Another LS1 or go for an old '68 Ram Air 400?
02-13-2009, 03:27 PM
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Another LS1 or go for an old '68 Ram Air 400? Curious: i'll be looking in the future to get another Firebird/TransAm/F-Body/LS1 whatever.... but i've always wanted an old '68 w/ a 400 in it. If not for the nostalgia alone, I figure it'd be fun/easy to work on and would make decent power. My last LS1 i modded up to heads and cam so i figure whatever i get i'll probably do the same.
Anyone have experience w/ the classics as far as driveability, power, ease of modding, etc. goes? Thanks for the input.
Anyone have experience w/ the classics as far as driveability, power, ease of modding, etc. goes? Thanks for the input.
02-14-2009, 02:10 AM
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Get a 1st-gen 'bird while they're still reasonable. I saw a restomodded '69 convertible in Autotrader a few months back for little over $11,000. Personally, I like their front ends better than the early Camaros.
I had a 400 Poncho in my last Firebird. Lots of potential, but so much more expensive when comparing to Chevy stuff. For the money I'd be dropping an LSX or BBC in that bitch.
I had a 400 Poncho in my last Firebird. Lots of potential, but so much more expensive when comparing to Chevy stuff. For the money I'd be dropping an LSX or BBC in that bitch.
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02-14-2009, 07:09 AM
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Having owned dozens of old muscle cars and driving them, I will never go back to old muscle. They are nice for they stand for and to look at but driving them you can not compare. Air cond,susp,reliability,power acc,better brakes,etc etc its a no brainer for me. Do I miss my 70 SS Chevelle matching numbers sitting in my garage collecting dust yes and no.
02-14-2009, 09:31 AM
#12
I've owned a 73 Challenger, and a 75 Vette. I drove them allot, but not daily. The suspension was horrible, and pulled every way possible. I must admit that I miss having an old car. Old cars turn heads.........but then again so does my LS............
02-14-2009, 12:10 PM
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I drove my '80 Formula every day nearly two years before getting my Camaro. No heat, ac, power steering, overdrive or fuel injection. I managed around 12mpg with that 400/TH400. The engine itself was a '73-74 shortblock with '69 #16 heads and needed a rebuild desperately. Despite it's antiquated shortcomings, the car was dead reliable and NEVER left me stranded unless it ran out of gas.
I miss driving the old school. These new cars just can't give you that nostalgic feeling when you climb behind the steering wheel. Mine had peanutbutter vinyl and a Grant woodgrain. That car did nothing but turn heads and I probably had someone asking if it was for sale atleast 2 or 3 times a week. If something ever happens and my '98 is totaled , I'd like her organs to be donated to a classic. Preferably a 2nd-gen F-body or early 70s Cutlass.
I miss driving the old school. These new cars just can't give you that nostalgic feeling when you climb behind the steering wheel. Mine had peanutbutter vinyl and a Grant woodgrain. That car did nothing but turn heads and I probably had someone asking if it was for sale atleast 2 or 3 times a week. If something ever happens and my '98 is totaled , I'd like her organs to be donated to a classic. Preferably a 2nd-gen F-body or early 70s Cutlass.
02-14-2009, 12:11 PM
#14
that's why you mod the car...stock is for pussies
my car had ice cold a/c but I never used it so I ended up pulling it, power steering, power brakes...
I have less than $400 is my current suspension and it's already better than new non performance cars, once I upgrade the front suspension with bigger brakes it will be on par with most new cars and surpass quite a few. The kit I'm looking at is right at $1k and I'd need to buy c6 vette brakes or aftermarket.
I love the vibe of old cars, also like being able to see without looking over 30 feet of dash windshield and hood out front.
You can make an old car perform as well as anything else, and if you're dedicated enough you can add the sissy crap like seat warmers and power windows, but I don't have any use for that garbage.
my car had ice cold a/c but I never used it so I ended up pulling it, power steering, power brakes...
I have less than $400 is my current suspension and it's already better than new non performance cars, once I upgrade the front suspension with bigger brakes it will be on par with most new cars and surpass quite a few. The kit I'm looking at is right at $1k and I'd need to buy c6 vette brakes or aftermarket.
I love the vibe of old cars, also like being able to see without looking over 30 feet of dash windshield and hood out front.
You can make an old car perform as well as anything else, and if you're dedicated enough you can add the sissy crap like seat warmers and power windows, but I don't have any use for that garbage.
02-14-2009, 12:15 PM
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I like actually being able to see the hood, unlike these new cars. Looking out the front of my Camaro is like driving a minivan. With the oldy, I could look right at the front corners and put them wherever they needed to be.
02-14-2009, 12:51 PM
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I built a ponch 400 to a 412. was alota money, but it was a beast. i had it in my 79 trans am. It had around 400hp. I loved drivin the car everyday in the summer, or as much as i could i should say, but i have to agree with 01ws6a4 Slightlyyyy. Im not saying i NEED all of that, but it is nice. I'd have no problem without it, but having the power the new ls1 has, and yet the comfort of the newer car, is awesome. Its nice being able to drive anywhere with the car and be comfortable in it. In a perfect world, you should get the old trans am, and then a new trans am. I love them both.
And yes, you can make any old muscle car feel like the ride of a newer car. But then it'd be taking away from the point of an old muscle car hehe
And yes, you can make any old muscle car feel like the ride of a newer car. But then it'd be taking away from the point of an old muscle car hehe
02-18-2009, 10:08 AM
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Fair enough...
I was driving home one Thursday night around 12:30, not 300 yards from my apartment when a gang of wild monkeys jumped on the hood of my car, obstructing my view and flinging doo everywhere. Then a tree jumped out in front of me and i didn't have enough time to react...
evolved from monkeys my ***.
I was driving home one Thursday night around 12:30, not 300 yards from my apartment when a gang of wild monkeys jumped on the hood of my car, obstructing my view and flinging doo everywhere. Then a tree jumped out in front of me and i didn't have enough time to react...
evolved from monkeys my ***. 