I've been searching around for the past year for a camaro. Looking to get a third gen (second gen if i stumble upon a good one) in the low price range.
There is plenty that pop up quite often around my area so i am constantly checking craigslist for new listings.

I came upon one about a month ago but didn't contact the seller. I finally did the other day. Didn't get far because it seems he is quite hard to get a hold of. Has not called me back yet. But anyway i'm interested in it.

Here is the run up from the ad:

86 RS. 50k on body. No rust.
gm goodwrench 350 made in Mexico 4 bolt Main 300hp engine with 10k miles on it.
full tune up just done (new plugs wire accel cap and rotor fresh oil change)
Mint interior

UPGRADES:
weiland intake manifold
edlebrock 600cfm 4 bbl carb
headman headers
flowmaster exhaust
high lift cam
billet distributor
flex fan with a 700r4 trans with shift kit and
some kind of torque converter
10 bolt posi rearend drag
15 x 11.5 rear rims 16 x 7 or 8 front rim
5 inch fiberglass cowl hood

$2,500







Needs paint but i do not care about that at all. Just as long as it's solid, runs good and does not have rust then it's totally fine for me. I just want it to go to shows and drive on the weekend. The motor work is a big plus because that is what i am looking for.

Is it worth 2,500? I will of course offer lower than that but does it look like a good starter car?
I know it all comes down to going to look at it and driving it but i have never owned one of these before.

 

If it is what he says it is then yes it would be a good buy. I never trust what someone selling a car is telling me. Be well informed and know what to look for. Check for rust or previous damage on the floor pans, rear quarters, and anywhere else you might suspect to see it. Make sure all of the interior is there and in good condition since some of these parts are getting hard to find.

Good luck!

 

What are the prone areas that these like to rust out? Quarters, rockers and floor pans? Are frames ever an issue?

How do these stack up against the third gen trans ams? My dad told me yesterday i should look for one of those because the value is only going up since they dont make them anymore.

I do like the look of them as well as the camaros but i have always liked these camaros. Plus, the camaros are much easier to find with the bigger motors in them and they are very affordable. Most trans ams i see have the 305 which i do not want.

I know it comes down to preference but would these camaros not hold their value versus the trans am value going up years down the road.

(i know its not the trans am section but i didnt want to make another thread just for one question)

 

I hate when people use the word MINT.......


I have bought quite a few thirdgens and am very particular. I never use that word.


My point is, look over the car well, because if he is using the word"mint' he is leaving out details.

 

The areas I always look over are:
Above the wheel wells inside and out for rust and or bondo.
Under and along the floor pans around where the k member and rear suspension attaches to the car.
Under the rear by where the spare tire is and on the other side where the storage compartment is.
I also check the door fittment to see if the car is tweaked one way or another.

As for firebirds they are great cars but also have some issues. I find it harder to find replacement interior parts for them. The vinyl on the consoles like to sepperate and the headlight motors always seem to be malfunctioning. Other then that they're great to own.

 

Yea mint could mean anything. One thing is for sure, the local junkyard has a bunch of third gen camaros so parts for interior and such would be easy to find as long as they aren't ruined.

 

One thing i have noticed is that the last two i looked a while back both had door hinge or fitment issues. So i will definitely keep a look out for that.

The head lights on the fire birds are mechanical? I figured they would be vacuum.

I'm gonna look at both and see what i can find though for sure. I just don't want it to be one those things where i get the camaro and the value just stays and firebirds start going up like crazy years down the road. Too many choices.

 

Check the compression.

 

that would be a good idea but not sure if that will happen or not.

How are the TPI engines? I would much prefer carb just because i feel it is way less hassle with "newer" designs but always wondered if they were any good for making good power.

 

Stock the Strongest TPI in the Trans Am / Camaro (Not Including Corvette) was in 1990 - 1991 and 1992 year models on the GTA and IROC-Z / Z28 with 240/245 horsepower and 340 / 345 lbs of torque in the 5.7 TPI, those came in Automatic.

Any big mods done to it aftermarket will involve messing with computer tuning, reprograming or flashing, performance chips added, so I try to stay away from that. Besides I want to keep mine stock and as original as possible.


For an all out free for all mod car, I'd much easier rather get a carbureted car, no computers to mess with, it's faster and it's much cheaper as well.

You can take a 170hp 305 and modify it to make 300hp but almost nobody does that unless they specifically want to keep that 305 size engine.

You can get a 350 and stroke it to a 383 or just add a big cam and lifters set, and some heads that will make power and port them out, and finish with a 3 inch exhaust, and some posi gears. You can be making 400hp like that.


The TPI usually is designed for Low RPM Torque and it redlines at around 5000 - 5500 rpm so it's not designed to be used as a High revving motor like the LS engines.

You can rev it to redline but it's not making any power up there so it's pointless and only leading to burning the engine up past yellow line.

Peak torque is around 3200 rpm and peak hp is around 4400 rpm. But after 5,000 there's really nothing left, just empty revving, of course if you keep your foot in it by then you'll be in 4th gear going past 145 mph.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_perf1.php

 

[QUOTE=T_White;5848875]that would be a good idea but not sure if that will happen or not.

Old way to check compression without instruments: Standing start on a hill. If okay, car should accelerate in all gears.

 

Thats what i figured for the TPI. Easier a better to make power from a simple carb motor. I hate all the electronic stuff even though you can have the ability to tune just about everything. With a carbed you can spend a weekend putting in a little engine work and its a whole new animal. Besides a carbd engine bay is cleaner and nicer for shows and working on.






Ill keep that easy compression check in mind now. Didnt know that was a way to check.