Just a few questions from someone new to the scene

[Calm_asa_bomb]

Ok, I'm a new member to lateral-g and I am also very new to the muscle car and hot rod scene. I just want to get a few questions out of the way and start on my first project ASAP. I know I’m going to be working on a Camaro and I’m trying to get info on the different types of engines. What are the pros and cons of choosing a Small-Block, Big-Block, or LS engine? What major choices in design will greatly affect reliability and fuel efficiency? Also, how expensive is it to have a top chopped?

[XcYZ]

The simplest choice would be a SBC. You can decent mileage with a small block that's dialed in along with OD.

[Calm_asa_bomb]

dont everyone post at once to help the new guy

[TravisB]

Chop a camaro? depends on where it is done......could pricey real quick. If anything I would just pie cut the roof and lay the windshield back. They dont really need a chop.

The motor is really more what you want. You can get a pullout LS motor w/trans for around 3500-4k put another 2k with it for parts and you have a nice set up. Or you can spend about the same for a SBC and 700R4 and get about the same if not maybe a bit more power if you work it right(vs a stock LS1 of course) Cant beat the efficiency of an LS though

[ProdigyCustoms]

dont everyone post at once to help the new guy

Welcome to the board.

Actually I wanted to answer your questions this morning. But as I started to type I realized that your questions are SO general that to properly answer them would require a novel. If you tell us a bit more about your goals, wants, requirments (things you HAVE to have, things that would be nice bonuses), and also budget, you will probably find so many offering opions you may be more confused then before you came here.

This is a nice bunch here. The NEW GUY is more welcome here then many other forums I have seen.

[camcojb]

dont everyone post at once to help the new guy

I agree with Frank. Need specific questions to answer. And an attitude slows responses. ;)

Welcome to the site.

Jody

[Calm_asa_bomb]

no worries, didnt want to come off like an ass. anyway, im lookin to get a '69 Camaro. im gonna be workin with bout $15,000 to $20,000 for mods and bout $8,000 to $10,000 for the car itself. so i know i wanr a GM Performance Parts LS engine, preferably a LS2 or LS6 with a T-56 Tranny if prices permit. most body work will be left till a later date but i know i wanna chop the top. and i dont know if its a possibility but id like to put on an electroniclly ajustable suspension. i dont want hydaulics unless its my only option for something other than manually ajusting the ride height.

[ProdigyCustoms]

You will burn up that $15,000 to $20,000 on the drivetrain alone if you go the LS3 route. You will need to be thinking old school small block.

As for ride adjustability, think air, (Air Ride) not electric or hydraulic.

As for chopping the top. I have chopped tops, but not on Camaro's. But it should be pretty straight forward for any customizer to do. I won't even try to quote it, but there is a lot to it including custom curved glass. Get out your check book!

[ProTouring442]

I'm going to agree with Frank, with the curved side glass, the chop alone may run you your entire budget. Remember, as the roof gets lower, the side window openings change shape. In theory, you can sink the top into the body, but that would make the window openings look funny. Try cutting the roof off of a picture, then pushing it down behind the picture to see what I mean. The roof would not only get lower, but also shorter in length.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
'89 ASC/McLaren
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[TravisB]

Chopped camaro.....electronically adjustable suspension.......sounds like a space shuttle. :rolleyes:

I would suggest finding some pictures of a chopped camaro before really considering it. I have not seen one to date that looks right. A subtle chop like 1' or so might look right but anything more would look strange. There is a lot of man hours in a chop. As frank said get out your check book and maybe the next check book after that one. I second the airride suspension thats the only way to have realiable adjustability. good luck

[Calm_asa_bomb]

i saw this camaro w/ a 3" chop and thought it looked amazing...

http://drag.race-cars.com/carsold/camaro/1054583715/1054583715pa.htm

also i wanted to either go w/ a bog-block or a LS engine, not a small-block. but for my budget it sounds like that wont be an option. i guess id probably be better off just buying a car with a nice small-block in it already and going from there.

[Calm_asa_bomb]

this is a pretty off the wall question, but how much $$$ would i be lookin at if i got a nice Car and wanted it done up with a LS6, T-56 tranny, and chopped top. just the price of the mods and labor... not the car itself. general estimate please

[dirtshark]

this is a pretty off the wall question, but how much $$$ would i be lookin at if i got a nice Car and wanted it done up with a LS6, T-56 tranny, and chopped top. just the price of the mods and labor... not the car itself. general estimate please
I will just chime in on the glass here. I sell all types of glass including bent tempered glass for a living.....and if you are going real glass and not lexan or plexi, you can plan on spending $6,000 to $7,000 for your project purchasing from suppliers here in the states. You can save a fair bit on the glass by going overseas....but bottom line just the glass alone will cost you a huge amount of cash.

FYI- Lead time on all bent tempered glass from most suppliers is 8 to 10 weeks.

If you decide to go ahead with the chop, let me know I can help with the glass.

Bret
[email protected]

[TravisB]

better plan on spending 40k-50k for starters(depends on the shop)

[TravisB]

i saw this camaro w/ a 3" chop and thought it looked amazing...

http://drag.race-cars.com/carsold/camaro/1054583715/1054583715pa.htm



looks out of proportion to me but hey, as I have said before to each is own...

[Calm_asa_bomb]

so basicly forget choppin the top, its too expensive. no worries

[Calm_asa_bomb]

i found this car but i may be missing something here, its got a virgin LS7 454-400 tranny, looks good for like $13000. im just tryinhg to figure if for a few thousand, say $5000 i can convert it to a street machine. hawk the wheels, not sure what else id need to change to make it street legal and all but for $5000 i should be able to do it, right?

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/9/2/88310492.htm

[ProTouring442]

i found this car but i may be missing something here, its got a virgin LS7 454-400 tranny, looks good for like $13000. im just tryinhg to figure if for a few thousand, say $5000 i can convert it to a street machine. hawk the wheels, not sure what else id need to change to make it street legal and all but for $5000 i should be able to do it, right?

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/9/2/88310492.htm

My bet is that it's an LS-7 big block, not the new LS7 small block. Plus, the cost of turning that into a decent street car is probably 3X the purchase price.

Frankly, with your budget, and old Camaro might be a bit much. You may want to look at a few different cars, something with a less expensive price of entry. I think you can build a Camaro for your budget, but it will have to be totally home built, with few serious modifications. With your budget, you could build a very nice G-body, or later F-body. If you're not stuck on GM stuff, you could build a killer Fox-Mustang for that amount of dough.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
'89 ASC/McLaren
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442