sell my track ready 72 camaro or re-do w/ ls power?

[chevnut55]

485494855048551I have been tring to sell my 72 pro touring camaro because I want to build something more relaxing that gets good milage. the 550 hp 360 even with the tremec sucks down the gas fast and makes it not so fun unless your on a track.
I dont really want to re do a finished car,but I do not drive it much anymore?
should I sell it and build something else? I drove a new grand sport vette and loved it..not as fast or can corner as good as my camaro but was enjoyable.

[sik68]

Best of both worlds, save a bunch of cash and install the Grand Sport's LS3 motor into the Camaro. You'll get good mpgs, be more relaxed than nursing a 550 hp gen1 engine around on the street, and still be able to keep the raw, fun factor of a hot rod.

Of course, if you're looking for all-around refinement in a sportscar package, it's hard to beat the Grand Sport....just take off the runflats and it will corner at least as hard as your 72.

[Rybar]

Anyone can go buy a new vette, your 72 Camaro is much more desireable. I agree with Steven, slap an LS3 in there and call it a day.

[ErikSOCAL]

I don't know what the right answer is but that is a nice looking ride. Just curious how much are you asking for it?

[chevnut55]

the thing is I have 5 classics and never owned anything new,so driving the grand sprt around a track with the ac,stereo, heads up on was like riding in a spaceship to me. I had the camaro for over 10 years and built it 3 times..now its perfect and im sick of it..besides putting in a new ls motor will ruin the raw nascar look of the car. Ihave $75k into it w/o labor..Id trade it for a vette or new camaro or sell it for $35k . i know the new vettes and camaros might not ever be collectable and drop every year ..but owning a newer car for a change would be great.

[sik68]

Shoot, well if I had 5 hot rods, I would definitely consider swapping one for something new. It sounds like you won't regret it, so go for it! Variety is the spice of life.

[CRead01]

Keep it. It looks like you have a great start. buy something else you might not know what you are getting.

[evostilo]

I agree sell you got 5 classics & if this is a sample of what ur othere classic cars look like im sure you wont miss it.

I can totaly relate with you i sold an 69 SS chevelle and test dove a new SS camaro almost gave 10k down, but i decided to build a classic cuz i only have 1 nice car and 1 beater

[chevnut55]

yea.. got a pro street 55 that can be swaped to pro touring w/ the bower removed and hood swaped, a 67 ac cobra replica that is almoast as good as my camaro with out trying,a 41 willys project for sale,just sold my 69 t/a and got a 4x4 silverado,2 bikes and a sea doo. its getting to be too much. I think I will sell them all except the 55 (had it for 28 years!) and go for a new vette or camaro..if I dont like it, I have a reason to build a pro touring c2 vette or pro touring beater nova next.
if anyone is interesed let me know [email protected]

[SRD art]

Almost sounds like you're saying you need a change and your mind is already headed for something new. If that's what YOU want, go for it.

My street strip Nova has a 560hp 406 small block and was fun to drive daily when I was 21 and first built it back in '91. Now I wouldn't think of even driving it to the track, I'd use about $40 worth of gas each way. But if you think of it, a well prepped LS motor can make over 500 ponies all day long, get great mileage, and will idle smooth with the a/c on. Maybe $2,000-$3,000 for the swap? Personally except for the air cleaner set up, steering wheel pad and safety net I'm not seeing the Nascar look on your car, I'm seeing a well oiled P-T car with the wrong powerplant. A high powered EFI engine would seem right at home in there. If you're bored with it, swap motors and paint it a different color.

If it were me, I'd say don't throw away that motor and all that Nascar stuff, find a cheap project car, maybe somebody's "I lost my job and need $, my car has been stripped but I have all the parts, buy it cheap please..." and really make a "raw Nascar" looking ride for another toy, or swap that stuff into another car you already have.

Either way, get a new car or upgrade the Camaro there will be happiness and regret involved. I don't think I've ever before heard anyone talk about hobby cars and use the word perfect in the same sentence, lol. :)

Good luck with your decision!!

[my79f]

What about a motor swap like what was said above, and then doing something with the interior to make it more comfy/modern. I know if i wanted something more comfy the first thing i would do, is get removable door bars and a/c. etc...

[NJSPEEDER]

What about a motor swap like what was said above, and then doing something with the interior to make it more comfy/modern. I know if i wanted something more comfy the first thing i would do, is get removable door bars and a/c. etc...

