So ive been on this forum for a while now but never in the 3rd gen. I own a 1996 RS but im looking to sell it and get the 3rd gen ive wanted since i was 12. I know quite a bit about 4th gen but not too much bout 3rd gen. I was wondering if yal can point me in the right direction. I'm looking for 88-90 iroc but would settle for 90-92 because of the newer dash. I want a l98 but i could deal with a 305 only because i plan on the lt1 swap. The question is that what is the most popular swap for 3rd gen. I know 4th gen its not even worth swapping but in a 3rd gen i wonder how different it would be. Also i heard you cant clear long tubes in 3rd gens. Is this true? Do the l98 have much potential? If i do get a l98 i wanna tackle the weak areas like heads and intake. Any info for my search would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

this topic is covered exhaustively on other forums that are more focused on 3rd gens.

I own a 4th gen 95Z, an 07 stang (wish it was an 11 because the new 5.0 is awesome, heck even the new sixer almost has as much punch) and also own a 3rd gen RS (LO3)

I have driven the 4th gen more than the 3rd because I'm still working on the restoration of the 3rd gen

here are my observations and understand that they are personal tastes


the 3rd gen is so much easier to work on under the hood.

the 4th gen LT1 with long tubes, cai, 1.6 rr's and 93 octane tune is more than enough power for a street vehicle. It runs with the 07 stang (beats it when it hooks). I wish it was also a manny tranny but the stang is a manny and the z is an auto.

the 4th gen outcorners the 07 stang. Yes, you read that correctly. The 11 stangs improved but I'm comparing a model that ended in 2010 to a 1995 vintage vehicle

the 3rd gen does OK with respect to handling but I replaced bushings, shocks and struts but the 4th gen handles much better

the 3rd gen looks like a Camaro but the 4th gen seems confused. IMHO, chevy was trying to go for a 4 seater Corvette appearance.

the interior of the 4th gen naturally is better than the 3rd gens. The 3rd gens were designed when the term "driving enthusiast" wasn't even considered.

3rd gens have no drink holders

3rd gens have the silly hatch pull down motor

I have the luxury of being able to own several vehicles. If this 3rd gen will be your daily driver then don't get all excited about doing an engine swap etc etc. Also, don't go looking to get a 3rd gen to perform as well as a 4th gen and still behave itself on the street.

The L98 is OLD technology so why go backwards when you can get an LS series? ( I know the 98-02 maros have butt ugly front ends)

If you just like the looks of the 3rd gen, then get one that has already been modified to how you would like. If you want a a vehicle that has good mannerisms, handles well and is sprited then get a 5th gen (if you can afford it) or a 4th gen.

But, with both a 4th and 3rd gen you are getting OLD vehicles so be prepared to spend money refreshing the vehicles before even considering performance.

Sorry chevy, but my next new vehicle will be a stang 5.0. It's priced well and is a heck of a vehicle. I still like my 3rd and 4th gens but that new 5.0 is a wonderful engine.

 

i agree on pretty much everything you said and thanks. The 3rd gen wont be my daily driver because i have a plain jane corolla for that. I have no problem building up to normal standards since i dont car what condition the car is. Most everything will be replaced because i dont mind investing money in a car that can be a collectors. 3rd gens are my dream car and i would own it for life.

 

you could get the 305 cheaper than the 350 model, and it would be worth it if you swapped in an lt1. the difference in power wasnt all that much between the two. you can get a 305 tbi car and swap out the motor. the lt1 would be a direct bolt in with just needing a way to run the wiring, and a fuel pump to supply it. now, would you want to swap in the trans as well? the 4l60e that would match the lt1's computer would be great. however, if using an 89 or older car, you would have to convert the speedo to a mechanical unit, or swap out the gauge. if you use a 90-92 car, you could possibly make the stock gauges work with some time and schematics. either way, the better bet is aftermarket gauges that are accurate. if you use the existing automatic, you would need to make a tv cable bracket and find a way to attach it to the throttle body

 

I plan on doing a t56 unless the auto can handle the power

 

my auto was rebuilt shortly before getting the car with the addition of a mild shift kit. the 700r4 is a good trans as long as it is maintained and the tv cable is kept properly adjusted. but if you have plans on going with a t56, i would jump on it. i plan on swapping mine once the auto is done.

 

cool, if i do get a v6 and only if its really cheap, would that make it harder to swap an lt1? Also what is the difference in swap procedures for an ls1. If i come accross a ls1 with tranny for less than $2k ima jump on it.

 

the only pain with a v6 car is getting the motor mount bolts out of the cross member. ive heard horror stories, but it wasnt that difficult when i went to poly mounts. you will either need a 15mm wrench or a 15mm socket and a swivel and some electrical tape to keep the nut on. the ls1 swap would require ls1 mounts. i dont think the trans crossmemeber would be an issue for the t56, but im not sure. also, if you get a 95 or older lt1, you can run it without cats and not cause any codes. any 96 and newer i would suggest a custom tune to eliminate any issues

 

Eel I'm trying to stay smog legal and ok in cali. Price is not that big of an issue that's why I want to do ls1 but I have no problem at all driving around In an lt1. How about wiring? Any problems there? Beside speedo. Also this might sound stupid but I know in cali long tubes are illegal for smog reasons on 4th gens. Is this the case with 3rd gens?

 

more than likely. most cars had AIR injection systems that pumped fresh air into the exhaust. there are legal alternatives in the shorty and y-pipe department. however, take a look at your emissions laws. generally upgrading to a new model year engine will sometimes supercede the oem equipment that came on the car. i.e. you wont need to install an air pump if you put in an lt1 or ls1 even though the third gen originally came with it. what is it about the long tubes that make them illegal?