Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 25

Thread: Thinking of getting back in the car game again

  1. #1
    Club Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2000
    Location
    Livonia
    Posts
    2,030

    Default Thinking of getting back in the car game again

    Well, it's been a while since I've had a fun car to play around with and wrench on and the thought has really been calling me lately. My son is 12 now and even though I was never really a hardcore wrench, it might be nice to have some small project for him to help me with and use to teach him. I think I am waxing nostalgic because third gen F-bodies have really,really been calling me now that GMC Syclones have moved out of my price range. I'm particularly hung up on '87-'90 Firebird Formulas though 3rd gen prices are climbing now too for a nice one.

    Not that any of these will still be for sale when I am ready to buy in a couple of months but from this sampling, what would you lean toward if you were me?

    A) 1988 Formula LB9 TPI 305, 5-speed. Super clean, all original and 40k miles for $13k. Hard top. Plus: original and super clean, rear disc brakes. Minus: original and super clean. I'm sure I would want to mod it but might be hesitant to do so.

    B) 1989 Formula 305, auto. Very clean, original w/ 50k miles but with 430 rwhp 383 stroker for $11k. T-Top. Plus: Very clean and already has a stroker motor. Minus: Rear drum brakes. Needs to be imported from Canada.

    C) 1990 Formula L03 TBI 305, auto. Clean inside and out w/ 105k miles and L03 switched to carb for $9k. T-Top. Plus: cheaper and not original so candidate for LS swap. Minus: Rear drum brakes. Not as clean as the other Formulas on this list.

    D) 1987 Firebird Formula L03 TBI 305, auto. Very clean, original w/ 55k miles for $11k. Hard top. Plus: Very clean and original. Minus: Very clean and original. Rear drum brakes. Would be buying sight unseen and having shipped.

    E) 1986 Camaro. Clean but not spotless w/ 280k on body for $12k. 2 owner car, current owner has had it since 1996. LQ9 (100k miles) swap w/ LS1 intake, hot cam and TKO-600 5 speed. Hard top. Plus: clean but not original, already LS swapped. Appears to have used high end swap parts. Minus: Probably buying sight unseen and having shipped. That or taking a flight to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=9eSEC-BeK4w

    For the Formulas, A-C are red, D is black. Even though I really want a formula, I am a bit fascinated by the Camaro since it is already LS swapped. The guy did it all himself and seemed to do a nice job and used a lot of high LS conversion parts, though the engine itself is a high mileage junkyard motor. I am leaning towards A or B if they are still available when I am ready. At the end of the day, availability may help me decide. I am still a couple of months away from being ready to buy so who knows what of these will be sold or what else comes on the market. I guess the question isn't so much about these specific cars but more about original vs. modded to various levels because whatever I buy is going to be clean and hopefully rust free.

    What do you think?

    Edit 1: Forgot to mention: A and D are from reputable classic car dealers. C is from a used car dealership. B and E are from private sellers.
    Edit 2: Added asking price of car E.
    Last edited by 2QuickZ's; 08-19-2019 at 04:22 PM.
    Scott

  2. #2
    Club Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2000
    Location
    Livonia
    Posts
    2,030

    Default

    Was also thinking of something like this. I'm not exactly sure what it is about these 1970 Tempest/LeMans but I've always really liked them. Not 1969 or 1971+, but 1970 only. Haha.

    https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/c...952701687.html
    Scott

  3. #3
    Club Member mikesfastss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    at home with the family
    Posts
    5,226

    Default

    Well just keep in mind that any t top car will need the floors inspected as most have leaks and rust issues, any car with a 305 will be a huge turd so you will end up engine swapping at some point. Tune port cars were fun for what they are but again there problematic and hard to find parts for now days. Either way something to work on with the little one will always be a good experience.
    Last edited by mikesfastss; 08-18-2019 at 09:23 PM.

  4. #4
    Club Member AutoRoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Dearborn
    Posts
    6,003

    Default

    Scott!!! I wouldn't mess with 80's fuel injection at all. I WOULD take any of those cars and put a short carburetor intake on it and run a fitech fuel injection system for ~$1000. I think this would kick up the reliability factor into modern numbers and it's tuneable.

    What kind of garage space do you have going on? What about building a cyclone or typhoon clone? I'm not even sure where I would start with that other than a clean no rust Jimmy or S10. You could put a turbo ecotec in it...or an LS...

    The possibilities of losing money are endless!! I'm so excited for you!
    Denny Villemure
    PSSSSSSST!
    Vortec 4200 Turbo IROC-Z on 15psi
    10.85 @ 126mph

  5. #5
    Club Sponsor ZYA_LTR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Macomb Twp.
    Posts
    913

    Default

    I don't know how set you are on a 3rd gen, but at those prices, your already looking at getting a nice 4th gen LS1 car, and being farther ahead of the money pit. And you could still wrench on the 4th gen to have fun. Their are plenty of them out there that are still relatively stock for a good price, or ones that are already modded for fair prices. LS1Tech has a few possibilities currently in the FS section that are promising.
    Jason

    Firearm & Class 3 Sales/Service/Transfer/Customizing

  6. #6
    Forum Member Ponyryd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    I agree with AutoRoc that it would be pretty easy to swap an LS into a Blazer if that’s what you really want....wouldn’t really be cheap, and you’d need some decent wrenching skills though.

    As for the question, I don’t see a price for E, but if it’s under $10 k I’d probably get the Camaro, already has the LS swap and is a hardtop.
    I guess it depends what you really want, these cars won’t be worth a whole helluva lot of money down the road, so to me originality isn’t that important. I would never own a slow turd because it might be worth money someday, and performance parts/engine swaps aren’t cheap at all.

  7. #7
    Club Member twotwoturbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER
    Posts
    5,724

    Default

    just wait till I get sick of the grand national.. Im sure ill be selling it in a few months...haha
    1990 mustang GT 5.0 sold 3-11-04 MISSED

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Posts
    6

    Default

    Not sure how set you are on the 80s cars but for that price point you can find a newer Ls car with more easily available parts along with better reliability, fast too. Just my opinion though

  9. #9
    Forum Member riche's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Mesa Arizona
    Posts
    1,901

    Default

    Double post
    Last edited by riche; 08-19-2019 at 03:41 PM.

  10. #10
    Forum Member riche's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Mesa Arizona
    Posts
    1,901

    Default

    If you are wanting something 80's or early 90's I have a few for sale.

    95 Corvette ZO7 6spd 53k miles Asking $12,500

    88 Mustang GT 5 speed 87k miles Will be Asking $9500

    93 Yellow Feature mustang Vert 5 speed 73k miles Asking $12,500

    Problem is they are all in Arizona Text or call me if interested. I can send any pics you want. 480-450-9728

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •