Wasnt sure where to post this..

I want people opinions on whether to sell this 1989 camaro 5.0L 700r4 or keep it.
I am at the point where now I am going to throw larger money at it like: a motor, posi rear, suspension upgrades, rebuild the 700r4. I could sell it and get another car with some of the upgrades already done to it, for possibly cheaper and easier on me. OR keep it and begin the long haul project.Thinking I could bring in around 3k to 2500 for it. Maybe get something for around 4k with atleast the motor and suspension built up, atleast more than a 305. LOL

I have grown attached to it since I bought it as a shell and put a motor and trans from a donor firebird, and the went through and redid the interior. (thought the firebird was a 350 when purchased it)

Let me know what you all think.. Love it, hate it, keep it, sell it.

Here are some images that I have floating around.
Thanks All.

 

More images

 

Last one

 

Also can post with response, ideas, or good links to motor, trans, suspension upgrades for great prices.

 

Alittle back story to go with my advice. Turn back the clock to Spring 1992. I had my '83 Z-28 for less than a year. It had about 34000 miles on it, but it needed painted. I drive past a local car dealer and see my dream car: 1988 Monte Carlo SS, 350 HO. Test drove it and it was a dog. Kept my Z-28, repainted it in the summer of '92.
By far the best decision I EVER made concerning a car.
Reason I mention the little back story? You sell it, its GONE. If I had sold my Z-28 I would still be regretting it 20 years later.


Keep that car. You know what you have. You know what needs done and whats already been done. Build it like you want it and take care of it. Then when you have kids, pass it down to them.

 

Awesome feedback. Thank you. I am sometimes embarassed to roll up to a car meet with my car. The paint is a little wavy on the doors and its a 305. If I could get over that I think I would be ok. Or a motor that speaks for itself.

 

My Z-28 has a 305 with CFI. Supposed to be the biggest POS injection ever made from reviews I read. Mine runs great. A 305 is nothing to sneeze at if it runs good. And look at it this way, are you gonna be racing anyone? If so then yes a built 350 or 383 would be alot better. But for cruising around, a 305 is more than enough. Get it running good, clean it up, maybe replace some parts with chrome ones. From the pics you posted that car looks pretty good, alittle TLC will make it look damn good/great.

 

I was thinking on working on the overall stance of it. Lower the back end down a bit. and was looking on doing these graphics on it.. in either a silver or a clear pearl. :
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...CK/TRACK01.jpg

 

If anything I would drop the front end down just alittle, like an inch. Dipping the nose gives the car a more menacing look. The graphics, if you do it I would go silver/chrome to go with those chrome wheels. Just remember to get the little things taken care of first, its the little details that makes a car look great.

 

I would say keep it and build it. Looks like a very nice start and can become a complete animal.

 

I say keep it, I was in basically the same position as you were when I bought my 5.0.
granted I new very little about restoring/working on them.All I knew was it was a V8 and it would run if you jumped the starter and dumped fuel down the TBI. Payed $500.00 fort it,since then I have added new paint to new posi. and just about every thing in between. I take pride in what I have done especially since it is my first and is a dependable DD. I'm keeping it a 5.0 until it blows. Trust me when I say that after you add a posi and a ratio of 3.42 or 3.73 it will be "allot" more fun to drive.As far as the shows go Ive never entered one but have gotten allot of compliments even with a 5.0. Pant (professional)and posi/gears and you will feel as I do.
PS.
replace the spoiler/wing.

 

Forgot to mention that, good call Ron.

 

That is very true on dipping the nose. I actually have V6 springs in there from the shell of the car.
Little things, you mean like the weather stripping cracks and things like that or other small details.
What posi unit did you use? I have 3.27 gear in it now, but it is an open diff..lol boring.
I actuallly paid 600 for the firebird and 600 for the camaro shell.. then mated the two and made touched to make it my own. interior is two tone black and silver. Looking for 4th gen seats for the front and rear to finish the interior.
Great feedback so far. Thanks.. keep it coming.

