Camaro or Mustang?

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:20 pm

I have been tossing around the idea of getting another autocross car for a while now and I am ready to think a little more seriously on the subject. The car must meet the following criteria.

4 seats (marginally usable ok, just need a place to store the kids)
I am 6'2" and must fit with a helmet.
Powerful
Reliable with working AC
$8,000 or less

Ideally the car would already have some level of autocross mods, sway bar, shocks, springs etc.

From the title of this post, you can see I have pretty much narrowed the field down to a 4th gen Z-28 or SS Camaro or similar vintage Mustang GT. I am thinking CAM or FS would be a fun class (whichever is more competitive at our events). So, Camaro or Mustang? Other suggestions I have overlooked? Any suggestions on sites for prepping these cars for autocross?

Not FS legal with the cam, but this tempting.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4878232892.html

Subs are removable
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4870529439.html

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:15 pm

If you're 6'2, you will not fit into a Camaro w/ a sunroof w/ a helmet. I'm 6'4 and I can't even sit in a Camaro w/ a sunroof. I can sit in a non sunroof, but never checked the helmet fit.

That said, the '05-'09 S197 mustang is going to have plenty of headroom and no sunroof issue as that was never an option. If you can, buy a '07 or later, takes advantage of the stiffer chassis by virtue of same shell being used; V6, GT, GT500.

be nice to have another CAM driver!

edit.... I see you're looking at a SN95 mustang and previous gen camaro. No info on those, other that I've heard tall drivers have a tough time in the SN95. I think you'll have the same issue in the Camaro, I did when I had my '96 on course. Time to break out the helmet and go car testing....

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:41 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

I think you'll have the same issue in the Camaro, I did when I had my '96 on course. Time to break out the helmet and go car testing....

Rodney, Was your Camaro a Z-28? How does it compare it to the Bullitt? I had a 95 z-28 (lt-1) but never autocrossed it.

Good point about bringing the helmet. If it's close fit, I don't mind removing some seat foam.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:20 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

Rodney, Was your Camaro a Z-28? How does it compare it to the Bullitt? I had a 95 z-28 (lt-1) but never autocrossed it.

Good point about bringing the helmet. If it's close fit, I don't mind removing some seat foam.

My camaro was a run-of-the-mill V6 auto that really didn't do that well on course. Compares to the Bullitt? No comparison to draw against =) My 2 cents worth of comments is try to buy the latest you can. The S197 is a better platform than the SN95, likewise w/ the new gen vs last gen camaro. They are just better sorted out of the box.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:23 pm

Also Rodney, are you talking about a new 5th gen Camaro or a 4th gen? The 5th gen can be a little lacking in the head room department, but I feel like a 4th gen would have more.

But, looks like some quick research says a 2002 Camaro has 37.2" and a 2010 has 37.4" So pretty close between the 2, with a little less in the 4th gen.

'04 Mustang is listed at 38.1" front head room.

Edit: I see you already answered, nevermind, lol.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:30 pm

LS1 Camaros will certainly have the power edge over the Mustang. Probably not enough difference there though to notice in autocross i'm guessing.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 6:29 pm

Camaro!

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:43 pm

Historically, I think an equivalent year camaro will be better then an equivalent year mustang. At least stock vs stock. Once you start modifying, all bets are off and the mustang is likely to pull ahead once modified. If you can swing a little more in your budget, get a 2005+ Mustang it will be the best solution of any of the stick axle cars. 2007+ is nice due to it being stiffer, but it's also slightly heavier than the 05/06 models. And will be several grand more expensive.

MarcusMcRae wrote:

Camaro!

Shouldn't that be the poster for a subaru?

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:52 pm

Chad Culbertson wrote:

The 5th gen can be a little lacking in the head room department

Especially in the back seat, my neck is still crooked from that short trip on Sunday :wink:

Then again, it was the ride in your car that got me thinking about this again.

I like the 05+ Mustangs and will be keeping an eye out for one, but right now I am lusting after the 98-02 Camaro SS. I was in high school/early college when they came out and they just seemed so bad-ass at the time. One problem I am finding is that most of the SS's for sale have had engine/power related mods. It would be nice to find one with a stock drivetrain and autocross/track suspension mods.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 9:17 pm

Regarding headroom: Assuming you don't run Street can you gain head room with a "streetable" racing seat?

FYI my only "headroom" concern is not hitting my head entering/exiting the car. :lol:

Since you are leaning toward Camaros anyway one advantage they have if engine work is planned is "not overhead cam".

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 9:42 pm

Jason Mauldin wrote:

MarcusMcRae wrote:

Camaro!

Shouldn't that be the poster for a subaru?

I don't think the song would sound as cool.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1v3CzvQ9e_w

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:04 pm

MarcusMcRae wrote:

I don't think the song would sound as cool.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1v3CzvQ9e_w

Funny song. If only "Bitchin' Camaro" would fit the license plate.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:09 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

Since you are leaning toward Camaros anyway one advantage they have if engine work is planned is "not overhead cam".

The initial plan is have a car that is relatively quiet and comfortable enough that at the end of the drive home from Danville I don't want to roll it into a ditch an light it on fire.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Historically, I think an equivalent year camaro will be better then an equivalent year mustang. At least stock vs stock. Once you start modifying, all bets are off and the mustang is likely to pull ahead once modified. If you can swing a little more in your budget, get a 2005+ Mustang it will be the best solution of any of the stick axle cars. 2007+ is nice due to it being stiffer, but it's also slightly heavier than the 05/06 models. And will be several grand more expensive.

MarcusMcRae wrote:

Camaro!

Shouldn't that be the poster for a subaru?

The car in the picture looks like a 79-81 Firebird. But go ahead and call it a Camaro, it won't hurt my feelings.

Les Davis and Randy Melton have some experience with autocrossing SN95 Mustangs at different levels of modification. My concern with them is that they're even more nose-heavy than the '79-'93 Fox body cars, though they did have stiffer chassis and better front suspension geometry, and starting with '99 more power. A 2005+ would be a better place to start - better weight distribution, better front and rear suspension geometry, room for big tires, lots of headroom and a big trunk to carry stuff. If you plan to help Dick rain on my parade in FS, get a 2006 or later to get that last 1/2" of wheel width. (There are some mechanical warts too... if you think you're going in this direction talk to Rodney or Stephen or me.)

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2015 11:30 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

Since you are leaning toward Camaros anyway one advantage they have if engine work is planned is "not overhead cam".

The initial plan is have a car that is relatively quiet and comfortable enough that at the end of the drive home from Lincoln, NE I don't want to roll it into a ditch an light it on fire.

FIFY

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