I was just offered a 1988(!?) Berlinetta Camaro in blue, and this is my first post

I work at a GM dealership, to put things short, the owners wife drove it shortly, had kids, parked it in a garage under a cover over ten years ago, want to give it to me.

What I've learned so far...?

they stopped making that edition in 1986?

What I want to know, since I have yet to even see the thing

What the heck engine will it have!? V6? 5.0L V8? Or did they come in both variety's?

What do I need to know?

Since its been sitting ten years, what should I do to safely get it started again, since it ran before it was parked...

What should I look for on it? Give me some info! Give me some history on the model here! :P

 

Welcome to the boards, here is the best advice all of us will give you

 

Done gobs of that :P but I cant seem to find any solid info on that edition, beyond that it has a softer suspension and digital gauges...? No info on the offered or standard engines, and pictures of bone stock show room examples seem to be nil. I just want to know what makes it a Berlinetta down to the last bolt they changed on it from an RS or IROC

I'm sure I could find general information on getting a vehicle like this started and running again, but specifics can be nice if its a known fact that the injectors usually seize on these cars after 4-5 years of sitting, let me know! or if there is a place not well protected from rodents and the likes in the wiring that I should check... you know? Some friendly advice!

 

Berlinetta was canceled early 1986. if the car is newer then that it is NOT a Berlinetta. Berlinettas were offered with a 2.8 or a 5.0. if the car has no third brake light it is pre-86. if it has a brake light high on the hatch it is an 86. if it has a brake light in the spoiler it is an 87+. the one exception to this is if the car has NO spoiler, then 87+ could have the high mount brake light.

to start:
unless they will let you work on it there i would tow it home. once you get it home i would pull and throw away the spark plugs. put a little oil in each cylinder and crank the engine over by hand a few times (wrench on the crank pulley bolt). then i would put new delco plugs on it and probably new cap, rotor and plug wires too. it will need a tune-up, might as well do it now. then i would drain the old oil and replace the filter, fill with new oil.

also, by now the fuel in the lines has turned to varnish, unless they used stabilizer (and they didn't). so you are going to want to drain the tank (syphon pump) and fill with new gas. then a battery and you should be ready to go.

get in and crank her over. it will not start right away, it is going to have to pump out the old fuel in the lines. more then likley it will not start at all. more then likley the entire fuel system willl need to be replaced.
MPFIv6 - injectors, rubber lines (two under hood, no bigge, junkyard) and fuel pump.
5.0L - jets (TBI) or carb rebuild and any rubber lines. also fuel pump.

if she does fire, great.

BTW xipher, where are you located, if you are in the Pacific Northwest i know a great bunch of guys that would be willing to lend a hand in the re-birth of your car.

 

Also after you get it running do yourself a favor and replace the O2 sensor. It will run you about $20 bucks, and will certainly need it after all this time. Don't do it till you have it running though. There is no sense in coating a new sensor with crap.

 

 

Thanks!

I'm starting to think it'll end up being an 86 being as how admient that it had a Berlinetta badge they were, and since they were very sure it was 1988, given where it was being sold, I can imagine it sitting in the show room two years they sell trucks, not camaros!

I'm not sure the extent of them letting me work on it, but when I go to look at it, I'm tagging along a mechanic... who should be with the tow truck that day

As long as its not a vaccume line monster I think I oughta be able do the work myself with a little guidance, if I get to use the shop then it'll be perfect! The only thing that'll hold me back is my horrible budget, $135 a week is what I make, and the fact that I commute two hours a day, and 100 miles at 33mpg max to get there and back (read, OUCH) but I hope that'll change soon!

All I've worked on before are Hondas and VW's, I've owned an 84 CRX 1.5L Carb (with no delusions of performance, and a 1 1/4in exhaust) the 45mpg+ beast, an 86 CRX Si that was fun, but needed LOTS of work in the end, and my 92 VW Golf thats way fun to drive! Wish I still had the CRX...

Free Camaro probably with 35-25k on it, thats been stored? Neato! I want some tire chirping action and general badassery!

