Hey guys, I'm new here, well I'm new to everything... and I'm here to ask for advice/help. I recently obtained a 1991 RS Convert... it needs help and I don't know how to give it any. To make a long story short, I saw this Camaro and just fell in love! I'm sure you know what thats like . But I have a problem. I know absolutely NOTHING (Zero) about cars, and this poor car has no garage to rest in and there are some areas that has been starting to see some rust. On top of this, I currently have no job, looking right now... need to get some kind of money to at least try to stop the poor baby from dying... But the money that I will make, im sure... being only 19, will not be enough to pay for parts AND labor and if this is the only way then its going to take a VERY long time and ever since this car, I've been wanting to learn more about how to fix it up and all but I hear how most people learn about cars is usually through some family member that knows something about it or a friend that helps and all that good stuff... The only thing that I've done without much knowledge was to lift some of the carpet up and to see that the driver side floor pan is just about gone with rust and there are some small spots like the passenger side rear tire well, little rust holes...
So basically I'm a poor 19 year old kid with a Camaro that he loves, who doesn't know what to do about it... So please, any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I've spent hours and hours just reading the boards and you guys are great and seeing all the beautiful pictures of these cars, just makes me picture my car how I would want it to look and all...
Thanks guys!

PS - I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong area, if I did please move it, thanks!

PSS - I guess I'll try to get pics up tommorrow to see what I'm dealing with

 

GET A JOB lol j/k just pick somewhere to start and go for it, every project has to start somewhere, whether you want to go for looks first or performance, i took the looks route and have one hell of a nice looking piece and the performance is ok for now but will be upgraded next year by way of a blown 406. you picked a good year Just dive in and figure stuff out, knowledge will come as you mess with it, my dad knows everything about cars and building power.....but on carbed cars so i'm really having to learn all teh computer and efi stuff and teaching it to him but i learn as i make mistakes and go. Go little by little, i'm 19 and on my 2nd thirdgen and right now i have a show piece but its from working 50 hours a week during the summer and 40 during the winter making 7 bucks an hour and during the summer doing 60 hour weeks with a landscaping company making 9 an hour. I have paid for all my parts, paint, insurance and the rent where i store the car along with cell phone bills, food, and takign care of the woman

Check out my page 1 has the earlier pics i have posted although i did buy it bone stock with the exception of a jet chip i jsut done have any pics from when it was in bone stock form on the site, page 4 has the newest pics so hopefully those can give you some inspiration

http://www.cardomain.com/id/sleekteal

Also do a search for "pics of my buddies bad rs" i think thats it, has a few pics of my buddies 89 rs vert with a blown 383 on nitrous that does 11's, take a look around and at those and get a feel for where you want to go with the car and dont be afraid to ask for help, welcome to the madness of thirdgen f-body tuning

 

Welcome to the boards. I guarentee there's enough info here to fix anything that goes wrong. As state above, just pick a few important things and get them fixed ffirst. And just have fun with it between garage visits. Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, yea I do need a job, don't worry trying! It sucks not having money and having your car falling apart in front of you, kinda feel helpless? Anyway, since no one in my family is into cars (Taking them apart and all,) it's gonna take awhile to get tools and all that. And even then, you know how scared I'm gonna be to touch the thing? I don't wanna end up taking something apart and then thinking moments later and saying, hrm, How are you gonna put this back together? and then find myself screwed... That would suck... Anyway, I couldn't get pics today, been raining for most the day, I'll try tomorrow...

 

best way to learn, is just get your hands dirty doing it.

i think the very first thing you need is an owners manual or Haynes, Chilton Manual.

they are available at any auto part store. pick one up, look through it and get familiar with the part names and locations. this will save you a lot of time asking questions on the board about basics.

I also encourage you to just browse this board a lot, and do not be afraid of the "SEARCH" button at the top right of the board. its very helpful and can often save you time and energy on topics that have been coverd

as far as tools go, get a basic wrench set, and basic ratchet with both millimeter and standard sizes, as well as a phillips head screwdriver. that should start you off.

