1984 Camaro Z28 Weekend Makeover (Third Gen Camaro Daily Driver)
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- The third gen Camaro doesn't have the best reputation, but I found one I couldn't resist. This 1984 Camaro Z28 has a carbureted 305ci small block with a 700R4 transmission, and it's mostly original. Someone has put headers and exhaust on it, but otherwise this car is stock. When it came to my place, I had to get rid of the Corvette Rally wheels and 4x4 stance. I had some leftover GTA wheels from the green Nova, and I spent a few hours to cut the coil springs and lower it down to my level.
Other than that, it's been a bunch of cleaning, small repairs and paint correction. It's an awesome daily driver, and seems to be pretty popular with the locals. I would imagine this one won't stick around very long.
#camaro #hotrodhoarder #thirdgen
anyone looking down on these has never owned one and properly sorted it out.ive got a 1986 trans am and i love it
I agree! I have 88 GTA and I LOVE IT!!!
87 here, Lb9 w/5spd G92 package. Sweet car to run in the fjords of Norway. It's feisty enough for me
Biggest regret in my automotive career was passing on one of these when I was younger because I just had to have a stick shift. Nice 305 for 1300 bucks and now in Ohio folks are wanting 2k for trashy rollers. SMH -__- next time I get one I'm keeping it until I just can't drive anymore.
My dad still has is 87 z28 and I’m trying to get him to let me fix it and use it as a daily driver but he doesn’t want to hear it. His excuse it that he “did to much to it, it’s not a daily driver”
89 formula here! Roll on!
How can real car guys look down on such a gorgeous car?!?! I love every Camaro/Firebird made between the years 1970-1992!
93 was the start of the dark ages
Probably because the lack of power. They looked a lot better than the Mustangs of that era though
@@cptchuff2741 Lack of power? yeah... remember that time the base Camaro came with a 4 cylinder? no? that's because it never happened, sure the Mustang Cobra and the %.0 had a shitload of power but the base Mustang had a 4 banger in it..... The base Camaro had more power than the base Mustang.
@@TheREALOC1972 They stopped putting 4 cylinders in f bodies in 1985. The iron duke and the lima had around the same horsepower and only negligible differences in weight between the camaro and foxbody. But those 4 cylinders were not for those cars lol
@@atomicaddict111 They NEVER put a 4 cylinder in the Camaro/Firebird........... but they put 4 cylinders in Mustangs for 12 years......... Nice try though
Man, he really brought back that paint. I didn't like the color, but once it was shining like that I changed my mind.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"....These muscle cars have always looked amazing and the main point behind hot rodding. Is making the car what you want it to be. Fast or Stock these cars will always get the girls!!!
I found the truth behind that saying, and to say the least it shocked me
I’ve had four different 3rd gen Fbodys and Twenty cars and trucks.
They are among my favorite cars ever, I always compare the handling of any vehicle when choosing another.
Those that haven’t owned a proper running third gen will never know what these are capable of.
So true. I have a 89 Formula 350 that I got running like a raped ape. Rebuilt the upper myself all new Bosch injectors and gaskets cleaned out a ton of carbon and full tune up. Replaced a few sensors and no more check engine light. Third gens are still cool and look better than most of the new cars out there today.when they're clean.
Love how you got this car looking! Had 2 3rd Gen's in the past...'82 Z28 (crank windows, no tilt & no Ttop) & a low mile, fully loaded '86 IROC. They had their little flaws, but for the day, they were great cars! Love to have another someday.
Thankyou! its nice to see someone who doesnt go overboard on the car. You did exactly what i would have done. (for all of us who dont have 50k to throw at a vehicle)
I'm the second owner of a 89 GTA I bought back in 93. Still own it. Still drive it. Love it!!
Nice!
Love it! Have an 84z28 myself...Love driving my car, always gets thumbs up at lights...Smiles Per Miles...🙏🙏🙏
I have one too, it's very original looking. I've had it since 2013, I love it, the longer I have it the better it gets. Every Year I wind up doing a bunch of stuff to improve it. I'm so buried in it I can't stop now, haha.
GOD Bless!!!
I've got a '91 RS with a 305. Mine's a manual and I still love it 18 years after I bought it.
Growing up in the 80s, nothing cooler than a (engine swapped) 3rd gen F Body.
Sweet camaro my bro had a 84 z28 i have a 91 rs v8 now beautiful camaro
I've been daily driving my 84 with no major issues believe it or not, just oil change, new power steering pump, and a check up. But my 84 Camaro is honestly one of the most reliable cars I've ever had, and when the engine finally gives out I'm just going to LS swap it.
That sounds like a good game plan. I have the same mentality....the 305 seems to be in good health, but if something happens to it, an LS engine will go in its place.
You’ll be in more money with a LS swap js
i drove one for 10 years(1984 berlinneta camaro 5.0 v8),i would still be driving it but had kids.best car i ever owned,period.ive got an 86 trans am now,love it too.
even a vortec headed ,mild roller cammed 350 is years ahead of the anemic 305 and can easily get ls power (my current 350 build is 357 horsepower /410 lb ft of torque and no electronic and fuel system bullcrap.something to be said about the simplicity of old school sbc
10:12. That right there is a sweet, sweet looking 3rd Gen.
Very sexy ride! :-)
Yes it is
I'm slowly restoring a 1986 camaro z28 and I love driving it so much. I had to fix a lot of things on it just to get it driveable but it's a labor of love. These cars are so beautiful and sexy.
Clean, simple; I love it. My favorite year of third-gen. I really dig the L69HO.
I have first hand knowledge of these cars back in the day. They were 500 pounds lighter than the second gens They handled extremely well for that time. Now they make great project cars.
Those GTA wheels really set it off!
The best looking generation of Camaro, they got the looks right.
Reminds me of my childhood 👍I thought those cars were awesome when I was a kid
Damn how I miss the sound of that engine!
First one I had, my mom let me have her ‘84 Camaro, 2yrs later in 1992 I bought a 5-speed stick shift ‘84 Z28 Camaro, drove it across the US to California. Had it a couple years until I blew the engine. Thankfully, found an auto shop who was able to replace the engine for me, however he only had a 350’. I still vividly remember picking it up, driving back to base and having a CHP on motorcycle next to me yelling and waving for me to slow down - was barely speeding on Hwy 5 going 90mph - damn that car was fast. Loved that Camaro.
The hell with people looking down, and agree they must not have ever had one or been in one. Def one if the funnest car’s I’ve had. Love your Camaro bruh!
These cars are so much fun to drive....gonna have to find another one. I'm regretting selling this one...
Love it! Grew up in the 80’s and owned several 3rd gens, they were lightyears ahead of the 60’s & 70’s cars I started with in terms of comfort, handling, gas mileage and reliability. Looks like you’ve got an L-69 High Output there, 190hp - top dog until the Tuned Port version came along in 1985. Hope you enjoy it before you move on to the next one!
I've been enjoying it so far. I was a little scared that the carbureted 305 would be unreliable, but so far it has been awesome. Pump the gas a couple times (on cold start) and it fires right up.
@@HotRodHoarder i drove a berlinneta (305 carbed) for 10 years and loved it.i own another and just summer drive this one(in canada)
Would I love to drive one of these cars one day. 82 Is my favorite year of the camaro
I've got an 82 Z28 project car. Love the 82-84 third gen Camaros but wanting a foxbody Mustang instead
ive had 7-8 of them.still have one
currently 17 and just bought one, and I was never a fan of this car until I started to really look into them, I've always loved camaros but more of the early generations, but I've gotta say it is growing on me more and more as I drive it and work on it and look at it haha
I have a 89 RS 305 🏎 my dad use to have one but sold it so I found one and bought it right away!
My dad had a 84 5.0 litre HO brings back great memories really enjoyed video.
