1983 Camaro Z28
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
1983 Camaro Z28
Hey fellas(and ladies) hope all is well.
Ive been having my old girl since I was 16, I'm 32 now, with career and everything pointing in the right direction. It's a 1983 z28 lg4 (not H.O.). I have some money to put into her now and she deserves it. The car has 125k miles and never left me stranded just always ran rough. The car was all original besides exhaust, and now that Im starting to put money into the stock engine I want to make sure I don't do any thing out of order or miss anything while I'm in there.
I have three summit boxes waiting for the month of rain we have had in New Orleans to end. I purchased the following: hooker 2460 and dougs y pipe, mini turbo mufflers, comp xe262 grind complete kit, and e4m3 rebuild kit, dual snorkel H.O. air cleaner with tubes and snorkels off of eBay. And a coworker has a posi trac rear end off of a third gen just not sure of the year.
I know the engine is low compression and really just a turd, but I just want to be pinned into my seat a little more and a reason to get my step son off his Nintendo and throw away the figit spinner.
What other options do I have? I like the original look and that's the reason I bought the dual snorkel to help hide the aftermarket headers. I want to keep stock intake and heads. But what about a thinner head gasket to get me a bit more compression? Any info is much appreciated. Front lowering springs are in those boxes too. 1 inch in the front she will be flawless!
Ive been having my old girl since I was 16, I'm 32 now, with career and everything pointing in the right direction. It's a 1983 z28 lg4 (not H.O.). I have some money to put into her now and she deserves it. The car has 125k miles and never left me stranded just always ran rough. The car was all original besides exhaust, and now that Im starting to put money into the stock engine I want to make sure I don't do any thing out of order or miss anything while I'm in there.
I have three summit boxes waiting for the month of rain we have had in New Orleans to end. I purchased the following: hooker 2460 and dougs y pipe, mini turbo mufflers, comp xe262 grind complete kit, and e4m3 rebuild kit, dual snorkel H.O. air cleaner with tubes and snorkels off of eBay. And a coworker has a posi trac rear end off of a third gen just not sure of the year.
I know the engine is low compression and really just a turd, but I just want to be pinned into my seat a little more and a reason to get my step son off his Nintendo and throw away the figit spinner.
What other options do I have? I like the original look and that's the reason I bought the dual snorkel to help hide the aftermarket headers. I want to keep stock intake and heads. But what about a thinner head gasket to get me a bit more compression? Any info is much appreciated. Front lowering springs are in those boxes too. 1 inch in the front she will be flawless!
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,030
Received 511 Likes
on
428 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
WOW. You have really kept that car nice!
Read what Ja85z28 did. Here are some links:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-aerohead.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...mendation.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...onversion.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...8-5-speed.html
Read what Ja85z28 did. Here are some links:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-aerohead.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...mendation.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...onversion.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...8-5-speed.html
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
WOW. You have really kept that car nice!
Read what Ja85z28 did. Here are some links:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-aerohead.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...mendation.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...onversion.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...8-5-speed.html
Read what Ja85z28 did. Here are some links:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-aerohead.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...mendation.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...onversion.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...8-5-speed.html
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Michigan
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 88 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: 700r4 600hp, 650 lbs-ft
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 bolt posi
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
Are you thinking about swapping out your rear end with posi from the buddy? If so, My pops helped complete a swap in my 85 z28, went from drum brake open rear end to disc brake posi borg warner 9 bolt. I never experienced the driving on the drum brakes because the pinion was stuck in the differential housing, but I can help you with some diagnostics info if you're going in that direction.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
Are you thinking about swapping out your rear end with posi from the buddy? If so, My pops helped complete a swap in my 85 z28, went from drum brake open rear end to disc brake posi borg warner 9 bolt. I never experienced the driving on the drum brakes because the pinion was stuck in the differential housing, but I can help you with some diagnostics info if you're going in that direction.
not too sure what you're saying. Am I going to run into problems with the posi? It still has the drums on the rear and mine does as well. The gearing is a little bit higher too so I hopefully I will see a little performance change with that as well.
Will the cam/ rear end swap combo lead me to needing to swap converter? It's not the biggest cam I could stuff in there and I didn't want to go too big due to keeping stock intake manifold.
#6
Moderator
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Littleton, CO USA
Posts: 43,169
Likes: 0
Received 35 Likes
on
34 Posts
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
If you are swapping the complete rear end, and both are drum brakes, you shouldn't have any problems. You will need to change the speedometer drive gears in the transmission to recalibrate your speedometer as well.
If you want to be pinned back in the seat a little more, consider a 350 shortblock.
If you want to be pinned back in the seat a little more, consider a 350 shortblock.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
If you are swapping the complete rear end, and both are drum brakes, you shouldn't have any problems. You will need to change the speedometer drive gears in the transmission to recalibrate your speedometer as well.
If you want to be pinned back in the seat a little more, consider a 350 shortblock.
