454 4-speed, or 02 LS1?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 74
From: Maple Ridge, BC Canada
454 4-speed, or 02 LS1?
I sold my 81 z28 a few weeks ago. Now, in the near future I would like to build up either an older Chevelle 454 4-speed, or something along thoes lines, or purchase a 00-02 SS Camaro. I miss my old Munci hurst shifted 4-speed in my camaro.. it sure was alot of fun. I'm just having a hard time deciding what I want to do. I sure would love an older big block, but I sure would love a new LS1 6-speed with 4:10's. Either way, no matter what car I get, has to run atleast 12.00, or lower of course =) What do you guys think?
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,417
From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
The Chevelle has gone down in price as far as it's going to.
In fact now it's going up.
You could make money on a car like that.
The 02 Camaro is going to drop in price the second you buy it and will continue to go down for the next 25 years.
Plus you'll have to drive a fish face.
I vote for the big block Chevelle!
Nothing turns head like a nice muscle car.........
In fact now it's going up.
You could make money on a car like that.
The 02 Camaro is going to drop in price the second you buy it and will continue to go down for the next 25 years.
Plus you'll have to drive a fish face.
I vote for the big block Chevelle!
Nothing turns head like a nice muscle car.........
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 74
From: Maple Ridge, BC Canada
This car won't be a daily driver, so reliability is not a major concern. I must admit, a LS1 would be a sweet ride.. but just the thought of a rumbling 454... maybe even with a 671 on top.. oh man... this is a very hard decision. Just amagine, sitting in your big block ride, as it's rumbling away, with roller internals, 3 inch dual exhaust, and a weind blower on top. People would bow down. I'll have to think about it.
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,368
From: OR
I can imagine that is a tough choice.. Its more like two totally different choices..
The way I see it, if you don't mind more investing time and work (at least initially, if not contiously) on finding and building a Chevelle to your liking, go for it.. Especially if it's more like a weekend car for drag racing..
Else if its something you just want to not fuss with too much and immediatly start driving, and go with the "new stuff", a LS1 f-body.. Ironically, might be more unique to build up a late model f-bod... 427 LS1/C5R block with like a 250 shot of nitrous. It'll be relatively reliable and mild mannered on the street.. and on the track you'll probbaly hit high 9's at least.. That engine itself is probably like $16-20k though.. lol
Best of both worlds? I say go for a Chevelle with the new LS1 family derived marne bigblock crate engines.. 8.1L with 500 hp... Or a 427 ci LS1 or C5R block stuffed way back as possible with the Chevelle setup to carve corners..
The way I see it, if you don't mind more investing time and work (at least initially, if not contiously) on finding and building a Chevelle to your liking, go for it.. Especially if it's more like a weekend car for drag racing..
Else if its something you just want to not fuss with too much and immediatly start driving, and go with the "new stuff", a LS1 f-body.. Ironically, might be more unique to build up a late model f-bod... 427 LS1/C5R block with like a 250 shot of nitrous. It'll be relatively reliable and mild mannered on the street.. and on the track you'll probbaly hit high 9's at least.. That engine itself is probably like $16-20k though.. lol
Best of both worlds? I say go for a Chevelle with the new LS1 family derived marne bigblock crate engines.. 8.1L with 500 hp... Or a 427 ci LS1 or C5R block stuffed way back as possible with the Chevelle setup to carve corners..
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,000
From: Richmond B.C.
Originally posted by sideways_Into_3rd
this ones a no brainer ... 02 LS1
it'll make more power than the 454 .. it'll use less gas.. and u can drive it year round (almost)
this ones a no brainer ... 02 LS1
it'll make more power than the 454 .. it'll use less gas.. and u can drive it year round (almost)
my vote is 454, if you want real power and non ***** torque you know what to do
i got some surprises for some next year
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,104
From: Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Looks like a split decision. I like old muscle cars and if you can get your hands on something good like a SS Malibu, Beumont, camaro and you like to tinker around alot and it's not a daily driver I'd say go for it. But you can mod an LS1 pretty much the same way and there's more selection. When's the last time you've seen a Beumont super sport for sale? I like Chevelle before 69, after that they're not as rare or as nice. Newer LS1 car will depreciate but look at the reliability and gas mileage. A 454= about 10 miles per gallon, if that. An LS1= 35 miles per gallon on the highway. Either way you'll build yourself a beautiful car. My choice would be to buy the car you like best whether it be an old muscle car or newer LS1.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,074
From: Richmond B.C. Canada
Originally posted by Drumhawk
Looks like a split decision. I like old muscle cars and if you can get your hands on something good like a SS Malibu, Beumont, camaro and you like to tinker around alot and it's not a daily driver I'd say go for it. But you can mod an LS1 pretty much the same way and there's more selection. When's the last time you've seen a Beumont super sport for sale? I like Chevelle before 69, after that they're not as rare or as nice. Newer LS1 car will depreciate but look at the reliability and gas mileage. A 454= about 10 miles per gallon, if that. An LS1= 35 miles per gallon on the highway. Either way you'll build yourself a beautiful car. My choice would be to buy the car you like best whether it be an old muscle car or newer LS1.
Looks like a split decision. I like old muscle cars and if you can get your hands on something good like a SS Malibu, Beumont, camaro and you like to tinker around alot and it's not a daily driver I'd say go for it. But you can mod an LS1 pretty much the same way and there's more selection. When's the last time you've seen a Beumont super sport for sale? I like Chevelle before 69, after that they're not as rare or as nice. Newer LS1 car will depreciate but look at the reliability and gas mileage. A 454= about 10 miles per gallon, if that. An LS1= 35 miles per gallon on the highway. Either way you'll build yourself a beautiful car. My choice would be to buy the car you like best whether it be an old muscle car or newer LS1.