What Camaro body style to build?

[HammondRacing]

What camaro is better to build as a stocker? 77-80 camaro or 82-92. I have nothing yet so wanting to know what one would be best if starting out fresh. Oldest kid coming out of juniors. I sold my 90 camaro super stock few years back to get both girls in juniors. Is there a disadvantage of having a say 77-80 camaro for a super stock or stocker due to nose heavy etc. i know this is not most popular year. My first car i bought myself was an 80 camaro but like i said the ss was a 90. Thanks

[Ian Hill]

there are massive amounts of mid 80's stockers out there, which is a good thing as companies like S & W racecars have many bolt on and weld in items for these cars (as well as other companies of course)

[Ron Zenzen 5402]

X2 My choice..

[Dragsinger]

Hammond Racing,

one thing to consider, what performance [et] will you be happy with?

For NHRA legal stockers the only reasonable combination for the 3rd generation [1982 - 1992] is the 305 four barrel setup. So find what et those cars run and is that acceptable to you.
The 350 Tuned Port is not a good choice, just a weak package because of the small throttle body and small, long runners.

Both first generation [1967 - 1969] and second generation [1970 - 1981] have a large choice of power plants and can be very fast with several different combinations. In addition, parts are easy, the combo is worked out, it can use Calvert suspension and factory 12 bolt rear etc.

The 4th Gen is valid if you are ready for a fuel injection combo.

And a note about 3rd gen & 4th gen rear suspension. It requires and aftermarket rear housing and more rear suspension parts then a 1st or 2nd combo.
On the other hand, 4th gen bodies are cheap & plentiful where as a good core for a 2nd gen is becoming more and more expensive.

All food for thought.

Personally [just me because I am old and do not want the fuel injection learning curve] I would try to find a clean 2nd gen body then research the engine combos and performance that would make me happy.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

Hammond Racing,

one thing to consider, what performance [et] will you be happy with?

For NHRA legal stockers the only reasonable combination for the 3rd generation [1982 - 1992] is the 305 four barrel setup. So find what et those cars run and is that acceptable to you.
The 350 Tuned Port is not a good choice, just a weak package because of the small throttle body and small, long runners.

Both first generation [1967 - 1969] and second generation [1970 - 1981] have a large choice of power plants and can be very fast with several different combinations. In addition, parts are easy, the combo is worked out, it can use Calvert suspension and factory 12 bolt rear etc.

The 4th Gen is valid if you are ready for a fuel injection combo.

And a note about 3rd gen & 4th gen rear suspension. It requires and aftermarket rear housing and more rear suspension parts then a 1st or 2nd combo.
On the other hand, 4th gen bodies are cheap & plentiful where as a good core for a 2nd gen is becoming more and more expensive.

All food for thought.

Personally [just me because I am old and do not want the fuel injection learning curve] I would try to find a clean 2nd gen body then research the engine combos and performance that would make me happy.

Larry, one of those weak 350 combos holds the record in I/SA and J/SA

[Patrick Kelliher]

You are much better off with a Gen III (82-92) style. Since they are both F-bodies, the Gen II and Gen III cars are factored together, but the suspension on a later car is far more advanced, and the cars are more aerodynamic. We own an '81 Camaro with a 305 and we're constantly battling to get some HP back that we lost due to Gen III cars.

[HammondRacing]

Thanks guys for all the input. I loved the way my 90 camaro looked even though i sold it before it was completed. Dam sure i'am going to hang onto to the next one.

[Greg Hill]

There are good combinations in both the gen 2 and 3 Camaros, however probably the best one is the 90-91 350 fuel injected motor.

[Dragsinger]

My bad about the Tuned Port 350 combination, I was going of old info! {Go figger The last I heard the Tuned Port intake system was too restrictive for hight RPM performance. It is good that someone has that worked out.

I especially like the 1990 Firebird body, I am building a fast bracket car with one that will be ready for next season.

[HammondRacing]

It's been awhile but we bought a good 3rd gen camaro, we have it stripped out and ready to go to chassis shop and i ordered new strange 12 bolt rearend this past monday.