FNG here, from just west of Birmingham, AL. So, a buddy of mine junks out cars. Obviously hangs on to some that sparks the imagination. 1989 Camaro RS with no motor, no trans. Not much left of interior. But...he’ll let me have it, just to see it get back on the road. I’m just in the very early stages of planning, but thought I’d introduce myself and share a couple pics as it sits. My preliminary thoughts are a mild build on a 400 sbc. I say mild because the idea for this car is to build something with enough manners to be my daily driver, but also make me look for more “scenic” routes to work. In other words, I’m much more interested in the exhilarating feeling of a spirited drive through some twisties than I am with straight lines. I know, my genitalia hang on the outside, and if someone pulls up next to me at red light and revs it, we’re racing. But that’s gonna happen even if you’re driving a Chevette. We can’t help that. Thus, the mildly built 400. I’m wanting to go with a T56 trans and build a 9” rear. Looking at probably putting an Eibach pro kit and Koni yellows on the corners. That and new bushings and subframe connectors before it ever sees the road. Oh yeah, since I live in the real world, this ain’t happening quickly.
No motor?
Then the way is clear to “drop an LS” in it!
Then the way is clear to “drop an LS” in it!
I’ve thought about the LS swap, but I think I’ll just stick with an old school small block Chevy.
Junior Member
Where are you located?
I’ll second the LS swap.
We regularly harvest running, driving 5.3/4L60E combos for less than $600.00. Lots of miles but great for a hot rod starter kit.
Plenty of work goes into the swap but unless you have a complete small block with all the accessory drive and all the throttlebody stuff, it truly would be just as easy to go LS from the beginning.
I’ll second the LS swap.
We regularly harvest running, driving 5.3/4L60E combos for less than $600.00. Lots of miles but great for a hot rod starter kit.
Plenty of work goes into the swap but unless you have a complete small block with all the accessory drive and all the throttlebody stuff, it truly would be just as easy to go LS from the beginning.
I live in Adamsville, but the car and my friend’s shop are out closer to Bessemer. That’s where I’ll be doing most of the work. I plan on running a carb rather than the TPI, so no need for the throttle body, etc. One big reason for leaning towards the sbc is that he’s got gobs of sbc stuff squirreled away.
Junior Member
With a big stash of sbc parts, it makes good sense to go that direction.
My ‘89 Formula and ‘84 MCSS both retain Gen I SBC engines and probably always will. I have a large collection of sbc parts so my $$ will go into other parts of the car.
My ‘89 Formula and ‘84 MCSS both retain Gen I SBC engines and probably always will. I have a large collection of sbc parts so my $$ will go into other parts of the car.
I figure I should pretty easily get the low to mid range kick in the pants I’m wanting with a 406