Thinking of doing a Third Gen Camaro with LS swap... not sure it's worth it

[shudog]

Probably end up with a car that costs more and is worth less for same performance as a clean used 4th gen Camaro that already has an LS engine.

They are relatively cheap and easy to do though.

Option B would be a first gen project but that's beyond my skill & budget unfortunately

[andrewb70]

Is there a question somewhere in there?

Andrew

[shudog]

sure - what's the better car - a nicely modded 4th gen or a 3rd gen with LS1 swap?

[srh3trinity]

Not everything is about resale. I prefer the styling of the third gen and the performance of the fourth.

[DesertFox]

sure - what's the better car - a nicely modded 4th gen or a 3rd gen with LS1 swap?
It really depends on what you like...
However if you're building it for future value, well, good luck with that....
We're currently getting ready to swap an LS1 into my 88 GTA, however I also have a very nice LS1 SS Vert... totally different animals, but I get 100x'S more thumbs up in the GTA.

[Schwartz Performance]

"Better car".... Hmmm too many variables! Fix the 3rd gen up I say!

Right Andrew?? :)

-Dale

[Heavymetl]

I dunno...I'm pretty happy with my 3rd Gen LS1 car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWlv9qxcFX4

[shortrack]

After I get the chevelle finished I was thinking about doing an LS swap to my Iroc but from what I have gathered it isnt a particularly easy swap....have things changed in the last year or so?

[Jok3r]

an ls1 98+ camaro can be had for 5k. if you do everything yourself, a 3rd gen ls1 swap will cost about 5k. if you dont do the welding and fabrication of the peddles, and the trans tunnel yourself, or the PITA wiring yourself, it will cost a lot more than 5k. then you need a driveshaft, motor mounts, crossmember, exhaust, steering etc.
i wanted to go for an ls in my 87 camaro, but then i just swapped a carbed 350 in it with ease and for no money and made the same power as the ls. i sold it, but i will build one like that again soon. imo the gen 4 is a much more practical option. it has better brakes, suspension and steering. i like the looks of the gens when done right, check out a **** harrel camaro.

[analyte]

Build what you want, resale be damned I say.....

[LS1-IROC]

Swapping in a LS motor into a third gen is easy peasy now a days. Everything you need can be bought from vendors now.

I say do it. 3rd gens have finally reached rock bottom in price and some models have started to increase in value. 4th gens are still on the rocket ship ride to the bottom as far as resale value goes.

A proper swapped LS 3rd gen can bring decent money if you ever want to sell it.

[MonzaRacer]

an ls1 98+ camaro can be had for 5k. if you do everything yourself, a 3rd gen ls1 swap will cost about 5k. if you dont do the welding and fabrication of the peddles, and the trans tunnel yourself, or the PITA wiring yourself, it will cost a lot more than 5k. then you need a driveshaft, motor mounts, crossmember, exhaust, steering etc.
i wanted to go for an ls in my 87 camaro, but then i just swapped a carbed 350 in it with ease and for no money and made the same power as the ls. i sold it, but i will build one like that again soon. imo the gen 4 is a much more practical option. it has better brakes, suspension and steering. i like the looks of the gens when done right, check out a **** harrel camaro.

ANY LSx swap will cost several thousand $$$$ because of the basics of the LSx. So far unless your swapping in FI /ignition together on your LS then you have to buy MSD, I would bet modded or even unmodded 4th gen headers might be made to fit a 3rd gen,, from what I see there are already 3rd gens with LSx.
And besides 3rd gens are more aerodynamic and MUCH easier to get in and out of . Swap in some decent Recaros and they fit decent. They already had hydraulic clutches so should be easy swap.
Trans should be easy cause most of the newer stuff has been swapped in.
Go for it.

[JEFFTATE]

If you have the time , money , and skills , do the Third-Gen LS ..
If you are looking for an easier result , buy a Fourth-Gen LS

[MonzaRacer]

If you have the time , money , and skills , do the Third-Gen LS ..
If you are looking for an easier result , buy a Fourth-Gen LS(and get a chiropractor on contract or hope for a good back)

There I fixed it!

[Project92rs]

The real answer depends on the quality of the 3rd gen you're starting with. If it needs major body and paint work in addition to the performance mods, then you might be better off buying a decent quality 4th gen. If the car is in decent shape and you have some mechanical skills, the swap is easily doable and heavily documented on www.thirdgen.org and vendor support is pretty good now.

As Val put it, we're getting ready to do one in her 88 GTA. The result will be a car with similar power to the current 383 but with better mileage and a few lbs trimmed off the nose to help with weight balance. Is there a reason to do it? Not really except to make tuning a bit easier. If I didn't already have a built LS1 sitting around I would have considered doing just the LS1 PCM swap on the current 383 since it runs pretty strong as it is.

Finally, if you're worried about resale value, find a different hobby. Cars are almost never worth what you spend on getting them to the performance levels you want. They're just a bad investment overall. Do it for the fun of driving it and do it with the type of car you enjoy and if you have to sell it later hope for the best but expect to lose money on it.

