Hello. Since a long time I have wanted to have a US car and preferably a Camaro. Now sadly most 4th gen’s here are V6s, same goes for Firebirds. Prices are ok in terms of V6s but man, do V8s go crazy amounts. I particularly do not care if it’s just 200hp nor if it’s a manual but I do have questions. Now parts I will have to order from US ( isn’t a big deal to wait ). Generally I have heard good things about the 3800 engine which I think it the so called series 2 in this car ? My question is how are the 4 speed autos ? Are they reliable and hard to fix if all goes wrong, is it hard swapping a manual and least of the worries do they handle to supercharging/turbocharging ? Again the last question isn’t a big deal as if it’s really hard and or expensive I can do without. I do think a muscle car should be a V8 but again I’m more into the design of the car. I know I can just add an exhaust system and wheels and be happy. I’m sorry if these questions were asked I’m new to the forum too and i will try to search as much as possible. It isn’t gonna be a daily more like a weekend car here.

 

For parts I recommend Rockauto.com, depending on shipping option you often can get the custom/tax fee included in the order, so you get the full price to your doorstep, delivery time normally 5-7 workdays (to Europe)

A friend of mine owned a 98 V6 Camaro for many years (sold it recently), and apart from a broken generator at one occasion, it was very trouble free.

The 3.8 engine considered to be very reliable and I believe the LT1 is as well.

Try and find the car that you want rather than one to modify to be what you want, will likely be cheaper and easier.

 

Forget the turbo or supercharger, If it was just the direct hardware it would not be too bad but the with any boost you need a bunch of supporting mods and a custom tune. You would have upgrade the fuel system, cooling system transmission even the rear would fail or just give you a one wheel peel. Since there are no kits a completely custom exhaust if you went turbo.

Because of the computer system swapping transmission can be kind of a pain unless you have access to a parts car and you can tune out the transmission side of the PCM. The computer controls the the transmission shift points and if it does not get the right responses it will set a check engine light. This can be tuned out, but you will wiring for the neutral safety switch.

As said above buy what you want. 3800/T5 is a great setup. Focus on the handling, braking and exhaust. At low RPM (idle) a flow master exhaust sounds great with headers. Many people thought it was a V8. At highway speeds the magnaflow is less raspy (above 2000 RPMs). I bought T5 one with a blown motor, swapped in a used motor and drove it another 100,000 miles on it see my 96 project in my sig.

Camaro was design as a pony car. Car that were smaller and could handle decent compared to a Chevelle. The Chevelle was a muscle car. Big car with big power that could muscle that huge thing down the track.