I have a '91 RS with a 5.0 with a 700R4. im thinking about a crate motor, its a 383 with 420hp/450tq. I was told that on these cars i shouldnt put more than 350hp into it inless i strengthen the chassis, otherwise it would twist and become weak. Now my question is, what is the best route to do this, with out spending an excesive amout of money? thanks.

 

I would start by going to https://www.thirdgen.org/technical-articles and reading some of the articles on this.

The biggest thing you should do, and probably first thing, is to add SFCs or Sub Frame Connectors.

 

yes, sub frame connectors help alot. that should be one of the first things you should do. i have a zz4 350 with around 420hp and i have no problems.

 

#1 - A good weld in sub frame connector even for the slowest third gen.

Although it doesn't serve the same purpose as SFC, installing a 6 point roll bar can also help even if your car isn't fast enough to need one.

 

hey stephen, i have a 6 point roll bar in my camaro. was in there when i got the car. do they help that much with the strength for the frame?

 

Hi , i have a Z-28 with a 350 , not as much HP as yours for sure!..but i have sub-frame connectors on it and a wonder bar and a strut tower brace ..it really helps keep the car stable on turns and at high speeds because i feel the car more grounded ,,these add-ons don't cost a fortune ,,well worth the money.

 

They do a little bit but they still don't tie the front and rear subframe together like SFC do. It adds some stiffness but does nothing for the flexing that SFC prevent.

SFC are always a mandatory requirement. My car has a full cage and I still have SFC.

 

i see, thanks. yeah i have both too.

 

sorry never heard of that term thats new to me but what exactly is a wonder bar i just actually picked up a 85 z28 and have yet to get it towed to my uncles house. But dont really know that much about how the f body suspension is set up let alone i have never heard of a wonder bar yet haha.

 

This wonder bar is designed to stiffen the front sub-frame and reinforce the steering box mount. This area is well known to be problematic on the third gen cars. The tubular steering brace will not only provide for firmer steering response, but it will prevent the sub-frame stress cracking problem caused by the flex of the steering box. That's why the "Wonder Bar" is considered a must do upgrade on any third generation F-Body.

 

hmm good to know probably going to be the first thing i get in that case it will be awhile before i have it runing i have to redo the other head as the one that came off was redone so i figure i wont have the camaro runnin till spring if im lucky haha but deffaintly going to be a thing i will look to get. Is there anything else i should know being a brand new F-Body owner haha. People at school been tellin me that i should not swap it to a 5 speed because they said that the t-5 is a bad trans were as my 700r is alot better. Is this a common debate people have with the swap

 

one thing you should do if you have not already is install sub frame connectors, that helps stiffing up the frame also.

as the tranns goes. i dont know nothing about the t-5 manual trans. cant help you there.

 

in stock form, the t5 and the 700r4 are both just as weak.

The t5 is a weak trans, but it will survive if you dont powershift it and use stock clutches. The case flexes a lot, and that will destroy the gears.

If you really want a manual trans, the t56 is the best bang for the buck, they can still be had for a reasonable price and are a lot stronger than the t5. They require some conversion parts, but its worth it.

Search around in the transmission fourm ,there are tons or articles about this.,

 

thanks man for the help cant wait to just get this car up and running at least haha umm the good news at least is that im gonna finaly have the camaro by this tuesday so i will take a look at it and let u know how it all goes with that. But i am deffaintly gonna stiffen the chassis first since thats the best i believe to start out with instead of just engine mods thanks guys

 

your going in the right direction. SFC should be the first mod to the car, even if its stock. I always reccomend a wonderbar as well, just for a little peace of mind.

I noticed your in chalfont pa, not too far from me, welcome local 3rd gen'r

 

The wonder bar is the same as what comes stock on IROC's, correct???

 

You should consider a good sub-frame connector. Jegs.com has a good selection. Also consider replacing the lower contol arms that hold the rear to the body. The Track bar and track bar brace is also replaced. It is mounted diagonally to the rear. The next thing is to add stiffening braces under the hood between the strut towers. The entire stock of parts are on the JEGS site.

 

yup, and there are aftermarket ones too.