I have 2 81 Z28`s one I`m fixing up and the other is for parts. Well I was going to mod the hell outta my 81 Z28 then I picked up a parts 81 Z28 for $200 it`s a factory 350 (vin L ) auto, and it`s all there, Now I was wondering if I should put back my 81 Z28 to stock by using all the factory parts off my parts car??? would it be worth more stock? or should I just mod the hell outta it anyway, and put my 500+hp 383 into it.

So will it be worth more stock or modded?.

 

I'm sure it would be worth more being 100% stock, but considering there are so many '81s (well, late '70s / early '80s) F-bodies out there, I don't know how much that would really affect the value right now. Maybe in ~10 years when there are far less of them out there, then the demand might go up, the value might go up, and then it would make more of a difference whether it was 100% stock or modded.

For now, I'd much rather have a ~500 HP 383 than a stock Z28 worth a few more bucks.....but hey, that's just me?

 

For now, I'd much rather have a ~500 HP 383 than a stock Z28 worth a few more bucks.....but hey, that's just me?[/QUOTE]


LOL, your not the only one, if I only had the 81 yes I would build it up to a high 10`s car BUT big BUT I also have an 85 Z28, that I could put the 383 into, I`m just not sure if I should keep the 81 stock?? I guess I have these options.

1. mod the hell outta the 81 Z28 with the 383 and put the 81 350 in the 85 Z28.

2. put the 81 back to stock and put my wild 383 in my 85 Z28

3. put the 383 into the 85 Z28. keep the 81 Z28 looking stock even under the hood BUT use flat top pistons and a bigger cam to pump 300hp outta the 350 and run true dual exhaust.

 

depending on the condition of the 81 Id restore it,build the parts car as street racer and drive the 85 everyday

 

Is the '85 your daily driver? Or do you have another car for that?

I guess if you've already done some work to the '85, and if the '81 is already close to stock, then maybe it would be best to leave the '81 alone, just "freshen up" the motor like you were saying, and preserve it as an original "classic" (keeping the value higher) and go nuts on the '85 with the 383 motor. I'm sure that the '85 is lighter than the '81, so your power-to-weight ratio would be better, and you'd get more bang-for-the-buck with it.

Huh, lots of variables, eh? It's fun having 2 F-bodies to play with though, isn't it? We've got my Dad's '73 and my '02 to work with.....my Dad won the "race" into the 12's, but next summer I'd like my car to catch up a little more.

 

I would build the 81 as a weekend stormer and drive the 85 everyday. I think the late second gens are one of the best looking Camaros of all when done right.

 

Well no my 85 Z28 is not my daily driver it never has been and never will be, My 93 Grand am is, and soon my 85 1/2 ton Chevy will be.

So I can play with my Zed`s ALL I want as long as my wallet holds out, I`m not sure which Zed is lighter I think the 85 is, It is easyer to push ( No I don`t push it because it breaks down I do because it`s missing parts that it needs to run because I`m putting better parts in to make it faster )

But the 85 is a T-5 and no I`m not putting a TH350 in and a 500 hp 383 will kill a T-5 so I`ll need to go with a T-56 and well I just don`t have $2000 to spend on a T-56 and the 81 is a stronger car so it will hold more power without twisting AND the 81 has a better rear end then the 85, and I don`t think I can modify the spare 81 Z28 rear to fit the 85 because of the torque arm.

 

Soooo then, your '81 is getting a 383? Sweet!

I had a 383 in my '81 and loved it. It was mild too.....not 500 HP. I figure it was about ~375 HP, but torque I'm sure was well over 400 lb*ft. I don't have time-slips to prove it, but I know it was a low 13-second car at least...maybe a 12-second if it was setup right?

BTW, I totally agree with you about the rear end strength of the '81s...the 8.5" 10-bolt is pretty stout...the one in my Dad's '73 stood up to a hard launch on ET Streets that killed both U-joints and the T-10 tranny, but the diff still held together!!

 

Maybe this will help a little.
stock:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jst8a5...f2.jpg&.src=ph

not so much:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jst8a5...88.jpg&.src=ph