Looking for a 3rd Gen Camaro or Fox Mustang
Discussion
I can only speak from experience and I haven't had a 3rd gen Camaro so I can't comment on them.
I had a 4th gen LT1 with the auto and while it had bags of torque that gearbox does spoil it some times. I'd find my self wanting 1st but I'd be past the point where it would kickdown into 1st. Also the auto puts more strain on the already shoddy brakes.
Now I've got a 6spd LS1 4th gen and there really is quite a difference between the two to drive. The manual will slow down going down the gears so well that you hardly need to touch the brakes under normal driving. I can always find the right gear to be in now. The noise when your coming down the gears too is lovely. I don't find the clutch heavy, however the gear shift takes a while to get used to. Imagine its a gated box, once you have the feel for it you can row through smoothly but my first few hours where interesting.
Handling is better due to the lighter weight 1620kgs vs 1780kgs. Can't comment on the standard LS1 brakes as I have Vet brakes fitted which are awesome.
As a comparison I have driven a bog standard 2006 Mustang V8. It was slower than my LT1 that I had at the time. Everything felt light and a bit disconnected. I think you feel the road better in the Camaro. Nice interior on the Mustang and I love the shape but didn't make me go WHOA!, the Camaro will.
I would hold out for a manual Camaro of either engine (LT1/LS1), I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I had a 4th gen LT1 with the auto and while it had bags of torque that gearbox does spoil it some times. I'd find my self wanting 1st but I'd be past the point where it would kickdown into 1st. Also the auto puts more strain on the already shoddy brakes.
Now I've got a 6spd LS1 4th gen and there really is quite a difference between the two to drive. The manual will slow down going down the gears so well that you hardly need to touch the brakes under normal driving. I can always find the right gear to be in now. The noise when your coming down the gears too is lovely. I don't find the clutch heavy, however the gear shift takes a while to get used to. Imagine its a gated box, once you have the feel for it you can row through smoothly but my first few hours where interesting.
Handling is better due to the lighter weight 1620kgs vs 1780kgs. Can't comment on the standard LS1 brakes as I have Vet brakes fitted which are awesome.
As a comparison I have driven a bog standard 2006 Mustang V8. It was slower than my LT1 that I had at the time. Everything felt light and a bit disconnected. I think you feel the road better in the Camaro. Nice interior on the Mustang and I love the shape but didn't make me go WHOA!, the Camaro will.
I would hold out for a manual Camaro of either engine (LT1/LS1), I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I'm not sure the Mustang would be slower than an LT1. It hit 60 in 5.1 and the quarter in a low 14. It may feel slower as you're playing with a litre less and the power (like the LS1 vs LT1) is more at the top end.
I'm surprised you didn't like the steering on the Mustang - all the test reviews (including Autocar and CAR) said it was excellent, though I agree the GM cars are weightier in feel. Some of this is down to the narrower and higher Mustang tyres with their 55 profiles and the cars do benefit from bigger, wider and lower profile tyres.
Just budget for a strut tower brace on any F-body. On my '98, I thought that with the windscreen that far forward, a STB would have little effect but by god, it makes a huge difference.
I'm surprised you didn't like the steering on the Mustang - all the test reviews (including Autocar and CAR) said it was excellent, though I agree the GM cars are weightier in feel. Some of this is down to the narrower and higher Mustang tyres with their 55 profiles and the cars do benefit from bigger, wider and lower profile tyres.
Just budget for a strut tower brace on any F-body. On my '98, I thought that with the windscreen that far forward, a STB would have little effect but by god, it makes a huge difference.
Thanks for the info
I think my head could be turned by the right 4th gen. Perhaps I'd just swap out that ugly airbag wheel for a nice, classic-looking Grant one. This one suggested by LuS1fer would be quite nice, if it had the right box: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Camaro-/331080...
I've heard a transmission swap on the 4th gen is made very difficult by the electronics?
Still looking for cars if anyone knows of one available!
