Mini Mouse Camaro
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- Steve explores a mysterious final-year 1981 Gen-2 Camaro with one of Chevy’s most misunderstood V8 engines. Steve also describes the differences between Chevy’s 265, 262 and 287 small block V8’s.
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My high school buddy’s brother had a Z28 Camaro clone with that 267 V8. It was a dog, got beat by Grand Prixs and escort GT’s. When he went to a HP parts store to ask what could be done to make it faster the grey haired guy behind the counter told him 2 things. 1, swap in a 350. 2. Sell it. Couple of weeks later he blew the motor racing a Fiero. The Fiero won.
Sounds like a turd, but good memories!!
lost to an iron duke
@@510CurtDawg not really, he would do the typical Camaro thing, honk at girls and try racing taxis that had no clue they were racing.
@@raymondcanessa7208 2.8L V6. Fiero GT
I had a 78 LT with a 305 that got outrun by a 4 cyl manual Mazda pickup.
Lots of Van Halen probably played through them Jensen's...
Without a doubt.
And lots of Marlboro reds
🤘🏼
I can just picture "Runnin' With The Devil" through the Jensen 6x9s and a mullet on the driver.
@@googleusergp what I'm picturing is a shifty eyed con man slapping some stickers on a Berlinetta factory paint job, cutting a ham fisted hole on the floor and trying to find a sucker wanting a Z28.
Best line..."who ever cared...the Dasher, the Prelude and the Quaylude"....too funny Steve....dead pan comic at best!
Back in the mid-late 80’s, my brother had a black ‘78 Z28 with gold decals, black interior, Hurricane II wheels, black headers with side pipes! The car was gorgeous, and I REALLY miss that era!
I had hurricanes on my 79. They were a beautiful rim and they were very strong. I had to beat them off the back axle of my Camaro with a sledgehammer and didn't bend or break the rims.
"The Prelude and the Quaalude"...ya needed one to enjoy the other...ahhh the mid 80's.
Ya I cracked up when he said that too.....yup ahhhh the 80s...good times.
My older brother had 714 imprinted on the step of his van. What a time for all of us growing up then young,or older Good memories.
A lot of real 80's metal played through those Jensen's I'd wager.
Hey Steve ! You just kill it with these videos man ! This one hit home for me because i own an ‘80 camaro base with a 305. After seeing how rough this one was i felt a greater appreciation for mine due to the fact that it’s completely cancer free, i ended up going and firing it up , loved it, definitely have to spend more time with it, thanks for lighting that fire under my ass Steve ! Lol , - Steven
That Camaro reeks of late 70's early 80's modifications and those 6x9' s were in everything back then.
I had a 71 Duster that had Craig FM cassette player and 6x9 speakers but at least who ever installed them didn't cut holes in the rear package tray.
Hot tip: stereo speakers have one common wire (usually a “ground” to the radio chassis…not the car’s chassis) and one “difference” wire. Put the two “difference” wires on the old AM radio dash speaker.
There were some cringeworthy "modifications" back then, that's for sure.
come on jensen triaxials lol.
Hope somebody chimes in here and says "Hey! That was my car and here's what I put in it!"
Some things are better left unsaid. Lol.
I am lucky to watch these videos and gain more knowledge from the automotive "field."
Keep up the great work Steve.
More to come!
Steve, I happened to notice the Chevrolet Brockwood Station Wagon in the background . How about doing a presentation on this one?
I thoroughly enjoy your series...keep it going! Best wishes.....
Hoping to see the "positraction" nameplate on the glove box lid!! Like my uncle's Brookwood did... or was it a 'Parkwood'?
I am sure he will. He is working his way around the yard.
prelude, qualude...funny stuff right there Steve! Yes the 80's were very dark times for auto makers for sure!!!
I truly enjoy your videos. You have a way of packing in relative information without all the damn fluff. You are either highly educated on your topics or just plain know what you are doing. Keep up the good work.
Factory is closing in Brampton where they are built all dinosaurs including is workers there keep your dream alive stelantis the French hates paying Mercedes for their use of their Mercedes platforms
I used to have a 1981 Camaro Berlinetta, it was black too (originally red but I painted it black).
