Hi, this is my first post on Thirdgen.org and so far I love it here!


I'm looking at getting a third gen Camaro 305, and swapping in a 350 chevy small block crate engine! This has nothing to do with the exterior BUT, I dont want to swap it into a new model that is fuel injected, however I do what that body style. My question is can I make an 82-84 look like a 90-92 by simply adding the ground effects? or are there any other differences in the early to late model third gen camaros?

Thanks for helping a newbie!

 

Welcome to the board. You will love it here. There are some real helpful people.

82-84 had diff. hood and front end. I believe the dash was slightly diff. as well. Also the either the fenders are diff or the bolt holes are diff for bolting up say 92 gfx. Why not look at say a 85 or 86 IROC to start with?

 

Well, I really am not concerned what year I get as long as its not fuel injected and it has to have a 305 and t-tops. So what years should I be thinking? 85-86?

 

my 84 Z28 came stock with a 305 HO Carb and it has T-tops

 

dont hold out for t-tops, trust me its not all its cracked up to be

you can convert an EFI car to carb fairly easily.

and if you are going to put in a 350, why limit yourself to a 305 car? you could get a V6 car even cheaper. unfortunetly V6 cars dont come with limited slip differentials, but most do have the taller gears

whatever you go with, make sure its rust free

 

isnt the suspension different on a V6car as on a V8, lighter motor? beside the motor mounts woun't line up

 

Yeah, from wahhat I've read its much easier to do the swap into a 305. I deffinitley want T-Tops (just a personal thing) and I'd like to find one that is not fuel injected. So I'm wondering what year should i be looking for that:

a: is not fuel injected
b: has t-tops available
c: has a 305 motor
d: has the newer body style (85+ i believe?

If i'm looking for these things, is my only option an 85 or 86?

PS: thank you guys for ur help!!

 

85-87 sport coupes don't have ground effects. Z28s did.
Both were available with the LG4 ( non fuel injection ) 305.
87 was the last year for carbs, in 88 the base 305 was TBI.

http://www.bobmcdormanchevrolet.com/camarohist.html

Has a few different pics for different years. Though the 85 Berlinetta ( same look as the sport coupe ) is actually an 82-84.
85-87 has softer edges on the nose.

 

Ok thank you for that info! So basically I should be looking for an 85-87 camaro z28 or rs with a 305...?

 

Yup.

It's fairly easy to switch the nose/ rear and gfx on the 82-84 style to the updated 85+. Just a matter of locating the parts. The side ground effcts under the door have and extra bracket weld to the body that the sport coupes without ground effects won't have.

Personally, if the look you want is the 85 an up Z28/IROC then I'd just get one of those and have one less issue to "fix". There's going to be plenty to fix as it is. There are some Z28s that came with the Tuned Port Injection for those years as it was an optional upgrade. You can find IROCs with the carb engine also, though more came with the TPI. Looks wise the only difference in the IROC and Z28 is wheels and the IROC was all the same color where the Z28 had silver or gold ground effects.

 

Thanks Jay! Is there any kind of chart or website that will tell me what years/models came with what engine and exterior details such as which years had t-tops?

 

Check the TGO home page https://www.thirdgen.org//index.php as it has a year by year tech chart for available drivetrains.You might also consider getting the "Camaro Whitebook" as it has information on all years including most options listed year by year.Also check this site http://www.camarosource.ca/main_new_...new_layout.htm
I agree with Jay in looking for a '85-'87 Z28/IROC as they will have the upgraded suspension already.Even though you'll probably go aftermarket they have structual improvements over the Sport Coupe/Belinetta too.These years can fill the 4 things you're looking for.Fuel injected cars will have a high pressure in take pump that you can control with a regulator to run a carb.

 

Wow. Great info! Thank you guys so much these boards are just awesome. So it looks like i'll be finding myself a cheap 85-87 z28 with a 305 and t-tops! I'm so excited to start working on a real car (im only 21 and i've had a cavalier z24 i've worked on for about 4 years) so this is going to be fun! I again wanna thank everyone for all the info given in this thread you have all helped me out a great deal, much appreciated!!!!!

-Mark

 

Swapping over a carb engine into one with FI is not as difficult as it seems. Remove the ECM, remove the engine harness, hook up dist, alt, and starter. Run the stock in tank electric pump, use a FPR with a return line to lower the pressure (unless it's a TBI car then you have about 10psi of fuel pressure) and you're all set. Then you can get the 90+ cars with the ground effects you like. Swapping into a V6 car isn't hard either, take the V6 frame mounts off, use the holes in the front of the crossmember for the V8 mounts, a set of clamshells and you have it. I put an LT1 into a V6 car, same suspension that came stock and it rode just fine. If you want t-tops, you would be better off looking for a V6 car to start with, the bodies won't be twisted as bad as a V8 car (which can cause them to leak) and will have a solid foundation to start with. First thing I would do if putting a 350 in is subframe connectors.

 

If this wasn't my first engine swap and i knew what I was doing i'd buy a v6 because im sure it would be cheaper, but since its my first time I'm trying to go the route of making it as easy as possible. from what I understand, my best bet is to get an 85-87 305 with t-tops and do the 350 swap and tranny swap. It seems pretty basic to me and it looks like many have done the swap and had success!

 

There's a good sticky in the engine swap forum about several different types of engine swaps, may want to check it out.

 

I have been checkin that out, seems like the 350 crate motor is the way to go as far as simplicity and it should pack a punch! Seems perfect for what I'm going for.

 

theres alot of 350 crate motors, which one you going with in particular?

for the price, you can't beat a vortec 350HO. i love mine.

 

One more suggestion -
When looking, try to find a car with a solid body. Since you plan on swapping engines anyway, don't worry about how well it runs. That's easier to deal with vs. trying to fix a lot of body damage.

 

I am the proud owner of a 1991 Z-28 350, and a 1978 Firebird Trans Am. My question pertains to my Camaro. What is the difference between the body of a 1991 and a 1992? Apart from the 25th anniversary logo?

 

I'm a newbie I know, but besides the emblem its probably the same. Both will have the high rise spoiler and the same ground effects

 

i have a 1989 rs t-tops 305tbi 59,000 im selling for three grand

 

i'd probably be interested if you were'nt so far. and mileage doesn't really matter to me since i'd be swapping in a 350 anyways, so i'd probably be looking for something a little cheaper

 

i am interested in trades-i want a z28

 

Drive to buffalo and you have a deal

 

buffalo where??
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buffalo where?