Okay, i noticed the post a few down, but this is a little different.
i'm 16 and have loved f-bodies for a long time....most of that time its been third gens, cause i've been thinking i'm gonna do all sorts of custom stuff and work, but when i really think about it, a) most of the stuff i want at first is common on a fourth gen LT1, and b) As much as I want to do something like a complete restoration including paint and interior and stuff, I know its not gonna happen....no space, parents arent too excited about tearing cars apart, etc.
What I want is something that looks good, a v8 (in the third gen it would have to be a 305, cause of my next requirement), manual transmission, fairly inexpensive parts, insurance that wouldnt kill a 16 year old male, and the possibility of having a car that is in the 12 second range....
If I got a third gen, i'd want to put a t56 six speed in it, build a 383ci engine for it, upgrade the suspension, etc.
Initially, the third gen would be less expensive....but, harder to find too.....not TOO easy to find a decent V8/5 speed third gen out there (at least around here)
, but after getting rid of the 305 engine and buying a 350 block, i'd have to do all that other good stuff.....ya know, transmission crossmember for the t56, etc.
Would take alot of work and time, and money, to get that.
Chances would also be good that it would require a good amount of interior work and bodywork.

Insurance i would think might be cheaper, but dunno by how much.

With an LT1 fourth gen camaro, i could fairly easily get the 350ci engine and the 6 speed already installed and stuff, so all i'd have to do is take the engine out, rebuild it, probably stroke it, new heads, cam, etc. (nothing too expensive...maybe just ported heads? i dunno much about the LT1), probably replace the clutch while in there.
I'd have what i want for less work probably

I dunno what I should do....anyone know what sorta difference there would be from like an 87-92 Z28 and an early LT1 camaro?
The third gen would be different around here, but there arent many modified LT1 or LS1 fourth gens around here either.....the only fourth gen's at my school now is a red Z28 which is completly stock, as well as a white V6 camaro with aftermarket exhaust, on the verge of illegal tinted windows, maybe some other stuff but i doubt that anything else is really done to it.
There are 2 92ish RS camaros (V8s), a mid 3rd gen Firebird, and a really early 3rd gen firebird...all of which are stock from what i can tell (And from what i can assume from who the drivers are)

Whatcha guys think?

 

I'd go with the LT1. I started with a 3rd gen and...well...that's a little too much work. Then I got the LT1...deffinently better. You start at possibly high 13's, if you are a good driver. You could get a cheap set of LT, custom Y, cutout, CAI and be pretty deep into the 13's. Then just hit it with some giggle gas

In my personal very highly respected opinion( ) I'd get the LT1. Looks better, already faster. Good luck

 

how much would a decent stroker kit (383 probably) cost, that could handle maybe 500 HP in the future?
or whatever amount of power an engine with the 383 stroker kit plus some inexpensive but decent heads, a nice cam, maybe an LT4 intake or something, and some other misc stuff (mostly inexpensive....no blowers, no turbos....nitrous, yeah, but not more than 125 i would say....)?
Thanks

 

insurance alone is a killer on a16yr old with a V-8.

an LT1 doenst need much to go into the 12's but the $$ alone is enough to scare most 16 yr olds.. let alone 25+yr olds!

I think you need to learn to drive first.. get that done. .maybe use a 4th gen V6 with a 5 speed.. perhaps play a little with modding on the V6 and all the while remember that the insurance you are paying is HIGHER on a V8.. Then once you get used to that car and you age a little, get the V8 when you know financially you can handle it.. At that time, your driving skills should be ready to start LEARNING in a V8..

 

Ehh....
Well it wont be my first car....probably wont get it till this winter (Yeah, i know....but i will probably still drive the Catera)
so i'd actually be 17 and driving for a year before i started driving the camaro.....i dunno though
I dont think i'd get a V6 5 speed....if i was to get a V6 5 speed i'd get something like an older Supra, RX7, maybe an eclipse.....fun cars to drive around in but not really what i'd want to drive long term....
Keep replys and advice coming, its all appreciated greatly!

 

Hey guy,

I have a 1993 Z28 M6, mid life crisis car. My advice to you, is to drive it sanely. I have been in 10 car accidents in my 42 year life on earth. Not one of them was my fault. I have driven vehicles in excess of 130 mph as a Police Officer and as a teenager. I love going fast and making things go fast. If you do get a nice Z, take your time with it get some experience with it, learn to drive and not to drive fast until you are experienced. I love my Z and last thing I would want to do is wrap it around a tree. It does love those wantabe race cars though. I had to dislodge a rice burner from my dual pipes the other day. Sucked up in the exhaust you know. Get the car you want, but take the time and get some experience driving. Get a LT1/LT4/LS1 Z28, not 305. Enjoy...

 

yeah, thats what i want to do.....
Yeah, i want it to be FAST (For the track), but if i'm gonna be putting alot of money into it, i'm sure as hell gonna drive it ALOT more carefully than if i had a 200$ POS....
My friend for example.....an old Grand Am SE.....piece of ****....but he abuses the hell outa it.....its scary enough that i dont drive with him much.....cause he thinks he's gotta ****ing racecar......thinks his car can handle anything, lol
but yeah, i'd use the power at the track, not on the street......
oh, well....the highway on ramp dont count, does it? hahha