Hey all, I might be buying a 92 Z28 convertible from a buddy of mine as a project car, would be looking to swap in an LS1/LS2, convert to a T56, etc etc. I haven't really done much in the way of searching yet in the conversion forum, but I wanted to get some feedback as to whether this would be a good platform to start from. The car is beautiful, but only has the 5L motor, and I don't know how convertibles are thought of in the performance world. I'm pretty well versed in LS1 truck speak, but don't have a lot of F-body knowledge. I wouldn't be looking to do anything too crazy with it, not gonna turn it into a full-on drag car or trailer queen. I want something that is fun to take out on the street and does well at the track. Advice? Opinions?

 

a 92z Is an awesome awesome car. go to www.thirdgen.org and check some of the BEAUTIFUL 3rd gens on there. In all honesty there's many thirdgens (kandied's car) that look better than any other f-body (any generation) out there. It's a great platform imo. Convertible cars aren't always the best for performance, they weigh more and they're not as structuraly sound as a hardtop, but I'd still do it.

 

The convertibles only came with the 5.0 TPI. The body was not rigid enough to handle the 5.7. I love the 91-92 Z-28's. They are the nicest looking of all Camaro and Firebird body styles in my opinion. I had an 85 IROC that I swapped out all the body panels on to be a 92 clone. I kept the IROC rims and pull all of the Gold IROC decals all around after the paint. It was a beautiful car.
If you do swap in the ls1, make sure to do some suspension work as well. You will need a good set of subframe connectors so that you don't twist/dent the body at the rear quarter panels where they meet the back of the doors.
I am thinking about an LS1 swap into my 68 Camaro. I'll be interested to see what some of the other guys/gals here write to you about it. Good luck with the great car!

 

i use to have a third gen. loved the thing. i have a 00 z28 now. its better in every shape, fashion, and performance, but sometimes i would trade it in for my third gen back. (sometimes, not all the time)

 

Well the deal fell through on the vert, but it sounds like it's a good thing, wouldn't have been able to handle much in the way of power. I have always loved how the 3rd gens look, will probably still keep an eye out for a nice-looking one at a decent price.

2000SLPZ28, what do you miss about the 3rd gen?

 

that is why you strengthen up the chassis with vert sub frame connectors...any f body has that trouble...sub frames are the cure



i am not a 4th gen guy at all...i dont like the build they have and i personally think the 3rd gen cars were built better...i have owned 4 and they were solid cars...one saved my life in a car accident...the car is all steel except for the bumper covers and they are lighter...its just nice to have a car that looks like a camaro, and nothing else

this is mine atm

 

Check out sticky at top of this page!

 

Nice looking car! I think this is gonna be a good way to get into rebuilding. I was thinking a 1st gen to start with, but that's gonna be a ton of work and really expensive to find one with a straight body and frame. I think a 3rd gen would be pretty awesome.

 

I will, thanks!