My first car was an '84 Z28 that I absolutely loved. It had some complications that seem really minor now but led me to sell the car after owning it for about a year. That was 6 years ago and I have wanted to buy another Camaro since. So, late July I bought a '92 RS in an attempt to Make me feel better, which it kinda did, but it doesn't handle the same at all. I can remember feeling like I was glued to the road at 130-140MPH in the Z28, the RS was nothing like that though.

In the past few months, I've spent $2k on it [mostly from body work and buying the original rims, new tires, a few other cosmetic things and KYB GR2 shocks and struts that I haven't had time to get installed yet] and I just sold my other truck for more money to invest into the car. I'm hoping that I'll get closer to the handling of my Z28 after we put the GR2s in though. [Opinions/suggestions on improving the handling?]

I don't want to make it sound like I am a reckless driver, which I am certainly not, but I have a particular way I like to drive [I don't race, either]. I just don't want to baby this vehicle, I want to enjoy driving it. Honestly, I like to accelerate quickly and sometimes brake hard or turn sharp. I don't want to have to worry about fluid leaks or damaging the engine/tranny though.

I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever so I'm asking for suggestions on my next steps in preparing/upgrading the car to be driven mildly hard, daily. What parts should an aggressive driver focus on installing to make the car more "durable", so to speak?

My main focus right now is just the handling and durability, but, I'm also interested in preparing the car for a possible engine swap [LS1] sometime after February. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I apologize if anything I've said seems ignorant to more knowledgeable enthusiasts.

 

In my opinion, keeping up with the fluids is a huge part in helping your cars engine/tranny last. These cars are meant to be driven hard, they are camaro's! If you want a bit more performance out of it look into a cold air intake. Thats a huge "bang for the buck". Also, improving the exhaust system. Bolt on performance parts are the best, you gain a considerable amount of power with very little work or money to speak of.

My mind may be running a blank here, but I cant think of any parts that are really made soley for durablity. Technically, all parts are SUPPOSED to be durable lol. And if you plan to do an ls1 swap anyways, I'd just keep up on your fluids for the time being and enjoy the car, if your getting rid of the engine anyways, who cares if it "ticks" a little right?

 

Thanks for the input! I'm good about maintenance but somehow, every vehicle I've ever owner develops an oil leak somewhere. I'll be sure to stay on top of that though.

I plan on getting to know my way around the car as I upgrade parts and when we do the engine swap. I feel like I should know how to fix my own car, at least.

So far, I've had most of the body work done, primed it, fixed the dash and headliner, replaced the wipers/wiper arms/wiper fluid pump, put a Magnaflow cat in, Borla from the cat back to straight 2 3/4" pipes [or "cowboy" exhaust, as I heard it called], bought and powdercoated the original 15" rims, put new BFG Radial T/As on [255/70R15 in the back, 235/70R15 in the front], and I bought Moog ball joints and KYB GR-2 shocks/struts all the way around but I haven't put those in yet.

I have to get a new hood [fiberglass, to replace the rusty metal one I have] and a few other aesthetic parts before it's ready for paint but after that, I was thinking about getting subframe connectors, headers, a strut tower brace and upgrading to disc brakes in the rear. Then I think [but I could be very wrong] that it'll be ready for a turbo 700R4 and either a new engine or a supercharger.

I'm really happy with how fast the car has made progress and I feel like I will slow down if I lose sight of what I want to turn this car into, so I want to render a solid idea of what is next to keep moving forward.



I guess my question now is, after those other little additions and the supposedly beefier Turbo 700R4, what else would I have to buy to be able to supercharge my 305?

 

durability:
subframe connectors (weld-in).
Full stainless exhaust with insulating wrap near the engine and transmission.
Upgrade battery cables to larger high-strand welding quality wire.
Rewire/relocate fusable links to the positive post on the battery, instead of the starter.
Add an extra PCV source and vent, and add fuel filters to the PCV sources and vents.
Upgrade to the larger capacity engine oil filter: PH373 or equivalent.