Need Some Advice - Southern California Area - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

NightStalker · 02-28-2008, 04:39 PM

Ok guys. I have a friend that owns a 1987 Z28 Camaro 305 TPI. He currently does not have access to the internet so has asked me to ask some questions for him.

1. He wants to swap his drum brakes for disc. How much does a rear end cost? (with labor and all other stuff) Is he better off getting a conversion kit? Does anyone have a rear end with disk set up laying around?

2. He also wants to go from 305 to 350 TPI. Price after all the smoke clears? Can he use all his current extras and just get a plain short block? Anyone have a 350 block lying around?

He also stated that he might be selling the car sooo....I just told him to do a brake job and add a cam and heads to sell the car. But he just wants to weight his options. Any advise would help.

z28gsxr · 02-28-2008, 05:17 PM

I'd say if he's trying to sell it get rid of it as is. I doubt he'd get the money back from head/cam that he would put into it. Just a tune up and put a for sale sign on it

drewdown84 · 02-28-2008, 09:42 PM

i got a 3.73 posi disc rear sitting around... but imma put it in my 91 (after i fix my ma's car)... i got it for 200, but looking around it seems that i got a great deal...

if your friend is looking to sell, i'd have to agree with z28gsxr... put it out on the driveway and hang up the for sale sign... why go thru the work and time just to sell it to someone else to gain from it...

Kevin91Z · 02-29-2008, 11:10 AM

Good rear ends cost around $350, plus the cost of installation.

350 swaps start at $3000, and go up exponentially from there, depending on how much horsepower you want.

Imadude_134 · 02-29-2008, 02:04 PM

All together for my L03->L98 swap i paid roughly 4000 (parts/labor/etc) and that got me a stock L98 and a chip from Kevin, a few "Performance" aftermarket ignition parts, and LS1 injectors, but no other frills, no headers (re-using L03 manifolds)... I probably could have paid quite a bit less, but I paid to have to work done (no space or knowledge on my part)...

I too am looking for the rear end swap. I was thinking maybe the stock v6 gears (3.0x) or the low Z28/Iroc gear (3.2x)... From what I have been pricing, they seem to be in the 250-400 range (depending on gears, posi, drum/disc)... and I was quoted by a local shop 3.5 hours of labor to install (approx $350), but I know if I shop around I can find someone cheaper...

But, I would have to agree with the above comments about selling. Dont put the money into it, you will not get it back on the sell. It's not like a $3000 350 will increase the value of the car by 6000 or 7000. If her wants to sell, as long as it runs, just put a for sale sign, put in in the classifieds and call it done.

Good luck to your friend on whatever your friend decides to do

-Tim-

Russ-So Cal · 02-29-2008, 11:56 PM

If the brakes are not working or so worn out as to be unsafe, he would want to do the brake job. Get the car smogged so there are no issues that would give anyone an excuse to try to get the price discounted. If the stock engine is running good, he won't get his money out of any major changes. Iif someone wants to have a stock car for collecting or restoration, putting a different engine in it makes it worth less. An engine swap NEVER makes a car worth more. The only reason to modify a car is for your own enjoyment of a car you are going to keep.