loki993

So Im always thinking about stuff. I know a lot of people like to swap LSxs into 240s and I definitely get it. Thats said there are a lot of 3rd gen swaps too. As both the cars for all intents and purposes can probably be had for similar money and the swaps are probably similar as well. Which would you go with and why? Does the 240 platform offer anything over the 3rd gen?

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Aesthetics are the biggest issue. Pick a chassis you like the looks of

3rd gen can be cheaper to swap since the majority of swap parts can be reused if you choose to. Most people upgrade just because, but they arent required. The 240 will weigh less in the end

loki993

Don't know I like both. I guess I was more wondering:
1. Other peoples preferences and what theyve done and why
2. Differences in build quality, does one handle better than the other, etc.

I don't know I think maybe personally I would probably go with the 3rd gen, because Ive always liked the 3rd gens and I'm more of an American car guy. That said I think V8 powered imports are really neat as well. Plus, and nobody take this the wrong way as I mean no disrespect, but a 3rd gen Camaro just kinds screams redneck sometimes. Its a good looking car, but its definitely a bit dated, even though it is one of my favorite gens.

That's said its probably a bit hard to do a 240 and not look like a ricer either though, it can be done though. Of course all bets are off when if fires up though. Ive been looking at the Japanese nostalgic car scene, really cool by the way, and the bosozoku style is kinda cool when its not totally extreme. sometimes they do some pretty wacky stuff and I don't really like the stances, ridiculously low cars and wheels that have so much negative camber that they must eat tires candy.

Personally someday id really like to do a classic import, like and old Celica, 240z or RX3 or even something imported from Japan that was never sold here.

That or a second gen, which I'm really digging lately, of course with a second gen you definitely wont stand out in the crowd by any means, even if it doesn have an LSx swapped into it.

Any of that stuff is out of the budget for the foreseeable future though.

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Give the 3rd gen a decent paintjob, wash it every once in a while and the stereotype will go away

Im a 3rd gen guy, so I cant give much insight on the 240

When the 3rd gens were new, they handled better than 4th gens. 20+ years later the stock bushings are shot, springs saggy and components fatigued. Overhaul them with bushing and SFCs at minimum along with a decent set of tires and you will be impressed by the handling

To get a working LS1 into a 3rd you need mounts ($85), trans crossmember ($0-200), fuel system ($50-300), fuel pump ($90), intake tract ($0-200), exhaust system($50-2000), competent harness ($0-1000) and a PCM tune

Alot of that stuff can be minimized by using as much factory stuff as possible like radiator, DS, rear, gas tank, K-member, suspension, steering etc. It gets cheaper when most of the stock 4th gen parts can go right in and fit perfectly like engine accessories, intake/TB fitment, manifolds, trans to tunnel clearance etc

Most imports require significant changes just to get the engine to physically fit. Thats why most swap kits are so high before buying anything else

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (6)

I'm a thirdgenner, so the choice is obvious to me. I guess for a Nissan guy, the choice for him would be just as obvious. For you, I guess it boils down to preference.

One advantage for the thirdgen, is it's GM to GM, so you at least wind up with some simularity between systems.

Evan78

Anyone know the weight difference between the two?

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

im also an irocker. so the choice is easy for me.
but i would still build a 240 over a stang for personal use.

1quickirocz

I hate IROCs..........go with the import. LOL!!

nissan 570sx

Well I'm a bit biased buuuut I would absolutely go 240sx. I find almost all f-bodies ugly, especially third gens.

1quickirocz

I guess everybody has their free opinion but damn ouch that hurts haha

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

I may be a bit biased, but, have you ever seen a 3rd gen Formula or GTA with a magnacharged LSx swap, lowered, on nice wheels? Pure evil sir.

nissan 570sx

No offense or anything, everyone has their opinions of course. I'm sure there's plenty of people that think my car is ugly.

First gen camaros are the only good looking ones IMO.

Whitedevil666

Solid axle vs IRS

Don't forget that if you want to drag race it.

Little more room in a camaro...

You can't build a Knight Rider clone out of a 240...

But in a 240 people don't expect you to be a redneck, they expect you to be a girl...

-TheBandit-

iTrader: (1)

At risk of being burned at the stake, I'm going to suggest the 240 would make a better swap. V8-powered Camaros (bitchin' as they may be) are fairly common, but it's not as often you run into a nice American V8 swapped import. It's going to be a lot more work, but worth the trouble in my opinion.

You can't lose with either.

Chronicle

iTrader: (7)

Another question is what kind of power levels are you looking for? Anything more than 500whp or so and the 240 will never get any traction due to how light it is. An excessively torquey 240 is just going to be a tire burner. Anything less than 300whp and the 3rd gen will feel sluggish in comparison to a 240.

loki993

Meh, I actually really like the look of both cars. Just in different ways.

I haven't, actually I never really liked the Pontiac 3rd gens, but id imagine ,as is with everything else, stance is everything. The one in that pic looks pretty good.

Touche about the girl thing. If I were to do it it would be an all around car. Some drag, some road racing SCCA stuff probably, mostly daily driving.

I would imaging that the Camaro would fit the bill for that. Id be willing to bet there are plenty of good parts out there to make it handle very well.

I would imagine 500 would be alot for either car. I'm aware that less would be more for a 240. The motor would probably be stock for a decent time as I'm sure either swap wouldn't be super cheap.

Basically either car I would like eventually high to mid 11 second quarters out of.

I do also like the 2nd gen RX7s...hmm.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

240s are slow, sound like **** and fugly stock.

but i cant deny with v8s ls motors body kits and wheels and they start looking real good

nissan 570sx

That's exactly how I feel.

99% of the 240 owners I've encountered thus far are just as bad as Honda owners.

grifter757

iTrader: (11)

I say thirdgen but I've had just a few... I've had 1 240 and to be honest both interiors suck *** stock. Thirdgens can handle as good as most cars out there to this day. If you upgrade stuff on them it gets even better. I would say whichever car you pick try to do something to it to make it unique. Thats what i have tried. Check out my build.

Evan78

I'm going to answer my own question:

3rd gen Camaro is approx 3100-3300 lbs
240sx is approx 2700-2800 lbs

I didn't look into weight differences when doing LS swaps.

Based on that, I'd vote for the Nissan. That's a lot of weight. If for some reason you wanted more weight in the rear, it's a lot easier to add weight than take it out. Being too light is not something you hear many complaints about, even with 500+ whp.