My brother is a huge Camaro guy. This one reminds me of the 89 RS he had. He bought it brand new, drove it for about 13, 14 years. Put about 130,000 miles on it. No problems except for a fuel pump problem when it was new. Had LOTS of power. He let me learn how to drive in it, which was awesome!!😎 Would spin the tires without much provocation. Your Z28 is definitely a head turner! Thanks for sharing...it looks great!😎👍
Thanks David! My brother had an '88 IROC, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. His was tuned port 350, and he eventually put a Paxton supercharger on it. Pretty fast street car for back then.
These are the funnest cars I’ve ever driven. The stick to the road.
I've got a 88 Iroc, and you're right it turns heads!! Enjoy it
I am adopting an 87 Iroc that none of my friends want anymore. Good video!
Finally someone who knows bad rims on a car when they see em! Good job on taking the corvette rims off the new ones looked much better.
I didn't intend on the GTA wheels being a permanent solution, but definitely helped the car's appearance.
Turd gen is underrated
My first car was a 1985 IROCZ ✊🇺🇸I was 16 that was 30 years ago and I loved it. I bought it myself and learned the value of a dollar at 12 working in my uncles pizza place. I have a 2018 Camaro SS now and love that.Good job on your build and it looks great 👍🏻
That's awesome! Thank you!
Man I miss my “87 iroc-z... I use to get so much 🐱.... 🥴😈
Dude I had a 1984 z28 and I miss it so much. If I ever come into one and have the money I would buy it immediately. I wish I never sold it back in 2005.
It is a beautiful car. I did have an indy edition 1982 with crossfire inyection ( two electric carburetor ) now i have a 1989 pontiac trans am and i love it .congratulation you have a nice car...
A cheap way to get the power windows to move up and down is to simply swap the motors and assemblies with 4th gens. Passenger and driver side will have to be swapped and everything works. Same bolt/rivet holes and wiring connections. I changed out mine for about $85. It is faster as the two other count is different.
1984, Good year. GOD Bless!!!
thanks for another great show 3rd gens are making a comeback people are buying them i have a 92 rs 25th anniversary with 90 thousand miles you have a good looking car
That's awesome Cory! You should definitely hang onto that one!
@@HotRodHoarder had one of them bought for spare parts but really the motor. A kid owned it and I could have restored it but. he had a propane injection on it which I've never seen before, had a 89 iroc too just the body but it was clean and straight. Ended up selling the iroc after snagging some pcs then sold the engine from the 92 to a friend dirt cheap. The only thing I can't stand is why oh why didn't Gm put a larger speedometer in them! 85 mph isn't working!
GEN III w/ T Tops are a hot commodity. Hang on to her and get the period correct wheels and tires.
Good looking car and Best to you!!!
It's definitely time for a tire/wheel swap. The tires on these GTA wheels are at least 20 years old and they're pretty sketchy. And the wheels, of course, were not a permanent solution.
One thing that stands out to me about my third gen is how smooth and stable the ride feels. Its heavy with wide tires so it makes sense. I don't get the same feeling in my "modern" 2010 hyundai, which has steering wheel shake at 60mph+ and gets tossed about by the street surface unless strong arming it. Also, the arm/elbow space can't be beat. Never sell your made in America toys.
I just purchased an 82 Z28, low miles. The car was in the same family all this time, factory four speed, not T-Tops, and it runs great. I have some plans to do an engine swap in the future
I have your cars twin , owned it sense 86 , I’m 2nd owner .
Working on putting mine back on the road , been sitting sense 91 when it had 100k and spun a rod bearing , crank went D shaped .
If you start having fuel issues , the 5.0HO has an electric pump in the tank as well as a mechanical pump on the engine.
I was a GM tech at a Chevy dealership when I bought mine . And around 75k miles started having vapor lock issues in traffic. Pump isn’t shown in service manual, an engineer told me about it.
I have the factory glass hugging louvres on mine , and my mother said it made the interior so dark , that she felt like darth Vader’s mother when she drove it . She had a 59 Caddy and told all the kids that said it looks like the bat mobile, that she was Batman’s mother ,
Anyway cool car , and I can’t wait to get mine back on the road
i really like how you presented this video, you talked us thru what you were doing the whole time and you showed the results of your work...well put together..with a calm voice and easy to understand..thanks!!!
