what to do what to do

[GM Muscle]

ok im stuck here! I have pretty much 8k to throw at my camaro.
now i can install a lsx and buy most of the performace parts i want and then sell the old motor and finish buying my parts. or i can just stick with my big headed, big cammed, high stalled 355 w/ 7r4 and go nuts on the suspension and interior.. im really torn here.. i want the lsx just for the mileage and non maintenence but the 355 would require way less work and hassle.. i just kinda wanted everyones opinions and suggestions on what they would do with the money.. either way i have to build a trans and stall and build a 9".. all the suspension is also shot on the car.. gas prices really have me running from the 235headed solid cammed sbc..this car is my daily driver...

[XcYZ]

You will never regret switching to an LS motor. Power AND economy. :cheers:

[skatinjay27]

in most cases i would say suspension cause a tought sbc is fun still but a stock suspension car sucks... but if it your dd to the ls swap...

[melman109]

I say do the LS swap, I plan on dropping one in my project 68 once I get the $$$$

[tellyv]

If it was me I'd get a used ls1 out of a wrecking yard you can get lower mileage ones for less than 3500.00 most come with a harness and all accessories, Theres a guy on ebay that will retro your harness and computer for less than 500 and your set. You'll still have money left for your suspension, I think you can get a full hotkis setup for less than 1500 you'll have the best of both worlds and have some money left for the minor stuff. good luck

[GM Muscle]

well i have an ls1 and trans lined up for 1200 already so thats taken care of. i was thinking i would just put a carbed intake on it since i already have a fuel system and a really nice demon carb. i was just going to buy the edelbrock intake, msd comp, and the matching edelbrock cam.. 700r4 with 4l60e internals and a vigalante 3200 stall. ford 9" with 389gears.. seem like a solid plan for the lsx? just from the few responses so far it doesnt seem like im going to regret the swap.. its just 8k is a lot of money for me just to dump into a car so i wanted to make sure that i was going the right route with it.. i cant see the lsx swap hurting the value of the car any.. i guess i post up my wish list here in a little bit and just have it critiqued and see if i cant save a penny here or there if if there is a better bang for the buck for the parts i want.. thanks for the responses so far..

[dhutton]

I don't see much point in going to a carb'd LSx. The real benefit of the LSx is the EFI.

If you are going to stay with a carb then I would upgrade the suspension and leave the engine as is.

Don

[HILROD]

The carbed LS motor might give up a little on mileage, but will make more power. If you have the carb and fuel system, use them, get the car running, then later if you feel the need, convert to EFI.

[GM Muscle]

i kinda got a small breakdown on how i planned to spend this money so please dont hesitate to suggest or redirect; help me cut corners or keep me from wasting some money!

FUEL AND AIR:
aeromotive street strip fuel pump and regulator
g3 wideband a/f kit
ls1 carbed intake#350-7118
performer rpm cam #350-2216
perf rmp valvesprings
speed demon 750(already have)

rear:
9", 31 spline, currie 9plus ls diff, 373s or 389s stock axles(already have correct housing and 3rd member)

Trans:
30 spline 700r4, 3200 stall, tci flex plate, lock up kit, trans scat valve body

brakes: ls1 front and rear (already have all the calipers and brackets) slotted and crossdrilled rotors, ls1 booster and master

suspension:
already have 650lbs afco springs and adjustable cups.
sc&c stage 2+ spc control arm kit
afco lightwieght lower bushings
poly trans mount
1" front sway bar
koni specail front shocks
kyb rear shocks
del a lum rear bushing and shackle kit
was going to go with the quick ratio steering box
not really sure what i need to do about the actualy steering parts tho

lsx swap:
moroso street stip pan with pickup
transdapt mounts
hooker headers
fbody acc brackets no a/c

i also planned on replacing all the guages.

:_paranoid

i also just got a lead on a 6.0. so now i still need to decide 5.3, 5.7 or 6.0

[GM Muscle]

I don't see much point in going to a carb'd LSx. The real benefit of the LSx is the EFI.

If you are going to stay with a carb then I would upgrade the suspension and leave the engine as is.

Don


i was told with a really good tune i might not even see a really huge diff in mileage over an efi setup?

[68protouring454]

you won't see much mileage difference if the carb is tuned properly, use your current fuel system and even buying a custom built carb is under 1k which is way cheaper then converting to efi at this point

[tellyv]

I had a ls6 with a carb and never had good luck with it and throw you fuel mileage out the window, keep it injected.

[Stuart Adams]

My suggestion would be to allow for a the cost to be more than anticipated to bring the parts you want to add to the street and driveable, always costs more for me anyway. Then always plan on having the car driveable after the mods, don't get it almost together and be out of money, then your screwed, no car, no cash.

I agree with Scott in that the LS motors are awesome.

Good luck, let us know what avenue you take.

[GM Muscle]

well i have 7200 cash in hand and another 1200 in my piggy bank.. i just planned on trying to get it all done with my cash and leave the piggy bank for the odds and ends stuff that always seems to arrise at the end of a build!

[Teetoe_Jones]

I would hold off on the LSX swap for now. You need to have a good platform to build upon, so start with the chassis. Do front and rear suspension, change shocks, add a new steering gear, SFC's, and some good seats. You can always swap in a better engine in the future, but if you car is unsafe to drive and handles like crap, putting in a higher HP engine is going the wrong way in the build.

Tyler

[tgvettes]

the other question is how much can you get out of selling your old motor and parts that you will not need anymore.
if that is not all that much I would get the chassi/brakes done first before you do the engine swap.

Tonny

[GM Muscle]

maybe 3k..

its crazy how fast you can spend some money on these cars..

[Stuart Adams]

maybe 3k..

its crazy how fast you can spend some money on these cars..

Oh yeah. :lol:

[jeff hanson]

I agree with Tyler, do the chassis stuff first since you already have an engine in the car that will work for now. Once all the suspension, brakes, etc are done, see what you have left to play with. If there is enough, just get everything together and make the engine swap. Then sell your old one to replenish the piggy bank, cause you know darn well it will be all gone when your finished.:lol:

[tgvettes]

I don't know if this is possible or if there is any real issues, but if you build up suspension and brakes etc. first and do the engine swap later make sure you build the chassi so it is ready to swap an LSX engine in so you don't have to start changing a bunch of stuff

Tonny

[GM Muscle]

well im concidering a few corners i can cut here and there.. like using the guldstrand mod instead of buying upper arms and just using acfo lw steel bushings. i think i just kind of want to at least rebuild the enitre front suspension while the motor is out and everthing is easy to get to and there is no weight on the chassis..