Hey everyone, I just bought my first 3rd gen a couple weeks ago. I'm already falling in love with the car, but I'm looking for ways to make it even more fun to drive (speed & power mainly). As it sits right now, it has a 305tbi and a 700r4 transmission. I was thinking of changing the gearing to start. Also, thinkin' about boring the engine. (Any general consensus on best bore?) One of my friends suggested swapping a manual transmission out of an old chevy, which I think would be pretty neat. I'd like to start with the best "bang for your buck" parts and work my way into higher end parts gradually. If you need any more info, let me know. Thanks in advance guys!!

PS hope this thread is in the right place

Here's a few things to keep you busy for a while = Open air intake or cool air intake of some sort along with the full exhaust system.
There is a reason that most of the guys here start with those two items.Its because the stock system barely supports the little 305 and peanut cam and needs to be upgraded in order to support any other modifications made.After those I suggest a new rear end with a gear ratio of 3.42 or higher and also install a posi unit while your in there. I would install a Corvette servo to firm up the shifts.(about $25.00 and you can even do it yourself.)=
http://sethirdgen.org/servo.htm
Side note = With the Corvette servo install it made such a difference in the firmness of the shifts for me that it eliminated the need for a shift kit.
When your on the site go to the search feature and punch in things like " open air element" or "best exhaust"or "Corvette servo"and read, read ,read, every post you can and that's how you learn about the subjects your interested in. I read extensively old posts on here and it has helped me tremendously.Also go to YouTube and punch in different exhaust systems to listen to like this = 1989 Camaro/Flowmaster/ and the videos for that exhaust system will pop up.

I'll start with a CAI and an exhaust overhaul then. Thanks for all the info, that really helped me out!

Looks kind of neat with the S10 wheels. BTW, unless it's been changed, your came with a throttle body, not a carb.

You are correct, I normally work on older cars so I assumed air filter = carbureted. So, now the question is should I carb it for gains later, swap in a tpi or leave it as is?

No, you don't have to carb it. Look around in the TBI section, there are about a thousand threads on low buck mods for your car. But, like has been said above, your air intake and exhaust are major points of restriction. You are also running a 2.73 gear ratio, which doesn't help you much.

This may be off topic in a sense but you may consider replacing tires/shocks/springs/ sway bar bushings/ LCA (Lower Control Arm) bushings or full replacement with rear LCA relocation brackets that will help the tires "grip" better. Even with the 305, your car will be more enjoyable to drive-

With new tires/shocks/lower control arm bushings and relocation bracket, the car should respond "off the line" better not because of power but because of traction and other thrust line physics that I do not fully understand. Not to mention your car will turn "like its on rails"

You can have this effect and you didn't have to pull a valve cover to do it.

I understand the need for power, its a muscle car thing. I get it. But the 3rd gens respond very well IMHO to suspension improvements and modifications.

Another thing to remember is that these cars were not built for strength in the chassis department, so to add power to a weak and 25 year old piece of sheet metal may not be the best course of action. Consider going to the "Suspension" thread and see if you can find ways to improve the "bones" (chassis) of the vehicle before addressing the "heart" (engine).

At first, it may not seem very appealing to divert money towards bushings/sub-frame connectors/shocks and even brakes ......but with more power/torque output coming to your vehicle someday, it just makes sense to get it structurally ready for it.

Enjoy your new 3rd gen!
Chuck

Fix all vacuum leaks and inspect/repair/upgrade any questionable wiring.

Definitely do this before any engine mods.... I found this out, the hard way...

Also a small modification that can be done for free just with the use of a timing gun is a timing advance. I advanced my timing from 0* to 4* and the throttle response off the line is much nicer. I actually have to ease into it from a start or it will larch forward with even just a tap of the throttle and IMO that's what we are looking for in a Camaro and is such a easy way to get it.

Thanks for all the posts guys! I'm definitely going to check for vacuum leaks and rewire the car, as the previous owner had a sound system that was pretty sketchy. Here's a list of what I'm planning to do before summer.

Motorad Locking Fuel Cap

Trunk Lid Pull Down Motor (It's out )
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/TrunkReleas...FcyiPAodDnUAWw

Lower Control Arms and Panhard Bar
http://www.foundersperformance.com/p...nhard-Bar.html

Ksport GT Lower Springs
http://ksportusa.com/b2c/proddetail.php?prod=LSCV01
Straight from hagerty438's budget thread, sounds like a sweet setup

Rear Window Louvers
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/AST1351.htm
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/AST1101.htm
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/AST10519.htm

Magnaflow Stainless Steel 3" Dual Cat-Back Exhaust Stystem

2 Flowmaster 40 Series Mufflers 3.00 in / 2.50 Dual Out

Is the Magnaflow setup with the Flowmasters overkill?

Vortex Electric Supercharger $200
http://www.performancechiptuning.com...PSI+Vortex/10/
Seems too good to be true, does anyone have experience with the Vortex?

Thoughts and opinions?

As a side note, I got a pm from ninetyone about a performance chip. Is he reputable? No offense to him, I'm just new

You have some good ideas to start from.... This is what I would be doing first:

1) Make sure its got a good tune-up, replace the plugs/rotor/wires. Set the timing - advance the timing as ronusmc suggested.

2) Get any vacuum leaks taken care of.

3) K&N Air filter/Oil Change if necessary

If you intend to use lowering springs, there is a thread you need to see before you spend a dime on springs-
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-101-a.html

Magnaflow is a good choice, I have a MagnaFlow Cat/Cat back system myself...Make sure you get somebody who is patient enough to install it correctly, it can be a PITA to install but its a great system that just needs to be installed correctly...As far as performance, I frankly didn't notice much of an increase, of course that was BEFORE I properly tuned my car then I started burning some rubber in 1st 2nd and sometimes 3rd gear...hehe gotta love a 3.73 rear-end! The m-flow does sound meaty and it will put a smile on your face.