Thank you for watching, glad you liked it!
I had an 82 Z28 4 sp 305 car. I replaced the 305 with a 400 small block with a nice intake & carb, a decent cam, 202 heads, and headers. The 400 peeled a few teeth off the ring gear and gobbled up the 4 sp in the first 100 miles. I crawled under it and replaced the rear end with a 12 bolt 4.10 posi and a week later a 5 sp out of an 83 Z28. I ran it one time down the 1/4 it turned a 13:56 on street tires and though the mufflers.
Awesome! My brother had an '88 Iroc that had a similar series of events...stronger motor required stronger transmission and rear end. Ended up being pretty quick!
you've made that into a good looking car brother
I daily drived a third gen 1991 Firebird Trans Am for 19 years up until last November. I still have it. It has 256k+ miles.
I agree 100% with this video, and especially the part about the attention it gets. That car got so much attention that it wasn't even funny. I'd go to target and park, and kids would get out of their parents vehicle in the parking lot then point at it and say "Dad look at that cool car!"
I'd go through the drive through and guys in their teens - early 20s working the drive through would make positive comments & ask me about the Trans Am. At different times, 3 strangers asked me on the spot if I'd sell it. 1 guy went so far as to track me down while I was at work. I declined because I never considered getting rid of it.
I think all that stuff about 3rd gens being a mullet mobile is a internet myth & joke. But 3rd gen owners get the last laugh because the public loves these cars and they are very reliably fun cars.
That's awesome! I've really enjoyed driving this thing so far. I do have plans to change a couple things, but nothing drastic.
I grew up in the 90s and my friend's dad had a maroon firebird and he also had a mullet lol. But that was a sweet car
Nice car, it looks really good. My 89 RS is my daily driver.
honestly thats just beauty at it’s best!
I have an 84 Z28 L69 h.o. 5 speed in the same color. Owned it since 1998. Only has 63,000 miles. Only driven 3000 miles since I bought it. It's pretty much all original, except wheels, stereo and 3" flow master exhaust. I enjoyed your video, great looking ride!
That's awesome! Keep on taking care of that car! Wish this one had been a 5 speed. Unfortunately, I sold it and I'm already regretting it.
@@HotRodHoarder hasn't seen snow/salt rain less than 10 times since 98. Gotta drive it more this year! Needs valve seals and carb work.
Still has all of the pollution bullshit under the hood as well.
Thing sounds great for a 305. Great find! Glad there are still folks out there who are trying to maintain the good ol 3rd gen.
Thanks Brandt!
Awesome work done to an awesome car my first car was an 83 Z28 drove it to my senior prom. It was smoke grey. Miss that car
The times have really changed for these cars as the stigma is evaporating and they are becoming desirable. A lot of what people looked down upon was really nonsense. Values are on the rise for clean, low mile examples. They are fun to drive, and easy to modify if desired.
It's been a lot of fun so far!
Well they were looked down on because they were very slow considering the big v8
If you treat them well they'll last a long time regardless of miles. Regular maintenance, etc. Mine's a regular sport coupe with the V6 but she runs well and looks decent enough. Just can't afford a $3K-$4K paint makeover.
@@hastingsdirect7300 no,they weren't .the problem was too much choice offered from chevrolet(and pontiac).they had had 6(yes six) v8 options the lg4 carbed 5.0 @155 horsepower, the crossfire dual tbi 5.0 at 165 horsepower,the L03 tbi at 175 horsepower,the L69 carbed 5.0@190 horsepower and the tuned port 5.0 at 195 up to 225 horsepower.you could also get a 5.7 tpi car with 235 to 245 horsepower.the tuned port tpi 5.0 with a 5 speed or the tuned port 5.7 with the automatic was as quick as any other v8 car produced in the same year from any other car manufacturer PERIOD.remember to compare apples to apples,don't compare apples to t-bone steak(thats just stupid,so dont do it)
the tpi 5 speed car is as fast as the same year fox body mustang,anyone saying different doesn't know shit
they were slow if you ordered the cheapest,lowest horsepower version with a 2.73 non posi rear end and tiny exhaust.trust me they arent all like that.
