I want to smoke Z28s

[archaic0]

I'm a new Camaro owner and I've got a '94 Camaro (3.4 V6 / 5sp) and I'm sort of sad that I didn't get a Z28 now that I know just what they have that I don't.

I've gotten some suggestions, and it looks like a good way to go is to swap the 3.4 to a 3.8 and add a supercharger / intercooler. Of course, then a new transmission will need to follow (6sp of some sort).

Other things I'd like to do is maybe a lightweight flywheel, 4wheel disk conversion, tighten up the suspension (sway bars, stabalizer bars?) and top it all off with a Zex NOS system for the icing.

I'm a tech guy, I know little to nothing about cars, so go easy... but any suggestions or creative ideas are welcome.

Thanks!

[MdFormula350]

turbo v6 :)

http://www.v6fbody.com/v6fbody_version_02.shtml

[karlseus]

you could put the 350 into the car. Should fit right into the the engine compartment. Throw on the lt1 with the supercharger and nitro.

Definately tighten up the suspension. And go with 4 wheel disc brakes.

[archaic0]

'throw on the lt1' ?

Sorry, probably a dumb question... What is an LT1?

[Corey]

The LT1 is the v8 engine that came in Z28's and Trans Am's from 93-97 (also vette's from 92-96). The 3.4 and 3.8 are two totally different engines. Not that the 3.8 is a bad engine, but by the time you swap everyting over for it, you might as well have put in a v8.

BTW, putting in a v8 or a 3.8 v6 will require a new transmission because the bolt pattern on the bellhousing is different.

[archaic0]

I see...

My only issue there is that while it sounds like a good idea to just jump up to the V8, cost seems to be an issue.

I've heard prices for those upwards of 3 to 5 grand, while I've seen 3.8s for less than 2 grand, and the 3800 supercharger (also less than 2 grand) and it seems like I can get more bang for my buck that way.

Sure, then V8 plus the supercharger would be another step up... but I'm not trying to go broke here... *smile*

Bang for buck is my bottom line, I don't want to be a 'just enough to get by' kind of guy here, but if I can toast a stock Z28 by puting 5 grand into the project - or I could put 8 grand into it and do even more... I'd be happy with the 5 grand option. At least for a first step. Once I get that far, I may get power hungry and want more... but maybe by then I can afford to do more. *smile*

[karlseus]

Looking through summit I was under the impression that the LT1 was just in reference to the Multi port injection system. The engine , Although good to have, Was not considered the LT1. Am I wrong on this?

[Corey]

If you want to get technical about it...

The LT1 is the rpo (regular production option) code assigned to that engine by gm. It refers to the whole engine, which is a gen II small block chevy. The basic engine design is the same, it's still a 350, but there are many minor differences that require different parts most of the time.

One exception is the intake. It still uses the old chevy bolt pattern and can be swapped onto older engines with almost no modification. The one catch is I'm not sure people get around the lack of a distributor hole on the LT1 intake. Although I'm sure aftermarket intakes come with that.

Back to Archaic0...

If you even think you will get power hungry later just start with the v8. If this is just a one time thing that once it's done you'll be happy forever go with the blown v6. You should check around to first to see what it will actually cost you personally to get your hands on either motor. Sometimes that makes all the difference.


Also, you may want to look for a v6 with a supercharger already on it because those engine's have different compression ratios more suited to using a supercharger. Unless you plan to rebuild the motor anyway, then it wouldn't really matter.

[archaic0]

The idea at this point is to find a V6, rebuild, port?, re-inforce, supercharger, then drive fast. *smile*

After doing some looking around, I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with the V6 super. I want to do some upgrades to other things on the car besides the powertrain so I think I'll work on getting the V6 super done for a cheap as I can work it out.

I'm kind of dissapointed though, because I wanted to do a rear brake conversion to disk, but I'm finding prices upwards of 600 or a grand. Wow... is it really worth that? I figured that it would be a little performance boost, but more so for the look... am I wrong there? I just don't want to drop a grand on something like that if I could better spend that money on something to increase horsepower or handling.

...on the handling note... I've already said that I'd like to tweak the suspension a little, but any suggestions on making it more of a 'tight' feel to the steering other than stabalizer and sway bars?

I came from an '88 prelude that was pretty tight, and I'm aiming for as close to that feel as I can get. (sorry for the honda ref, but we all have dirty little secrets, right?)

[metal]

if you want to smoke z28's it'll take a little more than a v6

[archaic0]

A supercharged and otherwise upgraded V6 vs. a stock V8... am I just way off to think that it's pretty possible?

[metal]

Any of the later (98+) with LS1's will still give you a good run. With a few boltons, the LS1 cars should be able to beat you easily. But it all depends on too many variables for me to make a hard decision on. If you suck or he sucks at driving than all the power in the world won't help you.

[archaic0]

at least 80% driver / 20% car... I know that all too well. *smile* Some would even put it higher than that ... up to 90% or 95% driver...

Update... I'm considering just waiting on this one, and starting with a 98 or 99 Z28 and working up from there... I'm just seeing too many out there for the same money that I'm wanting to spend on mine to get it there.

So, what bolt-ons would one look for to put on a 98 Z28? What kind of superchargers are out there for them? Should I even look into porting it?

[metal]

LS1's are some of the easiest engines to make power from. retune the computer, dual exhaust, maybe some headers. Vortech makes complete supercharger kits that are reasonably priced.