Not sure about the supercharger, maybe somebody else can chime in on that.

As far as the Panhard Bar/LCA's from founders, I just received mine (Adjustable P-hard and Adjustable LCA's) last week and I am waiting for the weather and streets to clear before I can evaluate... But since you are looking to lower your car, you will need the adjustable versions. Read the link above and the additional "stickys" in the Suspension section for more info.

Hope this helps...
Chuck

P.S.-

If I were you and completely new to this stuff...
DO NOT RUSH to get parts..Read all of the info you can gather here on TGO then and only then get the stuff you really need, when you need it.

For example:
I didn't know how bad my shocks were until last month when I replaced them with Koni Yellows. The old shocks were so shot, they didnt even extend back to normal after I compressed them with my bare hands! I should have done that first.

There is a definitive reason why standard superchargers are $3500-$6000 and the vortex is cheap. Lets just put that to rest before you really waste money, heh.

Leave the engine alone for a good long while. It's such a piece of crap taht it requires thousands of dollars jsut to make it respectable, and thousands of dollars is an LS1 swap waiting to happen. So just deal with it. It's a waste of money. The whole engine from the snorkels to the TBI, to the intake, to the heads, to the peanut cam, to the exhaust manifolds to the exhaust pipe is just awful for performance and every single one of those pieces will need attention. A newer engine swap (NOT OLDER) is a much better option.

Just do the stuff like 3.42 gears and suspension/brakes/chassis mods. Stuff that wont affect resale value should you ever sell it.

Also, those window louvers are awful. Also pt 2, locking gas cap? really? Its not that expensive but I really dont get it. Also pt 3, lowering springs require a whole mess of upgrades to do it properly. LCARBs and high quality shocks and struts are a MUST for lowered cars. An adjustable panhard bar isnt a bad idea either.

Here is what I would do if I were you....

1. Get some 16 or 17 inch wheels and new tires. Will give a lot of wow factor to the car and be a huge psychological improvement. I would suggest, for your car, IROC wheels, 91-92 16s can be had VERY cheap, or maybe even the SLP ZR1 wheels. Just dont get some 18-19-20 inch corvette wheels, they just usually dont look quite right on these cars, ESPECIALLY with stock brakes which are going to be perfectly adequate for you because you wont be racing it.

2. New shocks and struts. Koni's or bust, IMO.

3. LCARBs, Lowering springs, IROC/TA sway bars, subframe connectors

Cruise it and look nice. End of mods. These cars are pretty good in their factory state. Very reliable and drivable. Dont muck it up with a bunch of tasteless tack on mods. Keep it daily drivable and you will keep it enjoyable. If the time comes you really want to make it fast, then you get an LS1 and put that in there. Will require some work and a new transmission but if you want to, that's the way to go.

...

Oh, I'm sure it's a piece of ****, I was just curious if anyone had experience with it.
Anyone has access to my gas tank at the moment. Maybe the 92 is different, but the 89 does not have any kind of locking system on the cover or the cap. Already got my wheels for the summer; they're in one of the pictures in my vBGarage, but here's a better one! I know louvers aren't for everyone, but I love them.

It may not be absolutely necessary but allot of guys including my self "like" to work on there cars including a few inexpensive bolt ons and timing advance to the 5.0 that hurt absolutely nothing, and add a little boost.Stuff like a Corvette servo gives a guy something to do that gets hands involved and you learn something as well. At least a full exhaust or even a CAT back will open it up and give him a nice a sound out the back and its adaptable to the 350 if he wants. As has been mentioned a couple of times the "IMO" 3.42 with auto up grade with posi., is a must. As far as the little 5.0 gos just do what has been suggested to the car overall and you will have a fun street car that's perfect for around town and stop light to stop light. My car jumps off the line even with street tires just fine and is more than enough in those situations.It will never be a 1/4 mile track car like that but not every car is meant to be.

What I'd change first to give you the best bang for your buck (still not cheap, though):

1. exhaust.. longtubes and getting all the rest done with QUALITY components.
2. Gears. Enough said about that one.
3. a GOOD street torque converter (notice: I said GOOD; not B&M or any of that crap) matched with the gears. A 2800-3000 stall would really wake the car up but you'll want gears first.
4. Suspension modifications. These are highly under-rated but go a very long ways. I recommend them.


Oh, and the locking gas cap isn't a good idea in my opinion. Why? Because if they REALLY want your gas, they'll rip a hole in your gas tank instead if they can't get the cap off. It's the same reason I always leave my doors unlocked now. Want to dig through my car? Go for it. Saves me having to pay for a new window again...

What size tires are these ? =
What works for one person may not work for another . When it comes to my car I beleave in a locking gas cap not just to deter them when it comes to stealing gas but as a precaution to keep them from putting something in. I also beleave in a standard car alarm with key less entry. I have two small stickers and one red flashing light on my car one sticker below the shifter on the plate with the flasher and one sticker on the bottom of the hatch glass that says "PYTHON" security systems.One decent tap on the car sets it off ,and don't forget if you have a aftermarket stereo system to remove the face plate of the head unit when your not there. Yeah,I forgot there is a flashing red light where the face plate belongs while its gone.

This a thousand times over. I go to college and park my car in the dorm parking lot, if I had a garage I probably wouldn't buy one. Btw those tires I posted are sitting in my dad's garage at the moment, so I don't know the exact sizes.
Suspension upgrades, Corvette servo replacement, gears + a torque converter upgrade, and exhaust in that order seems like the way to start from what everyone is saying.
Once again, thanks for all the help guys! I'm a total noob when it comes to upgrading cars for performance; I normally just restore old ones.

Take your time and have fun doing it