@@trillrifaxegrindor4411 nearly all muscle cars were slow in the 80s
Great narration, you sure did clean it up nice. Thanks for the video.
This is a nice clean driver car. It's the falling apart, 5 color ones that get the hate.
Exactly right. And I'm kicking myself for selling this car. It'll be hard to find another this clean without spending a bunch of money.
Same attention I get in my 86 300zx, owned it for 30 yrs and is mint. I had a young girl ask if it was a Ferrari, I said no darling it's just a Nissan.
I’m old school. 70 years old. I still love the muscle car era but realize the newer models are better in most ways. I have an all original 1967 on a rotisserie now and upgrading, suspension, brakes, original 327 cid engine to full roller and transmission to 2004R. It has an air conditioner from the North Pole. I like the better ride, handling and reliability of the newer cars. I mentioned the muscle car era, we must be in the super car era now👍. My wife loves fast and fun cars. She just traded her 2013 SS Camaro convertible for a beautiful 4WD Silverado. My daughters owned Camaros from 1968 to 1999 and loved them. I am sort of a Camaro nut considering I was 17 years old when the 67’s came out. I do not dislike any of them. You Sir, have a beautiful, pampered drive there. You are doing great things the sensible way. I am anxious to see the end result. 👍🇺🇸🤙🖕🏻. Have you ever ridden in a 1958 Oldsmobile 98 with air ride? As for comfort on the open road, you just can’t beat. Thanks for this video.✌️
@Ken switzer my first car was a 1950 Buick Super dynaflow and it was a creampuff of a ride and solid as they came, the straight eight ran so smooth wish I still had it. I was 16 and didn't really know what I had, big mistake selling it, live and learn.
Such a cool car. I had an '84 Z28 in the mid-90s in highschool. Loved it. Wish i never sold it.
In 1984 Car and Driver voted this the best handling American car. it was barely edged out by the Porsche 944 which was their pick for the best handling import car. These things did battle in their day. While they aren't fast by today's standards, there were the beginning of the return of performance cars after the 70's.
These cars were definitely a transition for GM.
MINE is the same colour xcept has stock Z/28 wheels and was converted to right hand drive in melbourne australia in 1985, i am the second australian owner, it has done 104,573 miles, great car.!geniune Z/28, new engine , with big cam, heads, wieand single plane and HP 750 cfm man secs.
Oh wow, that's really cool!
Old Chevys never die...
They just get LS swapped
Beautiful Camaro I had 7 3rd gen f bodies the past 36 years
Currently working on 87 z28. Each one of them drove and felt different. Rattled and shaked and yes broke down Trans,differental eng.paint issues ,but they were all beautiful and charming.
Driven my restored 91 for over three years now and she's never left me stranded or broke down and smooth as silk with zero rattles
Nice! I've fixed a few rattles on this one, but it's not bad. I hope to keep chipping away at it.
You got a great eye for detail and stance, that's why you are getting the looks...I'm not much for these, but that one would turn my head coming down the road!
Thanks Alan! Stance is everything!
And tell people not to kid them selves gen 3 Z28s handle very well and back in the day one of the best in the world !!!
Those wheels look killer with that color combo! Next year, I get my father's all original 85 Z28. He bought it new and sold it right before I was born, and bought it back a few years ago. I can't wait to get it, I looked in family photo albums as a kid and dreamed of having the car. I never understood the hate these cars get, the handling is great even in stock form, and I personally think they are one of the best looking Camaro's of all time, only thing better in my opinion is a 69 lowered with a nice set of wheels. Enjoy the car man!
That's awesome, best of luck with the '85! I ended up selling this car a while back and I've been kicking myself ever since!
