So, I lost my 91 RallySport in the divorce. Bitch didn't get my dog or my truck, though. Anyway, I'm thinking about getting another 3rd Gen project-type car. You know, insert a big impractical engine, hang out in the garage drinking beer, keep the knuckles all scabbed up, and etc. My question is:

If you had it to do all over again, what 3rd gen f-body would you buy and why?

What makes some of these cars better suited for build-ups than others? Would you start with a L98, or a cheaper 305 and swap it out? Or if you had to start over, would you buy a Mustang?

 

V6 or 4 banger shell.

Reason: Cheaper to buy and you are gonna replace the powertrain anyway.

 

i'd buy a '91 T/A/Formula 305 TPI 5-speed.. jam in a 406 bolted to a Muncie rock crusher and beat the thing to death..


I love my '82 but the newer 3rd gens seem to have better suspention and other accessories.


Still can't beat my rear window wiper and sprayer..

(j/k, it got ripped out and capped off years ago)

 

There's very little difference mechanically between the 82 to 92's except cosmetic styling changes. Everyone has their own preference to what they like. It's all going to depend on what you're planning to do. Since you intend to do big changes, don't buy something because of what someone else has already done. An empty shell or like mentioned above a 4 or 6 cylinder car since they'll be available for less money.

Spend the extra money for a car that's as rust free as possible no matter what else has been done to it. Fixing rust on a unibody car isn't worth the time or money. To me a 5.7L rust free car at 3 times the price or more is a better deal than a rusted out 4 cyl car dirt cheap.

 

I wonder if I might be exempt to emissions laws if I got a really old one. It seems like there is some loophole where if your car is 20+(?) years old then you don't have to pass smog.

Anyway, I suppose you're right. If I'm going to replace the eng/drivetrain, then it probably doesn't matter what I buy. I just wanted everyone's opinion about what they would have done differently in retrospect, so I might avoid having the same problems.

 

I like the earlier cars because they are some much less complex and are several hundred pounds lighter.

 

I'd go with a good solid body. The 4 banger or 6 cylinder seems like a good idea too. Insurance is lower for a 4 banger or 6 cylinder. Unless you told the insurance company, the would charge you the 4 banger insurance rate with the v8 in their.

Cars older than 25 years are excempt here in WA state. At least they were until we adopted CA emission laws. 30 years seems to be the norm. I noticed that crate engines were ok for 1974 and older cars last year. This year crate engines are probably targetted for 75 and older. Better check with your TX dmv.

 

Personally, I would start out with a 91-92 Camaro or Trans Am. That way I get some of the more modern interior and technology refinements, along with a Speed Density harness. I would make sure the car has power everything.

 

1983 Z28 H.O.
Black
Black Interior
Manual tranny
4 wheel disk/posi

 

Depends on if you are builing a street car to drive to shows, or a track car to beat to death....solid body is a must for both. Older cars are better for track, since they are lighter and more simple. Later ones are nicer interiors etc...

Either way, your basically buying a shell...since the motors, trannys and rears (maybe not the 9 bolt) are all weak.

 

I'd look for a 91-92 Formula hard top with 305 TPI/ 5 speed. Add a Procharger, big wheels and tires with 1LE brakes up front and I'd be laughing. But because I am stupid, my project will include tearing down my rusty old 83 and banishing the LG4/ TH200C combo to some dark corner of hell where it belongs. By the time I'm done my car will probably be more expensive than a modded fourth gen or C4 Vette but sentimentality trumps logic sometimes.

 

'89 Turbo GTA.

For a BBC project, probably an '82 to take advantage of any leniancey in the emissions requirements.

Any car would probably be a T-type or another Mustang for newer stuff. Maybe a C3 or C4. :shrug:

 

Yah, i'd kill for a cup holder

 

I would say 82 or 83 for street machine (cheap, emissions, lighter, less of an electrical mess)

For cruiser i'd get a convert. in red

 

Yes. I would have started with a fox body mustang and never looked back.

 

Looks aside, make sure if you want to runa a manual trans, you get a car that had one - its a lot easier that way.

The 1991 to 1992 cars did have improvements that made the car more solid (not rattle as much).