I think my head could be turned by the right 4th gen. Perhaps I'd just swap out that ugly airbag wheel for a nice, classic-looking Grant one. This one suggested by LuS1fer would be quite nice, if it had the right box: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Camaro-/331080...
I've heard a transmission swap on the 4th gen is made very difficult by the electronics?
Still looking for cars if anyone knows of one available!
With the price and rarity of 6 speed boxes I think a swap is probably a no go.
I thought about a steering wheel swap but its too much faffing,
http://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02-general-41/how...
I thought about a steering wheel swap but its too much faffing,
http://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02-general-41/how...
And back to a Corvette C4.
It's a convertible though but the C4 had a backbone chassis. Low miles. new hood. What's not to like?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corvette-C4-Convertible-...
It's a convertible though but the C4 had a backbone chassis. Low miles. new hood. What's not to like?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corvette-C4-Convertible-...
LuS1fer said:
And back to a Corvette C4.
It's a convertible though but the C4 had a backbone chassis. Low miles. new hood. What's not to like?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corvette-C4-Convertible-...
Ouch!! Don't do that to me! It's a convertible though but the C4 had a backbone chassis. Low miles. new hood. What's not to like?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corvette-C4-Convertible-...
That is lovely, actually. More money than I can justify spending though...
It's only a 200hp 3.8 V6 but has a manual (bearing in mind a Mustang GT only has 215hp)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-a...
This is auto but has the 5.7 and looks nice (if the non-standard sunroof doesn't leak)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-a...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-a...
This is auto but has the 5.7 and looks nice (if the non-standard sunroof doesn't leak)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-a...
Speaking from personal experience in looking to buy, 4th gens seem to be a little like buses in their scarcity, followed by a small collections all at once.
Your budget is plenty for a good manual LT1 4th gen, although you will have to patient. Should be OK for an LS1, although that will be tighter. Some people ask a lot more for late LSs, I don't know if they actually it.
I paid just over £3k for my manual LT1, which is basically in very good condition.
Your budget is plenty for a good manual LT1 4th gen, although you will have to patient. Should be OK for an LS1, although that will be tighter. Some people ask a lot more for late LSs, I don't know if they actually it.
I paid just over £3k for my manual LT1, which is basically in very good condition.
NDNDNDND said:
D'oh! Why does this have to be in Dundee??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-Ford-Mustang-5-0-V8...
I can't help predicting you're going to be disappointed by only 215hp. They are tuneable but shipping costs are high.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-Ford-Mustang-5-0-V8...
LuS1fer said:
m/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-am-GTA-/161562158841?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item259ddae6f9
This is auto but has the 5.7 and looks nice (if the non-standard sunroof doesn't leak)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-a...
Anyone here have any knowledge of this car? Hateful interior but has piqued my interest...This is auto but has the 5.7 and looks nice (if the non-standard sunroof doesn't leak)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-a...
Best bet will be asking on the Pontiac Owners Club site, someone on there should be able to give you some info.
Take that power figure with a pinch of salt as well. I appreciate that it has had a port job, and has some roller rockers, but that appears to otherwise be a stock 350 TPI motor, which at best put out 230hp at the flywheel.
Take that power figure with a pinch of salt as well. I appreciate that it has had a port job, and has some roller rockers, but that appears to otherwise be a stock 350 TPI motor, which at best put out 230hp at the flywheel.
Camaro said:
Best bet will be asking on the Pontiac Owners Club site, someone on there should be able to give you some info.
Take that power figure with a pinch of salt as well. I appreciate that it has had a port job, and has some roller rockers, but that appears to otherwise be a stock 350 TPI motor, which at best put out 230hp at the flywheel.
Agree about the power claims, and although the handling stuff seems a reasonable addition it's going to need a new interior.Take that power figure with a pinch of salt as well. I appreciate that it has had a port job, and has some roller rockers, but that appears to otherwise be a stock 350 TPI motor, which at best put out 230hp at the flywheel.
