EuroticCustoms

Hello, my name is Paul, and I'm an insomniac. I've had this problem since I started working on F-bodies...

No, but really, I'm bored and thinking about some things.

A story follows -- for those who don't like reading, skip to the last paragraph.

I started out in a Pewter 1994 3.4 M5 Camaro, my first true love. This was before I knew of horsepower, torque, and mechanic work. After a wreck, and engine, and another wreck, I stripped the car and sent the non-salvagable remnants to it's resting place. I cammed the engine and put it in a 1989 S-10 along with some headers, dual exhaust, a ported intake, and a 4.3 throttle body. <--pointless piece of info, but. I saved the body and interior parts in case I ever got another one.

I then bought a Black 95 Z28 A4 3.23, my second true love. I owned it for 5 years (and bought sold and traded over 40 other vehicles during the time I owned this car), the longest, by far, I've ever owned a vehicle. I was very rough on it. The tranny came out at 77K miles, just 2K miles after I bought it. I put in a rebuilt tranny, and had it messed up 2K miles after, but couldn't get it to act up when taking it back for warranty service, so I put another 18K miles on it. Next went the water pump, head gasket, and opti, so I replaced all of these and threw in a set of plug wires. 100 miles later, I spun 2 mains and a rod bearing. I then purchased an engine out of a 93 Vette with 21K miles. The 93 engine had been burned(for insurance purposes?) so I swapped everything (everything needed to be swapped anyway) from my 95 engine to the 93. I bought a Z-roc hood, clear turn signals, clear corners, headlight and tail light covers. Painted the headlight covers at the same time I painted the hood. 2.5% window tint...it was beautiful. I was IN LOVE with this car. I finally found a shop who would warranty the tranny, even though I purposfully ripped on it until it gave after being told nothing was wrong with it when there was actually something wrong. Shift kit, tranny cooler, new tranny...lasted 4K miles this time. Anyway, a child was born -- my child. I needed some quick cash and sold the car to a friend for $2,500. I'm not even going to mention that I had made this into a BRAND NEW 1995 Z28...BRAND NEW. Everything from ball joints, tie rod ends, new bushings, calipers, rotors, shocks, struts, starter, blah blah blah blah blah. Everything.

While I still owned the 95 Z, I bought a Pewter 96 RS 3.8 A4. Aftermarket paint job with a bronze pearl, engine blown. Gave $1,200 for the car off eBay, and had a $2,500 offer before I could put an engine in it, so I parted with the car prematurely.

So, 8 months later I run across a Black 94 M6 Z28 with T-tops for $2300 on eBay. Opti and water pump are shot, car has 110K miles, but was owned by a responsible African college professor. The car had been sitting for 3 years. It had it's issues, but nothing I couldn't overcome. I already had the opti and water pump from the 93 engine I put in my 95, so I drove 200 miles to get the car. Fixed it, drove it home, and it's been great to me. I posted a thread in the "Drag Racing" section of this site of a race with an 03 Cobra. Obviously I'm out-powered, but I'm impressed with this little stock 94 Z; by far the best running F-body I've owned. The guy who owns the mustang went to school with my fiance...she's 20. I'm 24, so I've been driving at least twice as long as the guy who drives the Stang.

Anyway, I also bought a Black 96 Formula Firebird A4 2.73...lots of mods, but runs like crap. I had to replace the opti, water pump, plugs, wires, etc.. blah blah blah. Just ordered a Walbro pump to cure the 21psi fuel pressure problem, but anyway.

The guy who owns the Cobra's dad has a 96 Firebird Formula. It's set up strictly for the track. Has plexi-glass windows; the windshield has a cut-out for the bird catcher to come up through, fold-forward front clip, and a carburated big block. He has other fast toys too...new Z06 Vette, 56 Chevy coupe, among others. The dude's girlfriend also drives a Z06 Vette.

Anyway, this was a pointless story, but here's what I'm getting at...

I love the 93-97 Camaro body-style and semi-like the 93-97 Firebird/Trans Am body-style. I greatly like the 98-02 Trans Am body style and DESPISE the 98-02 Camaro body style. I like the 93-97 Camaro more than the 98-02 Trans Am. I don't like the 96+ Camaro interior, I don't like the 96- Firebird Interior as well as I like the 97+.

Basically, I like the 93-95 Camaro the best, because of body and interior styling. I want a little more power and reliability. I found a complete drop-out from an 02 Z28 with 32K miles for $2,800 on car-part.com...only it's an A4. I'm really quite partial to the 6 speed in the car now...it's a lot more fun. I also found an 1995 LT1 long block that had been in a fire for $550. It's less than 200 miles away and would be perfect for a build-up...also found another one...not sure what year it was but it was $375 for the long block. The description said something like "108K, runs, smokes, good core." It's also less than 200 miles away. So, I'm going to run a poll as to what I should do.

I'd just like to kinda get the views of other people on the board, and I'm not trying to pi$$ anybody off by dissing the different years of our vehicles. Everybody has an opinion...hell my buddy says his favorite body style out of all the f-bodies is the 98+ Camaro. So anyway, let the poll begin and I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks ahead of time.

Paul

Injuneer

Wrong forum... not exactly "Advanced Tech". So let's move it to "General....." Not sure anyone is going to take the time to read all the way to the bottom of it though.

b.lee

Build and LT1, Duh.

Cheapest, and Fastest. (if built correctly)

96 Z 28

From what I understand the LS1 is too tall for the LT1 front end. so basically if you swap to an LS1 you need to go with the entire front clip. I also believe there are a lot of changes in the front clip to fit the LS1 underneath as well...

Pretty much the consensus is that an LS1 Swap could be done but the effort & $$$ are not really worth it compared to a nice LT1 Build-up.

EuroticCustoms

I was debating whether to put it in the advanced or general tech. Figured the swap would make it advanced, but it's a story lol

Sorry bout that Injuneer

I read that somewhere. I'm not sure what was changed, but I'm sure it's nothing a cowl induction hood wouldn't take care of? I'm not dead-set on an LS1. I like the LT1 a lot, but it seems like every time somebody talks about building an LT1, somebody else says "why spend $3,000 on your LT just to get it to run with a stock LS1?"

I've only got $2500 in the Camaro so far. hmmm..

Injuneer

Got to look around, search, etc. There's a "sticky" on the Appearance forum on the front end conversion.

http://camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312442

vatechguy3

so what are you going to do??

tony

1987IROC350

voted to buy a 98+.

RE AND CHERYL

That's not true at all. With my below bolt-on's and good driving my M6 LT1 will eat a cat back M6 LS1 easily. I've done it many times.

The way things blow up on you, I really think you should stick to the cheaper LT1.

fastdan

I'd go with the LT1. I've seen stock Lt1's at the track run 13.7's many times. My friend(good driver) has also ran 13.7 in his LS1.

Really not much different imo. I like the look of LT1's better too and that's what I'm in the market for.

Dan

AmirGTR

Well, you ain't the only one.