My first car was a 81 z28. It wasn't the fastest but it looked amazing and when the cowl induction hood opened up it made you feel like you were driving something special. You could get a 350 with a 4 speed in 81 but you had to go to Canada to get one. Mine was automatic
HEY james i had a 350 4 speed 81 z28 with t-tops and ya im up north
I'm like you Steve, born in '67 & remember those dreary '80s but my daily driver to high school 1983-84 was a 1978 Ttop Z28 that I got for $2000 & I kept it until 1998, wish I still had it ✌💖☮
Tell me about it, Steve. I never thought that in 2022 there would even be fast cars. In the 80s, it looked like V8's and rear wheel drive was going to be long gone. I never would have believed we'd have 700+ horsepower street cars with AC and a warranty none the less!
Hot Rod Magazine even said on its front cover back in the Reagan era, the V8 was dead and the Buick V6 was the new performance engine. but the idea kids would have used Hemis? never imagined. All that time we complained about "govt interference" and yet that's why we got the cars you mentioned. Otherwise it would be a 528 cid RB Ball Stud Hemi with 4mpg and fouling spark plugs with lead to get 700 hp. GM told us no way a family car could get 300 hp and more than 10 mpg and still be safe, and we have V6 impalas doing it.
@@albertgaspar627 * I remember! The mustang was turning into a probe, rear wheel drive and V8's were on the chopping block. Dark times, lol.
@@HoosierDaddy_ you are correct. Ford even tried to turn the Mustang into Front Wheel Drive earlier, with the EXP based on the Escort chassis (there was a turbo version too). Chevy tried to do the same with the Camaro, first the Cavalier Z24 and then the Beretta and all its performance versions.
@@albertgaspar627 * it was bad. I still could have NEVER imagined 700hp daily drivers in my lifetime. If we had a legit 500hp, that was really something! Breaking into the 13s was a great start, lol.
@@HoosierDaddy_ oh yeah, and traction control to make putting that power down a reality :) Everyone claimed to have 500 hp but it rarely was streetable unless it was 1hp per cubic inch or nitrous. 13's was like 10's today. And no rubber band tires, it was 60 series worth of sidewall and they stuck out the fender almost halfway--15 inch rims were the cat's pajamas. at least the kids still do white lettering on the sidewalls.
How many of you watching this got goosebumps when Steve said the "Hemi power... NEW redesigned Challengers..." Namaste Steve 🙏🏼
Hey Steve! I really appreciate you taking your show to YT. I loved it when it was on TV and now I can watch at my leisure and not have to wait for the weekly. Thanks! Your knowledge on these cars is invaluable.
Scoped that car out the other day and knew something wasn't right by that trans tunnel 😄 Never knew about the 267 V8, I figured this was a 3.8 car! Too cool.
It's about as well remembered as the 4.2L Fox body V8s
@8:50 Thanks for the insight and hope Steve!
Great stuff Steve ! Im right there with you in age and thought the 80s cars were a joke... so happy when the new muscle car era started and think you are right about Mopar.
I thought why discontinue the challenger when its so successful? I hppe the future is bright !! Thanks for sharing
You and me both!
I miss my 78 rustbucket. Only a 250 inline 6, but man it was fun
The memories stirred up for me with the Gabriel High Jackers ! In 1969 , 1970 , we jacked up the rear of our vehicles as high as we could get them , even using leaf spring extensions . It was the style back then but very dangerous . My friend Bob rolled his Falcon over on a curve and I rolled my 63 Chevy ll Nova over on the same curve . I'm also not used to rust on vehicles like y'all have in the north . If I came across a car for sale from the north , I wouldn't touch it . Keep bringing back those memories , Steve , I love it !
1974 toyoty hilux pickup with 9 inch shackles and hijackers. Lol
@@rheidtech YIKES ! ! ! That would have more roll than the Space Shuttle !
@@daynadiggle8169 and lots of tickets for improper starts. Lol
@@daynadiggle8169 btw. Lol. Had crager s/s's 14" kellys on the back and skinny bias plys on the front. Not to mention rabbit fur on the dash and an 8ball shiftknob. Lol.
@@rheidtech Your touching my heart with comments like that !