 

welcome aboard! i started out the same way you did but i had some knowledge of cars.when i first joined this board i had lots of dumb questions(lol) but with the help of these guys on here,youll be just fine!! look at the way i turned out

got any pics yet?

i agree with KillJoy,truely the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty

 

Congrats on a great find... Verts can be elusive. There are some really talented people on these boards who can get you thru almost any problem you may run into. It's cool to see someone who hasn't had that much experience with cars really get into a new project like this. Just remember, when you are rebuilding the car, don't just pick the "cheapest and easiest" way to do things and compromise. You will have better results by putting the time and effort into doing it right the first time. Good luck on the project!!! I can't wait to see some pics.....

PS - Welcome to the boards

 

it's easy to get overwhelmed just pick one thing and do it untill you finish it, if you dont know how use the internet to learn how, it's the best resource next to a library or a bookstore. Good luck

 

Yea, I have zero experience with anything car related, and the problem is im kinda a perfectionist so, its going to take a long time to learn how to do things right before I actually do it! I'm 'still' working on those pictures, I went out early today and just got home and the sun is gone! If they aren't up tomorrow you all can kill me!

 

Finally, here are some pictures for you all!

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mine was somewhat like that when i got it- sand and primer all one color first and itll make a world of difference- then concentrate on the floor pans its unibody so its tricky- then go from there

 

I must say, if you fix that up its gonna look friggin sweet. What I suggest, learn how to sand (not hard) and learnt which grit paper to use, as for the floor boards....wow...they are pretty bad. No matter what your going to have to cut that out and replace it with a patch. And you really are gonna want a job. Im in the same boat. I wanna buy a newer thirdgen, but Im going to have to sell mine in return Im only 17 and I desperatley need a job. But read the boards on how to fix te things you need, trust me, from expirence these boards are one of the best sources ever!


good luck, keep us updated

 

I still wanna get the Carfax on it, wanna see if its been in New Jersey its whole life... It's obviously had the good ole' salt air take vengence on it... poor baby You can see that it was originally red, and I really would much rather change the color but if I do that, theres no way I'm going to have other parts of it have that red color, it will just look stupid. Right now, I'm stuck on the seatbelt, don't have any tools strong enough to get out those screws... but I wanna get that carpet out basically clean out the interior throw the drivers seat back in, get it to a shop to get the rust out of there and all... bring it home, I think I can take car of the interior myself, don't think its going to be that hard, install new carpet, get the seats redone with black leather and accents in whatever color the car gets painted in... Something I don't understand, if it's an RS (Which it is,) why does it appear to have fog lights? When we got it, we were told that the car was somehow a mix? Between years or something, not sure what he meant...

 

Also, as you can see in one of those pics, theres an Yellow Z28 emblem in there... I really don't understand why people would want to even TRY to make it into something it isn't. I think its stupid to put a Z28 emblem in there when ya know its a RS... Stupid people

 

talk about a fixer upper..


but i think you shoudl do the floor boards first, and the remaining rust second....that way it doesnt get worse while you working on the general apperance...

i after that finish your interior,and then throw a paint job on it. and call it a day

i know how it is with money though...i serioulsy need a job...i'm trying to do a resto/mod on my 79 formula....not easy with zero $$

 

You must work friggin fast

 

nah, all that would take me a year or two.

 

It's definately a fixer upper But it'll get done, and when its done, I'll appreciate it even more since I'll have evidence of what it was Tomorrow I'll get some pics of the bottom, if I remember correctly... it's not pretty (Rust wise) But I suppose it can all be fixed!! NEVER LOOSE HOPE!

 

Wow man the other night when you were telling me about the rust on aim i didnt expect that....I'd say it was left in a few thunderstorms with the top down or something, THose arent teh stock foglights looks like the grills been taken out, It needs work but i've also seen alot worse trust me.

