body panel interchange questions
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body panel interchange questions
hey guys. i just recently purchased an 84 z28. this is my first fbody and i dont know much about them. the body is in pretty rough shape, especially the front bumper cover/header panel and doors. found an 87 4cylinder (base model?) camaro with a mint body at the junkyard. im wondering if the body panels will interchange. not only will they fit, but are they the same style? i want to start body work on this car, so if there are popular body modifications (like bumpers from later models, mirrors from a different car, etc) could you guys let me know. i know that the last car i bought i rushed and did the body work and paint and then after i got to know more about the cars i realized there were a lot of things i should have done. thanks guys
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,960
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From: Las Vegas
Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
Re: body panel interchange questions
Well, body panels, like fenders, doors and quarters will be the same. But the front and rear bumper covers for the standard model and the Z28 are different. Even the front bumper cover for the Z28 varied in the later years. But yes, they should all bolt up with no issues(though some might require a different impact bar or absorber). Mainly, they just have a different look.
The standard model won't have any gfx like the Z28 does. And the front bumper cover of the standard model should have three horizontal slits in the front, whereas the Z28 has none.
As for gfx, in general, that also changed throughout the years. '82-'84 used one style; '85-'90 used another style(deeper/lower); and '91-'92 used a different style yet(side-vented).
If you're not set on restoring your '84 with exact, '84-specific parts, many people think the vented '91-'92 gfx is the best looking style.
Hoods also varied during those same spans of years: '82-'84 had the fake vents(operable on some models); '85-'90 had the IROC "louvers;" and '91-'92 had, what are referred to as, "blisters" in place of the previous "louvers." They'll all interchange, again, they just have a different look.
The fit of the T-Tops, if applicable to your car, also varied. Earlier tops had locking "hooks," whereas later cars had locking "pins," where they secured the top to the roof.
I'm not even a Camaro guy, though I used to be, so I'm sure there are some other things I've missed that someone will chime in and mention.
The standard model won't have any gfx like the Z28 does. And the front bumper cover of the standard model should have three horizontal slits in the front, whereas the Z28 has none.
As for gfx, in general, that also changed throughout the years. '82-'84 used one style; '85-'90 used another style(deeper/lower); and '91-'92 used a different style yet(side-vented).
If you're not set on restoring your '84 with exact, '84-specific parts, many people think the vented '91-'92 gfx is the best looking style.
Hoods also varied during those same spans of years: '82-'84 had the fake vents(operable on some models); '85-'90 had the IROC "louvers;" and '91-'92 had, what are referred to as, "blisters" in place of the previous "louvers." They'll all interchange, again, they just have a different look.
The fit of the T-Tops, if applicable to your car, also varied. Earlier tops had locking "hooks," whereas later cars had locking "pins," where they secured the top to the roof.
I'm not even a Camaro guy, though I used to be, so I'm sure there are some other things I've missed that someone will chime in and mention.
Last edited by LAFireboyd; Nov 8, 2007 at 10:27 PM.
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