I have just purchased an 88 Camaro 305 TBI, code E, with less than 25,000 miles. I have discovered from receipts that it was only driven 1000 miles from 2016 to 2020. I was told it was trailered to car shows/cruises such as Cruisin the Coast during that time. I did find registrations for that event in the console. It has Cragar 30 spoke wire rims, which I am selling and putting on original style wheels. I am asking advice on initial care.
1. I will change all fluids, plugs, belts, pcv valves etc. What are your favorite plugs to use? It looks like some plugs must be change from under the car. Is that correct? Where is the PCV filter, which I have read that this engine has?
2. What is your favorite fuel system treatment?
3. What other items should I check such as brakes, suspension, etc.?
None engine questions.
1. Do you use ceramic sealants on the original paint or traditional waxes?
2. Car is red with gray ground effects. I am considering rally stripes. Do you prefer white, black or gray to match the ground effects? (I had a gen 4 Camaro, Hugger Orange with white rally stripes and I loved it. Stupidly sold it!)
3. Needs a new top? Suggestions?
4. Any other advice?

We are already registered for the Blue Suede Cruise in May and Cruisin the Coast in October. What other events do you recommend? We live in north Louisiana along I-20. We attended Cruisin the Coast last year in a non-AC convertible. My wife said NO MORE, so I got a Camaro with AC to please her. I drove it the 200 mile home after purchasing it in Texas and it drove great.

Thanks for any help you could give. I am 70, so doing all maintenance is somewhat taxing on the old body.

 

1. Yes. New. Non-gimmick. OEM grade. AC Delco, Denso, NGK, Motorcraft, Autolite, Champion, Bosch. NOT E3, SplitFire, Bosch +4, etc. Yes it is easier to get to some from underneath but by no means necessary. PCV filter is in the air cleaner, looks like a little sponge or Scotchbrite off on one side in a plastic holder.
2. Gasoline.
3. Of course. All of the above. Brakes should be PERFECT at all times, as the absolute minimum standard, and ideally as much better than PERFECT as you can get them. Sway bar end links & bushings are some of the highest bang for the buck things you can do for the ride handling and feel of the car.

1. Couldn't say, I'll let people whose specialty is that, answer.
2. Don't. They look like crap on these cars except on the ones that got them from the factory. Poseur. Stands out a mile away as GARBAGE monkey-spank stick-on bishop buffing. Nobody wants to see a 70-yr-old loafing the donkey.
3. Standard brand. There are other brands; your results may vary WIDELY; Standard is the old dependable standard. (excuse the puns)
4. Contain and control your enthusiasm in the beginning. Don't do something you may regret later that can't be undone. Clean up, repair, restore, DON'T make big changes.
4a. Optimize the AC. "Rebuild" the TBI.

I TOTALLY sympathize with your wife. I lived in and around Memphis for many a year; basically the same climate as yours. My late little bro had a convertible with a black interior. It was UTTERLY UNBEARABLE in the summer. I had (still have) one with white interior, that was (is) bad enough. I live in a milder climate now but still. IMO outside of highly favored places like Northern California, convertibles are pretty much a crap shoot, and the top better work GOOD, and the heat and AC also better KILL. Especially if you intend to spend more than a few minutes at a time in it.

 

Sounds like a really nice car, only thing I can chime in on is the wax recommendation. I have a good amount of experience with turtle wax Ice synthetic wax, goes on great and no white residue to worry about on trim and can literally be used all over the car...it can even be applied in direct sunlight. However, this past summer I switched to Mothers CMX ceramic and have been very pleased with the results, especially on a car with immaculate paint the stuff is impressive in ease of application and results at the $23 price point. I used the CMX on my daily and the GTA but the GTA's paint is mostly original and far from perfect but I was still happy with the outcome.

 

Thanks to you both!