So, I got this project for 900$ and recently got it running. It is my first project car and I'm very inexperienced on working on cars. What is the safest way to go? I was thinking it would be to make it a 383 but I am unsure of what to do to get more power. I am currently changing the car from a auto to standard with a t56 kit from Hawks Motorsports. Any suggestions will help for the newbie. Thanks.

 

Step one is defining what you want out of the car. A common mistake is to make the car "as fast as you can" In most cases this does not go well, you will end up with a CAM to big or the RPM range is now to high for you to use.

What is your budget?
What is important to you? Straight line. Corners, Stopping, Stereo, Looks ?

Another question is how dependable does it need to be? All factory components have limits where they will break but even getting close to those limits can cause excessive wear and a short life. A 383 is capable 500 ft/lbs of torque. A standard T56 will not last long at that torque level. You can always drive it till it breaks then tow it home and upgrade what breaks but you need pretty deep pockets cause in some case what breaks is not salvageable so then you need to buy a new one then tear it a part and upgrade the new one.

If you goal is to go fast you may want to look at flipping this car and getting a LS1 car. While the Lt1's are dropping in value the LS1 do not seem to be. You are going to spend 3-4K to get a LT1 up to what you can do with boltons with a LS

So if you get a plan on what you want and a budget then we can help a lot more.

 

I have around 10k (for performance) 4k for looks to put into the car as of now, it will not be a daily car so I just want it to start and stop when I want it to. I want it to be a car that can punch it if need be and is just fun to drive. It's my first project car ever and I want to put as much time into it as I can. I would best describe it as a " fun weekly driver that can feel good just sitting in." Even now the car is fun, but I would like more power for sure.

 

heres some reading for you https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...-crabys-42437/

 

With that kind of budget I have to wonder why you would not just buy a LS1 T56 car? Is there a sentimental attachment to the car? If you sell your LT1 and put the money you would spend to convert it you would not be far away from the value of a non-SS LS1 T56 car. I completely understand sentimental attachment. If I could find my original 74-350/4 speed camaro I would pay serious money for it regardless of condition or current value. I would also find a 350 4 bolt and some 202 heads like I wanted to in high school.

With sentimental value set aside. Your Lt1 is going to hold you back in horsepower and value. Add to that the fact that conversion on cars hurt the value. You could easily dump 15K into your car and if something in your life changes and you need to sell it you would struggle to get 7K for it. Now if you bought a LS1-T56 and did a Texas speed heads and Cam and you upgraded to a magnum 6 speed to handle it. You now have 15-16K total in a car worth 15-16K and that would be a dependable 500 HP where your LT1 would be limited to and your base t56 is limited to 400 Ft/lbs of torque.

I did not mention rear ends but either your 400hp Lt1 or your 500 HP LS1 you will need a complete rear upgrade.

 

Good advise ,I sold my 1993 LT1 Z28 and bought an LS1 SS. I got the 2001 SS for $8000 straight and clean inside and out with 86K miles and a six speed.