I have a 1987 Chevy Camaro and it was originally a 350 TPI with a 700 R4 Automatic and 410 rear. The motor blew a couple years ago and i really want to get it back running. The 350 has already been taken out of the car. At this point I would like to just get the car back to running condition and then possibly start to do mods to it. I plan on changing it over from TPI to a carb b/c it is less headaches. However I guess my question is if I am changing it over to a carb and am not worried about anything other than getting the car running and driving what things under the hood can i do away with to free up some space. Id like to have power steering, power breaks but other than that i basically just want to be able to drive it. I know that one of components i will have to keep would be the master cylinder for the brakes...

 

Switching to carb is not legal in most states/areas, so if you can get away with it where you are, then you can also get rid of the smog pump and the AIR tubing from the manifolds. Of course A/C can go as well. That leaves you with P/S, Water pump, Alternator.

Most all the pass side wiring can come out - but leave it in place until you get the car running - it tucks in the pass fender nicely - mine is still in there after 4+ years.

That's really about it. Just getting rid of the TPI stuff and all it's wiring/sensors will make a huge difference in underhood simplicity. This is pretty much what mine looks like now: http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/l.../cleanbay1.jpg

 

What about all the stuff that is attached to the firewall aside from the Master Cylinder. I see that in your picture you still have some of the stuff still attached there. P/S, water pump and alternator are all attached to the motor. I was basically inquiring about all the stuff that was still attached to the car after taking the motor out. Yea it would prob be a good thing to keep the wiring harnesses in place until all is running.

 

Only thing on my fire wall is wiper motor assembly, a relay for my fuel pump, my brake booster/mc, and the heater box. In that pic there is also very far right a vacuum switch for the TC lockup, but it never worked right and I've since removed it.

 

My car will on occasion see rain, and I do drive in the winter to cruise ins and car shows, so I kept heat and wipers (besides, I can't get inspected without wipers).

 

So i am assuming under the hood on the fire wall all the way to the left is the heater box. The small silver and black is the wiper motor and i know that the MC is to the right.

 

yep