I'm just not a fan of LS motors....not at all....I mean I know they make big HP numbers, etc and are light weight but damn, they are ugly as hell
under the hood - make mine a built L98 TPI without the smog stuff and loose the heater hoses and valve, etc - now that looks good !!

 

The heater bypass stays. The snobbiest thing I enjoy is driving around in my Formula when it's 100 degrees out, and I've got the A/C blasting. As an adult fat kid, I'll never, ever, ever again be without A/C. Everything and anything that contributes to that goal... STAYS.

What I'd like to see are Camaro gauge movements that are modernized, faces that are backlit, but maintain the vintage look. THAT would be slick. Might be the #1 reason I prefer 86-92 Firebirds and 90-92 Camaros over the 82-89 Camaros. Something about those gauges lit around the edges are just clunky as hell.

The LS1 might actually look best without the Corvette injector/coil covers. It'll never look as good as a clean TPI, but it can look at home under the hood of a thirdgen.

I had a nightmare last night about all the bright red aftermarket suspension parts. Like I was flipping through the magazine, and every single car was packed full of bright red stuff. Something about that just gets under my skin. It's too obvious that it's seeking attention... That trend, and black wheels can go away any day now.

/Babbling.

 

Why does the heater bypass stay ?? You dont need it to make the A/C work

 

I'd like it better if the interior wasn't hacked up. That IP is terrible.

 

One other thing.....will this thread ever fade off into the sunset ??
It's like the energizer bunny.....it just keeps going and going.....

 

I was just thinking that!

 

So I guess the $64K question is, what would this car sell for, compared to a mint bone stock one?

 

I'd say 30-50 % less....

 

I'm wondering the same thing. I would not trade mine for it.....I do know that...so in my opinion, I think it would bring less.

I do think that car would bring more if the interior originality was there, but I still feel it would fall short of a mint original car. I guess it would depend on the buyer, though

 

I'd say 25% less......just my opinion.....as long as the interior stuff was back to original

 

Just try selling that car.....I dare ya!
It would take FOREVER to find a buyer.....thats just my opinion

 

I'm actually the kind of guy that would be a buyer for that car. I'd make changes, yes, but could definitely be interested in it. I have a mint, low mile original, and would love to have one like that, that I could drive all the time and enjoy..

 

Big difference between "would" and "will".....it's easy to speculate but fact of the matter is finding a buyer
for that type of car is difficult at best....

 

Yep, I agree.

 

I suppose that'll always be an issue with the modified car. Good taste is subjective.
That said, it depends too on your motivation in buying a given vehicle and again, what your personal taste is.
While not to say the 3rd gen isn't a classic (yet), using the muscle car as an example, say a late 60s Chev (just about anything) in stock, poorly optioned/low performance orientated form, just aren't appealing in my personal opinion and I'd take a well crafted hot rod version if it came down to it. I'd go so far as to say the same about a 3rd gen Camaro. Which not coincidentally is why my 86 ( stock, poorly optioned/low performance orientated) Coupe no longer is. Knowing that recouping much from the build, (and that wasn't the plan in the first place), I still went ahead with the direction I did. It doesn't however take away from the curiosity of what it , along with others out there, might be worth. As was pointed out, as the best of the 3rd gens appreciate in general, so do the variants that follow.

 

But you'll get more cold air without the heater core radiating nearby. If it would allow me to freeze my passenger's like the T-1000 on MAX, I'd have five bypass valves under my hood.

 

I just don't think the restos will ever be worth as much as originals at least in 3rd gen world and in my lifetime. I think the production numbers were to high. The 60's Chevys were not produced in the numbers like the 3rd gens. I think I heard 2 million + 3rd gens. Because it is harder to get the later 60's era cars, not as many produced and more time has gone by, that any of them, resto or not just get more $$ at sale.
IMHO the above resto is an example of this. If you want a 1st gen your choices are slim to what is out there reasonably priced. You may have to live with someones questionable choices. If you want a third 3rd gen resto and you don't like what you see, you can still find a car to modify to your liking.

The car above would be lucky to get 1/2 of what that would be in low mileage showroom condition.

 

this is what a modded iroc is supposed to look like .. i kept it looking as factory as possible .. nothing like adding a 100 horsepower and looking stock

 

I prefer TPI builds like you; however, I'm not anti-LS. I do think LS-swapping old American stuff is often the lazy route and at this point it's been done ad nauseam. I give far more appreciation to the period correct TPI build that leaves some horsepower and reliability on the table by nixing the LS. But I'm not sure I'd call them all ugly. In the C5 and C6 Corvettes, they looked good.

Also, a lot of the vintage Chevy guys have made amazing dress up kits for them:



https://www.hotrod.com/articles/you-...ine-is-an-ls3/

I wonder if a TPI-style intake could be done...

 

I can't tell where the extra 100 horses are coming from... built internals? NOS?

 

That one looks pretty cool Kurt - but it's WAY more $$$ then you'd have into a cool L98 TPI build

 

.

 

Looking good Ray !!

