evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

would it be a good idea to tear the engine all the way down and clean all of the parts?


the reason im asking is because im buying a used 91 camaro and i want to get a list of all the parts i need to get and im plaing on replacing the headers.

Atilla the Fun

do you have something else to drive while working on the camaro? If not, then don't undo anything you don't have to, just save up your money. Even if you do have something else to drive, the engine still probably doesn't need to come apart. Instead, go find yourself an '87-up 350, but you don't want those heads any more than the also crappy heads you have.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

the engine isn't running anyways, and i can't drive it anyways( the camaro is a project car)

Atilla the Fun

I just noticed it's a V6. definitely remove the engine, but don't disassemble it, junk it. Then go find an '87-up 350 to start building for it.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

i know this is going to make me sound kinda lame but i can't change the engine out

im only 14 and my parents are hating the fact that im getting a camaro for my first car, so later down the road i might change the engine out but at the moment i have to keep the v6

tony_cogliandro

iTrader: (3)

atilla is right, but if that is all you have then it can be fun. try working on things unrelated to the engine after you get it running. suspension, good posi rear end, stuff you can use when you dump a good 350 into.
more and more i think the post 87 350 block is a real workhorse, and versatile. that block can be used to give you a span of 81 cubic inches. you can go low as 302 or as high as 383. that might be a way to get the parents to agree down the road. tell them its a 302 not a 350. lol.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

might be hard, my step dad works on cars for a living so i think he would notice lol

and i already plan on working on the engine alittle, like i said new headers and a cat back, maybe a chip or something in it, but for the mean time im just going to get the engine going and get a new paint job on it then tinted windows, new tires and rims, and a custom box for my subs

so after i get all this done i should be able to drop a new engine in it

MTXaudioSYSTM

i wouldn't waste the cash. i was 14 at one time and did all that to my sonoma. but then again i had a 4.3L

i just wouldn't waste the cash on that engine.i already have a 87- up 5.7 tho

02v8ta

i don't know about a full engine tear down, i guess since you have 2 years? before you'll drive it'd be something nice to spend your time on. I'm in the process of trying to fix up a 2.8L myself but fix up is the key, not doing an engine tear down/ rebuild on a little 6cylinder. It'd be so much cheaper and easier to get another 2.8L engine for VERY CHEAP and replace it. I assume it's the same for those 3.1L engine's.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

the car is only $400 so the money isnt a problem and with the time i have to get it the way i want

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

like i said though the car is used and and i don't know how long the engine has sat or what has been done to it, that and its a 20 year old car so its gonna have some sludge in the engine

MTXaudioSYSTM

not trying to be a **** but its only 18 years old. Lol mines a 20 year old car but just with that said doesn't mean there's sludge. I don't have one bit of sludge in my car but that's a different story.

just get it running first. but seems like you would rather have a nice looking car then performance. im still in high school and love how people will run there mouth about my pos firebird. yet i just walked the hell out of whatever they are driving. i guess it just depends on what you like. id rather have pride in something that you wouldnt expect.

ether way whatever you do with the car keep us updated.

keeslinger31

Figure out what you have to do to get it running. Then repaint find some rims a rearend Maybe and interior i havent seen pics. But do not buy performance parts for the engine. You WILL i repeat WILL regret it in the end. When the time comes do a ls1 or lt1 or a carbed 350 swap and you will be very happy.

novafirebirdguy

How many miles does the car have on it? Those 60* motors aren't exactly the hardiest ones out there. My 2.8 is pushing 180k and crap is starting to go on it, needs a cam, oil pump, and a bunch of other crap. But I'm keeping since I already have a v8 f-body and I need it for the mileage. If your car has over 150k taking the top end apart wouldn't be a bad idea. But no performance stuff, unless you never plan on swapping the engine.

BTW, if your parents are giving crap about having a Camaro, tell em a DOHC Neon has more horsepower than your car.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

no i want to get a performance car but i just can't get a bigger engine untill later in life...im going to have this camaro for awhile, if not ever so i will have the time

MTXaudioSYSTM

well save up and don't try and make something of that engine. like mention before you will regret it and it isn't worth it.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

dont plan on it, but its just going to be getting me from point a to point b till i get out of highschool

'91TealRS

Since your step dad is in the business, you're going to need his help getting parts with his discount. Very important. Those V6s will surprise you, it's not a 350, but it's not a dog, either. I'd be more concerned with the transmission. I think you'd be better of with a 5 speed, but you already have the AT, it may need to be replaced, that's around $2K.

You've got 2 years to mess with it, and who knows, by then you may hate the car. Play with what you have, get it driveable at least, have fun with it. Don't worry about being the fastest, at least not yet.......

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

The way I learned about engine mechanics is by tearing engines apart and putting them back together again......a V-6 is perfect for that kind of practice.

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

I see, now it becomes clear. You just want to take an engine apart for the sake of doing it? Am I right?

Well here's the thing about engines, it will be very easy to take it apart, but putting it back together in a way that will actually function requires a lot of little measurement tools you probably don't have (or maybe your step dad does.)

What I'd recommend is go do to the junk yard and find yourself a 305 for $50 and go to town on that. I wish I had had the space to do that when I was 14.

As for a V6 only, your parents are wise. Kids do stupid things with cars, adding HP to the mix just makes things worse. When I think back to all the crazy **** I used to do it's a wonder I'm still alive.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

well racing is kind of in my blood, but for the moment all i really want is the car to be a head turner. aka louder heads new cat back or flowmaster, plus all my other things i plan on having done to the car

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Here's an opinion from an old fart who understands both viewpoints, the teenager and the parents:

The V6 is the right engine for you right now. It will be less expensive to insure, easier on gas, and less likely to get you in trouble.

As to what you should do to it: Since it doesn't run right now, figure out why. 10-1 it's not a problem with the engine that would be fixed by disassembling the engine, but rather something attached to the engine (ignition or fuel, for instance), or something that feeds or runs the engine (fuel system, wiring, etc.).

The 3.1's were a definite step up from the 2.8's both for power and durability. If it has had halfway decent maintenance (primarily oil changes) and hasn't been abused, it should run for a long time without being disassembled. On the other hand, if it has been neglected or abused, go find a 3.4 V6 and take it apart if needed, and install it in place of the 3.1. A little better power, comparable fuel economy, and it won't set off insurance company alarms.

And, don't make it loud. It'll turn heads for the wrong reasons, and there's no better proof of poser-ism than a fartin' V6.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

well i think the v6 will be good