Yank tank for up to £4k - must be V8!
Discussion
I'm thinking of having a change of pace for my next car and I fancy something a bit impractical, loud and a bit daft overall really.
I love the 1980's Monte Carlo SS and would love to buy one but cannot find any for sale in the UK let alone within my price range.
The criteria is it must be V8 and preferably a 2 door/coupe. I would be doing all the work on the car myself so if it needs a bit of work doing then that's fine.
The main appeal is cruising around with the windows down, straight through exhaust burbling
Ideas?
I love the 1980's Monte Carlo SS and would love to buy one but cannot find any for sale in the UK let alone within my price range.
The criteria is it must be V8 and preferably a 2 door/coupe. I would be doing all the work on the car myself so if it needs a bit of work doing then that's fine.
The main appeal is cruising around with the windows down, straight through exhaust burbling
Ideas?
Willber said:
I'm thinking of having a change of pace for my next car and I fancy something a bit impractical, loud and a bit daft overall really.
I love the 1980's Monte Carlo SS and would love to buy one but cannot find any for sale in the UK let alone within my price range.
The criteria is it must be V8 and preferably a 2 door/coupe. I would be doing all the work on the car myself so if it needs a bit of work doing then that's fine.
The main appeal is cruising around with the windows down, straight through exhaust burbling
Ideas?
maybe a 90s transam/ camaro or a mustang simlar vintage or go for a big old tank like a crown vic or caprice. depending if you want to float along with the odd smoky burnout or hoon round with something that looks like it might be fast I love the 1980's Monte Carlo SS and would love to buy one but cannot find any for sale in the UK let alone within my price range.
The criteria is it must be V8 and preferably a 2 door/coupe. I would be doing all the work on the car myself so if it needs a bit of work doing then that's fine.
The main appeal is cruising around with the windows down, straight through exhaust burbling
Ideas?
That sort of budget puts you nicely in the market for a 'third generation' Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird/TransAm.
My first Camaro cost me £2300 about 3 years ago, it was a 1987 IROC-Z with a 5.0 V8 and a Flowmaster exhaust system and it sounded amazing. Cosmetically it needed a little work here but you should easily pick up a tidy example with the money you've got spend. It was totally reliable and I eventually 'traded up' for a 1992 Z28.
Don't expect blistering performance, power outputs are quite modest given the displacement of the engines but it's all about torque.
Here's a likely candidate, a little over budget but it's a late model and it has a manual gearbox.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-CHEVROLET-GMC-CAMARO-GR...
My first Camaro cost me £2300 about 3 years ago, it was a 1987 IROC-Z with a 5.0 V8 and a Flowmaster exhaust system and it sounded amazing. Cosmetically it needed a little work here but you should easily pick up a tidy example with the money you've got spend. It was totally reliable and I eventually 'traded up' for a 1992 Z28.
Don't expect blistering performance, power outputs are quite modest given the displacement of the engines but it's all about torque.
Here's a likely candidate, a little over budget but it's a late model and it has a manual gearbox.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-CHEVROLET-GMC-CAMARO-GR...
+1 for 3rd generation F-body (Camaro/Firebird). Bought 1991 Z28 with Flowmaster exhaust (removed cat) as my first Yank 3 years ago and still loving it. Never been to the garage with it, all maintenance could be done by one self... And it's not hard to get serious power out of them if that's what you want...
Here's mine (any excuse to post the pic of my P&J)
Here's mine (any excuse to post the pic of my P&J)
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I had looked at that one in the eBay link earlier, nice car and the manual is a major plus point.
I like the look of the 3rd gen Camaro. What's the difference between them and the trans am/firebirds?
When you say 'serious power' what are we talking? Turbocharging? Do the std engines take power increase well as they are fairly unstressed lumps?
I like the look of the 3rd gen Camaro. What's the difference between them and the trans am/firebirds?
When you say 'serious power' what are we talking? Turbocharging? Do the std engines take power increase well as they are fairly unstressed lumps?
Depends what engine you'll go for... After all they are all Chevy small blocks and there's plenty of performance parts for them, including superchargers or turbochargers.
Difference between Camaros and Firebirds? Except body, of course, and interior most of the parts are the same... Depends on the year of production there are slight differences but engines are the same, suspension is the same (stiffer on Trans Am/Formula GTA and IROC-Z). I'm not the expert, but I've always believed that under the different body these are the same cars...
If you planning to modify the engine, go for 350. It's better option to start with than 305 and more performance parts for it too.
Difference between Camaros and Firebirds? Except body, of course, and interior most of the parts are the same... Depends on the year of production there are slight differences but engines are the same, suspension is the same (stiffer on Trans Am/Formula GTA and IROC-Z). I'm not the expert, but I've always believed that under the different body these are the same cars...
If you planning to modify the engine, go for 350. It's better option to start with than 305 and more performance parts for it too.
3rd gens are basically cosmetic interior and exterior differences. The Firebird is the plusher and heavier car though the Formula was designed to be the cheap stripper of the Pontiac range.
Power output goes up year on year so the later the better but a 4th gen car (93 on) will get you a starting power output of 275bhp.
Don't forget the Mustang either - the Fox bodies tend to go for bargain prices having been overshadowed by the new shape.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2667646.htm
Power output goes up year on year so the later the better but a 4th gen car (93 on) will get you a starting power output of 275bhp.
Don't forget the Mustang either - the Fox bodies tend to go for bargain prices having been overshadowed by the new shape.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2667646.htm
Willber said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I had looked at that one in the eBay link earlier, nice car and the manual is a major plus point.
