History / RestorationGot a question about Third Gen (1982-1992) Camaro or Firebird history? Where can I find these original parts? What is this option or RPO code? Those questions, answers, and more!
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I just purchased a 91 RS last night for 600 bucks, obviously it needs pretty much a total restoration (which is my intention anyway) so i signed up so hopefully i can get some help from everyone. I am sure i will have lots of questions along the way.....
Just a quickie background, when i was 16 my very first car was a 1988 Iroc Z, Beautiful Dark Burgandy with the gray interior, t-tops...flawless, i loved that car to death, but was forced to get rid of it when i was 20. Ever since then i have been trying to get another 3'rd gen camaro, specifically an Iroc but just havent been able too so i settled for this one. It is a v8, t-tops but like i said needs a lot of work. Anyway... Look forward to learning and sharing info, i am sure i will have a ton of questions when i get the engine torn apart to rebuild it, unless i buy a new one. Most everything else i think i can figure out.
I do have one question though and i apoligize if there is a thread on it already but does anyone know a good place to buy new interior parts, such as armrest, and center console parts. I would prefer to purchase new if possible over used.
Thanks guys.
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The people on this site are great. The only thing i can tell you is do some research in the archives when you have a question, most everything is here and it will keep you from getting flamed. The search option is your friend.
If your near crete IL then denny (Thirdgen Ranch) always seems to have lots of parts laying around for a decent price. Its used stuff but its usually in good shape. Hes a contributor to the site so he wont be hard to find.
Here is a couple pictures. I just got last night and i have already ordered the front fenders... so i have already officially started the process. Not bad for 600 imo.
no bs here - your a 3rd gen junkie. well come here and get your fix.
the best advice i can give you is to use the search key above. its a great way to get some background in what you want done. and you will be able to id the real experts in the area and not blowhards like me.
welcome aboard.
ehjoy yourself.
I managed to get the garage cleaned out enought to fit this baby in there and have some room to actually work on it.... tomorrow i hope to start the tear down...woohoo
Just wanted to update the post
I got all my new ground effects (not on yet) got the interior pretty much gutted, got the old motor out, picked up my disk brake rear end, got the new drivers side door on, i am now ready to get the engine bay cleaned out and start the body work process.
However, in the mean time, i got what i believe is a good deal on a professonally rebuilt LS1, i did see it before it was completey reassembled and i did tour the guys shop so i feel very confident i got a good deal, however i will be honest, i do not know alot when it comes to engines, ecspecially this one. Is there good info on it out there somewhere? It is not complete and i need to pick some things up for it, such as coils, disributor, and i am sure there will be lots of little things here and there. Is there somwhere or something i can reference so i dont ask alot of stupid questions.
Your gonna drop in a LS1 in the car thats gonna be pricey but worth it are you gonna keep the seats or are they too messed up. As for what you need you should post in the engine swap what you would need
Depending on what i can find by the time i am ready to put it on the road will determine if i keep the seats or not, there actually in pretty good shape but i want some good leather seats or some high qaulity leather seat covers like Katskinz.
I am pretty positive i will not be anywhere near $6000, for the entire rebuild let alone the engine swap. Thats nutz. I only paid $1500 for the motor as you see it in the pictures. I got it for parts & labor only as the guy it belonged too didnt pay the bill! Add about 6-800 for the tranny (i have an exchange) and all the others misc things, paint and supplies, i think i will come in around 4000-4500 when its all said and done.
Oh i forgot you have the engine already but you would have to get alot of custom work into your car because i was also gonna get a LS1 and T56 for $1500 but i checked how much they would charge me for the labor and parts i would need for the swap it would of being around $4000-$5000. Good luck though and could you please PM after you done the whole swap to check around how much you spend.
Thank You
wow.just diving right in there huh? Well I don't know about anyone else but thats what I like to see. Seems like you got a good base to work from thats not a total rust bucket. a little banged up sure, but it seems like you've got that taken care of. I'm sure it will be a very beautiful car and powerful as well with that ls1. those things are beasts in 3rd gens. Good luck on everything and i hope it all goes smooth. Dont forget to post pics along the way and when your done! a lot of people on here like to watch these cars evolve into something better than what they were even from the factory. Have fun, I know I am with mine!