If you want to be pinned back in the seat a little more, consider a 350 shortblock.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: South Ms
Posts: 4,419
Received 721 Likes
on
490 Posts
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
Really nice car man. Cam and headers will definitely help pin you in the seat and break those tires loose. Id go ahead with a shift kit and maybe a S10 torque converter it will give you around 2200+ stall. It works nicely with my stock engine.
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 83 Z28 / 89 IROC
Engine: 350's
Transmission: T5 WC / 700R4
Axle/Gears: Posi 3.73
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
Nice ride! I have an 83 also! I got the summit Y pipe and headers and it helped lots...
Last edited by dmm3369; 06-27-2017 at 07:13 AM.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
As far as the stall goes do you recommend changing it or after I'm done change if needed? Summit has a 2200 for a decent price I will look into that purchase.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
thanks man. I took home top 100 at a large New Orleans car show, called back to the beach. I was proud and that's why I'm doing the upgrades. Did your car throw the check engine light after install? I went with the hookers and dougs y and finished two days ago. And now the light is on. My muffler man is saying to put the bung cap back on and he will weld a new bung closer to header flange. The hookers is down by collector flange. It sounds soooo nasty and mean with them now.
#12
Supreme Member
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
While he is welding have him fix the merger in dougs Y pipe it necks down to a super small diameter so just cut and add some new pipe
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
Man I paid a good bit for the Doug Y pipe. It was pretty wide when I installed. What do you mean? Currently it's 2.5" ID all the way to where cat used to be. it reduces to 2 1/4 OD pipe. I had to pipe dream 2 reducers to get it to work until I can get it to him. Should I go 2 mufflers which it is now or 1 which I've seen on here before? Muffler man was saying 2 mini turbos is what he recommended. Thanks for the reply.
Last edited by randallp504; 06-27-2017 at 09:18 AM.
#14
Supreme Member
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
This page talks about it a little both the hooker and the dougs
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...-accually.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...-accually.html
#15
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Mercedes, Texas
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
WOW. You have really kept that car nice!
Read what Ja85z28 did. Here are some links:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-aerohead.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...mendation.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...onversion.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...8-5-speed.html
Read what Ja85z28 did. Here are some links:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-aerohead.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...appet-cam.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...mendation.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...onversion.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...8-5-speed.html
Good Luck and Go LSU!!!
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
I think I will attempt the quadrajet rebuild myself and if I can't get her right then I'll send it out for rebuild and tune. I like to tinker. As far as the heads go, my cam kit came with springs and retainers and something else. What are you suggesting i send them out to redo? The header install was a B so I'm not too excited to pull them off again. I could barely get the tools to tighten them on the bolts.
#17
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Mercedes, Texas
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
We say Geaux Tigers here, but yes I'm in that Tiger train!!
I think I will attempt the quadrajet rebuild myself and if I can't get her right then I'll send it out for rebuild and tune. I like to tinker. As far as the heads go, my cam kit came with springs and retainers and something else. What are you suggesting i send them out to redo? The header install was a B so I'm not too excited to pull them off again. I could barely get the tools to tighten them on the bolts.
I think I will attempt the quadrajet rebuild myself and if I can't get her right then I'll send it out for rebuild and tune. I like to tinker. As far as the heads go, my cam kit came with springs and retainers and something else. What are you suggesting i send them out to redo? The header install was a B so I'm not too excited to pull them off again. I could barely get the tools to tighten them on the bolts.
If your heads are OEM? There's a high degree of probability that your guides and seals are toast. Aerohead had heads built to my specifications ready for shipment in less than 24 hrs. I was astonished by speed of delivery, fit, and finish.
In addition, I recommend Cometics Gaskets, they're expensive but zero leakage is worth the price. .027 headgaskets is what chose.
Last edited by Ja85z28; 06-27-2017 at 12:05 PM.
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 83 Z28 / 89 IROC
Engine: 350's
Transmission: T5 WC / 700R4
Axle/Gears: Posi 3.73
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
thanks man. I took home top 100 at a large New Orleans car show, called back to the beach. I was proud and that's why I'm doing the upgrades. Did your car throw the check engine light after install? I went with the hookers and dougs y and finished two days ago. And now the light is on. My muffler man is saying to put the bung cap back on and he will weld a new bung closer to header flange. The hookers is down by collector flange. It sounds soooo nasty and mean with them now.
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
Camaro is at body shop and my painter called me today with bad news. He said the hood louvres wouldnt fit on my hood. The vents I ordered off eBay said they would but they aren't even close!!!
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 Camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: 700r-4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
I noticed the difference afterwards, nothing ever really stood out to be that different. I'm hoping the eBay seller will refund the purchase. I love the louvres on the hood but I can't justify the hood purchase, respray, and time to do it all...oh well
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Michigan
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 88 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: 700r4 600hp, 650 lbs-ft
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 bolt posi
Re: 1983 Camaro Z28
If you can't get a refund for the louvers, I'm willing to take them off your hands. I'm looking for a 85-89 iroc hood for mine, currently has a 89 stock on it.