 

cam , afr heads , tpi big mouth lower intake,as&m runners ,ported plenum and throttle body, dyno dons headers , 3 inch exhaust with factory style tailpipes , and precision convertor .. also tuned to perfection ...

 

Love. It.

 

I love it, thanks for sharing. Do you have a build thread? That's the route I want to "ruin" my car with, but there seem to be few cohesive LB9/L98 tech threads that lay out cool period correct builds like yours. I imagine an LB9 wouldn't see near the gains, though, but I'd be really happy to go from 230 to 275hp.

 

Who says it has to be an LB9? If the goal is to appear stock, a 350 can easily pass for a 305.

 

The value proposition of my 30k mile B4C T5 is its originality. Everything I've done thus far is reversible, and the car can be back in stock form (including original tires) in a weekend. Yes, an L98 swap is reversible, but that's a bridge too far. For a fun street car, the T5 LB9 is already there, but who wouldn't want a tad more pep across the board?

 

Splitting hairs. Objectively you have to decide what is important. A G92 LB9 is already pushing it for a 305. There is no room for improvement.

 

Wait...I thought the 305 WON the torque battle?

 

No sir, the L98 has a somewhat more low end torque then the LB9 - theres no replacement for displacement

 

Only with the 5spd, 3.42s, and pixie dust.

 

Someone stirring the pot?

 

Ah, good old TGO... "What simple, period bolt-ons add pep to the LB9 for my modest, reasonable hp goals that are focused on fun, streetable power?"

"L98 swap it!"
"Cut a trap door for the fuel pump!"
"Get the Daytona Cowl Hood!"
"LSx NATION!"
"200 shot of NOS!"

Thanks!

 

Noooooo.....not to the B4C.... leave it original and pick up another one to mod....or sell it to me

 

KMK 454 your car is so dang nice the only thing I would do to it is...put gas in it and drive it!

 

That's one way to interpret what I'm saying and put words in my mouth. Another way you could take it, is to leave it alone if you value the originality.

Sheesh... Act like I asked the stupid question, why don't you.

 

The 'stupid' question I'm referring to is the implied "How do I mod my car without modding my car, and while retaining it's value".

The short & stupid answer as A) You don't, or B) You decide if you want to modify it, or enjoy it the way it is.

You can't have it both ways.

Don't ever try to characterize something I say as suggesting -

"Cut a trap door for the fuel pump!"
"Get the Daytona Cowl Hood!"
"LSx NATION!"
"200 shot of NOS!"

I've never and will never suggest that kind of stupidity.

 

There are nuances to modification; there are plenty of cars that wear an aftermarket part here or there that, after very little wrenching, could go back to stock and cross the auction block for top thirdgen dollar. In some cases, it can help preserve vulnerable original parts - but there's a line. An L98 swap on an original LB9 crosses the line.

Your 350 "two cents" reminded me of the many threads where people ask about LB9 mods and don't want an engine swap, only to be immediately hit with useless responses recommending an L98 swap. The discussion in this thread was going that way, hence my sarcastic riff on the state of the "tech" board and some of the typical, unconstructive suggestions we can find here. My post wasn't attributing any quotes to you; if I was, I would have directly quoted you like I did in this post, where I quote you asking not to be mischaracterized as you mischaracterize something.

 

Thanks!

That post wasn't serious. Plus, I've already modified it with springs and wheels, but the originals are all boxed up. If you're serious about buying shoot me a generous offer

 

Kurt! Stop messing with your car!

 

You're dismissing the context of my reply, and missing my point. You said you wanted another 45hp, and implied you wanted it to look stock. While that's virtually impossible to do with a 305, you can get a lot closer with a 350. Your reply about potential negative impact to the car's originality, is in direct conflict with your goals. Do you want to keep the car original, or do you want another 45hp? You're apparently willing to rip the top half off the engine, but going the 1/4 mile further and pulling the block is a deal breaker?

Interesting that you noticed the emoticon, but completely misunderstood the message. Admittedly, I was posting my opinion, that cost you nothing, for you to take or leave. The further implication being to not let it get you all twisted up.

So you are tired of people suggesting the 350 swap when people ask about a 305... Guess what? I'm tired of people asking how to make their 305 perform like a 350. It's nearly 2019, Thirdgens have had 305s since 1982. Do you think there's some new trick to hopping up a 305? Some solution that's not in the archives that has been suggested a million times, and couldn't be found with a search?

My suggestion is logically sound. That it crosses some imaginary line, that you've drawn in the sand, doesn't make it ludicrous. Equating the 350 swap, to cutting a hole in the floor, or buying the worlds ugliest cowl hood, is a stretch. Adding 45hp to a 305 while appearing stock, fits in much better with your examples.

Sorry about your tiny engine, bro. Don't let it get you down, we've all been there. <<<See, that's a joke... Smile, nobody is picking on your 305.

 

This...

If I had your car, I'd keep it in Ferris Bueller's glass garage and never drive it, much less start ripping apart the engine.

 

A little slower...I'm taking notes.

Almost, virtually, close to never. But it slipped out.

 

It's all about the Pixie dust. You just have to believe! Or snort it... I hear that works too.