shakenbake

Iv been dumping more and more money into my auto 1987 Camaro RS. The body is in really good shape the only rust on the entire body is right behind the rear tires and there isnt much. There are 4 brand new dunlop tires on the car. a brand new exhuast. power everything that still works. It needs paint. Everythings all set to go but the engine. which is why i bought it. I just wish things went smother.

I Bought the car for 500 dollars and bought a new engine (120k) for 450. I then had it installed for 750 which turned out to be 1200 dollars after he added a new water pump oil pressure sending unit ect various stuff and then he told me the engine was no good. It had low oil pressure... I drove it home and the oil pressure seemed fine the engine is a little noisy and it needed an injector the oil pressure has seemed fine in it only dropping when idling and down to about 10 psi but no lower ever. I researched this and think i came to the conclusion that this is natural?

I put a new radiator in it because the old one had a broken neck were the hose attaches. My dad replaced the fuel injector on it (but he dident take the entire fuel rail off and shook it around alot trying to get the injector out so idk if something got loose there or something).

Im gonna check out that fuel injector when i get the chance as i never have time to work on it. which is part of my dilehma.

My car was running great! perfect. I started it twice and it was great. While I was at work my dad wanted to double check it. and it started really hard he drove it up the road and the check engine light came on and there was no power. Also the bolts on the intake were never re torqued once the car was warmed up ( idk if this could really cause this) I was going too twice but got pulled away both times.

the fact of the matter is im getting kind of sick of this car since I cant work on it myself. Theres just one thing wrong after another and it took me long enough to find this engine for it which the guy i bought it from new the owner of the car personally and swore it was good. All I can really do is throw money at it. its hardly even "my car" i just pay for it while other people "fix" it and end up telling me its more broken than before.

Id probably be lucky if i got 1000 dollars for it? yes? i tihnk i would be kind happy with that though. lesson learned.. I just want to get out of my crappy altima. I cant keep spending all my money on my camaro every 2 weeks. sorry this was so long.

flowmasterRS

Yeah that's a pretty big hole you're in, how depressing, a replaced engine and doesn't even operate correctly....I feel for you.

My Camaro was out of commission for about a week thanks to the VATS security system going bad. Thought it was done (right after I bought it!) but thankfully a google search and about 6 bucks worth of stuff from radioshack and I bypassed the system myself.

If you plan on reselling, two things come to my mind. First, while the car is in rather good condition in the exterior, from what I see, you have to keep in mind it's a V6 and one not operating correctly at that, I don't know if 1,000 is too high or what (not too good on price estimation) but I'd probably stick with something like that and throw on OBO at the end.

Second, I'm pretty sure Chevy only started making the RS trim level for the third gens in 1989? I think they made the RS for second gen and then started third gen and dropped the RS. Might want to double check that before titling it for a resell. Could also have RS badges/ground effects and be the sport coupe model.

Derickab

With the age on these cars its just a thing that comes with them. I am the first to say I wanted to get rid of mines a few months after I got it. I rebuilt the 2.8 let it sit there for 4 mths b/c that didn't go as planned and ended up pulling that engine out and dropping in a 3.4. Finally after 1 1/2 yrs of tuning it is finally running right. Now at first I paid $250 for it and as of now I have put another 2k into it. Like you said for various reasons exhaust, fuel injectors, replacing bushings, complete brake system replacement, the list goes on.

The deciding factor is when she is running right there is nothing better to me. I wanted one of these cars when I was a young lad now being 36 I'm enjoying every minute of it. There are nightss when I jump up and throw in a jazz cd and ride up the interstate for no reason just to be out on the road. I'm at the final phase which is paint and I'm done with all the lil headaches.

Not saying that you should keep it or let it go just a lil insite on what I've been through with mines and she's a keeper.

Either way good luck with whatever you decide!

d00012

800-1000 should be a good range to sell it. A shame to get rid of it though, it's a beautiful car.




He has the RS LT, which I believe they started in 1987, same with the California model (base model). The RS LT came with the optional 305 tbi and the RS Trim.

flowmasterRS

Thanks d00012, I never knew that! Pretty interesting

d00012

You're welcome, and neither did I until a couple days ago. I was in Barnes & Noble with my fiance, and I picked up a book about the history of the Camaro. So I did some quick reading about the third gens. I should get that book, it's very informative, only I forgot the title.

flowmasterRS

Yeah I'll check it out, sounds really interesting. Except I usually get PO'd when I go in a bookstore and see the Mustang/Cobra mags, never can find one on a Camaro or F-body even.

d00012

It's mostly GM books in the B&N I go to. (Lynnwood, WA)





But yeah, shakenbake...try to hang in there, you won't be disappointed once it starts working! But if you really need to, sell it for around 1000 +/- 150.

