Hi everyone! I recently started looking to buy my first car and as I was looking all over the place I instantly fell in love with the 3rd gen Camaro. I was never really into cars before so I don't know much about them, but since I had to look around constantly I started getting more interested. Now I absolutely love this stuff and want to learn all I can, I can't believe what I was missing out on.

Anyway, I was looking at an 84 camaro z28. The guy told me that it needs a mid pipe and new speakers. How much would those things cost and is it difficult to install them myself? If they are not difficult to install (even if they are) could you tell me what to do? He also said a little tranny oil was coming out of the tranny pan but then he said he just got a new gasket, is any of this a cause for concern? Thanks!

 

Changing the speakers will be the easiest thing you will ever do. Changing the gasket wont be too difficult. Do you have a welder? If not you are going to have to pay someone to weld the pipe together.

 

He might have already changed the gasket, but if he didn't I think my dads friend has a welder, Thanks! What about the mid pipe?

 

I was saying you needed the welder for the pipe. You are talking about your exhaust correct? You don't need the welder to change a gasket.

 

the day you need a welder for a gasket i will stop working on cars lol

 

Thanks for clearing that up. Haha it doesn't seem like it would have made much sense to put a welder to an engine but Like I said earlier I don't know very much about this stuff right now. Do you know how much these parts will cost to buy(mid pipe, speakers)? I know you said that these are easy to install but I still don't know what to do, do you know where I could find tutorials for them?

 

I lol'd...but I was the same way a few years ago, well maybe not. But I grew up around my dad that built a '38 buick my whole life. But those aren't too serious of problems. How many miles and have you looked at the car yourself yet? (in person?)

Mid pipe is about $150 for a shop to fab up, or at least that is how much it was for the guy to make mine. Speakers could be free-$200 depending on if you want stock or aftermarket speakers.

 

this is where you need to go to Dad and discuss your expectations and then see if they coincide with your on-hand cash.

Let's examine the most common things with older used vehicles. You will need brakes and tires. Cheap tires will be $400 all around installed (unlike the 4th and 5th gens that have 17's and larger). Then, if you can't do brakes yourself you will be springing for the works (rotors, calipers, wheel cylinders, shoes) and about $600 at a repair shop. Remember, they flat rate and mark up parts. So, if you aren't handy, you're already into $1,000.

Then let's look at the leaky tranny. It might be a seal but will you do that yourself? And, he says you need some exhaust work which is cheap so maybe $100. We don't even know the condition of the engine, interior, exterior etc.

Another item is where are you located? If in the south or Cali, has the vehicle always been there? You are talking about an antique (over 25 years) and if they use road salt in the winter, then good luck with rust and components underneath the car

I strongly suggest that Dad gets involved in this and not anonymous forum posters. You've chosen a nobel passtime vs some other less constructive things that teenagers could be doing and I applaud that.

feel free to go to camaroforums and follow along with my 3rd gen budget restoration. it might give you an idea of the work involved and I can afford to do it, but am looking for creative ways to restore the vehicle so others can learn and maybe I'll make 60 cents per hour for all my labor.

 

Thanks for the advice I will keep this in mind when I go to look at it. My dad doesn't know too much about cars but he has a friend that knows a lot. The engine and tranny have roughly 60000 miles. The interior isn't in the greatest shape but no rips in the seats or cracks in the dashboard. The exterior looks pretty good judging from the pictures he gave me. I live in new england so I will be sure to look underneath for rust and I will see if he kept it inside or outside.

 

New England; unless he stored it every winter then it's got the affects of 26 years. In the 80's the salt content on the road was greater than what they now allow.

Jack it up in the rear and remove a tire. Look at those nasty rusty brake lines. Look at all the bushings underneath to see how cracked they are. Salt is unforgiving. Look underneath the rear bumber and see how much rust is on the metal .

I came from New England and until i moved to FL, I could not appreciate the value of southern cars. I redid a 95 Z28 down here and the underneath was in good shape. I then tried a 99 I had transported from NH, I junked it because the amount of lines I would need to replace, and rust to be fixed I couldn't justify the expense. The vehicle wouldn't support it in resale

 

Just finished talking to him. He said he kept it in a heat controlled barn and there is no rot. He told me it was coated with a rubber undercoat and a brand new y pipe. He also told me the tires are like new, the brake lines are new and the pads are like new but they probably have to bleed a little. Obviously I will check these things out to make sure he wasn't lying and thanks again for your advice.

 

does the car run?

 

yeah it runs fine.

 

something to consider is not everyone tells the truth. just because the odometer says 60000 doesnt mean it is 60000. i cant speak for the person you are dealing with but its something to consider. i bought my car from a guy who swore it only had 42000 miles and the engine had never been touched except regular maintenance. upon further digging my "305" had been swapped out for a 350 and im guessing the actual mileage of the car is closer to 142000 and who knows about the engine and trans.

 

caveat emptor

anyway, this vehicle in question is an 'antique" and discovering what it is will be part of the fun.

 

yes i did have to google caveat emptor to figure out what it meant and yes i do agree completely. just a piece of advice.

 

Yes I will watch out, I'm bringing someone who knows a lot about cars with me also. Thanks for all the advice guys.