I currently have a 91 Z28 that I swapped in a LS1/4l60e. I've seen several others do forced induction builds and considered doing that to my 91. After much debate I decided I want to leave my 91 exactly like it is, it's a really fun car to drive in it's current state. It's a very nice car with a nice paint job and not the type of car I would want to beat on consistantly at the track and/or put a roll bar in.

So I started looking for another car over the past couple of years to potentially do a turbo or super charged LS build. I wanted a hard top, fairly original, decent paint, blue, grey or red paint, AT. I looked at several cars but was quite disappointed in them. Found a few others that looked great at a decent price but were sold before I could make it to look at them. Eventually I found this 92 RS in Michigan about 4.5 hours from where I live. After talking with the owner I made the trip to Michigan a couple of days later and bought it. 58k miles, always garage kept, one owner, 305TBI, 700-R4. Overall the car is in great shape, the paint is original but has a few scratches and a lot of swirls but is 100% rust free. The interior is black and almost flawless. The car runs well, and the transmission shifts great. The HVAC controls didn't work and it could use ball joints and front brakes. Here are a few pics I took when looking at it. Unfortunately it was raining that day.

 

I drove the car home with no issues. The car had sat a lot so the tires were out of round until they got drove for awhile. Once the tires smoothed out it was a great trip with no issues.

 

Got the car home and started buffing it. The pictures don't quite do it justice but you can see the difference in the first pic between the left and right side of the hood. I got probably 80-90% of the scratches and swirls out. I'm very happy with how the paint turned out after buffing.

 

I did a little cleaning in the engine bay and bought some basic tune up parts, plugs, cap, rotor etc. I'll clean it up better once I have more time, need to flush the coolant too. The original owner said the plugs, plug wires wires, cap and rotor will still original...I'm amazed that it ran as smooth and as well is it does with that stuff being original. My plan is to clean it up and tune it up and cruise it for a couple of years as I accumulate parts for the LS swap. I got the HVAC controls fixed, the vacuum switch was leaking, took it apart and put it back together with a bolt and nylon nut to hold it together more tightly to keep it from leaking.

I really like this car, especially the interior...my only reservation is maybe it's too nice? But it's nothing rare or unsual, RS is a perfect candidate for a LS swap...but it's just so clean and original I almos hate to mess with it. Worst case if I decide to sell it I think I can get my money back or make a little on it if i decide to sell.

 

Very nice car! I would keep it and just drive it as original. Seems a shame to chop up a nice one owner low mileage third gen.

 

That thing cleaned up nice.

 

Very nice. Interior looks new.

 

Wow, nice car!

 

Awesome car! Congratulations on the find/buy! I thought I was doing pretty good with finally getting me a 1988 RS and here you are adding an additional Gen 3 to your collection!

 

Thanks, I really like the interior on this car..it’s what made me want to buy it the most. It seems like black interiors in this kind of shape are hard to find. The original GM floor mats still look good even. The original door seals are still nice too.

 

thanks I was lucky to find this one.

 

lol I think I have a thirdgen problem. I’ve always liked these cars, I’ve owned more than one at a time several times.

 

Nice find! It looks great!

 

Beautiful cars! And I have garage envy .

 

Congrats on the new toy! Looks great. With the exception of the alternator and battery (AC Delco pieces form the dealer), everything under my hood is still the dated coded originals. Purrs like a kitten (mostly).

 

Original plugs still look pretty good.

Took the valve covers off to clean and paint them. The engine looks very clean inside especially considering it’s 28 years old.

 

Yep, someone has done their oil changes for sure.

 

I did some more cleaning and painting in the engine bay. The original alternator still worked but the bearings were making some noise so I replaced it.

 

This car was clean on the underside for being a car from the Midwest but I think I was spoiled by my 91 z28, it came from CA and was spotless.

This car had no rust just some stains and discoloration.

It cleaned up pretty well.

But in some places a lot of the original red came off once I scrubbed it much.

I ended up painting most of the underside, I didn’t like how it looked with the red paint partially rubbed off in some areas.

 

Man, that's especially clean for a thirg gen found in Michigan!! Great find

 

Got a good deal on a used set of wheels. I’m happy with the look the new wheels give the car. I had a paintless dent guy take out a few door dings that the car had, turned out really well. The body is laser straight now. Finally had some good weather and was able to go for a cruise on Sunday and take a few pictures.

 

Car is clean as a tac

 

I’ve been enjoying driving the car when I can. I’ve taken it to cars and coffee and some local cruise ins. The only issue I’ve had is the factory radio quit working yesterday. It started to pop and make a lot of static noise from the right rear speaker. I checked the wiring and speaker and found no issues. I had a spare factory CD player that I bought super cheap on Craigslist several years ago so installed it for now, works great. I’ll probably fix the original radio, since its in such great condition. Any suggestions on where to send it for repair? Maybe M&R electronics? I found them in a quick internet search.

 

A few pics from the cruise ins.

 

Just a quick update M&R Electronics repaired the original radio and did a great job. I had it back within a couple of weeks and re-installed it. I need to pick up a Couple of cassettes someplace to test the tape deck.. Def Leppard or Van Halen might be a good choice lol. Here are a few pics from this Summer.

My Dad drove the RS and I drove the Z28 to Griots Garage cruise in.


Took a few pics after a cruise in at the town square where I live.

 

Wow, super nice looking RS - I'm curious, what are the specs on the wheels? Size, offsett, etc and who makes them?

 

Thanks for the kind words. I really like the super nice low mileage cars that you have had, I always follow your threads.

Wheels are Billet Specialties Street Lites 17 x 8 with 4.5 backspacing all the way around. I bought these wheels used and got a super good deal on them. If I bought them new I would go with a 17 x 9.5 on the rear with 5.5 back spacing. I like the look of a wider wheel and tire on the rear but these do look nice on the car and with a stock TBI engine it doesn't need a wider tire lol

 

Hey, thank you and thanks for the wheel info, they look great on the car - if you ever want to sell, let me know, I'm looking for another clean RS

 

I'll let you know if I end up selling it. It's hard to find them in this kind of condition especially in the Midwest so that makes it kind of hard to let go. I enjoy driving it once in awhile if I don't feel like getting the Z28 out....but I'm not sure I really need 2 thirdgens. This car is almost too nice and original to LS swap, but I already have a LS3 sitting in the garage. I'm very torn, not sure what I will do with it at this point.

 

IMO, it's too nice to LS swap - sell it to me

 

PM sent

 

Beautiful RS!! I love the wheels!!

 

I changed up the look of the car a little this year. The center part of the street lite wheels were difficult to keep clean and polished so I had them powder coated satin black. I also had the rear wheels widened an inch making them a 17x9 to allow for a 275/40 tire. Tires are Mickey Thompson Street Comps.

 

I had the back and side windows tinted with 30% ceramic film. I like to tint the windows on these cars to avoid feeling like I’m driving a big fish bowl plus it cuts down on the heat especially with ceramic film. 30% is about perfect for me, dark enough to look good but not so dark you can’t see well at night.