LS1 or Thirdgen
LS1 or Thirdgen I cant decide right now Ive got a 1989 Camaro RS TBI305 auto should I dump more money into it or wait until next March and buy a m6 LS1 car. I would have to wait so I can take out a small loan. One last thing could I get what Im looking for in good condition for under 11K?
I have always liked the way 3rd gens look. Keep the third gen and buy the LS1. My buddy has an 87 IROC-Z that I helped him built. Thing runs 12's 
. More camaros the better IMO.
. More camaros the better IMO. I had a "souped up" third gen(305TBI)...lol, get an LS1. 3rd gens look alot better but the performance isn't even close.
I dumped thousands into that car and enjoyed the hell out of it...but I never could have realistically had an LS1 car...you'd be a fool to spend money on a 305TBI when you could get an LS1.
I dumped thousands into that car and enjoyed the hell out of it...but I never could have realistically had an LS1 car...you'd be a fool to spend money on a 305TBI when you could get an LS1.
Keep the third gen, you owe nothing on it... Get the SS for a FUN dd, and then keep that semi stock and pour money into the thrid gen engine swap... But NEVER, "soup up" a 305 lol
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ooh..kinda tough. i enjoy the looks of both. i had a 91 rs 305tbi. it depends on what you want. i wanted a fourth gen with t tops. my third was a hard top. if it would of had t tops, i probably would have done the fourth gen dash swap, ls1, etc... but i went with my 98 z. and the body work needed was too much for me to pay. i'd say got with a ls1
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On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2005
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I always thought the 2nd gens looked more trailor trash then the 3rd gens, I think a black 89 Iroc is one of the most badass looking cars ever made, never saw the trailer trash in them, but a late model 2nd gen camaro ick
EDIT : To the original poster, depending on the condition of the car, mechnical ability, space, tools, time I'd look into an LT1 swap for it. Third gens are so light and LTx's are dirt cheap, my friend just sold one with less then 40,000 miles on it with all the accesories wiring harness computer complete from intake to oil pan with LTs for a grand. Get a tpi fuel system from a JY and a tubular k member with mounts from hawks, and you've got a quick car :-) Send the heads off to Lloyd elliot or Ai before you swap it in and get a custom cam, and you'll be hauling *** and looking real good doing it. 3rd gens rock
And yea like everyone else is saying, if you keep it, you'll have to junk that 305, my friend has an LO3 converted to carb with a cam full exhaust(headers to tips) and he got totally owned by a 05 v6 mustang automatic convertible.
EDIT : To the original poster, depending on the condition of the car, mechnical ability, space, tools, time I'd look into an LT1 swap for it. Third gens are so light and LTx's are dirt cheap, my friend just sold one with less then 40,000 miles on it with all the accesories wiring harness computer complete from intake to oil pan with LTs for a grand. Get a tpi fuel system from a JY and a tubular k member with mounts from hawks, and you've got a quick car :-) Send the heads off to Lloyd elliot or Ai before you swap it in and get a custom cam, and you'll be hauling *** and looking real good doing it. 3rd gens rock
And yea like everyone else is saying, if you keep it, you'll have to junk that 305, my friend has an LO3 converted to carb with a cam full exhaust(headers to tips) and he got totally owned by a 05 v6 mustang automatic convertible.
Last edited by JimboManJones; May 14, 2006 at 06:28 PM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 595
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From: Miami, FL
just remember "friends don't let friends build 305s."
And from my experiences 3rd gen owners tend to be the muscle maniacs that think any V8 is faster than any 4 or 6 cylinder, regardless of horsepower because of torque!! And that a stock '83 305 should have as much torque as my LS1... Same kid called a stock Evo a ricer- no mods appearance or otherwise.
And from my experiences 3rd gen owners tend to be the muscle maniacs that think any V8 is faster than any 4 or 6 cylinder, regardless of horsepower because of torque!! And that a stock '83 305 should have as much torque as my LS1... Same kid called a stock Evo a ricer- no mods appearance or otherwise.
Originally Posted by mpe488
just remember "friends don't let friends build 305s."
And from my experiences 3rd gen owners tend to be the muscle maniacs that think any V8 is faster than any 4 or 6 cylinder, regardless of horsepower because of torque!! And that a stock '83 305 should have as much torque as my LS1... Same kid called a stock Evo a ricer- no mods appearance or otherwise.
And from my experiences 3rd gen owners tend to be the muscle maniacs that think any V8 is faster than any 4 or 6 cylinder, regardless of horsepower because of torque!! And that a stock '83 305 should have as much torque as my LS1... Same kid called a stock Evo a ricer- no mods appearance or otherwise.
Its a 4 door sedan with a massive wing on the back and a fart can exhaust. Just because its pretty quick doesn't disqualify it from being in the "factory rice" category.
Its a "boy racer" car, no two ways about it.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Northern Kentucky
Originally Posted by Ell Ess Won
I think 3rd gen are ugly trailor trash cars, no offense to ppl that own them. Sell it and buy a LS1.
Only thing that would concern me in getting a LS1 is the insurance... Although I'm sure you thought that through.
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,213
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From: Chesapeake va
i kick myself in the *** every day for letting my pops sell my 86 IROC, not fast stock, but had an old vette motor fixed up and put in and then she was perfect for me!!!! If u really arent into completely rebuilding the 3rd gen and just want that instan gratification at the stop light, ls1 is the answer, but 3rdgens are becoming increasingly popular and alot of people seem to be doing the engine swaps (lt1,ls1) on them these days so u could definatly find the help if u needed it!!! I would keep the thirdgen and swap the motor if it were me! u would definatly get MORE looks but u would still get em in the fourthgen so its all about personel preferance, money, time, yada yada yada!!! Good luck though!
Originally Posted by Hrod382
Only thing that would concern me in getting a LS1 is the insurance... Although I'm sure you thought that through.
11 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 157
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From: Kentucky
Has anyone of you guys ever seen a 3rd gen that looked new? The only ting that makes thrid gen's ugly is that most of the people who sport them have dull paint or primer and it ruins the car and forever associates it to "trailer parks" And honesttly if you go to any trailer park in my area and drive thrue it you WILL see 3rd gens primered with dumb decals and horrible looking wheels running thrue a str8 pipe exhaust. I have only saw a few 3rd gens that looked new and they where sharp cars. But how many cars do you see from 1989 that look good? 1990 300Z is the only car from that era where I can think most of them look good as they have been really well taken care of.
As far as buying a LS1 and getting rid of the 3rd. You wouldnt regret it at all. I have never owned a car that I love as much as my 99.
As far as buying a LS1 and getting rid of the 3rd. You wouldnt regret it at all. I have never owned a car that I love as much as my 99.
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From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Originally Posted by Sgt. Spuds
Keep the third gen, you owe nothing on it... Get the SS for a FUN dd, and then keep that semi stock and pour money into the thrid gen engine swap... But NEVER, "soup up" a 305 lol
Teching In
Joined: May 2006
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From: South Florida
Originally Posted by streetassasin
I cant decide right now Ive got a 1989 Camaro RS TBI305 auto should I dump more money into it or wait until next March and buy a m6 LS1 car. I would have to wait so I can take out a small loan. One last thing could I get what Im looking for in good condition for under 11K?
i love my 3rd gen! and my 383 gives enough power to pull out on an ls1! no offense just had to stick up for my 3rdgen! plus mine looks good! hahah! and no i am not trailor trash! 