[BADNBLK]

I have to agree with all comments here. As a thirdgen lover here I HAVE to say put it in the 3rd gen, and never look back! I really think that the styling is so sexy on a 3rd gen whether you choose to keep the exterior stock, or go completely modified. There will be respect commanded from any hot rodder or such for performing the ontaking of completing the swap instead of making the easy choice and buying a 4th gen. The money aspect is what it is, some can spend a large amount on the swap costing well over what a similar conditioned 4th gen would cost, but others have been very resourceful and saved a lot of money compared to just buying it all from the Hawks catalog. I just helped a buddy complete a swap for under $2500 into his gorgeous 89 IROC, and he doesn't regret any part of the swap at all... (I on the other hand do, I'm totally jealous and his car will pull my car now :( )

I also think that we are the upswing in popularity with these cars. There is more parts suppliers starting to show more support with new parts for these cars, and some bigger builders starting to play with them, let alone the actual values for them are coming up at what I feel has been a rapid pace, for some desirable models.

In the end you gotta do what you want, your car, your time, your money :)

[TonyHuntimer]

Go third-gen with LS. :)

Tony Huntimer~

[tyler qb]

Go third gen!

[Vicinity]

If you're gonna build a car and be concerned with resale value, you're gonna have a bad time.

Trust me on this.

[IROC-Z]

I'm right in the middle of my swap. Just got my wiring harness today. I would much rather have a nice 3rd gen swapped than a 4th gen. Good luck with your decision!

[Jameson]

Probably end up with a car that costs more and is worth less for same performance as a clean used 4th gen Camaro that already has an LS engine.

They are relatively cheap and easy to do though.

Option B would be a first gen project but that's beyond my skill & budget unfortunately

Building a car is to enjoy the hobby and use of skills (as well as hone) to make a vehicle unique. Your never going to break even or even 75% of your investment in this hobby when it comes to selling your car either. Hell I stopped counting on my SS how much I have into it and just enjoy the car.

[JUNK YARD DAWG]

You have to ask yourself if your a hot rodder or a car salesman values based on the book is never why we do this its about having something unique and special. my car will die and my had I am its last owner so I am free to do what I want to it after I thrash the life out of its current mill I put another one in it . ls or big block or old school small block and get you the power you want it just a question of your personal preference. Don't allow the ls price list get you off task it can be done for less than you think. check these guys out .http://www.yatesefi.com/lsx-swap-guide.html

[JUNK YARD DAWG]

You have to ask yourself if your a hot rodder or a car salesman values based on the book is never why we do this its about having something unique and special. my car will die and my had I am its last owner so I am free to do what I want to it after I thrash the life out of its current mill I put another one in it . ls or big block or old school small block and get you the power you want it just a question of your personal preference. Don't allow the ls price list get you off task it can be done for less than you think. check these guys out .http://www.yatesefi.com/lsx-swap-guide.html

[mikesanto70]

Go third gen!

This car is SO BOSS!!!!! TT 6.0 M6..... fuggin aye man, just need proper wheel tire combo to make it perfect, such as that maggied up white LS IROC , needs 18x11 or 12's out back!!!!

[NJSPEEDER]

If you're gonna build a car and be concerned with resale value, you're gonna have a bad time.

Trust me on this.

This is an absolute truth. Yes, the guys on TV make money modifying cars but they also know a lot more about target markets, have way better connects for discounts on parts, and have vastly largely networks to pick up cars on the cheap. The reality is that if you are customizing a car for yourself, even if the mods in question are tasteful and common, you are 99.9% likely to end up with more invested than the car will return.

-Tim

[shortrack]

Im sick of the TPI in my IROC. Im seriously thinking of putting in a Ram jet 350 instead of an LS. The Ram Jet has Fuel injection, 350hp/400ftlbs will bolt right in no prob as well all my A/C, exhaust and other accessories will bolt right up.

[High Plains Mopars]

This is an absolute truth. Yes, the guys on TV make money modifying cars but they also know a lot more about target markets, have way better connects for discounts on parts, and have vastly largely networks to pick up cars on the cheap. The reality is that if you are customizing a car for yourself, even if the mods in question are tasteful and common, you are 99.9% likely to end up with more invested than the car will return.

-Tim

I'll also add that they cut a lot of corners on quality to meet deadlines and produce cars that needs TONS of work once the episode is complete. I know a guy who had his car "Overhauled" by Foose on his show. Once it was done, they needed it for another 6 months to iron out all the bugs since it wasn't today's episode and was low on the priority list.


FWIW, I believe Warren Johnson said the 3rd gen Camaro was much more stable on the top end and needed less work on the aero package than the 4th gen required.

[Twentyover]

Geez, it's like I'm reading pro-touring.com in some alternate, not quote parallel universe. Since when did money become the determining factor for selecting a project?



Building a car is to enjoy the hobby and use of skills (as well as hone) to make a vehicle unique. Your never going to break even or even 75% of your investment in this hobby when it comes to selling your car either. Hell I stopped counting on my SS how much I have into it and just enjoy the car.


^^^^
This

[CarlC]

I would really like to build a 1988 build or earlier 3rd-gen ;-)

[Nothingface5384]

hell im building a twinturbo efi buick 355..talk about bad $$$ to performance ratio compared to similar LSX swap/build
just build what you like and want more
dont be concerned about resale
im building my car for me, I don't see a point in building a car for resale..as you'll never get anywhere close to what you put in it..