What would you do?

 

Buy the vette and do a basic ls1 swap on the 3rd gen within time

 

20k into just the powertrain would be unreal. What I could build with that would be an easy 9 sec. car.
Would I want a vette? No. A vette is fine if you want to look like anyone else that just buys a car like that. A thirdgen is unique and after 20k, a third would blow away said vette. Then again I am not including labor since I do my own work.

I do not look at thirdgens as a stepping stone or substitute for something else.

 

Thanks, you saved me some typing.

 

What are your goals performance wise, looks, originality, driving manners etc.?

I asked myself the same question except I was at about $10k(powertrain, drivetrain, interior, paint, wheels etc.) and I did all the work myself(besides welding and tune). If you are a dedicated 3rd gen enthusiast go with the LSx swap but remember down the line you are not going to get the current value of the car + $20k.

On the other side, you can have a clean C5 Z06 for about $20k or for about $40k you can have a C6Z06 which I believe is the car w/the best bang for the buck. A 3rd gen is not going to touch the total package of a C5/C6 Z06.

 

Do you like the Vette or 3rd gen better?

are you good (very good!) with electrical and diagnostics?


Youll need it, or deep pockets when something goes on the Vette.

 

Thanks for all the replies... well my initial plans were to swap from CARB to TPI, then I got bitten by the LSx bug, so that was my plan.. do a basic LS1 swap, but then the ERod package came out, seemed like it would be fewer headaches.. soon thereafter I realized everything would have to be beefed up in order for the power to be sustained properly by da' bird... it basically would probably be like an overhaul project type deal.... my main concern is emissions, but at the same time I can't deny that the extra humph would put a smile on my face... back to my primary concern is being able to pass emissions without sweating it... I've always wanted a Vette, my firebird is currently being garaged so if say I were to get a Vette sometime next year, then that would certainly mean I would have to think very hard about my bird... I've had it since 98, but it has been totaled twice, let I point out that both accidents I was not at fault, it was the other idiot drivers... The Vette I would be getting it with an extended GM Warranty, I am willing to go back as early as 2005... as for being tech savvy, I consider myself to be someone who can figure things out..

 

ls swap im loving mine