My project car a '84 Camaro, has a 350, & 700r4, it's designated as an F 41, I know that means Heavy Duty suspension, from rpo code. What parts does that mean, as compared to standard '84 suspension parts?

Anyone run across an F-41 Camaro? Or have one? And can fill me in.

Thanks
wojo

 

Do a search. Mentioned many times before.

Welcome to the boards.

 

Can't help much with a 1984. Going by a very sketchy memory, as well as my 1985 Camaro F41 sport coupe, here goes. The F41 option in 1985 included four-wheel disc brakes and a posi axle, along with the suspension (I believe it was just different springs, but I'm not sure) that you mentioned. It may also have had quicker steering than the standard Camaro. It seems to have been a poor man's Z/28.

The 350 in your car is a bit of a surprise. Is that 350 original, or did a prior owner add it? To the best of my very fuzzy recollection, at least in 1985, the F41 was an option only with the 305. I think the F41 was an option only in the Sport Coupe (350 not available, IIRC) although it may also have been in an option in the Berlinetta.

The recommendation to use the search function, as noted, is a good one for a newb.

 

Since the 350 was not availble until 1987, I would say it had been changed.

John

 

Thanks all you guys!

The previous owner installed the 350, I'm thinking of putting in a 427 Chevy, or rebuilt a 429 Caddy engine that I saved from my 79 DeVille.
And later on a new paint job, for my toy sleeper!

Again Thanks!
Wojo

 

Both the Big Block 427 and the Caddy will be a pretty tight fit, niether of these is a direct drop-in conversion. The Caddy will make enormous amounts of low RPM power, but it does not work very well at the upper RPMs. The 427 is an excellent engine, but the Big Block is a tough conversion. If you just want a chalange, either would make a good street car.

If you want a simpler install (a relative term) there are kits to install a Pontiac V8. A 400 would not be too hard to find and when properly equiped can be quite stout. The Pontiac engine is not much larger than the Small Block, and I believe only 30 lbs heavier.

Of course the absolute easiest engine swap is to go back with a good, strong small block.

 

Size...

I have been contemplating putting in a Buick 430 or 455 for some time now... I have 4 BB Buick Engiens, and 2 more blocks just sitting here collecting dust...

Fitment is the big holding back item...
That and I would want to put TPI on it

oh well :shrug:

John

 

I believe that the Buick 455 is not much larger than the Pontiac engines. I don't think that there is a kit to install but it has been done before. I believe that you have to weld the motor mounts to the cross member. As for fuel injection, an aftermarket 4bbl TBI unit would be the easiest (Holley, Accel come to mind) as for Tuned port, it would be a custom intake. Perhaps Kenne Bell has something.

 

I know just by looking at the intakes, the Buick 430 or 455 Intake is at least 4 inches wider than the SBC chevy... So its a Big ole engine... Especially considering that it was originally designed to be a 430, and they reduced the bore to go to 400 on the smaller cars.

With that said, I always thought the SBC intake was kind of cute when I started working on them. But seriously I would think the engine is at least 4 inches wider, and considering how close a SBC is in there I think there would be some definate finaglling to get it in there... Push hard enough and anything will fit, but how well?

John

 

F41 was a $49 option, so take it from there on what you think came for that money.

 

Here is a Pontiac SD-455 installed into a 1982 Trans Am back around 1984. Looks like it fits very nicely. I like how he made the Ram Air still functional.

 

I know for a fact that that is not what the F41 option is. My car (although a T/A, not a Camaro) has the F41 option and has a standard 9-bolt rear with drum breaks.

 

F41 had 2 designations with the Camaro. A dealer conversion was created that had certain upgrades available on the base Camaro. They called this the F41 Camaro.

The original designation of F41 is the upgraded suspension found on the early Z28s. That is what carried a $49 option tag. The F41 Camaro cost a little more than $49 more.

 

Thanks again, Guys!

I agree with you Scott, there is more than $49 of suspension upgrades on this Camero.
Like I mentioned earlier, (excuse the delay, please) the former kid-owner, before he joined the Navy, had put in a Chevy 350, his dad sold me the car, just to get rid of it, from around the house.
Any way, the shock/struts had to be replaced all around, brakes repaired likewise.
the kid had 12" wide rims and slicks on the rear, and 10" wide rims and tires on the front, when I bought it. You could not put two people in the car, without the wheelwells rubbing the tires while turning. After the Heavy duty struts, were in, I sold the 12" rims. put the 10" on the back, and bought new 8.5 rims and tires for the front. (All of which cost over $600.00)

The engine needed a tune-up, but even before it, with the 700r4 and posi rearend. It was hard to keep the car straight, from a start from a stoplight, with a little too much gas-pedal on a dry road. A Chevy 305 would not do that, unless you tromped on it. Without saying, I did not drive to much on rainy days, at least with the Camero. This is still my project car, at the moment the interior will be redone, then a ext. paint job. While the engine is rebuilt. I'm in no rush for any of this, as a house remodel project has been in the works, for the past few months.
That includes a larger garage, to work in.