puma1552

iTrader: (1)

So everyone has seen my two usual pics here, as I thought they were the only two I had with me at my current location overseas. Well it turns out I found a bunch of pics from its last photoshoot on July 22nd, 2008, just three days before I moved overseas. While the pics are 2.5 years old, the car still looks exactly the same; I went home this summer for a month and pulled it out, and she is just as nice as in the pics due to properly storing it. These pics are straight from the camera, unedited; I did lose a little color vibrance going from the RAW files to the JPEGs, but you get the idea. The only outward appearance mod is that it's lowered on Sportlines, otherwise it's factory fresh in appearance. Enjoy!

150k miles, paint circa 1992 (hailed on, no PDR, damn).

These first few pics behind the garage may look a little funny in terms of the car's stance, it's because there is a little slope in the pavement:







A little orange peel, those BFGs are from 1999:





I did finally take this off when I went home this summer:



So pretty you could kiss it; note how nice the parking lenses are--the originals were so nasty so I bought new GM ones from the dealer, seriously there could not have been a bigger appearance freshening than those...so if yours are looking a bit crusty, it's WELL worth throwing in some new ones.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

No, that's not my house...just a nice place to take pics with a lake and sunset behind me:



Too bad this one didn't come out a bit sharper, you can see a little issue with the leading edge of the door:



Make sure all your taillights work, too many Camaros with crippled taillights:



Takes on a weird/cool blueish purple under the right lights...look at the shine on that rear bumper!:







I'm really glad I found these, it brought back a lot of memories. Wish I had underhood/interior shots, but just imagine it...a clean 305 bay with an Edelbrock air cleaner and clean black custom cloth interior with no cracks or fading in the plastic. Thought in a world of IROCs I'd show some clean RS shots.

87IROC-DAN61

Hello puma1552!!

Hot, just hot I say!!!

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I got the car for $4300 in 1999 from the original female owner, bone stock and original sans the aforementioned paint (had it not got caught in hail I've no doubt it would have Van Nuys paint on it still). It had 116k on it.

As for the miles despite being a summer car it was originally sold in Iowa, and the woman's then boyfriend lived in Illinois so every weekend they would take turns driving back and forth so it racked some miles. When I got it they were married and had had a kid a couple years prior so they sold it because the car was just sitting (he had to sell an 84 Monte SS too, they both decided to sell one car). They said they were thinking of hanging on to it til their son could drive, which would be about now or very soon...bet their jaws would drop if they knew that the 15 year old kid they sold it to kept it pristine and actively on the road!

Looking back I'm surprised I've only put 34k on it--a nice thing about a high mileage car is you can let that odometer roll all you want and never feel the slightest bit bad, which I have but being away the last two years and at college prior to that kept my mileage down the last X years...when I come home I'll finally be able to drive it as much as I did in high school...can't wait.

After I bought it it seemed to need constant repair--it was just at that age/mileage where everything goes, and it did. You name it, it went. Literally every accessory (sans water pump, the only thing that is still ticking from when I bought it), and every important sensor for making the car idle/run/accelerate ok needed to be replaced. I know the car in and out now, and now it's so turn-key it's not even funny. I could get in it tomorrow and drive it cross country, and it's been that way for the last 6-7 years since I ironed everything out. Oddly enough I've only ever had to replace one suspension piece, the center drag link. Go figure. When I get back it will need every fluid changed, from the oil to the differential (but no tranny fluid change) and probably just a good basic tune up from sitting so long. When I was back this summer it ran great, but I know it's needing those fluids changed.

I have all paperwork including the salesman's business card, the plastic punch out key, and the manual; unfortunately though I don't have a window sticker or original dealer's invoice but oh well. What can you do...

It's fairly loaded with a 305 auto and full power, with custom cloth interior. No ugly rear defrost, luckily. Being in the rust belt I think I did alright in picking this up at $4300; it was their asking price but I didn't have the heart to low ball them because it just felt like it was too fair a price as it was.

stealthroc89

Sweet maui wowie what a color, very, very nice! I'm a fan of white lettered tires and seeing yours makes me wanna go outside with a paint pen LOL. They give the car the classic look that I like, don't know if thats what you were gunning for but some people notice. That Maui Blue is an odd color, looks out of place and yet looks right at home too. I bet it looks way better in person!

Spike-Z

iTrader: (4)

Holy! One of the best kept example of what a stock thirdgen looked back in the days! VERY clean! Great, great find

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

You know, it really was what I was going for. 15" rims on a muscle car should, without exception, have those tires IMO. My car needed tires badly when I got it so those were the first thing to go on just a week or two after buying it.

Thanks, I aspire to have it look as clean as yours.

