Hey I picked up an 82 camaro on it for free that had some minor problems. It has a 2.8L in it and a straight body. I haven't been able to take it out for a spin because I need to get all the vaccum lines routed and get tabs. I'm thinking of buying a 91-92 camaro and can't decide if I want to go with one of the V8's (if it's a 305 it gives me a good reason to build up a 350 and drop it in) or pick up a V6 which for me would be insurable (I'm only 16) and it would be good on mileage (gas is 1.95 a gal! and i'm not making bank at work)

What I was wondering is:
1) Which V6 does it have in it? Didn't some of them have a 2.8L and some have a 3.1?
2) How well will it go? Will I be getting rocked by geo metro's or can I hold my own?
3) What kind of mileage are you guys getting?
4) Are these V6's worth putting some money in them to get them to run faster times?
5) If you could do it again what would you do? Would you go for the v8 or not?

Any help and information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

THe 90-92 models came with the 3.1 MPFI engine.

Its not the fastest car, but it gets pretty decent speed for me, help if you drive stick.

I get crappy milage, but only because im having problems, I believe stock they got 23-25mpg, could be wrong.

IMO, I would just drop a v8 in if your looking for speed, not worth it to dump money into the V6.

I would buy a crapped out 8 and drop a LT1 in it .

 

To add to that just a little bit...your 82, if it's the factory motor, has a carbed 2.8 (obviously), instead of the better multiport system. Meaning...you're down on power from the get-go. If you want engine/power stats, go here: https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

 

i have an 86 v6 MPFI

i get 20mpg in the city 37mpg on highway (no joke). but my engine has been rebuilt, and only has 131 k on it 20 since rebuild

if i could do it again, i would get an eight. i rode in my friends 89 mustang, thing was an automatic convertible v8 and it would whoop my ***.!

 

I love my 97 Z, but I miss my third gen.... I would still rahter have a clean third gen and no payments than a z with payments...

On the other hand my 2.8 ran 16.01 and 15.9 with my mods so I was happy... I was looking into 4.10's before I sold it...

 

Well if I had it to do over again, I'd still keep my 2.8 multiport injected car. Otherwise I'm sure I'd be dead 10 times over by now. It allowed me to learn to drive instead of just racing around blindly, and let me tell ya, kids these days seem to be much worse at racing - and general driving - then what I remember when I was 17. Plus, for $2900, it was the best-shape f-body I could find- the v8 cars were all ragged out and dented and rusty and had torn up interiors. My car was almost mint.

Don't forget the v6 is in a HEAVY car, it's not like having a v6 in a Honda. Keep the motor in good tuned up condition and you'll beat most of the posers out there (the guys with shiny paint and shiny wheels and lowered suspension, but dirty filters and 5 year old spark plugs).

Downsides of the 82 versus the 85-89 2.8's:

1. Assuming an automatic transmission:

a. Higher rear gear ratio. You'll have a 3.23 instead of the 85-89 3.42.
b. If automatic, your trans is the 200C, the "metric" 3-speed, which is a piece of crap. Over time, it'll fail. 84-up 2.8's got the 700r4, 4 speed automatic, which wasn't "perfect" until 1987.

2. Other problems:

a. carbureted. More vacuum lines, less power
b. camshaft. Not as aggressive as the 85-92 2.8/3.1 camshaft.
c. heads. Intake & exhaust ports are smaller then 85-92 heads.
d. smaller main bearings. 82-84 had "small journal" (weaker) crankshafts
e. alternator. Lower output as compared to 85-92.
f. radiator. Smaller then 85-92 (not as wide)
g. mechanical fan. 85-92 is electric (and won't use engine power)

A benefit of your 82 vs 85-92 is that there's more engine parts available. Edelbrock makes a system (see it at http://www.edelbrock.com ) of parts that are designed to work together as a package. Look at the performer series. They make a 4 barrel carb, intake manifold, and camshaft; since they're a matched package, you're guaranteed to make power instead of "guessing" at which carb to use with which cam. But you'd have to lose your computer, which might affect emissions if you live in a smog-strict state.

Cheap "junkyard" upgrades:

1. Swap in the rear axle from an 85-89 2.8 with automatic
2. Swap in the electric fan from 85-92 2.8/3.1
3. You might not have a rear swaybar, get one from 85-92 f-body
4. Swap in front sway bar from 85-92 2.8/3.1 f-body (34mm)
5. Swap in a v8 or 85-92 v6 radiator
6. Swap in an 87-92 4-speed automatic 700r4 trans FROM A 2.8/3.1 (can't use a v8 trans), also need the driveshaft and shifter
7. Sell your 200C's driveshaft on eBay (used for swapping a TH-350 trans into an 82-92 V8 f-body)
8. Bolt on the heads from an 85-92 2.8/3.1 f-body
9. Build a replica of the dual-snorkel air cleaner: https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...lsnorkel.shtml