flowmasterRS

Yeah 1,000 is pretty solid for that car now that I think about it. I bet in some states '87 cars are now registered as classical or historical or whatever that may be, my neighbor at my shorehouse in Jersey has a '78 Vette and has to be registered as Historic, sweet part is though he can, and does, run open headers because historics aren't required to have an exhaust, so I'm told, but the thing is LOUD!

shakenbake

yes it started in 1987. I only drove this car once Iv had it more than 3 months I loved driving it even tho i only drove it about 4 miles. But I cant stand having it at the mercy of my dad while im at work or any other mechanic. Money obviously doesnt fix cars and thats all I really have right now and I dont even have much more of that to put into it. I can only see this cycle of every weekend finding something new wrong with it and paying for parts to fix it and then finding something else has gone wrong with it for a very long time. Iv spent the last 3 months saying "i cant wait to drive my car to work tomorrow" its all very depressing all I wait to do all week is fix her. I dont know how much more I can take. lol iv already told everyone at work Just wait till tomorrow youl get to see her! for long enough eh. Seriously I was 20 seconds away from driving it to work today.

The whole point of buying it was to fix it up myself tho . A little more tinkering and Ill have my decision by the end of the month. maybe. I guess. I really dont want to buy a cookie cutter economy car but i cant think of any other car than this one I want besides a Mitsu starion and those are too hard to find.

flowmasterRS

Hey man sometimes the best was is the DIY way, you get a much better sense of accomplishment too!

Try searching up whatever symptoms your car is showing or what you know needs repairing and see if you can find a good DIY guide. Might help you out some, or run into Pep boys/Autozone and check out the Hayne's or Chilton's repair manuals.

d00012

The 2.8/3.1 gets good gas mileage. Mine is around 28.

DIY is the only real way to get it working right. I've done most of the work on mine, but my dad has helped when I've been stuck (mechanic for 38 years).

I have the Chilton, it's informative, but I've heard the Haynes is better.

Spend your days off working on it, don't let anyone touch it if you're afraid of something else going wrong.

shakenbake

Yeah. I guess Thats what Ill have to do. I have both the Haynes and the Chilton's. They both work good imo The Haynes dosent go as far as explaining all the systems but it has real pictures and gets to the point alot faster. I bought the Chiltons for $5 at big lots (ct). I have training as an electrician, Cars are pretty new to me. I can do the work but when im done the feeling i have is that of "so.... thats that, do i start it now?" sort of confused and unsure of my work. I have alot of book knowledge on the systems but thats about it.

d00012

Same here. I didn't really get into fixing cars until about a year ago, and a couple months ago I've gone gear head when I bought my camaro. Despite my little experience, I haven't screwed anything up working on it myself. If anything it runs better than it has in 15 years. I've even given it a 5+ Hp gain.

It's more satisfying to do it yourself, and then feel proud and exhilarated once you take it for a spin.

flowmasterRS

Definitely agree! What did you do for the +5? Intake?

d00012

Yeah, I put in K&N filters and cut the bottoms off the air boxes.

flowmasterRS

I've been putting that move on hold for a while and want to do it sometime soon, could you post pictures?

What kit did you buy/where?

d00012

Yes, I'll post pictures. I didn't buy anything, it was the stock intake. The same intake for the 350 TPI. Just bought the filters and used a hacksaw.

flowmasterRS

Ahh so it's one of those double intake air boxes that have air coming in from right between the hood and top of the bumper! I've been wanting one of those....did that come with your car or did you install it yourself?

d00012

It came with the car. It came stock on the RS, I think.

Here's links to the pictures (can't get them to load on here )

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/...a02f52ee_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/...ede871f6_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/...83fa4c58_b.jpg



Yeah, I know, the car is dirty.

flowmasterRS

Ah interesting. Mine has the air intake inside an air box in the front right corner of the car. The intake tube forms a reverse L, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, and uses a cylinder filter.

I want to make an aftermarket intake though, I'm wondering if I should put it going to the same area or not (without the box) or maybe run it down towards the lower bumper for cooler air. Haven't been able to fnd pictures of someone that did this though, so I'm not sure.

d00012

Just find one of those air boxes in a junk yard or a pull a parts place. You can buy replacements that are modified, but they're over priced.

flowmasterRS

Yep I plan to.

I feel like we've hijacked shakenbake's thread :/ sorry!

PM to keep the conversation going. Did you need to buy a different bumper for those filter inlet "squares?" Offhand I don't think mine has them.

chevyracingrox

shakenbake-I was in a similar situation last year. exept my car is in much worse condition. try looking at my thread "should I fix it or should I part it out?" https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/4...ix-should.html whether you decide to keep it or sell it is up to you. you don't have to spend so much money. I've spent less than 1000 on my camaro. I think if you started working on it yourself you wouldn't be facing yourself with this question. I put a lot of work in my car and then it started on fire. I thought I wasn't good enough, I couldn't do it, the car was just teasing me. trust me, your close. I don't even drive my car on public roads yet(legally) and I've had this car for over a year now.

flowmasterRS-the set up he has is the same as mine. its good. all you need is the air box, your bumper will work fine.

shakenbake

I dont mind if you hijack my thread. My car might be on the road tomorrow by the way. lol. a quick fix.