 

The first thing to keep in mind is that most people don't know what they have. 'Berlinetta' in non enthusiasts terms usually means any Camaro without ground efx. Since by 88 every Camaro offered had GFX, they've probably also got the year wrong... Either they've got the year really wrong, or it's not a Berlinetta. However, not being a Berlinetta is really a plus.

Berlinetta's are pretty close to THE bastard child of the line. They're the one that your spinster elementary school librarian drove. Comfy seats, comfy suspension, gold trim, gold wheels, etc. 84-86 have the digital 'star-wars' dash, column mounted cassette deck, contoured dash, etc. Those cars also have different wiring harnesses and related components. Usually they're fully loaded cars, either V6 or base V8's, fully carpeted interior panels, overhead consoles, locking storage floors in the rear, are all pretty common. They're also a good place to look for a rear windshield wiper. I'd say they're pretty much universally hated, but if you want something unusual then go for it.

The next thing that I'd suspect is the time frame. People don't usually park a car for 10 years under a cover. It's just one of those things, 3 years can seem like a decade when they walk past it every day. The first thing I'd guarentee is that the tires are probably complete garbage if it's been sitting without being driven for 10 years. They'll at least be flat spotted, and they may be prone to blowing out. Even much shorter periods will kill tires, it's even worse if the pressure hasn't been monitored and kept up. I wouldn't worry about the fluids, or the gas... At least not beyond making sure that there's antifreeze and oil before you try to turn it over. The startup would depend pretty heavily on what you're dealing with... If it's fuel injected, drop in a good battery, turn the key from off to run and let the pump prime, repeat that process about 5 times. Crank it over in short bursts, less then 10 seconds at a time. If it's carbureted, you could pull the aircleaner and prime it a bit directly, or just crank the key for a few moments to get gas to the carb, pump the gas till the accelerator pump starts squirting, then try starting it.

These cars are built pretty well, I wouldn't even think about spending money on tune up parts before trying to start the engine. If it's locked solid, you'll have wasted money. Figure out what you're dealing with before you spend a dime. Expect it to need tires, battery, windshield wipers, dead rodent removal, etc. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you will need a fuel pump, brake work, tune up, window motors, heater core, etc. I've had at least 5 cars that had been left parked on the family farm and abandoned for 5-10 years and 90% of the time they start right up. The problems roll in like a flood when you start driving the car.

Also, dont expect any kind of performance from a Berlinetta. Best case scenario you're talking about 150hp at the flywheel. Most modern 4cyl's make more power.

 

drew makes a good point. the only performance oriented berli i know of is Quasitractions, and that is only because it had the 2.8 pulled in favor of a 78 350, and has had the ENTIRE cabin wire harness/dash replaced with that of an 85 z28. we also pulled the auto in favor of a t-5 manual .

 

Although true, I like the fact that it's different. The ride is really comfortable which is cool, and I think the whole 'starship' theme was pretty neat. they had tons of little features that people pay no attention to now that are were a big deal then. Little things like timed courtesy lights, headlights turn off automatically when the engine is turned off, the ability to flash your high beams independently....the list goes on.


As for starting it up and getting it running....DEFINITELY change the oil and filter, and do not use synthetic, especially if it's high mileage. I bought a berlinetta that had sat for 8 years, and it was started up 2 times in that 8 year period. fired right up, but ran poorly. Burned all the varnished gas out of it, changed the plugs, got it running really well...started it up a few times, and drove it about a total of 15 miles before changing the oil, and in that time it did enough damage so that 2 days after I did change the oil, it spun a rod bearing. Made a sound that I would compare to hitting a 2lb sledge against the crank very rapidly.

 

I've got one that's "Performance Oriented" !



If you want to see if it's a Berlinetta look at the option VIN..... Berlinetta will read "1G1AS" rather than "1G1FP". The Berlinetta was the only Camaro that had it's own unique VIN designation unlike the IROC and Z28 that were options to the "regular" Camaro line. Badges, Hatches, Ground FX can all be added to a car - even one that has sat for 10 years; Look at the VIN.

