Alright, so I am currently the owner of a 2000 BMW 323ci. Little german import. Hate me for that if you want, trick is i love the way the car feels but it doesn't feel natural. Because I love muscle. I love the loud roar of a v8 and you could literally hear a pen drop over this car running. I've done it. And I want to buy a Camaro because it seems that everybody and their grandfather has a mustang around here and I want to be different. And I was raised as a Chevy fan. Trouble is i need something a bit newer but I am 20 years old which means an SS is going to be hard on my insurance but i would still prefer one. What year should I go for? Post the year and why below. Honestly. I need help because I can barely tell them apart enough. I want something with enough power to blow my friend's 03 cobra off the road.

 

I think their is enough room for a gen 1 or a LS swap in the Beamer.

 

I'm too poor to do an ls swap for the bmw. haha. Too many computers you have to mess with.

 

Find a '98-02 Z28 or SS. The LS1 has a huge aftermarket and can easily be built to go fast.

 

Better yet just do a mild 350 with a carb, most that I have seen will run circles around a LS in stock form.

 

What's your definition of mild? Most stock LS's will keep up with a mild Gen 1 350. A well built LSx will out run most other cars on the road. There are guys hitting low 11s in the 1/4 with stock long block LS's. If he wants the cool factor, a first gen or second gen F-body with a big block wins in both power and looks department.

 

That could be the most incorrect statement I have seen on this site to date. Here is a challenge, find a body style that has not had a LS type motor put in it. Why would mustang owner go through the ridicule and hard work to transplant a LS1 into their car? One reason, they want to go as fast as they can on a given budget. LS is the answer.


We had a local LS dyno day on the 18th. The was 3 mustangs and a old Capri even a crown vic ex cop car with twin turbochagers. The down side to the LS being so great is they cost. Even the cast iron truck versions of the motor bringing decent money with a 6.0 LQ9 with low miles are going for 4-5K.



If you are thinking of a 4th gen the LS is the way to go but your budget will be the biggest factor. You should try to stay away from the 98's there was some issues with the first year LS1.

 

I think the point to be made is BUDGET. You are right on the LS making a lot of power, BUT the cost is not cheap to make the power. A simple vortec headed 350 and a good street cam will make around 400HP and lots of TQ where its needed. As for the mustang SBC transplant, that's something we did long before the LS motors came out. Dyno day are where you see more money than ability. The real only test of how much power your making is the black top dyno. Remember the old saying, I WANT TO GO FAST great HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE.

 

But what year Camaro are you talking about that came with a 350 that can handle 400hp that is going to be a dependable daily driver? 75-86 have crappy cast cranks and even worse rod bolts. Once you hit 87 you need a L98 350 and 400 HP is about the max they are going to hold and they are not cheap.

He did not ask for a project where he buys a 80's 3rd gen and fits it with a 90's vortec long block or has to search for a pre 75 parts. We all know how much a rust free pre-75 car with a pre-75 V8 is going to cost.

You can buy a lower miles LS1 Z28 for under 7K. That is 325 HP at the crank 26 MPG highway and ready for a 100,000 miles a trouble free service. You are a Cam, exhaust and a tune away from 400 HP. Your car is still a nice daily drive that will start when its -5 degs out the same as it will start after an hour sitting in traffic.

Now if you really want to make power on a budget then there is a LM7 it is better then any stock Gen1 engine and unless you find a really great deal a lot cheaper.

5.3L LS Small Block Build - Here Comes Modern Mouse! - Super Chevy Magazine

600 HP dyno pull on a junk yard motor?
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...lock_for_3252/


4.8 is the red headed step child of the LSx world. Look at what a stock short block can handle

Now if funds are low the LT1 4th gens can be had cheap. If you look around you can find some amazing deals. Even the Lt1/6 speeds are selling pretty cheap. You just not going to get the bang for the bucks on your mods like you will on the LS1.