I miss my 2002 Z28 real bad and I need a sports car, I have to have a v8 and I want a good handling car, I am debating over a 2nd gen camaro or a 3rd gen or a fox body mustang, I only have $3500 to spend (law school took all my money) so these are my options for a v8-rear wheel drive-american sports car in my range. I loved my 2002 Z28 but it was a little sloppy in handling but boy was that thing a rocket! What are your opinions on the handling and over all ratings of these cars? Any advice will be appreciated.

 

If you think the 4th gen was a little sloppy do not bother with a Fox body Stang.

The 3rd Gen Camaro or TA would be my choice with the cars ranked (to my taste)#1,GTA #2,Formula #3 Iroc #4 Z28 #5TA

Get a GTA or Formula with the WS6 Pkg

Get an Iroc w/B4C or 1LE Pkg

If you want to go fast cheap get the Stang,mods are cheap and plentiful.

The second gen FBodies got pretty heavy near the end and do not handle well.

JMHO

 

dont even think of geting a sec. gen. they look sweet, but you will not be happy w/the handling. (I know you and how you like to drive) and I think that there just arent that many aftermarket parts geared towards the sec. gen for handleing. and Id hate to see you in a "MUSTAKE" so Im going to sugg. a formula w/the WS6. should be pretty cheap if you get a stock one and there's lots of them around. the 1LE camaro's would be nice, but almost no chance in hell that your gonna find one much less have it be priced in your range. good luck and I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya.
chris

 

Agrees.

 

Third gen is the best all around looks and handling. The Formula will save you a little weight. There are alot of aftermarket parts to go fast. My 87 IROC has gone 12.98 on the motor. Will go well into the 11. on the bottle.
The Mustangs are a little faster stock to stock . That is stick cars. Auto cars the F/bodys are faster stock. You can only get a 350 F/body with a auto. I have never driven a good handling Mustang. To much body roll. I am sure there are parts you can add but the third gens F/Bodys are much better handling stock .
I owned a second gen F/body and they are very heavy and have a lot of body roll like the Mustangs. They are carb engines and have lower compression which means they are slower stock than the third gens. Parts are cheaper for the second gen and are more interchangeable for performance. But to go real fast you would have to up the compression which would mean a engine rebuild.
If you have any guestions just ask.

 

What kind of mods will a TPI 350 need to reach the 12's in a 3rd gen? How much on average will it cost me to rebuild the engine? I don't mind yanking the engine or swapping it for a carburated 350 to get more power cheaper but I am curious what it would take. I have found some high mileage 3rd gens which means that I probably need to do a rebuild, I am just wondering if between new injectors and o2 sensor and all the stuff a TPI engine will need to run like new, would I be better off buying my friends old 4 bolt main 350 and rebuild it and get a carb? I have had many carburated cars and a 2002 Z28, a lightning, etc. but I have never had a TPI car. One thing I want is a solid car, I hate body roll so I will probably get either a weld in or bolt in 4 or 6 point roll cage. Any suggestions?

 

Get the 3rd gen, box the RLCA's,and Panhard Rod,weld in some 2X3 Box metal for your subframe connectors, that will stiffen the car up and should not cost too much.

Look for a Struttower Brace on EBay or the for sale section.

A good set of tires 245/50/16(BFG KD or Firehawk SZ50) and your pulling well over .90g on the skid pad.

Get a TPI if you can, better driveability and mileage,the L98 is a nice torquey engine.

A cam,headers,custom chip and a set of ported aluminum L98 Vette heads should get you 12's
Plus the free mods, TB bypass,cold air, ported plenum,maf screen, relocated IAT, ect.