LS Swap or Not

[Beandip2811]

Guys and gals I have a conundrum that I am hoping you can all help me with. We currently have a 4.3 v6 with a 5-speed transmission in our 1990 GMC and I have plans to swap it out. I bought a donor car for the engine and transmission swap, 1999 Camaro with an LS1 and a T56 six speed manual. My problem is I bought the car not knowing at the time of purchase that it was a police pursuit vehicle. I was excited about the deal I got, bought off an auction, and then soon realized this wasn't just a base Z28 Camaro. When I picked up the car I went right to the build tag and sure enough it was a B4C code car. My issue is I don't know if I should separate the heart and lungs of this Camaro knowing it is the original motor and transmission to the car and there were only 7 of them built like this one in 1999. Am I over thinking this? The car runs and drives and is in surprisingly good shape considering it has 212,000 miles on the clock. What would you do?

[ariZona28]

C'Mon man! Only 7 made and you're considering butchering it up? I would say use the pick-up to round up resto parts for the cool 4th gen. Truly a diamond in the rough. If you're adamant about modding the truck just do a mild clean-up on the Camaro, sell it to a Gen 4 fan (maybe make a few bucks) and find a new donor.

[Beandip2811]

I was before I found out it was B4C car. Your thoughts mirror my struggle.

[Hulk]

Post it on the 4th gen camra site for a price that makes you happy and see if it goes. If not then use a you intended it and somebody might want the clean body for a race car to help you re coop cash.

[KJZ28]

A B4C was my childhood dream. The State trooper at my high school had one. I was very distracted in history class every time he parked in the front.



Do what you want with the car. I really like 4th gens and would keep it as is, maybe fresh it up.

[joshnmn]

I don’t like your poll options. Where’s the “build the 4th gen” bullet?

[s346k]

leave it as is. sell it to someone who would appreciate it before you dismantle it, please.

fun fact, the only thing an ls1 b4c got over the regular v8 cars was a block heater.

[pyroguy]

I originally voted swap, but re-reading the post I'm torn. 1 of 7 is pretty special, even if it has a boat load of miles on it. You might be able to find a LS1 or even a later model LS based engine at a junk yard for cheap and be able to save the Camaro.

[Scooter18155]

I vote to sell it to a 4th gen guy who would love that car. idk what you paid for it but you may make a few $ off of it. then with the extra $ you made you would be able to purchase a donor car with a better motor.

[Beandip2811]

Originally Posted by jnmn

I don’t like your poll options. Where’s the “build the 4th gen” bullet?

That just got to the basic point. Should I swap it or sell it for someone else to build. The struggle I am having is splitting up a 1 of 7 B4C car when it runs and drives as it is. When I won the auction I thought it was a base Camaro z28. I first thought that if it were a 1LE then I would definitely not tear it apart. I have my buddies telling me just to swap it but I am somewhat a purest when it comes to vehicles like this one. Your point noted though.

[Abubaca]

My first thought would be to see if you could make a quick buck of someone wanting a B4C. I mean....profit is profit, and then you can get back to your project.


If it doesn't sell? Cut it up. Rare doesn't mean valuable, and mileage is everything to most cars. A clean "regular" Z28 with 30k miles will be FAR more valuable than a B4C with 212k miles, and a resto would cost twice what it'll ever be worth. It's just what it is. ....and if I'm wrong, then you'll have no trouble selling it. A collector once told me "if you're discussing if it's worth saving....it's not. -Because someone would've already offered you money for it." Throw it up for sale on CL and FBM, and on some forums. If it sells, I'd be thrilled to be wrong. A worthy car saved and you've got a little profit. Money talks and that'll be all the discussion you need!

[Sinister10]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

I originally voted swap, but re-reading the post I'm torn. 1 of 7 is pretty special, even if it has a boat load of miles on it. You might be able to find a LS1 or even a later model LS based engine at a junk yard for cheap and be able to save the Camaro.

this...

dont get me wrong, doing a motor/trans swap on that silverado would be sweet. Id look for a "less valuable" car to strip for the motor, or search the yards for a swap.