Hey guys, sorry to add to the list of "What will my car run" threads but here we go, Im thinking about getting this 84 camaro and wanted to know what everyone thought it would do in the 1/4. Thanks

355 SBC
Stock 5 Speed Tranny
Motor was built right...
Headwork done...
3 angle valve job
3/4 cam
Chromoly rings
Posi rear
Stock Carb

This is all the info I know, all I got from the guy

 

mid to low 14s

 

Im thinking mid to high 13s....

 

How much will and Automatic trans help?

 

what does "motor was built right" mean?

 

I dont know, it was included in the list of stuff done to it he gave me, I know it sounds weird sorry about that

 

Gee, no cam or head info at all. That could run 11.5->15.5, and i'd bet closer to the latter. There's no way to even come close to guessing with zero specs there.
When someone doesn't give you detailed specs when selling you an engine it isn't because they're trying to hide the good parts.


haha, it means he religiously followed the "lefty loosey, righty tighty" concept. Atta boy.

 

Well Im glad some ones understands what he means, Geez


And Im not expecting to runs 11's or anything, hes selling it for 800bucks, which I think is a steal

 

That is a steal. Once you get it, be sure to figure out what's in it, then post up and we can give you some better intel.

 

You gotta remember too its not just an engine that makes a car fast.. weight is a big factor.. tires, rear gears, and driver capabilty is the #1 thing. A professional drag racer could drive a car in 11 seconds and a novice could do 14 in the same car.

 

 

Looks like a decent car, That doesnt really look like a 350 and if it was he did a really sloppy job of "rebuilding" it. I wouldnt guarantee head work or valve work with an engine bay like that. Get him to tell you the codes becuase 84's didn't come with 350's and i dont think anyone would rebuild an engine without cleaning it up just a little bit. Make sure you really check out the car before you buy it i got stinked on my car the guy told me it had a new clutch, freshley rebuild 350 etc etc.. i beleived him and now a got a car that barely runs.

 

What are some big signs to look for on the car?

 

Yea, that looks bone stock to me. Thermovac hooked up? Q-jet? Yea, virtually nobody keeps those things when they do engine work.

Check for the casting number, it'll be right in front of where the tranny bolts to the engine, on the drivers side. Once you start looking he'll surely start coming up with excuses, because that's really the only way to know what the engine is.
If it ends in 010 then it's a 350 block. There's a few other 350 blocks, but that's the most common. Check mortec.com for more info.
Bring a magnet over his bondo job to check if there's metal underneath. If there isn't, that'll be rusting again VERY shortly.

 

Do you have to get under the car to check or can you see it from the top?
It sounds stupid that someone would say all this is done to and sell it for 800$.
Man, I hope it isnt stock, that would suck,also he said it came out of his dads 78 camaro, if that is true wouldnt it most likely be a 350?

 

they put 305's in the cars in 78 as well.

i'd bet it isn't rebuilt, but i could be wrong. i'm with the other guys, seems like they'd clean it up if they pulled the motor.

on a side note, check to see if that hood is fiberglass! i got one on my car and they're awesome! most 84's already got the steel version of that hood, but ya never know.

 

So far every one thinks its a stock 305? Im not disagreeing with any of you but I just wish it was a 355, they guy seems really nice and honest but I guess thats how people are now a days

 

It very well could be a rebuilt 350 from a '78 Camaro. The swap could have been done 5 years ago, and that's why it's dirty now.
But *most* of the time people lie so....

I'd still buy it for $800. I like that year of Camaro.

If you're keen on making it fast, then start finding out what parts are in it. What block casting number, and what head casting number. I'd put money on it being either a 305 with 416 heads, or a 350 with 882 heads. Who knows what a 3/4 cam is, but i'm guessing the summit K1103?

You can see the block casting number from the top. It's tricky though, bring a flashlight. Mortec.com gives a picture of where you'll be able to see it from.

So... you gonna buy it or what?

 

Even if it's a 305 that's not a bad deal. As long as the body is solid and not rusted/rotted out.

 

"3/4 cam" that gets me everytime.....

That reminds me of the "heavy wheel kit" the Chrysler used to keep the front end down on the HEMI cars in the 60s.......

Kevin

 

As long as it is not a 305, hopefully this weekend I'll go check it out, Im glad I posted this or I could get stuck wit some POS

 

check the body over really good and use a magnet like posted earlier if its good then definatley ****** it make sure you check for rust underneath too. Quarter panels are your #1 problem to watch out for so keep a close eye on those. I wouldnt care what the engine was if i could find a good third gen body. If i checks out ok spend a coupl g's get a new engine and get that thing ready for paint, youll have a wicked third gen.

 

I don't think it will make it down the track. I think the T5 will granade.

 

there are lots of people using T5's in high hp applications. For instance the mustang performance mag made a 89 mustang with 420hp and something like 390 trq and they havn't touched it and they also recantly put in a supercharger and upped it to 500h (world class)

 

I recently talked to the guy and he said he has the guys number who built the motor so im hoping he is tell the truth

 

Why dont you go back to dragva, This aint no honda

 

I've got around 20 passes with drag radials on my non world class T5. 5 of the passes were in the 15 second range and the other 15 were high 12 second to low 13 second range. I'm sure it's going to explode soon though!

 

 

I think you should still get it regardless of the engine, It looks like a good car and even if it did have a 355 i wouldnt bet it was magnufluxed or put together properly looking at the way it was re-assembled.. Go for it man thats a steal he even did the body work for you!! Tear out that engine and rebuild it or get a new one, you could build a pretty sweet small block for $1500-$2000 if you looked around. DO IT

 

a chevy t-5 and a ford t-5 are NOT the same transmissions

 

Oh well guys he must not want to sell it, he said he'd call me yesterday after 5 but never did, i hate people like that

 

I think this is a good point- From the photo, the passenger strut tower looks like it's been beat with a ball peen hammer. Is it just the pic or has this thing been hit hard???????
Other than that; for only $800, if you could get half a season out of it before it imploded, it would be worth parting out afterwards!!! Nitro