@@HotRodHoarder Thank you man! These cars are finally starting to get some recognition and the prices are starting to reflect slowly but surely. Definitely get back in one if you can. Thanks again!
I just picked one up with original 84k miles. These cars are fun!!!!!!!!!!!
Got my 85 Berlinetta that has 293,000 miles on it. It has the original engine and transmission. It was my first new car and I'm the original owner,. I suspect that I'll be buried in it, and "yes" it is a head turner when I drive it.
The main reason this car gets looks is because it looks good. I have experience with this I have a '92 RS when I got it it was three different colors and pretty sad shape. The only looks it got were of disgust. Since I've cleaned it up and had it painted I get people offering to buy this car all the time.
True. A ratty-looking third gen still gets some hate. Glad you got yours cleaned up and looking good!
I have an 88 GTA and a 91 Camaro RS. I usually don't like to see mods to these cars but man you are right about the wheels and the lowering. Great video!
Thank you for watching! Good luck with your projects!
When this body style came out I thought they looked better than a Ferrari. I don't look down on anything. If it floats your boat I'm happy. You really brought that paint back. You've got a real beauty there. And 305 or not it sounds bad ass.
She's a looker for sure! Long live the third gen f bodies. I have one myself still on the road. She is my weekend playmate and still looks gorgeous turning heads all day long. I hope you are still enjoying yours. .
Thanks for this. I have a project car coming, the exact same 84 Z28 and I am excited.
Just recruited from Auto Auction Rebuilds. Enjoyed your channel.
Thank you for checking out the channel Jeff! I post a new video every Friday so stay tuned!
I had a 1991 Firebird Formula in white. It was slow with its boat anchor 305 TBI but it was perfectly reliable. Despite being slow it was a very nice car. I had a beat up red 1976 Camaro. It also had a 305. Thick spacer plates between the carb and intake. That car had somehow a PERFECT interior but it had busted Bondo holes big enough to put your foot through.
Some how that raggedy 76 Camaro was surprisingly fast. It had a broken bolt bouncing around the crankcase yet it was also still perfectly reliable. Rear shocks were "High Jackers" you just needed a bike pump to jack up or down the rear end. Miss both of those F bodies.
I've had some pretty impressive 305's...they have a bad reputation but a good intake and properly-sized carburetor go a LONG way to making them responsive.
What an epic daily. I'd love one :)
It has been pretty awesome so far!
TOTALLY AWESOME VIDEO AND A TOTALLY AWESOME CAMARO!!! TOTALLY AWESOME MAKEOVER!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW PROJECT!!!! THANK YOU FOR RETURNING IT TO THE STREET!!! TOTALLY AWESOME DAILY DRIVER!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!! SO INSPIRING!!!!
Your car looks nice with those wheels, what's crazy is I think the GTA wheels look better than even Iroc wheels would. I just put the same ones my 84 Z except mine are black like the car. Besides looking good, I think the ride is a little better as well. I know what you mean regarding the attention these cars can get, everytime I take my car out I wind up chatting with someone about it or just a compliment. I think things are beginning to shift a little towards the positive side especially now that these cars are 40 years old, I gotta say they're definitely starting to get the respect third gens deserve.
Great content love the 3rd generations camaro
Thank you Marvin!
Grew-up/Owned/Sold many of these F-Bodies in their day in Bronx, L.Island, NY.. .Always liked that Gun-Metal Blue shade on these 82-84s .. They had their Pros & Cons but a fun car ..Best of Memories with Friends... Nice Car btw, GTA wheels are always a Nice touch on these F-Bodies...😎👍👍
Had same car when I was young. No T Tops though. Loved it. Miss it.
Man I have so many memories in that with friends in high school, I drove everywhere
That's awesome, thank you for watching!
I recently picked up a white ‘87 Formula and has similar experiences with the public. You make friends everywhere you go!
That's awesome, good luck with the Formula!
I had an '88 RS, 305 auto. I miss it.
I dig it, makes me miss the 85 Trans Am I used to have.