The mods on the car are minor:

--Edelbrock open element
--K&N filter
--Advanced the timing 10*
--Alpine iPod dock and speakers (avoided this for a long time because I didn't want to cut holes anywhere for the iPod hard wire--I eventually came up with a good compromise--the wire comes through the removable ashtray, so that's the only place they had to make a hole--an easily replaceable part. Also I can hide the wire completely inside the ashtray, and now that iPods are small enough I can keep the entire thing shut in the ashtray and nobody will know there's an iPod in there, and it's all controlled through the deck)
--Sportline springs
--Silverstar headlights

Most of these mods don't even count as mods. It's really just springs and an air cleaner, lol.

Also the decal you see in the windshield is a 2001 Car Craft Summer Nationals show sticker, I entered it that year (but didn't compete). I've occasionally thought of taking it off, but then I realize that it kind of adds to the nostalgia of the car as the years roll by.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Very beautiful & clean, hopefully if i get this other Z28 im looking @ i ll post pics as soo as i can. All stock 92 z28 w/55,000 miles, only exhaust on her.

86T/A_Ram_Air

thats one of the best looking RS's ive seen in a while....a lot of these cars get beat up

hairysox33

iTrader: (4)

Just wondering, are you in the MSP area by chance? The RS's are gorgeous in that color...

itsMikey

car is amazing..love it!

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, and yes I am in the Minneapolis area; those pics at dusk were taken at Lake of the Isles in Uptown, Minneapolis and the night shots were taken along the Mississippi river bluffs on the Minneapolis/St. Paul border.

RSFreak

Wow! That is one super clean stocker! Nice to see such a well preserved example.

hairysox33

iTrader: (4)

That area is really nice at dusk. I live a couple hours north of there, this summer I will message you if I am heading that way

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Cool, I will be back with the car probably in mid-September, so it will probably be quite a short season for me, but I definitely want to get it out of storage when I get home, throw new tires on it and get all the fluids flushed since it's been sitting more or less since those pics were taken in '08, sans the one month I was home this past summer where I had it out a bit.

I wish RSs would get more love...

the solitaire

That's a great looking car.

I own an RS as well, and just do not understand why they get so little attention.

I got mine with 130k miles on it, and am in the process of rebuilding it because, even though it was kept fairly well, there are quite a few parts that need replacing after 21 years of European climate.

Still, I plan to keep the car largely stock, and a repaint is in order as well.
I have seen a few blue camaros already and liked most, but the color of this camaro is just perfect.

In your car the taillights were replaced by the older style taillights. I'm still uncertain on whether I prefer the older style taillights or the newer ones.

You definately picked the best rims for the car

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Those are actually the factory taillights in the US for '90 and older cars. All '91-'92 cars, RS or Z28 got the grid lights, but '88-'90 Sport Coupe/RS cars got those crappy ones. I like to keep the body mostly stock, but those taillights are the exception--I picked up NOS grid lenses for when I do repaint it, because the grids are just so much nicer IMO.

Also those are the factory rims, though they could be reconditioned. The very center of the center caps is supposed to be black with silver "CAMARO" lettering, but it's now completely silver.

I get too many compliments on my factory rims with the tires, it makes it hard to put aftermarket rims on. Almost makes me think I should spend the money reconditioning them to factory specs.

EDIT: The only planned deviations from stock I plan to do for the body are the grid tails, *maybe* a bowtie grille (I have both a NOS bowtie and a NOS RS grille, haven't decided which to use), and *maybe* shaving the side trim. I guess maybe wheels and tires, and the fact it's lowered too but those are minor. Really the only true deviations for the body itself would be the tails, and maybe the grille. Still undecided on the side trim; I definitely don't need it, as it's a weekend toy and is *never* parked anywhere so door dings are a non-issue.

Shane B

Very nice Puma!!!!!,Im along the same lines as u,Ive got a 92 RS thats all stock except a flowmaster catback without the cat lol.Im leaning towards keeping it stock also,its got 170,000 on the drivetrain and still going strong.I know i would get torched on the forum but when the time comes i might just get the 305 rebuilt and run it for another 200,000.Great looking RS!!!!!!!

85_ZED28

Beautiful car! Almost makes me want to flip my Radial T/As around to the white lettering

What were you using to take those shots?

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, at the time I was using a Canon 40D and some nice wallet-emptying lens, a 35mm f/1.4L prime I think (?)

I've since quit photography (thank god) and sold all my stuff. Though I wish I had a nice camera again if for nothing but car shots. Too damn expensive a hobby though, and I didn't have the patience for photoshop.

the solitaire

Photography is expensive indeed, which is why I´m still loyal to my 3 year old Nikon D200 and the set oflenses I have.
A 35mm 1.4 lens would be nice, but at the moment I can well live without it as I have a 14-24 on there as "stock" lens. Maybe a cheap 35mm f2 would be a nice addition.