Nothing has changed over the years. I just picked up my 2023 camaro Saturday, after waiting four months. The trunk can just about hold a pizza and a calzone. Oh, and people with legs don't fit in the back seat. But, overall it's still a cool car.
What do you mean? The trunks on these are huge
its only 2022
@@glennkometscher7928 they cut off 22 models a while back so most people buying new are getting 23 models. Also that’s been common for decades
I test drove a brand new 81 Z28 with a 4 speed back in the day and I remember being very turned off by the anemic V8 and passed on it. Didn't realize it was a 305 but that would surely explain why it was so gutless.
Thanks for that Challenger/Charger info, it does make sense.
6:00 am
Bowl of Reese’s Puffs
Getting ready to head out to work
Junkyard Crawy
Best way to start the week. 😂👍🇨🇦
Great video Steve. Yeah, I'm with you on the downturn of the 80s, I was born in 1965 so right there with you on being in my 20s during the 80s and major concern for where the automotive manufacturers were heading. Keep up the good work, love these junkyard crawl videos!
@ 6:40 “ the Vokswagon what is this, the Scirocco…WHO KNOWS WHO CARES”…HAHAHAHA LOVE IT
I wish I was as immune to poison ivy like Steve apparently is.
Born in 64 as well,yes in high school new cars were the worst.love the bicycle comment. Thanks again for your time doing these videos!
I am about the same vintage as you Steve, yeah those were the dark days. As proud owners of two late second gens since my wife and I were both teenagers, both originally 305 cars and both now with 357 and 385 CI small blocks, that was the thing to do back then, make them run like they were made a decade earlier! Amazing thing about second gens is they were very evolutionary and transforming, moving from high output v8’s to emissions strangled de-tuned cat equipped power plants. They also morphed into wrap around windows completing the colonnade theme and also grew body color bumpers the way Bill Mitchell always wanted. Pretty amazing run going from points ignition to ECM, 130mph to 85mph Speedo’s and the lackluster 267 v8, the doggiest of dogs, although our family towed a 23 foot mako with a 267 Malibu wagon and it lasted for 220,000 miles! Both Good and bad times.
Even better the second time, get well soon Steve!!!
Hi Steve. Dead giveaway is the front fenders don't have any vents. The stripe package is wrong also, it was made up of 3 stripes and not 2. Even your magazine shows that.
I had a 1980 Z28 I bought new with a 4 speed and 350 engine. It had a new for 1980 a rear axle ratio of 3.08 coupled with the wide ratio borg warner super T10. The car was fairly quick up to 50 mph due to lower 1st and 2nd gears. Then you stayed in 3rd gear up to 85 mph then 4th gear could take the car into the redline at about 5250 rpm and 130 mph. It would take a while to reach top speed but it was faster than the automatic cars with a rear axle ratio of 3.42, and a top speed of 110 or so. Higher top speed than the 1979 Z28 with the close ratio 4 speed and a 3.73 rear axle ratio, and as quick off the line. The change to the 3.08 ratio was for better fuel economy.
I don't know the production numbers but more 1981s were automatic with a T-top compared to the 1980 models.
Thanks for the memories.
Yeah I noticed it didn’t have the single slot fender vents which was a two year run for 80 and 81. Totally wrong grille and I believe 80 and 81 had rear wheel flares.
The grill is also wrong, this is a clone
@@Offthbadan Yes, there were rear wheel flares.
I test drove a new '81 Z-28 305 4-speed California car back then. Very slow car compared to my 72 RS/SS 350 4-speed.
@@CarsandCats I thought all California cars were automatic.
That may have been a Berlinetta. My brother had a 1980 with the rear spoiler factor and chin spoiler that was a dealer add on. It too had the 4.4liter dog. It was a sharp looking car, Burgundy with the turbine style wheels.
It was a standard Sport Coupe. A Berlinetta would have an "S" instead of the "P" in the VIN.
I had a sweet 81 RS Camaro in High School. 305, silver with red interior. Oh I miss that car.
Had one of these identical. They run good after changing the rear gears and finding a older small block for it. My opinion
Man I miss your junkyard digs show on motor trend was one of my favorite shows I learned so much then I found you on UA-cam and my hopes were restored
Great info Steve...I'm diggin' the 58 wagon behind you
Pretty sad what happened to our favorite cars during this time. The Mustang got a 4 cylinder, and the Dodge Challenger became something made by Mitsubishi. The Camaro also got a 4 cyl, if I remember correctly. Later in the decade, the Mustang got a 5.0 V8 which was an improvement. Still under the 55 MPH limit until 1987.