This is exactly what this thread got me thinking. Pick up a late model wreck with the an LSwhatever and 6spd and swap over the whole deal, AC, stereo, seats......... and have some fun with the dash and matching door and trim panels. Have all the power and modern comforts in a custom classic. It would be the best of both worlds.

The biggest warning I would give is don't let go of your Camaro. It's obvious your history with the car is massive and you will end up regretting it.

-Tim

[04ctd]

I would look at 98+ LSx powered camaros
you can find them $5~10k, partially built, making ~400hp
offer to trade out the Ski-Doos for a LSx camaro?

sounds too me like you just have TOO much stuff, kinda caught in the loop of "he who has most toys..."
and that gets old.

i would just start divesting yourself of some of the other stuff, and see where it falls out.

i don't have time to do all the maintenance on the vehicles i own. "less is more"

i know what you mean about relaxing, we drove a diesel pickup for ~6 years, bought a nice used Tahoe 6 months ago,
that is RELAXING to drive. that diesel is like an old tractor to drive now. just nice to ride & peace & quiet & relative comfort.

pray about it, pray about everything & good luck.

[andrewb70]

Id drop an LSx engine in the Camaro. I got rid of my 502 big block in my GTO, went LS3 and never looked back. It is a completely different car to drive and I get 21 mpg.

It would a relatively easy swap. You can keep the trans and everything behind it the same.

Andrew

[WS6]

I'd keep the camaro as well but you're not me. It's hard to beat any C5 or C6 as a base for a street and track car. They do so well at both. Maybe find someone in the area that has a classic with an LSx motor and go for a ride. You may find it has everything you're missing from your current camaro.

[EFI69Cam]

Id drop an LSx engine in the Camaro. I got rid of my 502 big block in my GTO, went LS3 and never looked back. It is a completely different car to drive and I get 21 mpg.

It would a relatively easy swap. You can keep the trans and everything behind it the same.

Andrew

Just a discussion.. I'm not arguing with your decision at all.

How does the drivability of the LS3 compare to an EFI older engine? I've read that EFI can take 20-30' of duration @.05's worth of "nastyness" off a camshaft.. i.e. makes bigger cams more drivable than with a carb.


If I were in the OP's shoes I'd try converting the current SBC to EFI and see if street manners do not improve enough to like the car again.

[andrewb70]

Just a discussion.. I'm not arguing with your decision at all.

How does the drivability of the LS3 compare to an EFI older engine? I've read that EFI can take 20-30' of duration @.05's worth of "nastyness" off a camshaft.. i.e. makes bigger cams more drivable than with a carb.


If I were in the OP's shoes I'd try converting the current SBC to EFI and see if street manners do not improve enough to like the car again.

I had EFI on my 502, the LSx engine is still way better. Besides, for the cost of buying all the EFI hardware you can get a complete LSx engine. Even a 5.3L would be better than the 383. You can get an aluminum block 5.3L pull out for about $800 then piece the rest of the parts together.

Andrew

[chevnut55]

Im going back and forth on it. I whish I had droped in a ls instead of spending $20k on a old small block that sucks down gas like it has a drinking problem..though of putting a hydro cam and efi on it but would still suck. i would love to drop in a lsx, remove some race parts expecally inside,get my trunk room back,paint it black ,put a stero and heat in it(non of my cars have thats stuff)..but it would still be the same car..also I put $75k into it..if I put another 5-10k into it someone should put me away! I could have bought a new z06 and saved 5 years of building.
I will try to sell it but its going to be tough to try to teach someone how it works and how to maintain it. if it doesnt sell I might re do it..but will not be able to do for years from now.

[andrewb70]

Im going back and forth on it. I whish I had droped in a ls instead of spending $20k on a old small block that sucks down gas like it has a drinking problem..though of putting a hydro cam and efi on it but would still suck. i would love to drop in a lsx, remove some race parts expecally inside,get my trunk room back,paint it black ,put a stero and heat in it(non of my cars have thats stuff)..but it would still be the same car..also I put $75k into it..if I put another 5-10k into it someone should put me away! I could have bought a new z06 and saved 5 years of building.
I will try to sell it but its going to be tough to try to teach someone how it works and how to maintain it. if it doesnt sell I might re do it..but will not be able to do for years from now.

When I start hearing words like you are saying (typing) above, then I know it all boils down to a philosophical argument. I find that generally you can describe car enthusiasts on a dichotomous scale between builders and drivers.

