Hello all! I'm new on this board, and I've decided to post in this section, because i'm probably getting a 3rd gen soon. I'm from Montreal, Canada (eh).

I currently own a 1992 Nissan 240sx. Very fun to drive, RWD, torquy 4-banger - nothing like the other Japanese cars. I got it 1,5 year ago, it's my first car, and I wanted to add a turbo and push it to its limits. However, I've unfortunately had every imaginable problem with this car and, eventhough I want to keep it, I might scrap the whole project and keep it as a fun daily driver/winter beater.

So, according to my budget, I don't have enough money to get another car. Well, I should NOT get one, but I'm stubborn and pigheaded. I've looked at what I could get to have some fun this summer without spending too much. The answer was Camaro/TA. Probably 3rd gen because they seem to be easier to find.

Now my questions are:

- With 1,000$ CDN, am I going to find anything? In the best case, the car should be in working order. In the worst case, I could cope with a body and an engine, separated. And the engine should be a 350. Is that realistic?

- I assume some body work will be necessary. Is it realy complicated/expensive to have the floor fixed? Do you just buy a new floor and install it?

- If I end up with a 6-cyl, is it relatively easy to swap for a v8? Does a 350 bolt right on?

- Any special things I should look for when buying a cheap 3rd gen? Is there anything that could ruin my project, and make the whole car nothing more that a pile of metal?

Thanks a lot!

 

Unless your realy lucky all your going to find is running v6 cars or cars with no drivetrain at all. I bought an ugly/rusted V6 5 speed for $300 us and drove it for a few years before pulling the engine and throwing it it my rust free 88, that had a blown V6 when i bought for $600, every V8 car i looked at was total crap or out of my price range. When buying one check the bottom of the doors, thirdgens rot out there frequintly and good doors are hard to find, if the car has ground effects check for rust under them, and check the floors and under the rear bumber/ hatch area.

 

Thanks for the input, LandryP.

But the thing is, I don't want that 2.8 v6 anymore. I bought an old carburetor '84 Jimmy, and I've had it for a couple of weeks before it broke. So I don't realy trust that engine, because of that, but also because many people of s-10 forums were saying so, too.

Besides, I'm looking for something FUN. My 240sx has 155hp and 160lbs/ft tq already. I doubt a v6 in a Camaro would bring me any more fun. I want something that sucks gas and burns rubber, ie a v8.

I'm looking for a 350. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there's something cheaper (305) that could be as fun...

However, I'm aware of the fact that buying a v6 Camaro in working order would probably be the cheapest way. I'd just throw the v6 out and install a 350. Can a v8 come from any car, or they must be from an f-body?

 

Yeah the V6 sucks, but i promised myself I wouldn't replace it untill it dies even though Ive got the whole v8 setup in my basement, that was 3 years ago and I beat the **** out of it everyday go figure. Any small block chevy will bolt in with the right frame mounts. I believe the mounts are different for the V6/V8, transmisions are definatly different. tranny crossmember and driveshaft should be the same. I've heard that you need to replace the front coil springs when you do the swap, but I've never seen anyone do so. Wiring and fuel systems will also have been delt with.

 

You should find a Z28 for 1000 I bought mine off a dealer for 1200 the floors where gone if you have a welder or know someone with one you can make paches and weld them in.

My Z28
1985 Z28
305 5spd
T-tops
It needed floors, valve seals, major tune up, rear brake line and a cat and a windshield

$1200 canadian I bought it because it was just going to end up in the weckers and I wanted to save it

oh yeah if you think that little 4 banger is fun you`ll love a 305