LS7 and you`ll still have a good looking car.

 

As someone else stated, you will never be satisfied. Again, do up your present F-body. If you buy the 2010, as soon as you get spanked by a couple modded out 98-02 f-bodies you will be modding it up (if you can afford to between the payment and the insurance) and dumping even more money into the car.

 

Build a ls2 402....bye bye ls7, ls3 and definitely bye to the new camaro

 

I wrestled with the choice of upgrading my beloved 98 Z28 with an LS7 2-years ago. I Could not justify spending big dollars on a ~10 year old body when experience taught me I would never get it out.

However, it is really a matter of taste. I personally do not like the new Camaro body style. It looks like a Chrysler 300 or one of its 15 "new" Dodge retro-clones! The 4th gen body style still does not look dated. The 2010 weighs 400 lbs more than the 4th gen. That is a very significant difference.

I would go with a build-up of your existing block. Put a reasonable amount in a supercharger, heads, intake, and decent exhaust system and it will be close to the specs of the stock LS7.

 

i voted for the for the ls7 crate for ur 99, i do like the 2010 camaro's, if u could do both, then ild say go for it, lol. the 99 with an ls7 would be unique, though!

 

You're right, the 4th gens do still look great, even 10 years later.

However, with the new Camaro its not just about the new body style and increased power and weight. You're getting a much better overall vehicle, especially in terms of panel fitment, interior, refinement, build quality, chassis structure, and of course the IRS, which really improves handling.

The 4th gen is a great platform no doubt, but I think the 5th gen will be an even better platform to build on, with the LS3, TR6060, IRS, and much better build quality and materials all around.

I can't wait to start seeing some builds once they are out.

 

I don't know a lot about the indepedent rear suspension of the 2010. However, based on my read of an article in GM High Tech Performance, it seems like not much difference than the previous platform other than adjustability. I owned two 4th generation f-bodies over 20 years and the stock suspension was sufficient, particularly with updgrades of after-market pieces. The overall construction of the 4th gen was very good compared to 3rd generation, which I started with. I admit the 4th gen interior is standard GM cheepie vinyl but what the heck. I am pretty sure the new Camaro has the "refinement" GM is putting in it and the newer corvettes. With the SS MSRP's at $31 grand + dealer dumb_ss premium some will pay initially, it better.
In response to the initial post, I still say it is a matter of taste, but it is not practical to spend $20 grand on installation of an LS7 crate. I would take the existing lighter platform and come-up with a modest budget for modding (blower, heads, cam, headers, exhaust) using the existing block and pistons. As someone else said in another post - if you buy a 2010, the first time an older F-body blows its doors you will get the mod fever. Then you will kill your resale value anyway and have $31g+ tied-up in it to begin with. For $31g You can get a low mileage C5 Z06 that will eat the new Camaro for lunch (modded or not) and save yourself $7-10,000.

Thanks for your response to my post.

 

i sat in a camaro at the auto show they are sweet... if you dont want to see the road. visibility was crap

 

4th gens ... ::yawn::

 

personally i really dislike the interior of the new camaros and car looks alright but a 4th gen just looks so much sleeker and sexier to me id go with a ls2 and good old fashioned NOS and blow the doors off the new camaro

 

Only problem is you will need at least SFC's, LCA's, PHB, TA, and a T56 overhaul to use the newfound power. Build a nice heads cam LS1 or buy a new camaro

It would be hard to decide though

 

why not just get a used c6 z06

 

Personally, not really a fan of the 10 Camaros, that may change if I see one on person?
I would say go the LS7 crate with a Katech cam and other necessaries OR go with the 454 LSx and build up your trans and rear end a little.
I'm guessing your suspension is pretty stout? You're gonna need it for that extra power as well.
GOOD LUCK!

 

2010 camaro shell offered by GMPP and a race built 454LSX

 

I would just buy the 10 Camaro.

 

Hopefully the op has done something by now but my .02

The LS7 crate engine (for the money) has not been as reliable as one would have expected. The dry sump system has had issues: GM changed the size of the holding tank to help eliminate starvation situations when tracking the car. Lingenfelter sells another oil can upgrade with increased capacity. ARE has made a $2500 oil pan for the LS7, again for issues with track use. I don't believe the LS7 is a good choice for a crate motor. The wiser choice and more reliable choice would be a forged LS3 from any of the top engine builders mentioned on this site. just my .02

 

I kind of had this dilemma too, but decided to go '10 Camaro w/ heads/cam!

 

Your 99 z is way more cool than the 2010 camaro.The new camaro is the most ugly car I have ever seen.They look even more ugly in person.Chunky yuppie mobile.Ls7 or Ls3
_________________________
2000 t/a ws6

 

Buy a bike.

 

for 20k you can buy a badass motor, tranny and rear. i just finished my all out including beck sheetmetal intake and every high end engine peice 408 for well under 15k tranny was 3k with brake and converter, and a rear is another 3k. so for right at 20k you can have a whole new drive train that will destroy the 2010 vette, and the 4th gens are still sexy. i vote build your own ****!