Hey guys so I sold my 1st F body camaro after I graduated because I wanted something newer with lower miles and also a car that got better gas milage, to get to college. I ended up with an eclipse gst. It has been a fun car but I want to get my v8 back! Sorry if this is such a noob question but I have about 8k to spend on a F body. What would be the best route to take? The car must be a manual. But I really want to make some moderate hp hopfully get into the mid to low 12's. I want to gut out the interior put new leather racing seats possibly a roll cage, and all new gauges. I would probably have 4k left(after purschase of the car) into making some power. Im not to concerned about smog even though I live in ca, im pretty sure I can get around it. Im considering options like supercharger, nitrous, bigger engine. What year camaro would be the best for my project? Is my goal even possible for the amount of money? Please any positive sugestions or links that could point me in the right direction is much appreicated!

 

That's a pretty subjective question.

First, any factory manual 3rd gen will only have a 305. Not the best for getting into the 12's.

Second, any factory manual after '84 will be a T5. Not the best for getting into the 12's.

The best platform for getting into the 12's is probably a '90-'92 L98 car. But, it won't have a manual. You could convert it, for sure.

Nitrous is the cheapest power possible. Hard on parts, like manual transmissions and 10-bolt rear ends.

 

Hey thanks for the help! Would it be better to find a manual tranny car then put in a l98 engine in it? Seems eaiser to swap engine?

 

95-97 LT1 or 00-02 LS1. That will get you into the 12s without having to tear the engine apart. Unless thats your thing then you just gotta choose.

Here are some pointers. 85/86? or older is good b/c they come with mech pump pickups in the tank = -1 headache. I would stay away from T-Tops if you dont mind b/c the chassis is a little stronger. Rear end shouldnt matter really, you should get a better one if your going to push a 3rd gen that far. But if your going to build the stock rear, I would get a 10 bolt just because the parts are cheaper and more available.

And I would get a Firebird or Trans Am. they are sleeker and when John Lingenfelter had to choose a platform to build his top speed F-body, he choose the early style trans am. So ha .

But thats just my opinion and my pointers. Good luck buddy!

 

Though my expertise across the F-Body spectrum
is limited to the 87-92 platforms.. my opinion so far
is the '87-'89 cars are the best overall Fbodies in
my opinion, especially the 1989-90 years.

Easy to mod, alot of things fixed, revised or
simplifed, and probally the most sought out
after MAF TPI setup on Ebay, in junk/wrecking
yards, and so forth.

My only real stiff was the center-bolt valve
cover's.. but I guess you can blame the heads
for that nonsense.

Ive owned a '86 T/A, '87 T/A, borrowed a '84 Z28
for a few months and finally my '89 Trans AM.

And collector reasons, the '89 was an anniversary
year.. value could shoot up, unlikely..one could wish

I think the '91-92 Pontiac's are different looking,
not a big fan of the GFX.. but nice cars overall.

Shoot for anything over 1989, and you should be ok!

(no offense to the earlier Fbodies )

 

89 im a bit partial of course, but the l98 that year had an insane amout of torq. serp belt of course is better. if youre looking into an auto car 88 and up 700's are way better. kiwi rear's that year too. looks??? its what u like. my favorite are 89 gta's 89 tta's and 89 irocs's i want one of each.

 

Is your budget $8k for the car and $4k for the improvements, or $8k total?

Personally, I'm partial to Camaros, and to the earlier years, and have this thing against GFX. But, that's just me.

For $8k, you could find a roller and put in whatever engine and transmission you wanted. The weak link is going to be the rear end, no matter year, or 3rd or 4th gen - figure on needing to beef that up one way or another. If you have that extra $4k, it certainly would be more obtainable (~$2500 for a 9-inch or 12-bolt). Seats and cage are going to be a hefty expense.

Whatever you get, put subframe connectors on your must-do list. Add poly suspension bushings all around, and boxed or tubular rear control arms. Lower control arm relocation brackets are going to make your 12-sec goal so much easier to obtain.

