Today my son"s 91RS went in to the shop for a fule filter change since I cant get under it. The line as well as the break lines were really rusted and they had to cut out some of the fuel line and replace a 1 ft. section. The mechanic told me the break lines would go next. Well I got home and one did blow. I saw they were bad and he showed me and warned me that they run so close together that disturbing one could snap another in a different spot. It did. So now it's in another shop having only the broken line installed tomorrow for $150. I know it would be best to do them all at about $400 that my son does not have. So we will see how that works out and if another breaks soon. My question is: I saw the bottom of the car and it needs floorboards and the mechanic pointed out that the sub frame was rusted out on both sides and rotted. He said drive it till it dies and don't spend much more money on it then junk it. We had plans on slowly restoring it as the interior is decent and runs great 305 TPI . My son was devistated! I realize anything can be fixed with the right tools time and money. Is it worth the trouble though? He was gonna need a hood as well or getting a crunch ot of it. As well as a hatch lid and some rear fender rust cut out. Now the undercarriage make me think it's too far gone. Any suggestions? Thanx in advance.

 

I'd do like the mechanic said and drive it until the wheels fell off, junk it, and meantime get another one if you want a 3rd gen for a project. They are cheap enough to acquire, and plentiful.

I got my 1992 RS last year for $900 - nothing wrong with it besides a small dent in the pass rear 1/4 panel, and a bent panhard bar - the rest was in really good shape for the $900.

If it were just the lines, I'd say keep it and replace them - but unless you have a buddy in the welding bus. or have your own welder, I wouldn't sink cash into a bad frame. Now if it was a 1969 Camaro, we'd be singing a different tune!

 

I assume this is his first car, or atleast first Camaro? So he is very attached to it.

Rusted floorboards is no biggy. But rusted subframe is. Rusted unibodys are not like rusted frames. Especially when the rust gets inbetween the layers of sheet metal. After that happens, the car is pretty much no good anymore.

I would find another car to fix up together. A Z28 or GTA. It's just a plain 305 RS.

 

Thanks Guys,
I think you're right. I have another one , mine! 86 Z28 no rust at all even undetneath very little. 5 speed 305. The other day I found an 87 Z28 with a 350 and very clean under and the body no rust was $2300 power windows and nice interior. With an over head councel on the headliner. Nice car. I wanted to trade mine for it. Though it was an automatic TPI. Black with gold trim and gold wheels and I think all black vinal interior with not a scratch on the dash pad. Oregon car with Minnesota plates on it visiting his girlfriend at Notre Dame according to the seller . I gotta admit that I am attached to it also, he turned 17 yesterday and yes it's his 1st car. I was not a mechanic until he got this car. VATS fix, Loose Tilt wheel fix, Headliner, brand new radiator, new end links all the way around, 7 of the 8 plugs, oil change, grease job, breather, pcv, air filter, power window motor, Grant wheel, all new gauge cluster bulbs, all done by me in about 2 months with his $ on a part time job during school and soon football practice. The only work I haven't done that was done to the car is now the bad brake line and the fuel filter change and line. I also did a few junkyard items I can't think ouf right now. Not much but in a short time with his limited income I saw potentialin this car . R.I.P 91 RS soon. Boo Hoo! that sucks!

 

Get your son out there with you thats the only way they will learn!

Also i know you can get that last spark plug, i got faith in you

To me that mechanic gave you really good advice. It really is not worth it with that much rust. Drive it into the ground and swap whatever newer parts over to the next one. Good luck!

 

Aye good advice for you... either do that, or use rust convertor and hope to god it holds together for a while :P frames aren't that hard to pick up... the hard part is pulling all of the parts off of one car and putting on other and making everything work again...

But, if you have the time and money, you can fix the unibody... better than what it is. My grandpa is a welder, so it cost me the metal from a camaro in the salvage yard... that's it. It's a great deal considering he gets $60+/hour

Now, if you or your son aren't welders -- it may be the best idea to drive it until it falls apart, and restore another one/mod out another one, you know?

-- ScottieB

 

my 91 has same problem simply cut out the floor panel too solid metal braze in good peice from salvage and for frame cut back too solid metal wire feed some apropriat size tubeing