Sounds like you have a killer project car to work with Doc. There's a 240Z that shows up at the local 1/4 mile and it just flies with a 3.8L Turbo GN motor in it

Just curious though, what has become of the Camaro? Sounds like you've given up hope of racing it competatively (not that I blame you).

 

I gotta agree with 2002Z28SSConv
For cheap Auto-X/Road Racing a big power American car is not the way to go.
The biggest bang/buck potential race cars out there (IMHO) are the 83-84 VW GTI's. These handle awesome, have a 7K-RPM redline, and only weigh 1800LBS (stock).
I have seen a lot of people with big$$ cars get embarrassed by GTI's at Auto-X'.
These cars only have about 90HP stock, but it is a very broad powerband. With the low weight they get up and go just fine.
The best part, you can get a nice stocker for less than $2000. You can get a fully race prepped version for less than $5000.
In the SCCA they run FSP, in NASA roadracing they are ITC.
Racing with a low HP car really makes you pay attention to your braking and cornering lines. If you don't learn to carry speed, you don't win. I had one for 3 years, and it really taught me to be a better driver.

 

Soma, yes I've given up on class racing it, the T tops is a big reason why. I still want a first gen Camaro though, that will be the next project, hopefully not too far down the road.

I also thought about a GTI, the diesel version gets something like 42MPG, and there is even a spec racing series supporting the cars.

Once you drive a lightweight car for awhile I think your perspective starts to shift a bit, I'm sure this sounds funny to some, but my $850 beater (88 Pontiac Le Mans) while not a looker, with even modest tires on it, I can corner as fast or faster in this car when compared to my Camaro and its measly tires. A couple weekends ago I got a nice "woah" from 2 passengers, one owns a hopped up 70 Camaro, the other a 95 Hotcam Camaro, that being with thier 300 or so extra pounds of dead weight and not even pushing the car yet, the car is totally neutral and grips like a mother. My beater has about 90# torque and 72HP, 2136 pounds.

It gets to the point also, that you start looking at every mod your doing as being $1000-$2000 each, how about some nice competitive $1600 wheels and $1000 set of tires, and it starts adding up at a painfull pace. I can get 4 piston calipers, 13.1" rotors, 16x8.5" wheels and all kinds of upgrades from junkyard donor cars, and it will cost me a handfull of $ compared to a larger heavier car that requires generally bigger and more expensive parts. Turbo charging of course, well more junkyard donor cars if you wish to go the Turbo route, Typhoon/Syclone computer, T3s, although for the intercooler probaly want to buy a fresh one.



It may not sound as fun as having gobs of horsepower, but its so true. You will have to learn to extract the most from yourself to remain competitive in a field where everyone is driving "the same" car, this is the best way to get the most out of yourself.

 

http://home.cfl.rr.com/scottiegnz/gnz.html

He's got a C4 rear end with salad shooters, he has quick launches but it still skates badly, no grip!

 

Yup, that it! I didnt realize he had a C4 IRS in there but its ben ages since I've been to the dragstrip.

BTW have you considered autocrossing the Camaro? Its alota fun and you can have a pretty competative ESP car without spending a ton of cash.

Just an idea...

 

Yeah, but I'm tired of the car overall and tired of the rules imposed on me etc etc by owning it, so the sale will fund a first gen project, more fun, no rules, more space to work!