I breezed by the POC yesterday and it's blowing tumbleweed in there. They have classifieds that are 3 years old!
balls-out said:
Speaking from personal experience in looking to buy, 4th gens seem to be a little like buses in their scarcity, followed by a small collections all at once.
Your budget is plenty for a good manual LT1 4th gen, although you will have to patient. Should be OK for an LS1, although that will be tighter. Some people ask a lot more for late LSs, I don't know if they actually it.
I paid just over £3k for my manual LT1, which is basically in very good condition.
Could I ask where you bought yours? Slightly rude question I know! I keep an eye on e-bay, gumtree, preloved, carandclassic, retrorides, rodsn'sods etc, etc... they come up very rarely.Your budget is plenty for a good manual LT1 4th gen, although you will have to patient. Should be OK for an LS1, although that will be tighter. Some people ask a lot more for late LSs, I don't know if they actually it.
I paid just over £3k for my manual LT1, which is basically in very good condition.
I've sent an enquiry to a guy on rodsn'sods who's moving on an '84 trans am, but I think the manual box needs a re-build and, as it's probably a T5 mated to a 350, possibly an upgrade... Not sure on costs, but probably quite a bit.
I'm not sure if I'd be too disappointed in 215bhp, (or more like 150bhp in a trans am!) I'm more interested in a characterful, crude car to rumble about in. I did go and look at an SN95, but it felt a little ordinary after the Camaro...
NDNDNDND said:
balls-out said:
Speaking from personal experience in looking to buy, 4th gens seem to be a little like buses in their scarcity, followed by a small collections all at once.
Your budget is plenty for a good manual LT1 4th gen, although you will have to patient. Should be OK for an LS1, although that will be tighter. Some people ask a lot more for late LSs, I don't know if they actually it.
I paid just over £3k for my manual LT1, which is basically in very good condition.
Could I ask where you bought yours? Slightly rude question I know! I keep an eye on e-bay, gumtree, preloved, carandclassic, retrorides, rodsn'sods etc, etc... they come up very rarely.Your budget is plenty for a good manual LT1 4th gen, although you will have to patient. Should be OK for an LS1, although that will be tighter. Some people ask a lot more for late LSs, I don't know if they actually it.
I paid just over £3k for my manual LT1, which is basically in very good condition.
I've sent an enquiry to a guy on rodsn'sods who's moving on an '84 trans am, but I think the manual box needs a re-build and, as it's probably a T5 mated to a 350, possibly an upgrade... Not sure on costs, but probably quite a bit.
I'm not sure if I'd be too disappointed in 215bhp, (or more like 150bhp in a trans am!) I'm more interested in a characterful, crude car to rumble about in. I did go and look at an SN95, but it felt a little ordinary after the Camaro...
Pretty sure it was ebay. I've had 2 camaros before and was browsing when saw the current one at a good price nearby, so I went to look.
the seller claimed he had had a lot of interest - they all do of course, but I think it was underpriced a little. I saw the add Friday, made the call and bought it by 10:30 Saturday.
Keep an eye on the classified here too.
have you been to http://www.classiccamaroclubuk.com/phpBB3/index.ph...
never seen an actual car in the for sale section, but worth a post to get like minded people on the look out and you never know someone may be thinking of selling.
LuS1fer said:
The thing with Mustangs is you do sit ON them because the engines are taller and so are the scuttles.
The LT1 and LS1 are very low and compact so have low scuttles and you sit IN them, more like a Corvette.
That does sound a lot like my experience. Being sat deep behind the scuttle of the Camaro felt quite alien at first, but in retrospect the sensation of having a lot of powerful car in front of you felt really cool.The LT1 and LS1 are very low and compact so have low scuttles and you sit IN them, more like a Corvette.
This might not be the best place to ask, but can anyone give any advice on rebuilding a T5 and what upgrades might be necessary for it to take the torque of the 5.7 over the 5.0?
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