Should i swap my stock 305 for a 350, or buy a 2002 SS?
10-31-2003, 10:20 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 67
this would be a tough decision for me. i love the 3rd gen and the sound of a 350. but i also like the speed of an SS. will working on my berlinetta to making it as fast as an SS be less than just buying an SS?
10-31-2003, 10:56 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Tucson, Arizona USA
Posts: 312
It totally depends on what YOU want.
this would be a tough decision for me. i love the 3rd gen....
As do I. My first NEW car was a 1983 Berlinetta. Twenty years and 11 third gens later, I'm still driving a third gen. Today I own two. Why? Simple. I do not like 4th gens at all. I feel GM went backwards in the design. Yes, they went forwards in terms of technological advancements (electronics, drivetrain, etc.) but backwards in terms of styling:
1) From sleek, sharp lines to rounded, just like all other cars.
2) Concealed wipers to exposed wipers.
3) The Z28/IROC-Z was visually different from the Sport Coupe/RS. No difference in the 4th gen Z28 from the base Camaro.
4) From tri-colored Z28 badging to BLACK only Z28 badging (even on black Z28's!!
5) The distinct front bumper/grill of a third gen to: a) a copy of the third gen from 1993 - 97, then to, b) the "controversial" 98 style.... yuk!
Just one feeble opinion from a true, diehard third gen owner. It seems that most third gen owners today drive a third gen because they can't afford a fourth gen. Not me. I drive one because I absolutely love the car.
.... and the sound of a 350. but i also like the speed of an SS.
Why settle for the "speed of an SS"? Reach for more. I did and have it in my third gen. Oh, and with a 305 no less.
...will working on my berlinetta to making it as fast as an SS be less than just buying an SS?
Absolutely. My friend's wife's car is an '84 Berlinetta. It was originally equipped with a V6. Today, it has a 305 TPI and it runs high 13's. Mind you, he could not do all he wanted to do (performance wise) because it is his wife's daily driver.
Also consider how fast new/newer cars depreciate. Case in point: A co-worker bought an '02 Trans Am new for slightly over $30k. He just traded it in last week. Only 13 months old and he got $20k for it. Ask yourself this, "How much will my modded Berlinetta depreciate in the next year?" I think I've made my point.
BTW, have you considered coming down to Tucson for the Super Chevy Show in mid-November? We're having a small get-together with third gen owners (only) on the 15th. We've got a number of cars driving down from Phoenix. Check out some of the threads on for more info:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/foru...?s=&forumid=45
this would be a tough decision for me. i love the 3rd gen....
As do I. My first NEW car was a 1983 Berlinetta. Twenty years and 11 third gens later, I'm still driving a third gen. Today I own two. Why? Simple. I do not like 4th gens at all. I feel GM went backwards in the design. Yes, they went forwards in terms of technological advancements (electronics, drivetrain, etc.) but backwards in terms of styling:
1) From sleek, sharp lines to rounded, just like all other cars.
2) Concealed wipers to exposed wipers.
3) The Z28/IROC-Z was visually different from the Sport Coupe/RS. No difference in the 4th gen Z28 from the base Camaro.
4) From tri-colored Z28 badging to BLACK only Z28 badging (even on black Z28's!!
5) The distinct front bumper/grill of a third gen to: a) a copy of the third gen from 1993 - 97, then to, b) the "controversial" 98 style.... yuk!
Just one feeble opinion from a true, diehard third gen owner. It seems that most third gen owners today drive a third gen because they can't afford a fourth gen. Not me. I drive one because I absolutely love the car.
.... and the sound of a 350. but i also like the speed of an SS.
Why settle for the "speed of an SS"? Reach for more. I did and have it in my third gen. Oh, and with a 305 no less.
...will working on my berlinetta to making it as fast as an SS be less than just buying an SS?
Absolutely. My friend's wife's car is an '84 Berlinetta. It was originally equipped with a V6. Today, it has a 305 TPI and it runs high 13's. Mind you, he could not do all he wanted to do (performance wise) because it is his wife's daily driver.
Also consider how fast new/newer cars depreciate. Case in point: A co-worker bought an '02 Trans Am new for slightly over $30k. He just traded it in last week. Only 13 months old and he got $20k for it. Ask yourself this, "How much will my modded Berlinetta depreciate in the next year?" I think I've made my point.
BTW, have you considered coming down to Tucson for the Super Chevy Show in mid-November? We're having a small get-together with third gen owners (only) on the 15th. We've got a number of cars driving down from Phoenix. Check out some of the threads on for more info:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/foru...?s=&forumid=45
Last edited by Willie; 10-31-2003 at 11:01 PM.
10-31-2003, 11:50 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Posts: 2,947
Berlinetta's here, are becoming harder to find. I personally loved the interiors they had. In the "styling" department the Berlinetta was top dog!
They had the best stereo's, all of the toys and power accessaries and a "****-pit" feel to the drivers seat area. I loved them!....
Throw in a HiPo 350 and you've got one well rounded straight line performer that with its softer suspension will hook pretty good!
I'd say keep it, mod it, and put the change in your pocket...
They had the best stereo's, all of the toys and power accessaries and a "****-pit" feel to the drivers seat area. I loved them!....
Throw in a HiPo 350 and you've got one well rounded straight line performer that with its softer suspension will hook pretty good!
I'd say keep it, mod it, and put the change in your pocket...
i bet with the money left over you could "throw" some heads and a cam on it too
11-01-2003, 12:03 AM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Posts: 2,947
One more thing, you mentioned gas milage. It seems to be a trend try to "soften" or "civilalize" SportsCars. These are "Sports Cars", if you want great milage buy a Cavalier, if you want a smooth ride buy a Caddy, if you want a "wishy-washy"middle of the road car buy a Mustang. Our cars do what they were intended to do very well, perform...accelerate quickly, turn quickly, stop quickly...That;s what makes them a BLAST to drive!No offense...
11-01-2003, 07:50 AM
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 67
Thanks Willie for all your advice, and everyone else. i think i will go down to the car show. but on to the car....how much horse power could the berlinetta handle? 300-400-500? and should i build an engine or just purchase one. (i have no idea how to build an engine, so this would be my first)
11-01-2003, 08:00 AM
#13
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 67
sure, but id like to go down with my dad. the berlinetta was his car and he gave it to me as my first. he loved the car and all chevys. hes in Baghdad right now and he should be back next week (hes been there since may). ill take you up on your offer though, id love to see that car. oh, and is the car show just that day?
11-01-2003, 08:09 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Tucson, Arizona USA
Posts: 312
The car show runs two days, Nov 15-16 (Saturday/Sunday). There's racing both days too. Also venders, a swap meet, etc. We're all meeting Saturday morning.
I posted a tentative schedule here:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=207174
I posted a tentative schedule here:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=207174