 

ok, I was looking to get the z spoiler. I dont like the standard one. Bit pricey on that yet.. Im on board with that decision. Thanks

 

Little things: Paint scratches, loose interior plastics, cracked console lid, sagging headliner, stuff like that. Also good cleaning of the interior does wonders for the look of a car, as well as cleaning under the hood.
My rear is a 3.23 I believe.
Be careful of those V6 springs, I'm not sure how well they hold up under the weight of a V8.

 

I used a new Eaton, 28spline Posi. and added a L.P.W Ultimate support cover.
Eaton = http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...als/PCT_221429
L.P.W. cover = http://www.jegs.com/i/L.P.W./619/301-7.5G/10002/-1

 

ok cool on the rear end. you install it? or pro install?

Unfortunately ive had the car painted.. I did all body work myself, but was a rookie. And made rookie mistakes, such as the waves in the doors. annoys me more than anything else. Want to take care of the window sweeps and t-top weather stripping. (costly) But i see your point there with the little things looking better that tore up that will make overall car look better.
Ive noticed that the front springs allow a little more floating that usual. Looking into bilsten struts and maybe intrax springs.

 

Also when you add a LSD you have to reset the gears any way so you might still considered a higher ratio.

 

go more than the 3.27? what would you rec? u have 3.42 you like them, much difference between that and mine?

 

As far as the spoiler is concerned you can find one in the "Parts for sale" on this site or check out eBay. I've had good luck finding parts on both.

 

I just put up a post for wanting a spoiler. Have not seen one recent on here around the area that wont kill me on the shipping.

 

Do a search for '89 Z-28 spoiler on ebay, gets about 30 matches.

 

will do.
thanks

 

I just did 3:73's in my rear end. LOVE THEM! Built the 700r4 and installed a 2300 stall torque converter. And I took the opportunity to rebuild a tune port 305, but rather than stock, I did a mild build. (AFPR, Bosch III's, Cam, Port and Polish, Headers and full 3" exhaust, .030" bore and a tune) I can roast my rear tires with out even thinking about it. Plenty fast enough for fun. I've taken it to shows. No shame. It's a third gen.

 

im just seeing the stock 3 piece. will continue to look with more effort.

 

Thats a nice looking car, i'd keep it. Looks like it was a t5 car if i see correctly

 

My jump from 2.73 to 3.42 was very noticeable and is really the only experience I have with rear end gears. I'm just so happy with what I have now I have a tendency to recommend them. As to were your only jumping once with the 3.42 but twice with a 3.73. Maybe some of the guys here can speak up on the subject.

The following list comprises gear ratio and mph/1000rpm with 25.5" tires(stock height).
2.73 gears: 27.35mph/1000rpm
3.08 gears: 24.24mph/1000rpm
3.23 gears: 23.10mph/1000rpm
3.42 gears: 21.82mph/1000rpm
3.73 gears: 20 mph/1000rpm
4.10 gears: 18.20mph/1000rpm
4.56 gears: 16.36mph/1000rpm

 

Mine is a tbi unit.. idea on a cam for that. I know you may not because you have a tpi unit. You build the 700r4 yourself? just a kit or fully built?

 

I hear the 3.73 are nice, just want to be able to drive it on the freeway without trouble. The stall, anyone recommending that? Ive seen s10 stalls put in.

Thanks 89JunkerRS! The body was orig a v6 5 speed car. Mine is a auto with all manual looks. I have both shift cover plates to swap to the auto look. I just like the boot cover look and feel.

 

Thanks Ron on that info.. Much appreciated with the look on the speed to gear ratio.. how much does a shop charge for rear install? I have never dabbled in that area other than an axle swap.

 

I'm no good at Cam advice. Sorry. My buddy nd I built the trans. Beast shell, Borg Warner clutches, boost valves, Corvette servo and governor, upgraded planetary, transgo shift kit, precision converter. My 305 won't hurt it. I built engine and axle my self. I started at 3:42s then dropped to 3:23s and then stewed up to 3:73s. Its at about 2500 on the highway.

 

Theres a local guy over by me that makes a living selling third Gen parts. Might be worth checking out. He's got all the little interior pieces, axles, hoods, body panels. You name it!

 

With a complete upgrade, posi,axles,gears,cover,all bearings and seals
I was charge $300.00 for labor buy a shop that specialises in rear end work only ,called "The Rear End Shop".

