

 

Auto salvage is one source. Does tend to limit your possibilities dealing only with local sources, can also increase the price. They can also do searches on their net.

Depending upon your level of comfort with the internet, eBay, craigslist, racingjunk, those types of .com's almost always have active listings.

 

also try www.lkqcorp.com

 

Ok and i was thinking about a level 2 700r4 tranny from www.bowtieoverdrives.com but i have been told it would be better to get a th350 and theres some overdrive kit you can get for it, all for $1200.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Anyone, lvl 2 700r4 or th350 with under overdrive kit?