Hello LS1 Tech,

I'm relatively new here, but not new to cars. I normally post on Thirdgen.org, but with more precise and available LSX info available here, I will post my build thread here as well.

After contemplating selling the car for a newer car, I decided to keep the 91z and build it to exactly what I want, so I've been busy the past few weeks. So here is the goal. I wan't a Third Generation Camaro that is up to par, and if not better than today's modern car standards. Standards in terms of performance (handling and power), comfort, reliability, looks, and accessories. So this car will outrun a 5th gen camaro, while being almost as comfortable as an M5 bmw while doing so. Lol, it's easy to make 'em go fast, the comfort is going to be the difficult part.

Even though the car will be daily driven, I do plan on Auto-crossing regularly. Ontop of AutoX I will be making a few passes at the strip along with taking it down to Road Atlanta for road course a couple of times a year.


Here is a quick recap of what I have done in the past 2 years, up to today.

Before mostly original


Since then it has had:
-Complete paint detail. (Buff/Polish/Wax)
-Some new interior parts
-Great audio system with Navigation, Bluetooth, etc
-TSW Wheels
-Jegs Subframe Connectors
-Struts/Shocks/Springs
-Bushings/tie rods etc
-3" Magnaflow Cat Back
-Window Tint
-A good bit more that I haven't listed
Some progress pics of the double din


Moved the HVAC controls over to the right side.


SFC's


Some Susp. Work



Current Pics

 

Now onto the good stuff. I bought a 85k mile LS1/T56 yesterday. The plan is to tear it all down and rebuild the motor myself. I will be installing a good heads/cam combo with the rebuild. My goal is 440+ RWHP.








Some cars that have/will inspire my build. I want my car to give the vibe these cars have. Bad A, Nice, clean, race orientated, and modern.











Hopefully I will be done by June 2014. I will be updating regularly, and bombing you guys with questions regularly!

 

Dbl post

 

I'd love to build a LS1 third gen as well! Looking forward to updates

 

Can't wait to see how this comes out.
Btw, that's a pretty cool idea on how you moved the hvac controls for the DD

 

Go big on the headers & exhaust.
6pot fronts and you can stay as small as 13" (2 pc alum hat, alum hubs) for unsprung weight savings (I fit mine inside the stockers for now), just use a race pad, and look into duct work - inexpensive.

 

Totally dig your style man! Love your decision to keep that beautiful third gen and make it fit your standards. Good luck!

 

Yeah that is gonna be a fun car for sure bro. I've always liked the late 3rd gens. The squared off lines really work on the camaro.

 

Thanks guys!

I've been busy cleaning up the engine some and finally got it on the engine stand. Sunday I am tearing it all down and seeing what I have. I will just replace the rings and gaskets if all looks good, if not I am going to stick to the original plan and rebuild the whole thing.



Motor stripped of coils/brackets, manifolds and wiring harness. Manifolds are for sale. PM me if anyone is interested.

 

looks like a clean car to start with, 440rwhp and daily driver will be interesting. it will take a serious cam in 5.7l to hit that mark.

are you going to keep the 4th gen ac compressor or get a bracket for the 3rd gen R4?

 

I love these 3rd gens. Great start to the build keep us posted.

 

Thanks for the comments. I will be using a 4th gen compressor.


Heres an update.

I tore the motor completley apart. It is now down to the block. Everything inside the motor looked great! All the bearings looked new, and showed no signs of wear at all, except one cam bearing, which showed little wear. So the motor is at the machine shop now. It is getting vatted, and they are installing new cam bearings. The heads are getting resurfaced and a valve job. When it gets back I will replace all the other bearings just for added assurance. As of now, I am going with the Vengeance VRX5 cam, which will be complimented by 4.10 gears and full bolt ons.


The motor should be installed by the end of next month, if all goes as planned.

The block before it left for the machine shop.
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Aside from motor/trans I have been working on some appearance updates. As far as appearance, my goal is to make the car look a tad more "high end" or "sophisticated". So I wrapped grille and my instrument panel in carbon fiber. It's very subtle and I like it.

 

I also worked on the suspension a good bit yesterday. I replaced the sway bar end links along with some other worn rubber pieces. On top of that I played around with the car's stance and lowered the front a tad more, and lowered the rear about 1.5". Now the car has a nice stance to it. I will post pictures of that soon.

 

Motor is back from the machine shop where they Installed Cam bearings, Vatted the block and pistons, resurfaced heads and did a valve job.


I painted the intake the body color. It should look great in the engine bay with carbon fiber valve covers.







Dont mind the overspray on the hose. It is dry rotted and will be replaced.

 

very nice build, I myself also have a 91 with an ls swap and maybe upgrades. I will be watching this thread

 

Sweet, do you have a build thread?




I got a dash and guages out of a trans am the other day. The plan is to wrap it in vinyl(leather type). The vinyl will have some nice french seam stitching to compliment other parts of the interior. I am hoping that it will look highend and modern, without over doing it.

Heres what I started with. I should have it finished by mid week.




and a shot from yesterday's local cruise in

 

I found your thread! LOL! Looks good man. Looks like our builds should be close to each other on goals and what not. Are you gonna run the 4th gen tank, or use the walbro and corvette regulator? I'm kinda tossing it around as which to use since I have a complete 01 T/A to steal parts from? Kinda like the idea of just upgrading the pump in my existing tank with the vette filter/regulator.

Are you still planning on upgrading heads, or saving that for down the road?

 

Thanks!

Are goals do look the same.

I'm not sure. I'm thinking of doing a 4th gen tank. They are lighter, and hold a couple more gallons. But at the same time, I do like the idea of upgrading the fuel pump on the stock tank.


I was planning on getting a nice set of heads, but decided to use that money and upgrade the brakes. It's no fun stopping a 305 with the stock brakes, especially with the drums in the rear. I plan on getting better heads next year.

 

Good decision. Get it rollin' and stoppin', iron out the kinks, recover and recoup; then H/C/I.
Jealous of even a little bit of greenery in the background - been a long cold winter up here.
What brakes?