Performance from the factory - No. As was mentioned it's BEST motor from the factory was the Base Z28 LG4 engine. Most of the Berlinetta LG4's even had iron intakes compared to the Z's Aluminum Manifold. With the softest spring rates and most missing a rear sway bar, a stock Berlinetta will have soooooo much body rool that a Z28 driver would think he's about to flip while cornering ! If the car IS an 86 that it might have a rear sway bar and should also have gotten the front crossmember-to-frame rail braces that the earlier years lacked making it more stable and less prone to tearing at the driver frame rail. It would also be the "rarest" of the Digital Camaros with under 4500 made that year.

So: your looking to score a 20 + year old car with around 35 K for mileage ?? I'm Jealous ! Even if the car was a BASE Coupe without a SINGLE option,......... that's a great way to become a ThirdGen Owner !

 

Also if it's an 86 Berlinetta....VERY rare car! According to Camarosource.ca, there were under 4,500 Berlinettas made in 1986, out of over 192,000 Camaros.


"Base Coupe 99,608 88,132 4,479 49,585
Total 192,219"

Over 13,000 were made in 1985, and in 1984, over 30,000. 1986 Berlinettas are a rare find.

 

Alright, I went by to see it...

It was indeed under a cover, tucked away in the corner of a warehouse garage, the cover was smothered THICK with dust, I can honestly believe the 10+ years of sitting! It seemed to have the original tires, goodyear R/T's, white text, the backs looked a little used, and all four were very low, and probably VERY flat spotted...

The keys were in the ignition, the interior was very nice, no starwars interior though, analog guages. I didn't get a chance to pop the hood, or take down a vin or anything, it was a quick peek, but the car looks very well kept, and had the gold "Berlinetta" everywhere... it was blue, had the Berlinetta alloys in a dull silver it looked like. Car was clean looking, paint under the cover looked AOK, and the body lines I did see all were even and straight, such as fender to hood, ect.

I pick it up the weekend after this up coming one going to use a car trailer to tow it up to the house and not start it until things have been checked, new fluids put in, hand cranks, penetrating lube and oil down the plug holes. Gonna try and do this right...

It looks like the restoration of the engine will be my graduation present :P

One more thing...

I know it wont be a powerhouse BY FAR, but what kinda "simple" performance can you get out of a V6... intake, headers, exhaust, simple California legal stuff

 

Well since you say it's got the Berlinetta badges and wheels (even though they should be gold not silver), and the analog dash, you're dealing with a 1982 or 83. That's assuming that the badges weren't added, and the dash wasn't changed out. Did you verify it's a V6 and not a V8? If it is a 82 or 83 it could be either a carbed 2.8 or a carbed 305. If it's the 305 it would react to mods like any Z28 of the same time period. If it's the V6, there's virtually nothing available for it, and aside from being able to move the car, it's pretty useless. Economy for either is poor by modern standards, the V8 might even get better gas mileage depending how you drive it. If it's a carbed 2.8, throw good plugs in it and call it a day. It would be a non-high output engine, so far removed from performance that it'd be easier to drop a different engine then to upgrade it.

Of course you really need to find out exactly what year, what engine, etc. Anything could have been changed, added, removed, etc.

 

OK, Info time...

firstly, its an *83*!

Secondly, its a 2.8L V6

Third, its in my name now, I own it!

Here is a vin, if it tells anyone anything, let me know!!!

1G1AS8710DL106618

 

 

tomorrow eh? I'll be going to get it!

 

ok, you want pictures, you GOTS pictures, but I'm tired, and goin to bed afterwards...

 

Very clean looking ride there. Looks like a low mile car to. Really good find, even better since it was free. Get some shots of the interior and motor while your at it. Just take care of that thing. Adam :-)

 

Definately a nice find. It's looks very clean. Do yourself a favor though and don't waste your time trying modify it. As was already stated there isn't much you can do with a 2.8 anyway. Instead since it was free just enjoy it the way it is. You can always save your $ towards a Z28 or IROC-Z now. The Berlinetta will make an excellent daily driver.