As for the car, my RS finally has the same (stock) wheels, and I´m happy with that. I had some ugly 3 spoke aftermarket rims on there from the previous owner and currently am so pleased with the stock rims that the only change I might consider in that area is fitting a set of 235/60 R15´s instead of the 215/65 R15´s

Mine´s lowered as well, about 2" but I´m swapping to SW6 springs to raise it a bit. I think compared to stock, 1" lower, or maybe 1,5" is fine but 2" really makes the car less practical.

Personally I also have the trim on the sides, but will most likely remove it when I´m going to clean the doors, get the last few dings out and repaint the car, which will not happen for the next 12 months. Still a long way to go but seeing a clean car like yours definately helps to keep the spirit up.

@ Shane B, I see no reason not to stick with the (mainly) stock 305. With it the RS is a pleasant car to drive. If I wanted to go for a race car I´d swap in an LS1, strip the interior and switch to a real transmission. Personally I do not need a race car however, so I see how rebuilding the 305 can be a valid option.

TxTtopZ

Yep, looks good! I love the color, and despite what most people say.. Those wheels are very good looking when they are clean like that. Interior shots?

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately not on the hard drive with me; the interior is clean black custom cloth though. No underhood shots either, but also very clean.

The wheels are in good shape, except the emblems on the center caps should be black, but they are weathered. Should pick some up while I still can.

the solitaire

If you ever decide to buy new center caps, I'll happily take over those ones.

In Europe stuff like original center caps is impossible to get.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Haha thanks, I think even if I end up putting on aftermarket wheels, I'll still definitely keep the stockers.

stackofire

Love the colour... Very well done.

Sierra XB

i like the look of those stock rims so much, i am picking up a set as spares for my IROC. Not sure if you posted it already, but exactly what size are those T/A's on yours?

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Stock size, 215/60 (or 65, I don't remember, whatever the stock size is).

Thanks, I love 'em too.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

65 is stock

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Cool, yeah then 215/65/15.

Will be getting another set in September I think...just can't bring myself to put new rims on it. There really aren't any out there that I LOVE, so maybe I'm better off with one more set of oldskool tires before I tear the car down and redo it all in a few years...then maybe I'll change with a nice set of rims.

donnis618

Zo6 rims might look good or some other type of Chevy rim..Good looking ride. The RS's were some good looking cars no doubt.

KMK454

I like your stance with the Sportlines. Here's my dilemma:

Most cars with lowering springs I see have the odd raised-rear look, as if the front ended up slammed yet the rear wasn't dropped at all. Your car has the factory stance and subtle rake, but it just looks like the entire car came down an inch and change. In other words, it looks really good.

So, when you put in your springs, what shocks/struts (if any) did you put in as well?

My car is all stock with a stock stance on original springs/shocks, meaning the rear sits just a tad higher than the back. I want to bring the car down an even 1 - 1.5 inches or so all around just to eliminate that huge fender-wheel gap...

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I actually did nothing but the springs. Technically that's not the right way to lower it, as I know I should have new LCA brackets, etc., and should've done shocks/struts while the springs were out, but that is a 100% bone stock suspension with Sportlines.

I didn't swap the shocks/struts because they were still plenty healthy, and I wasn't going all out with the suspension at the time I put them in. The shocks/struts will wear faster of course being compressed constantly, but it's been over five years now (maybe closer to seven?), and they are still plenty healthy, no leaking, and the car doesn't bounce at all (verified by friends in trailing cars on subpar roads). The ride is jarring, surely, but these cars always were. Doesn't bother me as a weekend toy.

I'm really glad I didn't go with the Pro-kit, because I don't think I would've seen any difference. Most people go that route I think, but honestly the Sportlines were a pretty close to perfect drop; I wouldn't even mind if it was just a tiny bit lower, but I'm not complaining because I have no rubbing/clunking/clearance issues whatsoever; it's as if the Sportlines were factory. I think a lot of people overhype the drop the Sportlines give, making you think that the fender is going to be over the tire, but that's not the case. Unfortunately I didn't measure before/after, but it's probably close to a 2" drop as advertised, probably a little less. What I did notice though was that upon pulling into the shop parking lot from behind the car to pick it up, even from behind there was no question that it was lowered which was great; I was worried I wouldn't be able to tell much of a difference--I could never, ever go back to stock ride height, even with a super low mileage car I wanted to keep original. At the very least I would add springs just to make it look a little better. Mine could still pass for factory, I think.

