I've been a bowtie guy for many years. I've driven different F-bodies but never owned one. I have owned three Corvettes and liked them all. Now, I am looking to build me a hotrod and I am weighing my options.

Without going into a long and drawn out story, handling is my #1 thing. It doesnt matter how fast it can go or how fast it can get me there, it means nothing if it cant corner. I dont drag race, I like to autocross and would like to move on to road course racing. So, that means I need a car that can take the turns as if it rides on rails.

I rebuilt one of my previous Corvettes with a very stiff suspension (350# front springs, a 420# fiberglass leafspring in the rear, and poly bushings), so I dont have any problems with a stiff suspension so long as it maintains traction when it goes over a bump. That setup was great for me but obviously all cars are different and what works for one may not necessarily work for others.

So, I know how a Corvette feels on the track. Never raced an F-body. Never driven one with a modded suspension. I have three reasons why I'm looking at 3rd gen Camaros:

1. I like the look.
2. I have some very nice AFR heads that were meant to be installed on one of my previous Corvettes, which had an L98. I'd like to install those on a Gen I engine rather than sell them.
3. Price. I can find a decent Camaro for around $3k in my area, cheaper if it doesnt have an engine and transmission. The closest Corvette that I can find that has what I'm looking for is $9k or more.

I have read the Third Gen mods 101 and skimmed through some of the various threads. I see quite a bit of knowledge but not a whole lot of comparisons that I can relate to. I've searched for mods for 3rd gen Camaros and found quite a few. My goal is to get a suspension setup that will corner with the best of them. Anyone out there have some advice and knowledge in this area?

 

Give this a read through.
Should be helpfull.

 

Thanks for the link but do you have specifics? I know of ways to make any car handle better. The question is how good.

 

That link has some specifics. Although, most of it is more or less basic info. Are you asking for specific brands, parts, sizes, ect?

 

Specific brands, spring rates, etc will come later when its time to get my hands dirty. I'm pretty much driving at whether its worth buying a Camaro, and modifying it for auto-x and road course racing, or pay the extra money and buy another Corvette.

I guess it basically boils down to this. Supension wise, which is better: a C4 Corvette with Z51 suspension and Koni shocks or a 3rd Gen Camaro with about $4k in suspension mods. Mind you, this will be a double duty vehicle, so going with all out race parts for the Camaro isnt a real option.

 

I don't really have any point for reference, but I have read that the 3rd gen IROC slalom and skidpad numbers were slightly better than the C4 Vettes. But, I would venture to guess that a 3rd gen with 4 grand in suspension would be better. I have about $2200 in suspension for mine, and drive it everyday. Another $1100 in extra wheels and tires. My brother has a stock C4, and he won't race me cause he says he knows he'd loose despite the face he has a L98 and I have a L03.

 

I've read some stuff that led me to the same conclusion. However, as anyone who has modded before, how it works on paper and how it works on the track can sometimes be different.

I appreciate your input though.

 

I think that your questions could be better answered at frrax.com. Or, at least, answered more quickly and perhaps thouroughly.

 

So... Your looking for an opinion on here from someone else saying that a modded camaro handles as well as a modded 'vette? It's all in setup. Why would someone elses opinion have any validity, especially over the internet?

Go to the track and ask around. Hell, ask for a ride along.

 

He needs to talk to dean. I am sure he is still kicking around with some screen name or other. Too bad they keep banning him, I have had alot of questions answered by using search and reading his threads.