__________________ 1984 z28 5.0 L69 H.O. T5 tranny with 3.73 gears and posi trac.
I am diving right in there, i have nothing better to do..haha..but thanks, it is a good base and i am learning new things and having fun, and now i have a good excuse to but some new tools, i think i spent more money on new tools just to work on the car than i have actually spent on the car (- the motor of course). Anyway, i will definetley post pics along the way. This is what i got done this weekend, with my 1 day a week off work... now i am looking for lowering springs and busghings so i can get it put back together and start cleaning up the engine bay and start sanding it down and prepping for paint.
Just thought I would post an update. I got the engine bay cleaned out (or pretty darn close), it still needs some work before paint but that will come later. I got my k-member and misc pieces cleaned and painted. I got my front ground effects fixed, i received my new shocks and prothane bushing kit, now i am scraping the money together for my new springs and tie rod, ball joint end link kit so i can get the wheels back on it and do the rear end. I will start on getting that stripped and painted tomorrow that way i will be able to put it in (my disk brake rear end, currently it has a drum brake rear end) once my springs arrive. I still need to get my adjustable pan hard bar though. And if anyone is wondering where the rest of the car is, well there is a picture of that too.
You know what, i think i need to move those posters to the garage now...haha
i wouldnt say alot of time, i work 6 days a week so a few hours each weekend between all the other chores is about all i get to work on it.
Real nice man. Any questions you have just do a search or post up in the appropriate section of the boards and we will all be happy to pitch in what knowledge we have. As for your LS1... http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/en...third-gen.html (LS1 into a third gen Swap Guide) this link should give you a complete rundown. Hey you might even find someone on here who is close to you to help you drop it in. Best of Luck
Thanks and thanks for the info, but i did have that link saved to my favorites already as i am sure i will be referring to it alot.
Anyway, here is todays progress, i got the spindles stripped, cleaned, primed and painted, got the shields cleaned, and got a good start on getting the new rearend stripped. I should have it painted this coming weekend.
I did manage to break the windshield though, i believe with the entire front end gutted on jack stands and that rear tire that goes flat it put just enough twist on the car to crack it...owell..now i have good reasont to remove it and make the paint job that much nicer when the time comes.
No worries, one way or another that LS1 is going in there.
Not much to report for now, i got the disc brake rear end cleaned and painted, i ordered a chrome differential cover for it yesterday, as soon as that arrives i will get it put on and take some pictures, my new ball joints, tie rods and ect are on the way so when that arrives i will take my a-arms to the shop to get the prothane bushings and the new ball joints installed, now i just need my springs and i can set it back on the wheels and start swapping the rear end out.
Hit my first snag so far on the restoration. I pulled the differential cover off to replace it with the chrome one i bought and found this. How hard to replace and what are the chances of the one in the car now fitting this rearend?
Well I got my new ball joints installed today, even with renting a ball joint press that is something i hope i never have to do again, and if i do i am taking it to the shop and have it done. I also got the old dryrotted rubber control arm bushings out, when my touchup painting dries i will install the new prothane bushings and start bolting all the new and refreshed parts back in so i can start on the rear end. My new springs should be here sometime this week, but i am a little worried, without a motor in the car to weigh it down i afraid that is gonna be a challenge. I guess well see. Probably post some pictures late tomorrow night of where i am at.
just some shots of todays progress. Although most of what i have done today is temporary as i will be removing it all when it comes time to paint, it is looking good and feeling like i am getting somewhere.
Cool to see you making that progress. Let us know how that rear drum-to-disc conversion is gonna work out since I wanna convert the rear end on my 91 T/A to discs as well.
I just thought i would update the thread for anyone thats interested. My wife lost her job a few weeks ago so the camaro has been on hold, until now! She starts a new job monday, not making as much money as before but enough that will prevent me from doing anything drastic. I came close to selling my motor but i havent yet and i dont think i am going to need to either now (thank god). I did sell my dirt bike today (since i never ride it) so after some necassities and a ticket i had enough money to order my adjustable panhard bar, all new drilled and slotted rotors, I will be going to get my new hood tomorrow and after a little more research i will be ordering my new ring and pinion gears and install kit. I will post pictures soon of where i am at.
Well, Some of my new parts showed up today. My new gear set is supposed to be delivered tomorrow, if that happens hopefully i can get my rearend rebuilt this weekend and feel like i am getting somewhere again. As far as what color i am going to paint? Well i am not sure yet, i went with K-sport lowering springs because i am leaning towards orange (if anyone has looked at my pictures you will notice i like orange cars) because i think it looks damn good on a 3'rd gen ecspecially. But only time will tell what i ultimately decide.
I love the posters too. 
88 Firebird Formula 350- 85,XXX miles *G92* *Ws6*
