I have a 91Z28 with T-tops, 305tpi, auto, pretty much full power with 33,000 original miles. It is very clean and the only thing the engine does is puff a little smoke after sitting for more than a week, typical sbc valve seals. Although I love the way the car rides and drives I have always been dissapointed by the power. I came across a std. 400sbc short block for cheap which was cleaned and had new bearings and rings put in. I was thinking I could build a pretty stout carb'd engine, pull out the 305 and have some beans. But a few of the car guys I have mentioned it to are against it. They go short of saying I would be chopping it up, but really frown on it and tell me to save it for another project or sell it for a profit. I have been thinking about this and will probably not do it. Any suggestions?

Hell, why not?? If you got the time and skills (not to mention the lack of power where it should be, already pointed out) I say go for it. Your already starting out with a solid foundation. How bout holding out for an LS1 w/ harness. But, in the end it is your car and you should do with it what you want. Dont let the others try and tell you what to do.


-Derth

I really flip flop on it. If I looked for a project car that is what I get a project. If I sold this car I think it is worth 7K easy. Say I bought another 3rd gen for a project it does not take long to spend 4K on bodywork if done right getting straight, fix rust and a quality paint. Good trans, nice interior it wouldn't take long to spend the money to fix up a car to the condition mine is in. Then again I do like going to see early camaros with original engines, then again I like seeing early camaros with new FI engines.

Even though I don't need another vehicle I always thought a S-10 V-8 swap would be fun. Hey I could use it as a tow rig, could you imagine a S-10 with about 500ft.lbs torque?

Might wanna get a higher mile but nicely taken care of IROC-Z or Z28 to fix up if needed and mod like crazy.

My friend has a mint 92 Z28 with the 34,000 original miles, 350 TPI, G92, a color that was only offered that year, and Bose. He paid alot for it, definetly a pretty rare car. There's not many around like that if you check out the numbers. He only does little things. It came with new Z Rated tires, 3" Borla exhaust, and I think a high-flow converter when he bought it. Since then he's done only an air foil, K&N's and Recaro seats. (saved the originals) The most he'll ever do is a slightly more aggressive cam, a powertune, custom PROM, and coated 1 5/8" headers and SFC's. (probably gonna save the original manifolds and cam too ) I also think that's really the furthest he should go with something like that and he'll have a nice "stock" car with improved performance.

the car has t-tops. you can't just drop a high hp engine in it w/o adding subframe connectors and a good trans. Then your axle would start to cry. That would be the future of the car. Thats all good BUT you have 34,000 milles. No way I would do that. Sell that puppy for what you can, if you want some power. It's easy to find a clean 3rd gen with 50,000-70,000 miles for cheap. Then get the big engine. Something like this...

I know I will need SFC's. This would not be a track only car, 99% cruiser, and always on a regular radial tire. I think the 700R4 would live alot longer than the rear. I could put the LB9 on a stand the way it came out and if I wanted to go back OE. Pop the 305 back in.

you might be able to pop the 30why back in BUT the subframe connectors will be harder to erase.... Not to mention that you'll put more miles on it with a hot engine, most likely. If you sell the car then you would have more than enough to create a monster...one that you'll be able to "gut" at will.

Keep it stock an then find a very cheap thirdgen (my 82 was only $100 and it runs) and mod it.

91 z28 with 30,000 miles but its a 305.......i dont really see that being worth a whole lot more than any other thirdgen. the z28s with 350s are worth more now and will be worth more later. you say your car is mint, but slow. so put that 400 in there or get an LS1!!!!!!! why have a car that isnt exactly what you want? me personally i would rather buy a car that is fast and looks good then looks good and is slow. just my .02 man good luck!

Every Third Gen can use SFC's regardless of engine or mileage. You'd never want to remove them, unless you were putting better ones in or something.

I think I'd leave it stock and find a higher mile and cheaper car to modify. But it's your car and you can have it how you want.

I thought the primace is to have the ability to change it back to stock. If so then the sfc's will make that hard. Not to mention the abuse a large engine has on a chassis. And you'll think it's just going to be an engine. But one thing leads to another and you'll end up modding alot. That is why I suggest to sell it and build a hot rod. Unless one has the money to keep the low mileage car AND buy a car to build. But I think that is not possible, hence this thread. That car would sell for enough to buy and build another thirdgen. So that might be a consideration too. If you don't sell the car then that engine will be out of pocket...

With the price of the HSR that would be a option. Being the car is TPI it would be a easy swap to that setup with computer, sensors etc etc. Not that a carb'd motor would be bad and can look nice. But an engine bay that looks like the one 11's or bust posted earlier looks OK to me. When I go to car shows I really do like the stock appearing 55 chevys that have a 502 or ZZ430 crate engine better than the down to every last little nut and bolt concours type cars.

406 with pro topline heads, HSR, 10:1 and a retrofit hydraulic roller with 224/230@.050 .503/.510 lift and 112LSA type cam should work.

It all depends on what you are trying to by not modding it. Would you be doing your part to spare a stock mint 3rd gen? Maybe only if you were picky and knew the buyer to be a purists, hell otherwise whoever you sell it to will mod it and you haven't done anything to save a piece of automotive history. If one of these people who say don't hack it up want to give you good money so they can let it sit in thier garage go for it. Otherwise just build the car you want and screw what anyone thinks. It all comes down to does this car have the particular body style you favor most in third gens. If you think its not your favorite then sell it for a nice price and find your dream car and mod it.