That said, next time around I will put in Bilsteins/Konis and do the rest of the proper suspension mods to get the geometry back to factory specs, but for now just as a cruiser, if the rest of your suspension is dead solid, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

At the time I just wanted a little better look since it's a cruiser, and this fit the bill perfectly. If you run the car hard though, then I'd look into making sure you do shocks/struts/etc. all at the same time. That said, if you have the money to do shocks/struts at the same time anyway, just do it; I just happened to have a couple extra hundo lying around at the time and wanted a lower car, but wasn't looking then to go all out with $2k+ in suspension work. Changing the geometry also hasn't caused increased wear on other components as far as I can tell, I've replaced nothing in the suspension except the center drag link, which was probably just plain worn due to mileage.

Your car should look exactly the same on Sportlines.

87IROC-DAN61

Hello puma1552!!

What did/do you use on your tires to get them clean like that, without the greasy shine of Armourall???

Demon355

iTrader: (1)

87IROC-DAN61, you don't always have to greet the OP in the beginning of your post. I don't know why it bugs me but it's annoying.

Puma, awesome example of a 3rdgen. I'll be putting sportlines on my car soon. My car has quite a few mods done including suspension but I; like you, would rather the car to have a nice stance.

KMK454

I use Bleche-White on my truck with thin whitewalls and it gets the same results, but I have hubcaps and I hear Bleche-White is bad if it drips on polished/aluminum rims.

KMK454

That's some good info, Puma. I appreciate it. I think I'll do the adjustable Panhard Bar to get the alignment right (they're inexpensive and easy to install), but not the LCAs. I'm not drag-launching the car, so it's doubtful I'll notice any issues with that.

Shocks/struts can affect ride height. When I put Bilsteins in my 2005 'vette, it dropped it another 1/4 inch. Performed a hell of a lot better, though.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the compliments, believe it or not those tires look like that due to Bleche-White and, you guessed it, Armor All. Years of saturating them with Armor All every weekend has given them basically a perfect, near-permanent blackening--they don't brown out.

Those tires still look brand new, but they are from 1999 so they are getting replaced this fall.

I've heard the same about Bleche-White being cuastic for aluminum, but as long as you get it off quickly, I've never had a problem. The wheels are of course clearcoated though, albeit a bit weathered, but they seem to be OK with the Bleche-White.

87IROC-DAN61

Hello puma1552!!

I guess the Bleche-White and Armourall combination is just right for that black non-shiney look!!

I'll have to try it!!

87IROC-DAN61

Just for you Demon355!!

Hello Demon355!!



I just do it as a polite gesture, and make to sure that everybody knows that the reply/comment is directed at that person!!



Nobody's nose gets out of joint that way!!





Don't you think that puma1552's tires look great!!!

camarosrock1989

iTrader: (1)

She really is a beauty! Wow T-Tops and all!
Someday I want my 89 RS to have a nice paint job like that!
Hey we had the same Idea, Bowtie on rear window!
And my 350 is sitting in my 91 RS, want to put it in the 89.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys, yeah the Armor-All and Bleche-White are perfect for the tires; the letters are as white as day 1, and the black looks very black, with just a hint of satin to them--just enough to know they've been dressed--but clean and not greasy at all.

And just throwing up my favorite two pics of my car, they've been shown before on the site many times but I figured I may as well add them to my collection here.





EDIT: I should say, I bleach the tires twice, then apply Armor-All. I do the Armor-All three times per tire, and the trick to not making it look greasy is to make sure you swipe the rag all the way around the tire, all 360 degrees and carefully lift off the tire at the end of the circle. I also make sure to wipe the excess in the same manner. This also works for interior plastics, everything looks black with just a hint of satin, but nothing looks greasy at all.

gpwasr10

This is why I would go RS... if I can find (A decent) one...

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, any luck finding one?

I finally got a bit bigger pic of the profile shot:

Motown

Cleanest RS ever. Props dude.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Here are a few recents from the iPhone, these are from right out of storage after 19 months and then some from just a quick wash that day...it could use some sealant/wax. Also got my collector plate Friday, and threw in a couple shots next to my Stang that was so filthy you couldn't tell it had fogs:

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

1986 iroc z28

DROOOLLLLLL.......... Do you have any under hood shots, or interior shots?

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Only deviation from stock is an Alpine CD player with an iPod hookup hidden in the ashtray. Interior is in great shape, but the seats and seat belts just can't hide the 150k miles unfortunately. Still can't track down the original upholstery to redo them. I haven't steamed them in 10 years, so I'll be doing that in the coming weeks but I know it won't do anything.







In need of an oil pressure sending unit, one of the little nagging things:





No underhoods at the moment.

1986 iroc z28

very clean!