 

Personally, I'm partial to Camaros, and to the earlier years, and have this thing against GFX. But, that's just me.
one for the ****** crowd
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why cant you write ******

 

Because it isn't nice. . .

 

how do u know what i typed?

 

I don't! But the filter only takes out things that aren't nice. . .

 

well it wasnt a bad thing?? anyway 5.7 kid i right either buy a shell and make a 12 race car. or go l98 tpi with a power adder. a supercharged 5.7 is easy for 12 seconds. enough $ and u have 11's

 

I think 8K is his total budget, he is probably looking to buy a car in the 4k range.

I would also vouch for five7kid's suggestion. Look around for a roller, i know there was one being sold near my area last year for about $1500. It was a roller, but the guy had completely stripped it, installed a roll cage, 4link rear end, beefed up gears, and front suspension. You would have only had to install springs, and rear control arms, as well as torque arm upgrades. But he had everything else done, like LCA relocation, tubular subframe etc... He even had the car in primer and ready to paint. He had just dug into replacing the wiring, and smoothing out the firewall, when he decided his other projects needed more attention. WHich is why he slapped the "get it out of here" price tag on it.

Thats the kind of deal you need to find.

If you get a nice rust free, fairly upgraded roller for $2k, you can spend the 4K you want on the power, and still have around $2k for paint and appearance upgrades. And you will end up with 100% custom street rod, that you were a part of building.

I think its more sensible to start at the beginning, rather than in the middle, then going back to the start and then heading to the finish.

Ie: start with a roller rather than a semi finished car that you are gonna redo anyway.

 

83 HO (L69) Z28

- Only 3000 were made.
- Handled the same year Mustangs (0-60 and handling).
- Better handling than any other American car at the time.
- Only year/configuration that beat the same year Corvettes (0-60 and handling).

It was a feared car.

 

But, there wasn't a 1983 Corvette. . . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

IMHO of the 3rd gens the 1989 model would be the best. Last year of the nine bolt, aluminum driveshaft, better brakes and a host of upgrades from previous years. Easiest to upgrade to speed density if one wanted to do so.

I like the looks of the 1967-69 years and they have no smog. From a technical standpoint and also looks the 2002 years would be very good.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the help and opnions! From what you guys have said I think my best bet would be to just find a roller and put in a engine. The totall budget for the car is 8k including price of the car. So if I can find a roller for 1-2.5k id have some cash for a good engine and upgrades. I will be driving the car at least 3 times a week so thats just something else for me to keep in mind.

 

uhhh there was no 83 vette... a 305 isn't exactly the best choice for his goal of 12's..

Edit.. five7 beat me to it..
----------
If u live anywhere close to me I'll sell you a roller real cheap! It could use a paint job though.. holes already there for a manual tranny too PM me if you're close to NJ

 

Nah Im in LA, CA. It would be nice to find a roller prior to 72 because then I wouldnt worry at all about smog but im kinda partial to the 3rd gen because it was my 1st car and they are easier to find.

 

Much cheaper too

 

I know a guy that is selling a rolling chassis. It just needs an engine and tranny. I know I'm all the way in mass. but the body and everything is mint. It looks like its setup for racing and everything. If you're interested let me know I have a couple pics.

 

I know EXACTLY what I would be searching for, but good luck finding one or getting it for 8 grand. A 1992 Pontiac Firehawk. Up until 92 it was the best handling, best performing American sports car EVER build. In fact it was beating Porshe 911's, Ferrari's, and Lambo's. That car was bad *** in stock form in just about every way possible. I would trade my wife in for one without even a second thought. And I think it was in the 12's stock or damn close to it. Not sure if they got the promo vid here but its on streetfire if not, check it out sometime.

 

Hello for first post.

I want to get a third-gen camaro soon but really wanna know whats the best year to go for. Ive been looking at ones from 84-92 i like the 91 and 92 as they have differnt dash etc but are these the best ones to go for or are some of the older models better?

Btw im after a Man Trans + Targa Top..

 

man trans?????????? targa top on a f-body? so youre looking for a transvestite in a vette?

 

Well T-Top then with a Manual Transmission..

 

was just joking tried to make a funny.