I like the look of the 3rd gen Camaro. What's the difference between them and the trans am/firebirds?
When you say 'serious power' what are we talking? Turbocharging? Do the std engines take power increase well as they are fairly unstressed lumps?
Yes there is 350 plus easy hp in a 350 with exhaust and intake,cam chip changes and if the oil is kept clean and there is coolant they will run and run personly I hate manual yanks, just dosent seem right and all but the latest had heavy clutches and ponderous gearchange, auto is the way if you want perfomance there are loads of up grades like shift kits to give firmer tyre chirping changes to manual valve bodys, unless you are thinking circuit racing then maybe manual is the way forward...IMHO I like the look of the 3rd gen Camaro. What's the difference between them and the trans am/firebirds?
When you say 'serious power' what are we talking? Turbocharging? Do the std engines take power increase well as they are fairly unstressed lumps?
Edited by powerstroke on Saturday 7th May 22:45
4th Gen just doesn't have that classic look for me. It looks dated rather than retro-cool like the 3rd gen!
Like the sound of the simple mods to bring it up to 350bhp though
I like the look of this Mustang too:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Like the sound of the simple mods to bring it up to 350bhp though
I like the look of this Mustang too:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Edited by Willber on Sunday 8th May 10:08
I've owned 3rd and 4th Gen Camaros and Trans-Ams, as a first yank and based on your requirements I'd look for a 3rd gen Z28 or Trans Am as they're easier to work on yourself and tuning, bolt on performance parts are a plenty.
As for performance the 4th gen LS1 with a 6 speed manual is the best of the bunch but you won't find a clean one for 4k.
In a 3rd gen you'll get a really clean example for that sort of budget
As for performance the 4th gen LS1 with a 6 speed manual is the best of the bunch but you won't find a clean one for 4k.
In a 3rd gen you'll get a really clean example for that sort of budget
Willber said:
4th Gen just doesn't have that classic look for me. It looks dated rather than retro-cool like the 3rd gen!
Like the sound of the simple mods to bring it up to 350bhp though
I like the look of this Mustang too:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
That's the very reason I opted for the 3rd gen, the 4th gen may have the more powerful engines but the 3rd gen Camaro is unmistakably American, whereas IMO the 4th gen looks a lot more European. Like the sound of the simple mods to bring it up to 350bhp though
I like the look of this Mustang too:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Edited by Willber on Sunday 8th May 10:08
If you do go down the route of a Camaro then as a general rule the later the car the better in terms of power output. IROC-Z and Z28 badged cars were the top of the range and benefited from the more powerful 'TPI' 5.0 and 5.7 V8 engines. The RS badged cars tended to make do with the V6 or the basic single point injected 'TBI' 5.0 V8 engine. A late 80's 5.0 TPI engined car will be pushing around 200-215bhp and feel quick off the mark and perform well, although they can feel a little breathless in the upper gears.
Oh, and here's mine!
It's a 1992 Z28 5.7 TPI, one of the very last 3rd gen Camaros. With the exception of the 17'' wheels it's totally stock, right down the factory radio cassette deck which has a penchant for chewing tapes! 
Don't be too carried away by what power a car has and the "easy mods to get 350hp". It may be true that it's easy to get the power but you still have to pay for the parts, the shipping, the 3.5% import duty and the 20% VAT and it soon adds up.
The 3rd gens have been in the doldrums for many years and while they will become classics one day, they still share the Fox body Mustang's problem of not having that much power to start with. So when upgrading, keep the resale prices in mind and watch the market so you're not left with a big investment with no return.
The handling is just as important and the T-top cars do need a good bit of bracing and decent suspension upgrades before you go over the top on engine power. In addition, the manual gearboxes in the 3rd gens are T5s and limited in power so the 350s were autos. I dare say there are T56 conversions but they won't be cheap. The rear axle on the Chevys is also a weak point, often described as "glass" so while engines can be tuned, there is plenty more to do to make the package viable.
The 3rd gens have been in the doldrums for many years and while they will become classics one day, they still share the Fox body Mustang's problem of not having that much power to start with. So when upgrading, keep the resale prices in mind and watch the market so you're not left with a big investment with no return.
The handling is just as important and the T-top cars do need a good bit of bracing and decent suspension upgrades before you go over the top on engine power. In addition, the manual gearboxes in the 3rd gens are T5s and limited in power so the 350s were autos. I dare say there are T56 conversions but they won't be cheap. The rear axle on the Chevys is also a weak point, often described as "glass" so while engines can be tuned, there is plenty more to do to make the package viable.
Willber said:
When you say 'serious power' what are we talking? Turbocharging? Do the std engines take power increase well as they are fairly unstressed lumps?
You can do a low boost (~6-7psi) setup on the standard engine and get a healthy dollop of power. I've been running 10lbs of boost on a bone stock 350 (save for ally heads) for few years now.ringram said:
Yeah but $10,000? Procharger do a supercharger kit for the GM TPI V8 engines and a stage 1 system will nearly double the HP of a stock motor for half the price. Including the cost of the fuel system and the amount you get from selling the current engine off?
Also not sure how much grunt it will push out on the stock cast pistons...
The above engine is fully forged.
But yeah, ultmately FI will win, but there is a sweet spot for NA.
Also NA is about 30% more fuel efficient on a BSFC basis under WOT.
Also not sure how much grunt it will push out on the stock cast pistons...
The above engine is fully forged.
But yeah, ultmately FI will win, but there is a sweet spot for NA.
Also NA is about 30% more fuel efficient on a BSFC basis under WOT.
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