Hey guys, My girlfriend loves the looks and drivability of my thirdgen camaro (dont we all?) and wants to buy one when she saves up the money. I said i'd help her find one. She wants an 89-92 RS with the 3.1 automatic, and t tops. Ive owned a 2.8 before and know how it feels to drive, is the 3.1 much of an increase in power? She doesnt really care, im just wondering if it'll give a lil more power where the 2.8 struggled. Also, did the hp rating on the 3.1 change at all over the years of 89-92? I was looking at the readers rides and many of the hp ratings are different based on mods owners have done to the cars. whats the stock hp and tq? also, any opinions on the 3.1 if you own one. would you recommend it? well thanks a bunch guys, this v6 board has been very helpful.
Tom

 

HP: 140@4400 Tq:180@3600

You will notice a little difference stepping up from the 2.8 to the 3.1, but not like a whole world of difference. If I were you I'd tell her to get one, and when she does, do all the free mods to it you can, and maybe put an exhaust and K&N air filetr on it. It won't be able to run with the big boys, but it won't embarrass you either, and you should be able to kill most of the rice out there Oh, and yes, I do reccomend owning one. The 60* V6 is a damn reliable engine. Keep it maintained and it will go almost forever.

 

The 3.1 was only available from 90-92. Only a 5 hp increase but it came with an extra 20 lb/ft of torque.

Personally i'm tired of my entire drivetrain. It's just not as fun, plus the mileage is starting to take it's toll (156,000). The 700r4 is starting to act up now.......but the later 700r4's are WAY better than the early ones.

 

Where do you find girlfriends like that? I never have met a girl that wanted or thought that Camaro's and Firebird were cool. They all think they are to bulky and for red necks. This girl I'm with now thinks VW's are cool!!! Talk about issues!

I owned a 89 RS for a couple months, 5 years back and it wasn't fast, but I loved the looks. Now i have a 92 3.1 Firebird with every mod you can think of, its pretty fast. The camaro stock vs. the bird stock there was a big difference in perfomance, trust me. I think you should be greatful that your woman actually likes these cars and leave it at that, so dont try to push any Hp mods on her, I just dont think they understand.

 

HaHa, it took 2 years of my constant talk of f bodies to get her to consider liking them, and now she has finally taken a liking to them. Believe me she used to be into the whole VW Jetta or Ford Explorer thing but now she loves the style and individuality of the thirdgen f bods. Haha, i asked her which gfx she liked better and she said the 91-92 "rain gutter" gfx. Boy was i surprised, i guess she does listen to me when i babble about cars.
Thanks guys!
Tom

 

The 3.1L is a verry good engine. Back when I did a crap load of over time at work I forgotten to even check the spark plugs for a verry looonngg time. Well when I finally got around to it I found that the electrodes were completly burnt off, but the car keep running with no noticable problems other then MPG.

Jaren,

You can get lucky!! My gf even helps with work on the car and search for donot cars at the scrap yard. I never hear any complaints about how much time I spend working on the car Vs. spending time with her, becuase most of the time she's right there helping me. Now thats cool!

 

My girlfriend OWNS the Camaro I get on the board and ask questions about. She wants me to mod things on it, I have a '91 V8 s-10 that's an ongoing project and she goes to the salvage yard with me to pull parts!

 

Eric, thats cool that you found a girl like that. There's a girl I know who probably be like that too.

 

I married my Girlfriend.
She even went to swap meets with me.
But, I told her to speed it up (looking at all the girl junk!).
Maybe I'll invite her back with her towing my Son in his Woody Wagon I'm building him!
My Wife has the original F body (1968 Camaro) and she now drives in my 1985 Firebird with the 3.4 swap job.
She has no true complaints, neither does my Son! She does like the fact that I'm rebuilding her 1968 with my spare 1967 Camaro pile of parts. That 1968 goes to my Son.
IF you find a girl that understands your cars, MARRY HER!!
But, remember to pay "attention" to her, too!

 

Well, I am waiting on the tax refund to go ring shopping, and she won't let me spend over $600, as she says I have to have enought left over to get the transmission for my S-10.
YES, I will treat her right!