 

True. The carbed 2.8 in that car was one good beating away from a thrown rod when it left the assembly line. I wouldn't abuse it much. Definitely change the oil every 3,000 miles, and use a 10W30 or 10W40, the 5W30 that was original spec won't keep it together.

I think this is the first time I've seen a Berlinetta that still had all four of the original centercaps. It's definitely the cleanest stock early Berlinetta I've ever seen. It's worth preserving since no one really has bothered with the Berlinetta.

 

+1. Just drive it and enjoy it as what it was ment to be, a daily driver. Then just save up for your hotrod you want. Adam :-)

 

Thanks for the replies I've got a few more pictures, and a video of it running, but its got a problem...

It wont idle right, it idles around 500rpm after its off high idle and eventually dies, but runs relatively smooth if you just hold it around 600rpm?

If anyone knows anything about the 2.8l carb'd engines and all the sensors and whatnot, I need some help getting this thing on the road...

also, more pictures as promised




and a video of it running, the tach is working when it wants... anyone know the pickup wire for it so I can check it? All the guages are "jumpy" from sitting so long...

http://notacanadiansite.ca/os/PICT1292.MOV (47mb quicktime, right click, save as)

 

late 86+ 2.8s are a little better

 

Awesome find!

 

I'd probably just turn up the idle speed at the carb and be done with it. The sensors dont do all that much of anything on that setup. It's basically a standard carb with a bit of computer feedback tacked on. Even in ideal running condition the gas mileage is going to be poor (15mpg on a good day).

Try the V6 forum for specific help fixing mechanical problems (gauges).

 

Update!

Car is ready to go on the road, cruise control even seems to be working, the running issues were seemingly due to two things, first, the gas that came out was almost BLACK it was so dark tined of a red, runs better with fresh gas, also, it had a miss on one cyl, was due to a cracked spark plug, taking the car to my graduation for its first, REAL two hour+ road test!

pictures to follow?

 

Damn, that bitch is clean for a 83. Like others said, that is probably the nicest one I've seen in a long time. Just take care of it, Good score

 

Well, bad news... the car failed horribly at getting me to my graduation :P however, I did manage to make it there by other means.

About 1/3rd of the way there (keep in mind, hour trip) at the first stop sign, the car quit, started the car, started off again, car shifted into second gear and quit.

Long story short, pulled into a parking lot, smoke was pouring out the (stock) catylatic converter, the damn thing was about on fire! For lack of a fire extinguisher, a giant jug of water later, after cooling and watching it to make sure no real FLAMES started, I got a ride, eventualy came back hours later, started the car and drove it home quickly, as not to heat up the cat and cause blockage again.

Look like the old stock cat took a dump in the worst way and plugged everything up!

Good news is, damn that cruise control is smooth!


*edit* I'll always remember almost catching my car on fire now when I think back to my graduation :P

Lack of pictures, due to not actually making it all the way :P

 

Great find! It's hard to find any 3rd gen in that condition nowadays. Don't be so quick to discredit the 2.8 though, 60deg v6's have plenty of potental if you're familiar with them. Forged con rods, a nodular iorn crank and a 7500 redline from the factory make a great foundation for power production. Check out www.60degreev6.com or http://users.spec.net/home/emxjc/index.html for info.

That said, you are at a disadvantage with an '83 2.8. The carb and crappy iorn intake are very restrictive and the odd-journal size cranks found in early 2.8's are known for being fragile (for competition use). Later '85+ cranks are much stronger and other intakes less restrictive. Not that it's all that valuable, but I hate to see all original(?) cars get chopped up, so go easy if you decide to modify it.

After you do a good tune up pacesetter makes a set of headers for it and just about any exhaust kit will fit with minimal fabrication. Edelbrock makes an intake manifold with a replaceable upper manifold so you can use the stock carb or a -much- better 4 barrel carb. Crane, comp, edelbrock, lunati and crower all make cams for it, whereas crane has the best cam selection. After all that you could get ~220hp out of it depending on cam choice, but you'd have to revv the crap out of it to do it.