Hey guys!
After not having a thirdgen for the past 14 years Im finally starting to look at purchasing another. Im trying to find a straight, solid, rust free 85-92 camaro for a LS1 swap. Im curious to know if there's any year or model that is better suited for the swap. Is it better to start with any V8 car compared to a 2.8 or 3.1? I think the V8s had stronger or stiffer springs. Would it be better to search for an Iroc with the wonderbar and better shocks and struts? Or do most people who do the LS1 swap end up replacing most of the suspension anyway? Would a hardtop be more structurally beneficial than a t-top due to the higher power ratings of the LS1? Thanks for your help!

 

Depends on what your looking to get out of the car. Do you want a daily driver or weekend cruiser? Race car? If you plan on making good power I would stick with a hardtop. Also need to decide if your going to want an auto or stick.

I dont think engine size really matters too much, as long as you get the body style you want with the trans setup you want. You can swap from auto to manual, but it will be easier getting a car thats already a manual being the holes will already be there.

 

Get a 90-92 model and you will have the better 28 spline axles or find a donor with the better 9bolt rear.

 

With an Ls1/T56, any 10 bolt is a waste of time regardless of spline count. Unless you want to enjoy an stock Ls1 with an auto behind it, they really need an 8.8/9"/S60/12 bolt. And regardless, you can buy a 10 bolt rear for $150 if you really wanted 28 spline. I think it just matters on what you like body/interior wise. If you don't care about model originality, then the only thing that matters is a clean body.

 

I'd like to also add when I swapped my 87 gta it had tpi. My swap was pretty easy because all my gauges work with the ls1 and all I really needed to do is get a different fuel pump.

 

Doesn't matter year only difference is interior and gfx wheels and hood pick the year you like the most

I will say that if you want a manual t56 I would suggest finding a manual Thirdgen removed some unneeded steps Vs swapping auto to manual Thats the only deciding factor depending on which route you want

Supporting mods like rear end and suspension etc are are wise to upgrade and if your doing manual then rear end is a must but depends on how aggressive you are tire selection etc I'm a aggressive driver a broke my share of 10 bolts and 9 bolts with a auto and sticky tires stock and built variants of each and manual I would definitely break rear with in a week

Long stories about decide of these 3 things for swap

1.Manual or Auto
2. Exterior
3. Interior

All lsx swaps the same and wiring various between year and options

10bolt and 9bolt are crap no matter the spline count

 

My take:

- EFI car better than factory carb car (the electric fuel pump wiring/relay will already be there - although you'll probably be replacing the fuel pump itself, anyway).

- Hardtop better than T-top (although subframe connectors should be assumed regardless).

- Probably want to avoid a Berlinetta model with electronic dash (it's generally a pain) - both of my LS swaps were into '82 Berlinettas, but they didn't have electronic dash.

- 10-bolt or 9-bolt can live behind an automatic (my built-up 10-bolt lasted for 6 years - well, I did have to rebuild it once, but I suspect the gears weren't set up right to begin with; I'm running a Moser 12-bolt now).

- If going with a T56, don't even drive it with a 10-bolt. Upgrade to aftermarket (S60, 9", 12-bolt, probably in that order, strength wise - I went 9" in my LS1/T56 swap).

I would say a good percentage of LS swappers upgrade brakes as well (I didn't on the LS1/T56, but have on the LS1/4L60E car).

Some of your other items:

I added a Wonderbar to both my Berlinettas. Added rear sway bar, upgraded front sway bar on both.
I used V6 front springs for my LS1/T56 swap, cut half a coil off V8 fronts for the LS1/4L60E swap (no AC on that one).
Shocks/struts: Since they all wear out no matter what they started as, put on what you want.
I put poly suspension bushing and engine/transmission mounts throughout. Also ended up eventually going with tubular LCAs and pan hard bar (not necessary, but nice).

Other than that, I don't think any 3rd gen year/model is a non-starter. Some are just slightly better as a starting point.

 

LOL< not if he had an 8.5" 10 bolt!


I have an LR4 (4.8) with a t56 and a 9 bolt. If you don't hook, you shouldn't have to worry about breaking anything

 

Good point on the efi Vs carb