The four cylinder F body did not arrive until 1982.
Mustang got the 5.0 (actually 4.9) in 82. The 4 cyl in the F bodies made about 10hp less than the last I6 in the Camaro and had to move roughly 500lbs less car which also had less drag both aero wise and mechanically. The thing with the 80s is that the cars improved every year. By 83 you clould get a 305 in the F bodies that made 15hp MORE than the 350 had in 81 and that difference grew to 55hp by 89. All while getting better fuel economy and higher cornering Gs.
@@lb9gta307 True. Fuel injection made those engines better over time.
And the Hondas were probably the best cars out of all of them.
The missing fender vents were a giveaway for me
I spent several afternoons at 'Willow' setting up an IMSA '80 Camaro. All the cheats applied. Such a sweet car. Ten tons of work to get balanced but in the end it was a sweet drive...
I remember my days of hunting parts for a swap of my 1980 caprice to Manual,, I used all the linkages parts from Camaro,, and they fit right
Steve do a story on the Chevy wagon behind you
The factory manual 3 and 4 speed still has the lock out. When you put the car in reverse it spins the column to lock key cylinder. It still works in my 78 Camaro.
The Vega made you push a little lever on the side of the column so a shift interlock was a deluxe feature, sort of like a Saab.
@@Dr_Reason well the I think they used that system. Just because the automatic PRNDL is in-between the guadges instead of the console. So they set up the transmission so you have to put car in reverse to remove the key. And it was that way from 70 to 78. 79 to 81 it was removed from dash to console. I think that's when console became standard, no longer offers column shift.
Your videos are addictive! Love them!
I'm the same age as you Steve and also remember those dark times for horsepower, or lack thereof. Shudder!
What I find amusing about Steve is his ability to add something Chrysler related to any conversation.....
cool video as usual, hope to see that '58 Brookwood featured sometime.
That Turbo Trans Am ad is in my copy of December 1980 Hot Rod magazine!
Very educational video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I had a '79 Z28 Camaro back in the mid to late '80s. It had a 350 four barrel, but was still slow. It had the triangular shaped scoop on the hood, and only had flares on the front fenders. I noticed that one not only doesn't have the cowl hood, but does not have the fake air vents on the front fenders either. It looks like the whole front clip was replaced, and a Z28 spoiler was added to it.
I was a young Buck back then starting in the oilfield and lamented the good old days I missed with muscle cars , I bought a 79 L82 Vette ( another turd ) with the optional 220 Hp engine , my Honda van has more than that now , anyway I put a Martin turbo pack on it which was a poorly designed kit and baked the engine good . The previous commenter hit the nail on the head about bikes as I bought a Suzuki GS 1100E in 82 which was considered the quickest bike of the day , all you Kawasaki GPZ 1100 fan boys fight me :) and bikes were considered the way to relive the performance days as it was mentioned in several road test how different bikes were faster than muscle cars ever were .
I’ve got a garage full of the Late 70s-early 80s Jap heavy hitters: 78 XS1100 (first bike into the 11s), 81 square headlight GS1100E (11.1 quarter!). For a guy on a budget and space constraints that era of big bore motorcycles is like a cheaper easier way to enjoy that “heyday of muscle” flavor in a slightly different way.
Cool video, I worked at the Gm dealers during that sad time and they always had us add the Z/28 stripes on a few plain Jane Camaros so we could move them off the lots! Lol
Windows down and mullets dancing in the breeze while cruising down main street.
My Regal had those air shocks. Worked good when you loaded it down.
Remember Bass 48 Speakers. Thanks for the video sir.
You bet!
Prelude and quelude lol! Where's the deer mascot?!
Thank you Steve your knowledge base is so impressive.
Steve I love your videos and car knowledge, however you did slip up on this one. That Camaro had 79 Z28 stripes on the door, not 81. The black grill was a 78-79 Z28 as were the black headlight and turn signal bezels. Also the fender was missing the engine vent which are only on Z28 fenders.
