mrfilth1984

well im new her and i am so exdcited to finally be able to get a camaro of my own. i have a 1988 Camaro V8 with a 305 and i want to know want you guys think is the best bang for your buck if i want to keep the stock engine???

4RCEPWRD

iTrader: (5)

What's your goal?

torque_is_good

Does the engine run without any major noises or smoke pouring from the exhaust?

change oil/filter
flush cooling system
change plugs and wires
replace cap and rotor
flush tranny fluid
drain and replace diff oil
flush brake system
flush power steering system
replace those bald tires, yours and your passengers lives depend upon it
fix the tear in the drivers seat
recharge your A/C
replace serpentine belt
replace shocks and struts


that should keep you busy and your wallet empty for a while

mrfilth1984

basicly i want bolt on stuff i have 3 kids and can't do too much... is their a way i can change the tbi to something ellse or would it cost too much???

camaronewbie

Changing from the factory emissions equipment to something else is generally in all states not legal - some of us get away with a carb swap but in most cases you'll not be able to get inspected, thus no tags, thus no driving.

The best thing you can do is as was mentioned to start - tune up, fluid flushes, etc. Like mentioned, that will empty your wallet quickly, and take the better part of a month. Don't forget to save food money for the kids!

One thing not mentioned is fuel filter - change it first along with dist cap, wires, rotor, plugs. Nothing fancy on the plugs - these cars run best with good ole AC/Delco standard plugs.

These cars are heavy and don't like stopping as much as going - if your riding the kids around, or you have kids running in the neighborhood - please do brakes! Replace the rubber brake hoses along with new pads and rear drum rebuild. Replacing the rubber brake hoses with new can actually decrease braking distance by 1/3 to 1/2 with that simple $25 repair.

How many miles on the car? If the mileage is over 120,000, I would not change out the tranny fluid unless you have evidence that it has been changed by a previous owner. Over time, the clutches and such inside an auto tranny wear - these clutch particles get suspended in the fluid, acting as a friction modifier. If you change out the fluid, thus rinsing out these partic, then theres a chance the tranny could start slipping (since the particles are gone and thus loss in friction.

Get the basics of tuning, brakes, and fluid flushes done, meantime search and read. Here's a link you should save in your favorites - much great info compiled in one spot here: http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=2

Ask questions here as needed - we are here to help and happy to do so. But please realize a couple things...

1) most every issue with these cars has been discussed in the past here - so 98% of your questions have already been asked and answered - you just have to use the to find it. I've been on this board for 5+ years now, and I still to this day spend 3-4 hours a week reading older threads about things that I didn't know - so there's plenty of research available. Just try a search before asking to save yourself time and save redundancy on the boards

2) Know that we also have kids, jobs, wives, chores, and our own cars we are working on - don't get upset if your questions go for up to a week without answer. Patience is key - It's not because we are ignoring you - just that we too are busy. Most questions answered in a day or two. It also depends on who sees your question and if they have an answer or not. Any immediate need is probably not going to be met - don't bother with saying "I need help NOW" as we aren't here now, we are at work etc. Again, the is your best bet for quickest understanding of your issue.

3) Fix your info and/or signature here so we always know exactly what you have (engine, tranny, year, etc.) - that way we don't have to ask everytime, we'll always know saving you and us time

Welcome aboard TGO!

torque_is_good

2 excellent points as well