I want to get a 1stgen Camaro for a project car, but I don't know what I could do with 12grand in a Camaro... I consulted my friend who has a 510WHP Subaru STi and he told me that I wouldn't go far with 12Gs worth of upgrades/repairs since I'll most likely get a Camaro that needs body work and I can only make it run to 14's with the money.

So I need to ask you, what can I do with 12Gs if I buy an average condition Camaro?
Please tell me what are common problems that need to be fixed and what good "crate" engine swaps are good to be mated with an MT and also, I need info on what suspension work should I do to make the handling decent enough to handle corners like a late model car?

Thanks a billion!

 

Have 3K less then I put in my 69.

I bought a rolling shell with a good chassis for 1500. Then did everything myself. Is it a eye catching 100 point job? Hell no. Am I happy, Hell ya!

Your not going to find rolling shells with a good chassis for that kind of money any longer. Figure in the area of 5K for a rolling shell, maybe up to 8, 10K if it's a complete car with "issues" that need to be addressed.

With 12K your not going to handle like a newer car. This is what I would do with 12K.

Find a donor for 5K or less, a donor that has sheet metal that needs limited attention and not major body surgery. This may take time, effort and patience. Budget now at 7K

Paint and body materials and my spraying, 1K, down to 6K now.

Misc body parts, emblems, interior stuff I could manage another 1K, down to 5K now.

Donor hopefully has a motor, engine, if not, hunting time. Motor with it, yank it and have it rebuilt, about 1500 if you do no work. Or just buy a cheapo 350 for about that. Misc parts thrown on, another 1K now I have 2500 left over.

Trans, auto, rebuild it myself or have it done, another 500 for a rebuilding or a used POS, down to 2000.

Tires, rims, maybe get away with using the originals so another 500 on skins, factory size.

1500, ok, there is my misc money and maybe I'll have 20 bucks left over to put 6 gallons of gas in it and hope I get to drive it.

"disclaimer" all prices have been pulled out of my *** in five minutes. I could do a 69 for that if it was the right car and mostly there. When it would be done it wouldn't be a show stopper but damn it, I'd have a Camaro to drive!

Most times, figure what you have for a budget, buy the car, make a budget to build it, then times that by three....

When I bought my rolling chassis I told the wife "5K and it's on the road", that 5K became 15K real fast.

 

Your 1stgen looks NICE!

My friend and I saw a nice classic white Camaro at the side of the road 5months ago and the price is $3800 with no running engine and it has a pretty nice shell since it's from Vegas, I was going to buy it so I called and the owner told me that it was dealed for 15Gs and it's about to get towed by some tune-shop and to be made a show car. I wanted it so badly!

So, now I wan't to get another car and make it a 12sec racer... Which is better for drag racing, Carbie or EFI and what brand is a reliable daily driver, GM, Blueprint or World?


Thanks for the tip!