I was born in 64 as well..im still amazed at where the car world has come since the early 80s..im still having nightmares about my girlfriends Honda CVCC!
that poison oak breaks me out just looking at it .
I had the Gabriel hijackers & Jensen speakers on my Foxbody.
I love your optimism for a continuation of the hemi cars. I'm with you on that. I don't think we need anymore soulless electric cars
Well said!
My first car was a 1981 Impala with a 267 on it. You're right, they were dogs with a tiny Rochester dualjet carb and choaked out with tiny exhaust and a smog pump.
I LOVE the 2nd gen Camaro!! 1st styling '70 1/2 - 73, excellent!!! 2nd styling('74-'77) now had to have the impact absorbing bumpers, not the prettiest but still looked cool(IMHO)! Added to the mix was the wrap around rear glass, love it. Bought a used '76 trade in when I was a lot attendant at a Toyota dealership in 1990 for $1700, base model or next level up in orange with black interior, a 305 cube V8 auto, and radio delete. Drove it for 6 years as is and LOVED it!! There was no Z28 in '76, which might have been the final year because Chevy was going to discontinue the car but brought back the Z28 package in '77, the 305 only made 140 hp in my car, the 350 made 165 hp, yet now the car had decent handling. The 3rd styling was actually considered a new model because the car was longer with the front and rear restyling treatment.
The 3rd gen is very popular for many people with improved power and handling, me included and the 4th gen has it's loyal following too.
Hopefully the 5th gen is not the last we see of the CAMARO!!!
I bought a 1980 Trans Am Turbo car with the 301 a couple years ago. Opened the hood and there was a 454 chevy in there!!
Yuck a Chevyiac. Lol.
I had a 1980 with 229 V6, I remember it having 115 horsepower too.
My moms first car was a 1963 fury, quickly traded for a 1964 yellow convertible mustang when they came out, she then got a 1970 gsx, her next car was a caprice I saw the z28 new on the showroom and hoped so much that was the new car we would get. I’ve always loved them.
I would have kept the Fury. Actually I did. She is still in my back yard.
Hi Steve I try to watch every day thanks for all the info while watching this camaro clip what is the wagon in the background right next to it will you do a show on it I love my wagons thanks
i'm about your age steve and remember those adverts well. i am not a gm guy but thought those trans-ams were cool looking if not fast. while i grew up on american iron (my first car at 15 was a '68 road runner) i did have an appreciation for the overseas stuff including the vw gti.
As you seem to have a very good grasp on Camaro info (how do you remember all that stuff), I have a question.
I bought a 1980 Camaro Rally Sport which had a V8 and was a four speed
I ordered that puppy from the dealer.
Each door had a circular Z 28 badge. Why did a Rally Sport have Z 28 badging?
I noticed the 1958 Chevy wagon behind you.
My best friend in the late eightys had a 81 Z28 with a 350 4 brl 4spd with posi 373 rear end. That car was a good runner. In 2000 I sold my 73 Z28 big mistake because i could not touch it now.
Yeah, the 80s seemed to be all about stripe and appearance packages, selling a fast look, not a fast car, dark days indeed. I grew up in the 80s, in fact Steve you are only a year older than me. Man you really know your stuff that's for sure and I do hope that the rumble of a big V8 doesn't disappear and become a thing of the past and have us all asking, "remember when?" I guess it all remains to be seen.
The stripe and appearance era was the 70s. The 80s saw the return of genuine performance. It was a building proccess but it was steady progress over the decade.
I’m hoping you are right about mopar V8s of the future. I need that sound in my life!
Had a friend in high school had a 81 z 28, met wifey she had 83 z 28 ! BOTH good strong cars ! 👍
@ 3:11 I bought a brand new 1981 Z28 with a 350 4 speed in canada .
Hey Steve, what is left of the Brookwood behind you?? Fake Z, classic wagon. . . . ?? Thanks for show!
Wow, you're old! One whole year older than I am!
I had a an 80 yellow Z28
Thanks for all your knowledge sharing!
You bet!
Code 51 Bright Yellow. There was also code 79 Red Orange (called Carousel Red by Pontiac, I have a Trans Am this color) and code 40 Lime Green. Put the three of them together and you have a fruit bowl or a package of Starbursts. LOL.