For a few years on here now, I have preached keeping a nice, clean, low-mileage third gen stock. There are plenty of higher mileage ones to chop up. If nothing else, you're preserving something someone like me would give top dollar for

I don't care how lovingly a modded car was cared for...I wouldn't ever touch it. My 30th has stayed true to my motto...if it can't come off the car in an hour or less, it ain't going on My personal belief is things like exhausts, intakes, SFCs (to me, EVERY F body should have them) and such are cool...but if you really care about your resale value, or want an impressive piece, don't cut it up.

Its only original once...

It is kinda funny I was thinking about selling last summer and the one guy who has a real 68 Z28 with a ZZ4 crate motor wanted to buy it. He bought it that was as the original was swapped out years ago. He offered me 3500 for mine and said that 3rd gens would never be worth anything, just not as original or any history to them like a 1st gen.

It could be an easy swap with no cutting going with the HSR and 406. If I ever wanted to put it back to OE, get the cherry picker out. The LB9 would just be in hibernation on a engine stand. I do think the 91 and 92's are the nicest looking camaros save for a 69SS or Z28. And I'll take my 91 with T-Tops over a hardtop L98 anyday. It's not like the L98 was that fast either.

It is kinda funny I was thinking about selling last summer and the one guy who has a real 68 Z28 with a ZZ4 crate motor wanted to buy it. He bought it that was as the original was swapped out years ago. He offered me 3500 for mine and said that 3rd gens would never be worth anything, just not as original or any history to them like a 1st gen.

And that guy, was an idiot. Or either he was real smart and tried to get your car for much less than it's really worth.

It could be an easy swap with no cutting going with the HSR and 406. If I ever wanted to put it back to OE, get the cherry picker out. The LB9 would just be in hibernation on a engine stand. I do think the 91 and 92's are the nicest looking camaros save for a 69SS or Z28. And I'll take my 91 with T-Tops over a hardtop L98 anyday. It's not like the L98 was that fast either.

I agree I'd rather have T-Tops, but the L98 is a definite improvement over the LB9.

enjoy it. keep it AWAY from salt and just baby her. i just think its dumb to sell it, to buy the same car with higher miles... if you drive it around and keep it clean, eventually you will have 50-70,000 miles and then you can start modding worry free.... i thought my firebird with the rusty doors would make a great project.... then i pulled up the carpet up and found 4 rust spots like this one.... so just be careful if you do sell and look for another car...

bottom line, the car is lucky to have such a thoughtfull owner. Good luck and no matter what you'll have a beautiful car!!

Adding My 2 cents .... Read my SIG

I guess thats one benefit of buying my car with a salvage title some years back I have zero guilt in modifying it until my hearts content. It will never be re-sold or become a valued original collector because of the title so its for my pleasure only.

persoanlly i don't think its possible to not mod them, the more you put into your car the more you will get out of it

I am with the now or low mod people. Low mileage thirdgens are pretty rare and will get rarer. Not that it will be worth any great amount of money someday.

But I say leave it stock or close to it and find another one to mod. After all them you have two. How good is that!!!!

If you are still debating on what to do then I have a suggestion, make a poll

I say mod the car with a 406...all you are changing is bolt-in items that way...besides, how long are you going to wait to recoup your investment? 20 years? I doubt the smoke problem is going to get better.

Let me also add that the term "restification" is a view that I hold...restore it better...not just to factory quality...this isn't a ZL-1 car, or a COPO F-body, or a Yenko...just a nice low mileage thirdgen.

When I bought my TA I figured I'd keep it stock/original because about 95% of it was.....or so I thought.....the 305 was burning a bit of oil so I pulled it for new rings and stuff. Upon disassembly of the engine I noticed the VIN on the block didn't match the car.

Turned out to be a 91 LO3 long block I bought the car with 57,xxx miles on it. Previous owner must have been hard on it.

I threw the 305 away and proceeded to build a 350 for it.

Tough call there..Mod or not. My opinion is mod the car. You have a great platform to work with so you need not worry about dumping thousands into paint and bodywork etc etc. I bought my Z with 40,000 original miles...Trust me it will be modded but that's my choice. I love 3rd gens hell thats why I drove to freakin Chicago from Atlanta to pick it up. There may be a few "rare" 3rd gens that might bring in some cash but your car and my car are not in that category. My opinion is mod it..but to each their own.

Mod it! If it's stock or modded it will still be a nice car, the difference is that if it has guts it will be a nicer car to YOU.

Why would you want a car that you couldnt enjoy. You dont have to butcher it, putting a different motor in isnt gonna require a torch! I wish my car was perfect but the fact that I can drive it like its not saves me alot of stress! It is a great car but what are you gonna do keep it in a bubble?If so why? What are your goals for this car 5 years from now? If you wanna make money off it dont touch it but if you wanna drive it make the most out of it!

If it was mine I'd mod it so I could enjoy itand drive it but then again I'd rather have a fast car with "character" than a pretty car thats slow

the whole purpose of a thirdgen is to look and be fast! dont hold your heart and put that nasty engine on her. have a nice mustang f***in session afterwards

I say do whatever you want to it, as long as it is reversible (can be undone), like a set of headers or new wheels... if you ever want to go back to stock, its not hard to replace the cast manifolds or put the original wheels back on.

Just don't do anything irreversible, like tubbing the rear wheel wells or something like that.

See were I'm going with this?

mod away imo