LDfoot

To start I own an 89 honda prelude with 4ws. It's a fun car but the lack of RWD and actual power is getting to me. The plan now is to get an 88-92 camaro shell and drop the 5.7 v8 from the era. First question would be is the 5.7 the LT1? Second question would be if I mated the 5spd from the 305 would the tranny be able to handle the power? Again I apologize for my noobness taking up space.

angel71rs

Welcome noob. 350 from those years is an L98, and the T5 5 speed has a tough time living behind 350s, but some have been known to survive.

LDfoot

Soo considering the fact that this a budget project all the way would you say I'd be safer sticking with the 700R4?

xpndbl3

www.thirdgen.org use the search feature and check out the engine swap board, just read threads for a few weeks then post questions. typically all answers can be found through the search feature first.

angel71rs

Projects like this can nickel and dime you to death. You'd be better off searching the boards, ebay, etc, for a factory L98 car in as good a shape as possible. One with ~100-120k on it should be in the 3-4k range. They will come with the 700r4, a tranny much more suited for reliability behind a 350.

ws6transam

First question: What's your budget?

Next question: Do you want to drive it or work on it? Is it important to you to be able to say "I did this mod"? If its secondary, then the best plan is to search thirdgen.org for a lightly modified car with some suspension mods, some exhaust mods, has a body with no rust, and an intact fuel injected engine.

...and yes, it would be easier to keep the automatic in the car. Put in the right torque converter and it'll be plenty exciting.

I also highly suggest that you stay away from cars that have ripped seats, shoddy paint, and rust. It's hard and expensive to fix. If it has nasty paint, just enjoy it, drive it and leave it that way. It's cheaper to buy something that's already painted. A good paint job costs three to seven thousand dollars. FWIW, My paint cost $5000 and had no rust repair necessary. I also did all assembly and disassembly myself. It could have easily cost $7000 had I let them do everything.

You should be able to find a rust-free, fast and fun, presentable third-gen with a few mods for $4000.

IMHO, you want to stay away from hacks or cars that have been converted to manual 4-barrel carbs and single plane intakes.

LDfoot

I'm looking for a car daily car to have some fun with. 120Hp isn't cutting it with the honda, and the more I look on the thirdgen.com boards it does seem more sensible to save for one like you said ws6transam, but I had wanted to do this as project to not to say yeaahh I made that motor produce XX amount of power. The bragging rights I had envinsiod (sp) where more of I bought the car with no motor and dropped one in myself becuase to me it would mean alot; if that makes sense.

xpndbl3

i have a ton more money dropped into my camaro than if i bought one all done. figure you'll save 70% in cash to buy one built how you want it. get one with a paintjob you can live with and a 350 in there already if you can.

LesPaulGoth

If your just looking for some additional power, youll be more than content with a 305TPI 5spd. Just keep it stock for now before diving into crazy projects, or youll get into more than you can handle. Engine/tranny swapping takes lots of research, not just a haynes manual and a few wrenches.

Dave89IROC

if you're anywhere near michigan

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464854

LDfoot

I actually live in the NE area

ws6transam

For sure.

Mine's now a low-12 second, 113 MPH E/T, 19 MPG, roll bar equipped, 1.05g skidpad street machine, and there's $20,000 worth of parts rolling around in there. I've got a thousand hours of my own labor into it, too. How much is it worth if I were to sell it?

Probably less than half that. I've seen comparable machines in comparable condition sell for $11K. A really nice stocker can be had for $4000. The moral of the story is you build a car for the experience of building it. You buy an already built car for the experience of driving it.

Oh, and like Dave hinted, check out IROCSS85's Camaro. It's a solid project in need of a few details. It would make a fun and affordable driver. The '86 Transmission is, I think, the one that used to be in MY car. I sold it to Chris when I planted the T56 in my car.

LDfoot

Hey big thanks to all of you guys for helping me out. The one thing though about the camaro is that it WILL be standard; I would only buy an auto with the intent of swapping it.SO my question is for all of the guys with the 305's;
do you like having the 305? would it be worth modifing the 305 if it means having a standard?

LesPaulGoth

You mean a manual ?

LDfoot

yes yes I do; sorri if I didn't make that clear but I refer to manuel as standard alot lol