Hey guys. I'm going tomorrow to buy my first 1st gen Camaro. I would like some opinions on if its a good deal or not. Its a 68 that needs painted (body work all done except for block sanding). New full floorpans, new bumpers, all new houndstooth interior, new taillight assemblies. Guy said about 5000 in new in the box parts. It has a 9inch rearend and comes with an complete Ls1 with trans,fuel injection, and computer. Price on it is 10,000. What do you think? Its mine tomorrow:hurray::hurray::beers:

I'm currently in the process of restoring a 68, and will be going with an LS1/T56. I paid $3.5k for the shell and have roughly $2500 in replacement sheetmetal and supplies.
It looks like I will have a little over $5k into my drivetrain swap. I still have yet to think about brakes, chassis electrical, or interior.

Depending on how the body work and drivetrain swap is done, I'd say it could easily be worth it. Do you have any more specifics on condition? Any Pics?

Welcome to team Camaro Neil! If the body work was done well and the car is now solid, and the motor isn't blown, $10K is probably a great deal. Is it a roller (no motor in it now) and you have to figure the rest out, or is it together?

Thanks guys. Ill have some pics of it tomorrow. The motor is ready to go in. Its from a 98 Camaro. I'll have to buy the mounts, get the correct oil pan and fuel system set up along with the thousand other little things that gowith it. The guy I'm getting it from was very particular about the bodywork he had done. He is selling because he doesn't want to short cut it to finish it. Just about every part for the interior is new. New alum rims and tires. New grill, new pass front fender because the 1 thats on it had a little bondo in it. All the weatherstriping and window fuzzies.

Something to think about... if the engine isn't in, you haven't gotten to the expensive part of the install. For a custom pan, it will be between $400 to $600. Headers (if desired) can run close to $1k. You could possibly need to massage the trans tunnel, and fabricate a trans mount. If you're wanting to use the LS1 stock accessory drive with the stock 1st gen subframe, you'll need to notch the crossmember for compressor clearance. While these things are cheap to do yourself, they could be a significant expense to have completed in a shop.
It's the small things about this engine swap that tend to sneak up on you unexpected. I'm not trying to scare you away, just simply showing that there could still be a potentially significant expenditure to get the car road worthy.

I've been checking on the prices.:thumbsup: As far as installation, I've been thinking about a new complete subframe that way I'll have brakes and better suspension. I'm sure it will take another 7000 to 10000 to get it ready for next summer. :yes:I do all my own work except for bodywork. I can fab and rework trans tunnel. I saw somewhere that the factory manifolds will work. if thats true the headers can be put on hold. I have heard that I can exchange my oil pan to get a little price difference also. I want to have the camaro and my 74 nova ready for the Goodguys show in columbus next year.

If you're going with a new subframe check out the Art Morrison subframe. It will allow you to use the stock F body oil pan and accessories which translates to significant savings. The suspension and steering performance is among the best out there. Stock C5 brakes can be also be used.

Don

I've been checking on the prices.:thumbsup: As far as installation, I've been thinking about a new complete subframe that way I'll have brakes and better suspension. I'm sure it will take another 7000 to 10000 to get it ready for next summer. :yes:I do all my own work except for bodywork. I can fab and rework trans tunnel. I saw somewhere that the factory manifolds will work. if thats true the headers can be put on hold. I have heard that I can exchange my oil pan to get a little price difference also. I want to have the camaro and my 74 nova ready for the Goodguys show in columbus next year.

Sounds great! Post pics when you get them. I'll be interested to see the progress come along. You're a good deal further along than I am at this point. :)

price doesnt sound too bad to me..better check out ls1tech.com lots of good info there..

Well after looking at the car, the body was nowhere near the shape he said it was in. It still needs some panels welded in. The area under the front winsheild needs to be fixed. I'm still debating over if it is worth it or not. He said if I didn't buy it, it was going on ebay for 12000.