fix-up (fuel, tuning, exhaust, Corvette)

[blackroc]

how much can i do to an old third gen camaro for five grand?

[GTOlover]

depends what shape is the car in?
and do you want a drag car or more of a track car that is a great handler?
I would look at putting in a nice LT1 in from a corvette and do some suspension mods

[blackroc]

It's in decent shape, though it needs a resto. I'm going to put in as much as possible so it might end up being more $$$. I've neverdone an engine swap, how difficukt would it be to swap in an LT1? Or a 400 small block? A buddy of mine has one for cheap

[GTOlover]

Small block 400 can be built up quite a bit. The 400 sbc is very strong on the street. If you intend on racing a 400, you might want to think again. The factory seam on a 400, crack under severe pressure.
as for a LT1 swap in a 3rd gen try: http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/en...questions.html

[Mouser]

First of all decide what it's use is 90% of the time

If your willing to invest as much time as money
the choices are almost endless !

[GTOlover]

I have always like the 3rd gen I had a 85 Iroc with the t-5 and L69 HO with all 190HP it was my second car I ever owned was pretty beat up when I got it but i was 18 too bad mine was not as nice as the one in the pic though. I ended up selling it to a friend for $1200 and he wrecked it

[blackroc]

show car/street car so nothing too crazy. I hardly drive it at the moment. I'm looking for moderate performance upgrades in the drivetrain and suspension, and general revamp/upgrade all around, and to make it look good...thanks in advance for gettin the ideas flowin'

[GTOlover]

sounds like a fun project keep us updated

[blackroc]

[Deez Nuttz]

Originally Posted by blackroc

It's in decent shape, though it needs a resto. I'm going to put in as much as possible so it might end up being more $$$. I've neverdone an engine swap, how difficukt would it be to swap in an LT1? Or a 400 small block? A buddy of mine has one for cheap

Since the car is a 305 V8 from the factory, dropping in a 400 sbc is essentially the same thing. Not sure about the LT1 but I'd think the same. That is in terms of the transmission, exhaust, suspension, etc. In other words, just setting the block in there is the same as what you already have.

However you didn't mention if you're staying with fuel injected or not. The LT1 came FI and you can use that. But not the 400....though you could FI it too, you will probably need an aftermarket FI set up, with a bigger fuel pump, a laptop and some tuning skills to get it dialed in right.

The 400 sbc is a torque monster and is an awesome engine on the street. My dad's 68 Camaro SS has one; with the M22 4 speed and 3.55 rear I can pass cars at 40 mph w/o having to downshift to 3rd....that's the torque talking. Big thing is 400's don't have to be, nor do they really like to be revved too much for power. (some hard core drag racers do it though b/c they set 'em up that way) Another is making sure the heads on the 400 have steam holes drilled if you swap heads...use a good radiator too. 400's also cost more to build than a 350.