 

does he have a location store name or site or some contact?

 

so probably a grand for the rear end with all parts and labor?

 

Awesome responses so far! all welcome to post and vote.

 

Pm me and I can hook you up with his number. Don't want to post it out in the open without his permission

 

130$ approximately for bearings and seals. 225 for gear ratio of your choice and then what ever posi carrier you decide on.

 

for sure thanks!

 

Thats about what it was going to run me until I upgraded my axles to 28 spline and bought the L.P.W. cover.
( some of the "89"s received 28 spline axles so I took a shot but unfortunately mine turned out to be 26 spline)

 

Is there any way to tell other that pulling the axle?

 

Up for one more sound of posts and votes.
Thanks all

 

Appreciate all the good votes and criticism. I've decided to keep it for now and work on all the small odds and ends for now.

 

I voted to keep it, and if it were my project car I'd put in a 355 + exhaust + spoiler + 3.23 gears

 

Thats funny, cause that is what I want to do, atleast with the motor and rear posi is mentioned!

 

Its all up to you in the end but the only advice i can give is...

Drive what you Love & Love what you Drive.

Is it something you see your self passing on later in life or something youve always wanted to have... The thirdgen has always been the ugly duckling but however when they look clean... they catch attention.

i say... build you a goose that growles at people at 3,500 RPMs... lol

 

Yep, I agree. It has grown on me since Ive had it. Have been getting alot more compliments on it since Ive had it out on the street. Who knows, only time will tell. Im going to keep it for now.

 

ok here's my take on it. it's an 88 so it isn't going to be perfect to start with but you can make it that way. on 8 mile and groesbeck there is a parts place pull a part or something simaller i went there many time to get parts they always seemed to have camaros and firebird. now mind you that was 6 years ago when i moved from michigan. being in dearborn heights and in michigan for that matter there is no emissions to deal with so that is a plus for you. the high rise spoiler your looking for runs anywhere from 150 up from what i have seen on ebay. you could also do the hawks spoiler but pricey. the car you have looks to be a good starting point. you have done all the work so far so you know what you have. i would buy a good dual plane intake with a good edelbrock carb. put some nice valve covers on it in michigan aluninum chrome ones rust fast up there if it see's any winter driving. also do a nice alinunum timeing chain cover paint the block clean that up. while doing the timing cover and intake swap the cam my old 305 i did a old corvette 327 cam it had 488 lift both intake and exhaust and had 292 duration. sounded real nice theres your motor speaking for itself. headers cheap on craigslist nice exhaust also cheap on craigslist. rear end i would clean it up and have a posi unit put in with 3.73 gears. trans while motor is out clean it up and put in a shift kit and a 2500 stall. and at the pull a part if you want to go cost efective get the iroc suspention or gta suspention. my opinion

 

Thats an awesome post jhainer, thanks! With that cam did you notice any good improvements? Thinking about working on the motor til I truely want to throw money at buying a newer one. Had a line on a spoiler for 90 but whole deal seems to be backing out.

 

back when i did that i think i was something like 19 god i feel old now. but anyways yea it sounded great. i was on a tight budget so intake and carb were not in my cards at the time. so i picked up a cast iron 4 barrel intake from the junk yard (beter than the old 2 barrel) and a quadrajet bought at teh time hooker shorty headers and the full dual piped hooker exhaust it is now made by dynomax i think. and it ran real good for what it was. until the bottom end went out. but that was a whole differnt story the motor came outof a 81 monte that i did a motor swap on spent tones of money on it and bought the triangle of death as people now call it and poof car gone up in smoke so i pulled the motor put it in the camaro changed the cam and intake didn't even change the oil (dumb move ) and cooked the bottom end. opps i remember sitting on the front porch of my parents house with my mom waiting for teh fire dept to get there watching it burn. used up 2 fire extingusers trying to put it out but no luck. by the time the fire dept got there the glass was melted hood was warped fenders were warped and the front tires were melted and the inner fenders were gone. such a nice car it was 81 monte with bucket seats and center console interior looked new as did the body. only issue i had with it was the wire hub caps LOL