Builder--------------------------------------------Driver

Everyone can be placed on that scale, with the middle representing a blend of both. Personally I fall closer to the builder end of the scale. I enjoy building the car, tuning it, solving various technical problems that creep up, etc...Other people tend to be on the other side of the spectrum. These are the people that see the building process as a burden and can't wait to get the car on the street or the race track. An extreme example of "a driver" would be someone that bought and car and never works on it.

I am not judging either type, all I am saying is that you have to decide who you are at this point in your life. If building a car doesn't inspire any feelings of joy, then you should get a Corvette and drive the wheels off it. If, on the other hand, you fantasize about doing the LS swap and think that the Camaro would be a unique vehicle that reflects your personality, then you have your answer also.

In the end the decision has to reflect who you are at this point in your life. Either way it will be the right decision for you!

Andrew

[EFI69Cam]

I had EFI on my 502, the LSx engine is still way better. Besides, for the cost of buying all the EFI hardware you can get a complete LSx engine. Even a 5.3L would be better than the 383. You can get an aluminum block 5.3L pull out for about $800 then piece the rest of the parts together.

Andrew

I was a afraid you'd say that. I'm struggling with the BBC vs LS decision myself.

[andrewb70]

I was a afraid you'd say that. I'm struggling with the BBC vs LS decision myself.

What are your power goals? I will tell you another thing. I was just in Colorado in June. I drove from Chicago with my daughter and we hung out in Wyoming and N. Colorado. We drove over Trail Ridge Rd and Snowy Range. I guarantee you that even a fuel injected BBC would have had issues driving at over 12,000 feet. I did all that while getting 21 mpg.

At altitude the only way to go is forced induction. If I lived in Colorado I would do a simple 5.3L with a smallish single turbo, like a GT4088 or GT4094. The responsiveness would be amazing and boost will be instant. It will make 500RWHP (even at your altitude), idle like a stock engine, and get 23-24 mpg on the highway. Even with the turbo hardware you will save over 200 pounds as compared to an aluminum headed BBC.

Andrew

[NJSPEEDER]

I could have bought a new z06 and saved 5 years of building.


And all you would have is just another Corvette.

If you pull out some of the racing stuff and the motor you would recover most of the expense of dropping in a healthy LSx and all the do-dads that go along with it. Winter is coming, if you make the decision now you can drive the car as is for another month or so, tear into it, and start enjoying it in the spring.

-Tim

[chevnut55]

definitly builder..what do you think I will do to a stock corvette? the difference between that and my classics is I am starting with somethingnew, clean, no rot or damage..I do that stuff for a living but skipping the mess would be nice for a change.
If I get a new vette or camaro..suspension, wheels, exhaust, turbos,black out everthing, etc..
I also want to build other cars ,so I need to make room before I can build a daily driver sleeper pro touring 68-72 nova and a 63-67 ls powered vette to take place of my cobra. too many plans too many cars..some must go so I can build new and different and better cars.

[andrewb70]

definitly builder..what do you think I will do to a stock corvette? the difference between that and my classics is I am starting with somethingnew, clean, no rot or damage..I do that stuff for a living but skipping the mess would be nice for a change.
If I get a new vette or camaro..suspension, wheels, exhaust, turbos,black out everthing, etc..
I also want to build other cars ,so I need to make room before I can build a daily driver sleeper pro touring 68-72 nova and a 63-67 ls powered vette to take place of my cobra. too many plans too many cars..some must go so I can build new and different and better cars.

Sounds like you have your mind made up. Go with your gut!

Andrew

[mikedc]

The price difference between the '72 Camaro and the new 'Vette would buy you a hell of a lot of extra gasoline for the Camaro. Like at least 50,000 extra miles worth.

If you want a modern car then I say by all means get one. But I don't think saving gasoline alone is a decent justification for it.

[StyleIn68]

You've put so much time and money into it already, why not make it what you really want? A lot of hot rodding is the journey to getting the ride you want as much as enjoying the final product. Though the final product is more of less work in progress.

If everything made financial sense, we would all be talking about modding a Prius to get more MPG.

[chevnut55]

I got a answer from myself..I have tyhe camaro and 55 sitting there..never use it..either I can spend $50-100 in cheap 93 gas and stop 2 times for fuel or jump in my cobra and no stops no problems spend less than $5.00 to get there and enjoy it so the 2 better cars sit unused. now the cobra might be sold and I just had the camaro too long and lost interest..time for something new.
now its just where and how to sell. cand list it here where there are pro touring guys that want a track day car they can use on the street because I dont have enough posts. cragslist is a joke and flea bay is worse.