I'm new here and I have been looking for a nice z28 to buy in a few months... I was just wondering what you guys think would be the best mods to start with as far as engine upgrades go. Thanks!

Decent set of headers and exhaust for the engine, and get a set of subframe connectors welded in

You don't have a car yet and are already thinking of mods

Since you have the luxury of time, I would find a Z28 with 350 motor. Eight digit of VIN is an "8" for 350 and came in 87-92 Z28's. That will give you good motor for mods.

Second headers and exhaust. Stock are pretty restrictive especially on the 305's. Do you know what you planned power levels and car usage will be? You may want to figure that out before you spend $$$ on some things. Depending on desired power you may have to start upgrading or replacing transmission and drive train.

There is a post here that somebody went through and dynoed basic boltons to a stock 350 TPI. No major HP gains but each item picked up around 10 hp. My 350 is stock now and its pretty fast on the street.

cool, that's pretty much what I had in mind for right now... It'll just be a daily driver with a little extra kick I guess, nothin too fancy for now. Any idea where that thread would be located? Thanks for the help with the engine, I don't know too much about camaros yet but I sure do love 'em.

I know what your saying. You keeping loving them more over time and want to know everything.

I can't find the thread. I would just read up on some posts here since a lot of people have mildly upgraded 350 tpi engine and discussed results. Chevy made 87-89 Irocs/z28 with 350 and t-tops but 90-92 z28s were hardtops only. No manual transmission with 350. I forget if you could get a 90 z28 with t-tops and 350. 87-90 have different ground effects/spoiler than 91-92 so you can narrow down your search based on preferred look.

-I would not invest any $$ in upgraded stock heads. They are good for mild power boosts. If you decide on more power (300+ hp) Vortec heads are good for price but you need different intake base so at that point other budget aluminum heads might make sense.
-cam swap will increase power a lot. I think LT1 Hotcam or ZZ1 cam are the most aggressive cams you can use without reprogramming computer prom.
-shorty style headers will flow good and fit well.
-TPI intake is restrictive on a 350 and power falls off at 4,500 rpm. I would get aftermarket runners that add power and push it up to around 5,000 rpm. TPI runners were only designed for a 305!
-stock TPI intake plenum and base flow good but you can port them to make transitions smoother and help flow some more.
-you can cut off lower air baffles underneath air filters to help flow.
-although you can run dual exhaust pipes, under body is made for a single pipe after catalytic converters. There are a few aftermarket catback kits with 3" or 3.5" pipes that would be fine.
-transmission and rear end are good to around 300-350 hp. I would get an aftermarket rear end cover to help strengthen it.

-$120 cam
-$500 headers
-$400 bigger runners
-$100 adjustable fuel pressure regulator
-$600 catback with muffler
-$130 aluminum rear end cover
------
$1,850

This should get you close to 300 flywheel HP where stock is 240. I would not spend a whole lot of money in case you decided to seriously upgrade at a later date. That way you haven't spent too much now for some fun Keep us updated and let us know what you buy!

Also, to me people are asking too much for thirdgens. Unless really taken care of they seem to all need new headliner, torn seats, bad tires, worn brakes, need body paint and some rust. I would use these to argue price down.

[quote=Blackdog36;4348327]......-although you can run dual exhaust pipes....../QUOTE]

Not legally, you can't.

[quote=Stephen;4348392]Ahh for real? I've seen tons of people with dual exhaust...

[quote=Blackdog36;4348327]I know what your saying. You keeping loving them more over time and want to know everything.

I can't find the thread. I would just read up on some posts here since a lot of people have mildly upgraded 350 tpi engine and discussed results. Chevy made 87-89 Irocs/z28 with 350 and t-tops but 90-92 z28s were hardtops only. No manual transmission with 350. I forget if you could get a 90 z28 with t-tops and 350. 87-90 have different ground effects/spoiler than 91-92 so you can narrow down your search based on preferred look.

-I would not invest any $$ in upgraded stock heads. They are good for mild power boosts. If you decide on more power (300+ hp) Vortec heads are good for price but you need different intake base so at that point other budget aluminum heads might make sense.
-cam swap will increase power a lot. I think LT1 Hotcam or ZZ1 cam are the most aggressive cams you can use without reprogramming computer prom.
-shorty style headers will flow good and fit well.
-TPI intake is restrictive on a 350 and power falls off at 4,500 rpm. I would get aftermarket runners that add power and push it up to around 5,000 rpm. TPI runners were only designed for a 305!
-stock TPI intake plenum and base flow good but you can port them to make transitions smoother and help flow some more.
-you can cut off lower air baffles underneath air filters to help flow.
-although you can run dual exhaust pipes, under body is made for a single pipe after catalytic converters. There are a few aftermarket catback kits with 3" or 3.5" pipes that would be fine.
-transmission and rear end are good to around 300-350 hp. I would get an aftermarket rear end cover to help strengthen it.

-$120 cam
-$500 headers
-$400 bigger runners
-$100 adjustable fuel pressure regulator
-$600 catback with muffler
-$130 aluminum rear end cover
------
$1,850

This should get you close to 300 flywheel HP where stock is 240. I would not spend a whole lot of money in case you decided to seriously upgrade at a later date. That way you haven't spent too much now for some fun Keep us updated and let us know what you buy!


OK... I don't really want a T-top, my brother has a convertible and I don't quite like it as much. You said that you weren't sure if they made a manual transmission for the 350, was that only for the 90-92 or for all of the years? I was kinda hoping for the 5.0-5.7L manual... All of this stuff sounds awesome!

[quote=descry;4348978]I can run a red light, but doesn't make it legal.

What makes it illegal for 3rd gens, would be the relocation of the catalytic converters. Those can't (legally) be moved from stock, technically. Lots of people do run true dual & dual cats (1 on each side) and they "pass". Per the Federal definitions, they shouldn't.

IMHO......
Who cares how the car got good results. I think they SHOULD pass, as long as the emissions results are good, regardless of what original piece of equipment is missing or even added.

I'm not sure if you could get a 90 z28 with t-tops and 350. They still made 87-89 z28's with hardtops and 350. No stock 350 came with a manual. You will have to swap in manual or get 305 with manual and swap in a 350. Chevy/Pontiac did some testing and stock manual would not hold up to torque of 350.

OK so it's not legal to move the cats even if you replace them? that stinks...

Ohh I might wanna go with a 305 than, manual is fun =D

Yea but 305 kinda sucks to modify. I would rather have the engine with more potential and find a transmission down the road that is manual that can handle the power. I've had a 305 and a 350. 350 had more balls to it.

I've known of many T5s living well behind 350s.

Just don't put on slicks & do 5000rpm clutch dumps!

yeah T5s hold up fine, I have a mildly upgraded chevy 350 carb with a t5 out of a 84 camaro behind it and it handles fine and shifts fine.

So what if I weren't going to put a new transmission in it? Do you still think the slightly modified 350 automatic is better than a manual 305?

IMO its a question of your personal preference and how much $ and work you can put into an engine, because if you really wanted a manual car with power but didn't want to put in a new transmission on a 350, you could probably get the same amount of power out of a 305 if you really really wanted to.