I was born in 69, and yes I too thought everything would be electric before I got my license. Thanks glad things didn’t turn out that way!
There will always be gas guzzling hot rods. Keep on crawling!
I remember walking past the local Chevy dealer in the late 70s when I was in high school and seeing those new Z28 lined up on his lot. They didn't move many of them, that's for sure. Today, my 2011 Mustang v6 has 305hp and looks better than anything we had back then. And has held up incredibly well.
Good that Mustang finally left the 'Mazda Look' and went back to the Mustang Look...
@@BuzzLOLOL Wanted a 60s fastback since high school but finding one not rotted out and affordable was impossible. Of course, they never got any cheaper. When the news broke in '04 of the redesign I was all over that! Never cared for any of them after the Mustang II was introduced.
@@TrashcanGarage - Cute little Mustang II was best looking Mustang... but, of course, the weak 302" V8 had to be souped up...
Didnt sell many??? you might want to look up the sales numbers....
@@will7its I was referring to that dealership, not General Motors as a whole.
Nice video describing all the various options Steve! I actually still have my 1980 Z28 350 4 speed Camaro, grey with the tri red. Canadian car I should note, but has anyone ever encountered one with a Cars & Concepts t-roof?
My neighbor has one of those 1981 301 Turbo Transam Firebirds as well. Has a factory Bose sound system I never knew was an option.
2:33
Oh Lord tell me it had cragars all around with n-50s out back,and red differential lights.
And the permanently stuck on reverse lights.
Would love to see a full video on steves opinions on electric vehicles & upcoming cars. The pros and cons, and if there is any catch to them 😅. Steve would know for sure!
Oh but that Brookwood wagon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 267 in my 83 Z28 I inherited the car from my uncle and before he passed away he pulled the 267 out of a 81 Camaro street stock dirt track car it has a solid lifter cam and the inside of the factory intake manifold has been powder coated. Maybe the dirt track guy did that to bump up the air velocity through the intake or maybe he did it to make it more slippery 🤷 but the engine has no torque at all the car has a 2000 stall torque converter and it's nowhere near close the engine doesn't pull good until 4000rpm but on the plus side I do shift it at 7500rpm but even then it's still slow lol I just keep the car maintained the way my uncle had it and just drive it.
The only way I'm going to be able to drive a hemi-powered Dodge Challenger is if I steal it from some rich guy while he's pumping gas
You have 8 hours to steal an electric car while it sits recharging... LOL !
No fender vents and the stripes are 1979 Z28.
Love this channel so informative
I appreciate that!
i miss my 74 jim rockford brown firebird 400 posi rear.. . these cars fish tailed at the sight of rain.. its how i wrecked mine
Love the magneto man. My buddy had a 81 z28. God it handled great but what a slug. Subscriber here 🤘😎🤘
My brother in law bought a new Camaro in 1979, nothing special! It was a 250ci straight six with a on the floor 3 speed manual, actually he still owns it till this day! Put over 200k on that engine until it died. Then replaced it with a crate 350 small block with 4barrels carb, also put headers on it! Repainted the car white again! Put some mag wheels and it looks awesome today! All he needs to do is maybe replace the transmission with a Muncie 4 speed. Great video Steve!👌😎👍by the way! The car was always from Arizona and babied! So the car was no rust straight body!
Had a V-6 car back in the day, What a dog!! Had to change the motor as the original one died. It would have been easier to put in a V-8! The 6 was shoehorned in the back of the engine bay.
I could listen to you for hours
2:01 We had to settle for Sparkomatic speakers . lol
I'm just a couple of years older than you Steve (1962) and I fully remember the awfulness that was the late 70's and early 80's. At some point the realization and resignation set in- this was how it was going to be, and I actually got a bit excited at turbo 4 Dodges, TPI 305 Camaros and Firebirds and 157-225hp Mustang GT's.
Actual lowest point was early 1970's... by 1976, Ford and GM were starting to bring good MPG back... although the Chrysler 360 sucked until 1992...
Remember driving a loaner '80 Impala with a 267 in it while my truck was in the shop, probably not be the best engine choice for that big car but it wasn't too bad though.