Someday, I will probably do something very crazy to a Camaro:
- street legal race-prepped engine install (requires the removal of the engine)
- race-prepped transmission (requires the removal or upgrade of the transmission)
- race-prepped rear end (requires removal of almost everything between the rear wheels up to the transmission)
- even bigger brakes (requires the removal of the brakes)
- drag racing suspension (requires removal of suspension components)
From what I know about this swap, my new build will likely require other changes:
- header replacement or upgrade to long tubes
- catback exhaust upgrade
- catalytic converter upgrade (maybe not necessary but potentially important)
- custom engine mounts
- custom transmission mounts (only if transmission is replaced)
This build begs an important question:
Aside from the badging on the my car, what makes it unique relative to any other trim?
In all truth, any Camaro could be built this way. My original plan was to start with a 1SS RS, but I would ultimately just be paying for an OEM V8 to be removed in place of a Camaro5 vendor's supreme V8. If not for the V8 under the hood from the beginning, it would be difficult to tell if a V8 was ever in there until the swap. Besides a different front bumper and SS badges, there really isn't much to differentiate the LT RS from the SS RS. Even the RS components that I want the most are available in the aftermarket. Consequently, I could do my custom V8 build sooner if I purchase the LS instead of the SS.
In conclusion, I'm better off buying a V6 for a lot of reasons besides insurance costs and regular fuel until my build. If I get a V6, I can make my V8 build become a reality much sooner than I can make it happen if I buy a satisfying V6 in the meantime.
Am I missing something?