This is an impossible factory combo as you all know, so this is how i've been thinking...

Get the 5.7, swap in a T56 and get t-tops put in

Get the 305 G92 and throw in a 350 and get t-tops put in

Get a non-G92 5 speed with t-tops and just swap in a L98

Which do you all think would be cheapest and easiest? Ultimately, I want a T56 and 3.73's with rear disc, so if I went the non G92 route, i'd make sure it had J65 brakes. Any opinions?

 

The way I would do it if it were me.I would buy the car with the t-tops already in it.I think you would have alot of money into putting the t-tops in unless you can do that stuff yourself.then swap in the L98 and t56 or what ever you wanted to put in the car.Or What I would really do if it were me. I would go buy a Convertible and swap in the L98 and T56.Now that is another impossible factory combo that I like.but then again I am a Convertible Nut and Biased towards them.See Sig.


James

 

The cheapest way would be to buy a 91-92 Z28 305 TPI G92 5-Speed with T-Tops and do the engine swap. You'll already have the transmission (yes there are some people out there with lots of power and 350's using T-5's) T-Tops, and 3.42 gears, all you'll have to do put an L98 or whatever 350 combination in you want.

Or if you don't have to have a 91-92 you could buy an IROC-Z with T-Tops, L98, and G92 then do the trans swap. That would be the absolute cheapest way.

 

The thing is, there is no G92 t-top'd car from 90-92, otherwise i'd just get the 5.7 and do a tranny swap. The next IROC I get is going to be a bone stock 90, so i'm not going to butcher that up, so that's why these are my choices. I've always liked the 91/92 style better anyway. So #3 seems to be the better way... just finding one with what I want...

 

Both of the above ideas are good, however, if you put a lot of power behind a T5 and drive it hard it will grenade it. It will not last long so just be ready to replace it.

 

I've seen it first hand. A friend of mine had a T5 behind his 355 in his 89 IROC. It lasted like 2 years though before finally taking a dump. He's going to a T56 now.

 

or hell, I should just get the L98 and be happy I have another 3rd gen hehe

 

Thats right, Third Gen.

Oh yeah, since there were no G92 T-Top cars 90-92, then just get 1 without it, you want 3.73's anyway. (If you are going with TPI I wouldn't go with those)

 

I am in no way saying it can't be done. It can, and a lot of it has to do with how you drive it on a regular basis and how often you beat the hell out of it. I've seen a T 5 behind a motor that was putting 360hp to the wheels. It lasted a little more than a year. But I've also seen one behind a 325 horse motor that lasted 3 weeks. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying be prepared because it may grenade, and probably will if you're running a TON of power. Stock L98 you'll be ok for a while if you drive sanely but you start modding and you start running an ever increasing risk of grenading the T5.

 

Sorry, Ithink you took that the wrong way. I meant i've seen the T5 get destroyed first hand. It lasted way longer than anyone expected, but I mean, I blew my T5 up in my Mustang at 93K miles and whoever had the car before me had it rebuilt once before. I have a Tremec 3550 in it now that just begs for abuse, but anyway...

IZ28... why would you be against 3.73's?

 

how about absolutely none of those options....


save your money, pick up a t-top body stripped as much as possible or completely shot drivetrain. doesn't matter just make sure the body is A+ and it's cheap.

it's all down hill from there.

 

buy a c4...

or, find an 89 with a 350 and t tops, buy a 91 spoiler from jegs or the junkyard, buy some gears and you're set

if you don't want to do that, i'd agree with kandied91z, find a body, and put in everything that you want. that's the only way you'll have complete control over everything without compromising.

 

I want a completely clean in and out 91/92 so I dont have to mess with anything except for the drivetrain. That's just the way I am. I want the new interior etc... sure, that stuff can be swapped, but i'm lazy and I can say I have a 91/92 Z28, not an 84 Berlinetta or some other pos.

 

i'm telling you, learn from my mistake. i recently sold just about everything that made my car a 91. while i wouldn't consider it dumb because it was for the greater good; if i knew from the beginning of my plans i could have saved some money.

if your just looking for a good car that you can add a couple grand into to make nice pick up a 91-92 350 and throw in a 6 speed if you have to have a manual.

you have to ask yourself if having t-tops or a 350 is more important.

and to everyone else, yes i know you can build the little weak 305, however the price he's going to pay to keep up he should have just started from the beginning.

either your commited to building a stout car or your looking for a nice decently price effective version. either way you only have a couple real options.

 

I wouldn't be keeping that aenemic 305, it'd be out the door as soon as I got the 350 built. Then i'd probably destroy the T5 so my T56 would be waiting. I just know how much I loved the t-tops in my IROC, so getting another Camaro without them seems like a lost cause in that aspect to me.