Get rid of the yellow hoses, gunk the hell outta the motor and loose the blackouts thats my opinions

Cant believe no ones mentioned the spoiler on there definately not stock but i think its kinda cool looking

 

Might i recommend beating the crap out of the previous owner.

 

I wouldn't doubt if it was left in t storm with the top down The blackouts I hate, plus I believe they're illegal anyway... I'm scared to look under the car again, I think its bad under there... car is gonna need complete restoration... gonna be tough I think It's not a good sight right now, and I wish I knew where the previous owner lives...

 

Hey, Welcome to TGO! You will definately find all the info you need right here... I can't say that I blame you for buying this car, I can see it already how awesome looking it can and will be. Don't get let down, just focus on the solution rather than the problem. Just get cracking on it and get paper route or something to get started at least.


Good luck with your project! I'm sure you'll look back later and be very happy with all the progress you've made!

 

Does it run and drive? Did you pull out the console / dash pad / interior pieces? Or it that how you bought it? Sand and primer will def make a big difference appearance-wise....I say leave the blackouts on the car....

 

Thanks JMD! I think your right! Yea, it runs, and yea I pulled those interior pieces, everything is here... I pulled them because I wanted to get the carpet out to replace, but still stuck on those damn seat belts, but once I get all that out, its gotta get to a shop and get all that rust work done, no doubt its gonna be expensive... still need to go check the underside, I'm afraid most if not all of the stuff is gonna need replacement (because of rust...) Did I mention I hate rust? It sucks living in salty air, for this very reason... Those blackouts, correct me if im wrong, are illegal in New Jersey?

 

Black Out are most likely illegal, ask any prominent shop in your area that performs plenty of inspection stickers to be sure or just ask a friendly Police Officer...

One helpful tip for your entire car crafting journey is:

LABEL EVERYTHING!!!!

Just wanted to make that clear...



A box of zip lock swandwich/freezer bags and a black sharpie (Permanent Marker or pen will suffice...) are a must have when you are removing nuts, bolts, things, and unkown items which need to at some point, go back into the car where they came from...

Once again Good Luck and just stick with it!

 

To get those seat belt bolts out you'll need a big torx socket and a breaker bar. Just make sure the bit is in there good and it dont slip out or you will either strip the bolt or hurt urself. I tapped it in a little with a hammer before I tried to loosen them.

 

It look like you will need these
http://www.parts123.com/PartFrame.as...sic_Industries
Heres the driver side its 200 per side

 

Spd, I can't see the first link, just brings me to some random page, no item... I'm about to go get a couple pics of underneath the car, then you guys can grind your teeth some more! Fun! Hey, I know i'm going to love fixing this, kinda of like, bringing the car back from the dead, should be fun!

 

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WOW....someone's got a Full Winter Project......and spring....and summer.....and fall......etc.

Good lookin car. I hope you get her back on the road. She has a lot of potential. I'm sure with a lot of work you will having her looking like new. At least you are in the 3rd gen capital of the world....I think all 3rd gens have been in New Jersey at some point.
megaracerx is right.....floorboards and other rust first. there's no use in fixin up the rest of it if you are gonna fall thru the floor the first time you get in it. It looks like a project more than a driver.

 

Thanks man! Yea I guess I might try to hunt down some people in the area to gemme some pointers, etc... it'll take quite a while, but I know it'll be worth it! I wouldn't think of driving it the way it is right now, I have my 97 Seabring Convert for that

 

That car will be very sweet when it's done. Like you said, don't give up.
I've had my car 6 years and it's still not done because of lack of cash. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, then you have to take a lot of time and do it yourself. This is a good car to learn on. 3rd gens are pretty easy compared to a lot of cars out there now.
Just knock out the major crap first and you'll eventually get there.
(inspiration)

 

Thats going to look killer when its done,
is that wing a after market vette wing?

 

I wish someone could help me figure out whats the deal with that wing, I really have no clue!

 

Go to www.classicindustries.com they have floor pans there. Looks like everything on that car needs taken off sand blasted and repainted.