I would like to start racing down bandemire speedway just curious what you guys would recommend the 93 5.7 or 85-92 5.0 mustang or camaro? Let me know what is cheaper to upgrade or comments you have.

This should come as no surprise, but from my personal experience the Mustang was cheap and simple to make quick in the 1/4 mile. I won't say it is better, but I personally would recommend it. For drag racing the car is light, and is a good starting point for a street/strip oriented car.

Both cars are easy to make fast, but we need to know what goals you have, what skills you have with building a car, what money you have etc...

5.0 Mustang: cheap to buy, plentiful after market, easy to make go fast for little money.
5.0 Camaro: cheap to buy, almost no aftermarket, you can make em go fast, but it costs LOTS of money.
93 Z28: LT1 is the most powerful motor of these 3 cars (to my knowledge), plentiful aftermarket.

Just out of curiosity, why did you ask about the 5.0 thirdgen? With a little money the 5.7 thirdgens are quick...

the LT1 is going to be the fastest stock, and mod for mod. not only that, but the LT1 car will have ABS, airbags, better brakes, etc than the other two

if all 3 are in the same price range, LT1 hands down

Well I guess you could say I have experience I used to race jr. dragsters and just wanting to start racing stock class. I have 3500 bucks which here is plenty of money to buy either or. Then during the summer I' m going to make 6000 dollars. I've heard from other people that the 5.0 mustang is alot eaiser to upgrade with less cash. I was looking at supercharges and an lt1 S.C was like 5500 vs the 5.0 being 3200 so I was leaning towards the mustang just wondering what you would do if you had 6 grand to dump into a car...

I really don't need an 11 second car I only wanna run maybe high 12's mid 13's I guess which is eaiser to drive my dad tells me either or would be a good choice he likes the lt1 more so than the 302 5.0. What do you guys recommend

well i got my 87 iroc 5.7l for 2000 but that was after looking at about 60 different cars..

I would choose the lt1 over the mustang because:
* from stock you will have more power
* you should be able to parts plenty easy enough
* my personal opinion is the camaro looks better then the mustang (not to start anything)

in the end i would say choose for yourself and it will make you happier

The 5.0 Mustang would be the way to go for what you want to do.

The LT1 would be a great starting point, but being newer with more options, you might have to spend more to get a decent one. I'm not sure if $3500 will buy you a reliable LT1 car, but if it does it is a good choice. The aftermarket is there for them, and they take very well to mods. The 5.0 Mustang could be had for $3500 or even less, but will start out slower than the LT1. The 5.0s aftermarket will be slightly cheaper, but it will take more mods to make it compete.

If it were ME and I had $6000, I would probably do similar to what I did. I would buy most of my parts used, spend my money smartly, and make the car quick for cheap. Before the wheels/tires and paint I had maybe $6000 into my car, and it ran what it runs now, mid 12s on a tire and high 12s on motor. That $6000 counts the initial $3500 purchase price as well!

hes at bandimere, he certainly wont be anywhere near 12s at that altitude... more like low 14s/high 13s

theres a 94' auto Z28 near me for sale for $2700. 96k miles. needs a few minor things like a power window motor and one or two new tires, but other that that it ran great when i test drove it. LT1s are MUCH cheaper than a few years ago, thanks to this dismal economy

so, again, id go with the LT1 car. and to keep things easier AND combat the crappy altitude where youd be racing, id look into a STS rear mount turbo kit. i believe they retail for around $4000. thats a guarenteed mid/high 12 sec car even at that track. total cost including car= under $7000... and youd be a full second and 10mph quicker than the Stang setup that 25th described

thanks tpivette I was leaning towards the lt1 like my dad. Thanks for the comments guys

if ur looking for a 4th gens,
i have a 95 a4 z28 and a 99 z28 FS
LT1 or LS1
pm if interested

Or grab a fox for $1500, toss on some bolt ons and a $1500 Vortech SC, make 400+ to the tires, run 12s at that altitude and do so even cheaper.






Either car would be nice. I think it depends on what you find when you start looking for the actual car. If you find a low or decent mileage, decent LT1 as a starting point, it sounds like your best bet. If you find the right thirdgen, grab it, and same with the Mustang. Without that good base, your dead in the water.

Also, why not buy a car modded already? I have seen HCI blower Mustangs go for $3000-4000? Thats 450rwhp for easy money!

holy crap!!! where can you find a decent fox for that cheap! ive seen rollers go for that amount, but a complete, running, dependable car to build up for that price is mind boggling!! and a complete SC kit for the same price??? does it work??

i wasnt quoting used part prices in my writeup, but im sure an STS kit could be had for cheaper than the $4000 i listed it as (thats the brand new price straight from the STS website). if i were to do an LT1 fbody thats the way id do it. one single mod = 400+rwhp. no other supporting boltons needed

i agree the way to go would be to buy a car thats already modded. thatd be the easiest AND cheapest way

seriously though... wheres that $1500 5.0 fox? ive been looking for a cheap daily driver and the only RWD cars around me in that price range are L03 and LG4 fbodies

We bought and solf 3 or 4 of them in the $500-2000 range. Most of them were word of mouth purchases, but being in a large Mustang club, we get those deals!

I personally would call off all bets until you find the right car. As soon as you decide one vs the other, your going to limit yourself.

I would go with the lt1 just because its a chevy with ford you would junk it for scrap after throwing a Rod.

This is exactly true, and exactly what would happen, go with the LT1!

LOL 25th i knew you would reply after that I was just kidding fox body mustangs are light quick and cheep and as for speed goes probably more bang for your buck.