what's goin on...i have quite a bit of money saved up, and i really need opinions fast! right now i own a 3rd gen TA, so with the money i have, i plan on making it look nice as hell, and i should be getting a 383 stroker(470hp) or the 406(i think 435hp) either way it'll be fast as hell...but with all the money i have to spend on doing this, i could get a nice chevelle or 1st gen camaro that is already finished. i really want a new TA but insurance would kill me cause i have a lot of points so forget that idea. But i know a lot of you would probably tell me to keep my TA and make it kick ****in *** ! and that's what i'm leaning towards...but if any of you have come across something like this, could you just give me some reasons for doing one or the other? so..70 chevelle SS/68 camaro/or another 3rd gen already finished or my 3rd gen completely restored and fast as hell?!?! confused thanks a lot!

 

pearsonally i would get the chevelle or 1st gen, but i'm thinking looks not performance. If you have the time fix up your TA it would probably be the cheapest to get running like you want it too... but then again you might be able to find some a finished product and save yourself some time(& maybe some money) w/ this option you aren't guarenteed everything will run like you want it if you had done it your self. check the classifieds and catalogs take into consideration the time and cash you want to spend and the power you want and make your decision off of these catagories..

 

I would go with the chevelle, or the camaro, though I prefer a '69 camaro. Either would look much better than the third gen, and you can find a nice big block to make it a sweet ride with some nice power.

 

ROD OUT THE THIRDGEN. What's wrong with you people???? Are you on the wrong site???
Here's what I think. You don't see very many REALLY nice and clean thirdgens around anymore. At least I don't. IMHO, there is nothing cooler than a perfect thirdgen. No other body style beats it. The thirdgen will be quicker once you get done. But the most important thing.....it will be your blood sweat and tears that went into that car, not Johnny Hotrod down on Main Street. It will be so much more satisfying to do a lot of the work yourself. No better feeling that looking at a job well done and knowing that you did it.
bsa

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"If they do not run, Then they will die." - Stonewall Jackson
#3
'87 IROC, 355 TPI, Converted to SD, 700R4, B&M Megashifter, 3.42, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads, Edelbrock Intake, Accel Runners, Comp Cam, Crane Gold rockers, Lucas 24# injectors, Edelbrock headers, Flowmaster 3'' exhaust, Mallory Ignition, Transgo Performance Shift Kit, Corvette Servo, 2,000 Stall Torque Converter

 

Amen bsa!

Alot of us have small fortunes in our cars and aren't afraid to spend more! Bottom line, do what makes you happy. If you want a Chevelle, get one. But, if you want to build a REAL thirdgen and make it fast and cherry, you'll have 98% of the membership on your side.

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-Jason M. 1991 Camaro Z28

 

Another thing to think about is, what are the emissions testing like where you live, with a 70 Chevelle you wouldn't have to worry about it I don't think, because I know here they don't test cars that old, and you would have to make sure whatever mods you do to your TA stay emissions legal, but then again there's nothing like fixing up your own car.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER, NO CAT
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
2:73 GEARS
Rebuilt 700R4, with manual valve body
B Megashifter
Soon to be installed
3:73 Richmond Gears and 3" Exhaust
"There is nothing more addicting than speed"

 

Well here's my humble opion: I'm over 50, and a lot of people my age can't understand why I built a third gen. I've been through so many cars that it really doesn't matter to me just what body style it is. My primary concern was I was tired of restoring rust buckets. Don't get me wrong I love the old chevelles, and Camaros, but I think a nice car is a nice car no matter what it is. Just as long as it wears a bowtie that is. I picked up my brite red 6 cylinder (the insurance company loves the fact my title reads 6 cyl)84 Camaro with 39000 miles for $3900 dollars. The Chevelles are much heavier, so require much more power to be just as fast. And handling! There is no comparison with old to new technology. My Camaro runs low 12's on street tires, through the mufflers with a normally aspirated small block while Santan jams on the cd player. The paint shines just as brightly as it does on a classic, and big wheel, low profile tires that are popular now look right at home on it. I'm running 315/35-17 BFG Drag Radials out back without any modifications. The choice is yours. You can dump a bank load of cash into a classic, and then mortage your house to modernize it. Or you can skip that first option, and just improve on an already better machine

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50 year old kid in an 537hp 415 CID 84 Camaro
Real men aren't bottle fed

 

by the way, why are you planning on such whimpy motors. If I had that much cash I would at least build a 334

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50 year old kid in an 537hp 415 CID 84 Camaro
Real men aren't bottle fed

 

434

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50 year old kid in an 537hp 415 CID 84 Camaro
Real men aren't bottle fed

 

thanks for the help guys...i was thinking about this all week and you pretty much decided for me. i'm keepin my car, the handling is the main reason, i don't wanna only be able to go in a straight line. plus the power to weight will be a big advantage, does anyone know around how much chevelles weigh? anyway, i don't have the kinda money to get a 632 merlin or anything, sorry if i made it seem that way. but i thought right around 450-550 hp with a 383 would be plenty! just so i can kill some vipers, that's gonna feel good. but anyway thanks for the opinions...keep em coming if you want but i love my TA, i'm keepin her.

 

Hey rode51, I was wondering what kind of back spacing do you have on those rims to fit those tires? Do they rub at all?
Thanks

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they are 4 1/2. They are off the self Eagle wheels. At my age you only remember things like that for a few months, and it's been a year or two since I bought them. I think

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50 year old kid in an 537hp 415 CID 84 Camaro
Real men aren't bottle fed