I've definitely enjoyed this thing more than I thought I would. I originally thought it would be a good LS swap candidate, but the 305 is just fine.
My TA had the TPI 305, it ran pretty well for what it was, that car was a lot of fun, plenty of car for a 17 year old. 😄👍🏻
Shit Box I had the same car, it was pretty quick for what it was! I miss mine too!
still love my 86 that i wouldnt sell
Great share and nice find. +++ for the L69 motor, great exhaust note, and rear disks too. I like how you think in terms of driving something that is different and gives you pleasure in a different way than a pure power standpoint. Thanks for "saving" it.
Thanks Brian, it's been a fun car so far!
Without going over the entire car with a magnifying glass or knowing what you paid for it, this Camaro is excellent! I don't know why you would even consider getting rid of it!
I sold it a few months ago and I'm already regretting it. Made a few bucks on it, but I should've just kept driving it.
That's a shame! Maybe you'll find another one.
Nice, we have an 82 Z and love the lines, great job.
Thanks Dave!
Love that grey/blue color.
IM ONLY 28 AND Got 1985 3rd gen camaro z28 with a 350 motor 570HP and She's a Bomb 💣👌 beat alots of audi and Mercedes kids on the street.
Lowering the car really did make big difference it look great
Sweet ride. Thanks for sharing.
My first car I got when i turned 16 loved that car
Beautiful car sir once upon a time I had a 1990 formula 350. I still miss that car!
Just bought a 1985 IROc with The H.O 305 and a 5 speed in Missouri . Trying to get it shipped to Texas this week but I may have to go and trialer it home myself . It was a black and gold edition , can't wait to get started going thru the car myself . I grew up in that era but somehow never owned one until now . Thinking about LS Swapping it with a 6 speed but keeping it stock looking . Nice job with yours so far
That's awesome! LS and a 6 speed would be super fun...that's my plan if the 305 ever gives up on me.
Hot Rod Hoarder a stock LS1 or LS3 is double the stock power . It should be dependable and fun to drive . My ZL1 has 800 HP I don’t need another massive HP car in my collection . Upgrade the suspension to modern and the electronics as much as I can . Apple car play etc . Check out the DSE-Z Camaro Build it will blow you away
Those cars were fun to drive. An old friend of mine bought one just like that, same color, same year model.
He bought it new in 84. I bet he wishes he had it back now.
I bet he does!
This is a beauty, love these cars, ignorant people make jokes, but the massive suspension / weight difference compared to the 1st and 2nd gens is night and day. These cars weigh nearly 500 lbs LESS than the prior gens, and they have virtually modern suspension, accepting upgrades easily and readily. There are really only two problems, some squeeks, and lack of HP! Enjoy.
Subscribed- I have an 84 in the same color scheme in pieces being restored. Pretty cool to see another being taken care of. I also like that you're not screaming at the camera and making constant gestures with your arms while speaking.
Thank you for the kind words. Some might consider my camera "presence" boring, but I'm just being me. Glad you like it...and good luck with your project.
The Car Guy thing: Call it ignorance, call it thick skulls, who knows. But, when a 3rd Gen can get at LEAST twice the price that a C4 of the same vintage, denying the 3rd gen's place in classic cars is being short sighted.
Overall good find! Little exhaust work will get it sounding mean and those older Chevy’s are cheap to build up to get some power going!
Thanks Justin!
I always love the way they looked. Yhe Firebirds look nicer than the Camaro bc of the pop-up headlights make it cleaner. the reason why they get looked down upon by car buys this cuz too many of them came with the crappy 305's and you couldn't get a 350 with a manual transmission and you couldn't get the 350 until after 87
@CC Ryderthe bore size on a 305 is too small and it's Stroud's the valves, limiting power. if they came with 350s everything would have been better and a 5-speed available. Yes you can make it spin but it's still not as good an engine as a 350. plus a lot of the 305 only came with throttle body injected and not the TPI. I love 3rd gen formulas growing up still do I still would love to get my hands on a GTA or formula 350