I guess this thread is about air filters now.


Especially now with all the sand and junk on the road now do the air filters get dirty alot faster with the bottom cut out like that? and wouldn't it be a good idea to just get one of these new fangled cone filters with a setup like this down in the bumper? Also I hear you get like 3 mpg from this. is there any noticable gas mileage increase?

Or should you just get two and stick it out in the front like a retard like the 300zx LOL

flowmasterRS

Lol @ riced 300zx.
Those are beautiful cars, what shame.

As for that intake...seems okay, but wouldn't it need a water shield or something?

chevyracingrox

doesn't look like a car that gets driven through rain. so its not a problem in that case. there probably wouldn't be a noticable increase in milage from a cold air intake, i put one on my cavalier and it didn't help at all (not a "cold" air intake, but a cone filter and pipe utilizing the venturi effect). sure helped performance, but with the intake on a camaro in front of the radiator it wouldn't really help or hurt much.

d00012

Mine have hardly gotten anything in there. A few specs of dust and what not (over 150 miles with that set up). Yeah, the driving I do to take my fiance to work would burn about 1/8 a tank, I'm now buring less fuel than that. And it costs way more than using a stock air box. Especially if you can get one from a junk yard. Best to just modify what you have and save money.

d00012

Yeah, I try to not to drive in the rain if I don't have to. If I do, I stay clear from any other cars, and check inside the air intake for any water. So far I haven't had problems with water. I'll probably rig up some kind of thing to plug up the air vents in the bumper when it's raining/snowing.

I know you're all talking about the 300zx...I just wanted to feel important and respond like you're talking to me. :P

chevyracingrox

no i was talking about that nissan actually. i did that intake mod to my friend's camaro, it worked fine. i cut out some of my airboxes, but not all.

d00012

Yeah, I saw that, edited my last comment.

GTA50

For all of your problems, the Helms manual is the way to go. Also, from years of experience and "been there, done that" the "temporary fixes" or "I'll finish it properly tomorrow"...never get done

So, do it right (even if slowly). The enjoyment factor goes up exponentially and the aggravation factor decreases accordingly.

d00012

When it's your own car, you tend to be extremely careful and don't mess anything up.

crytical point

Had a Fiero that had a bastard of a 2.8 that would spite me in ways only a enemy would. I kept a bent paper clip and moved the ECM cable for easy access so when it would throw a code and the check engine would come on I would just throw it in neutral turn off the car and clear codes and restart and keep going. That car hated me I swear because of all the money and time I worked on it and If it could happen it usually did.

Fiero process of hell "A month in the life of the owner"

Ignition module goes out
Ignition Coil follows
Alternator breaks
Upgrade to CS-130
Alternator braket breaks
Buy new Bracket
Water pump breaks (ever see a v6 Fiero engine bay 86 auto at that)
Replace Water pump
Break bolt
spend a day pulling broken bolt
Car runs like crap
Replace temp sending unit
Car runs great
Heater hoses start leaking (aluminum from rear to front)
Replaces hoses
Put car up for sale while everything works and buy a Camaro

d00012

Yeah, Fieros had their problems. I almost bought one but decided against it and got the Camaro. I haven't been disappointed yet.

shakenbake

+1 v6 on the roads since 7:18 PM Friday the thirteenth! It only took nearly 4 months. Oh man. The feeling after driving it for the first time actually running right. I can finally move onto the interior and radio and making her pretty. No more stuttering rust bucket altima!

d00012

Congrats! I did some work on mine yesterday, still needs more work.
Then after everything is good I'm swapping in the 3.4 block.

tony_cogliandro

iTrader: (3)

the airfilters cant be the same. the 87 is a maf tpi and the 91 is a map tpi. slightly different air intake so they will be different.

tony_cogliandro

iTrader: (3)

congrats - now you know why we are all here.
feels good doesn't it?

chevyracingrox

I believe the only difference would be in the hose, the actual dual snorkel intake is the same though.

shakenbake-good job. mine is having some trouble, but i'm on it. hope yours keeps running strong. remember, its an old car and everything is going to be a pain.

d00012

So my car crapped out on me, EGR valve is all ****ed up. Bought a new one, start to get the old one off, and the bolts are stuck! Literally fused together. A 10 minute replacement turned into a 6+ hour nightmare. Finally get the old valve off, and notice it's all plugged up inside. The bolt is still stuck, though. So I figured it was just clogged up with stuff and the valve is ok, wrong, I accidently broke it trying to get that bolt off. So my car won't be able to see pavement until tomorrow.

a1990camarors

i love cut off wheels lol

chevyracingrox

cutting off the diaphram (black part) will let you get a good angle on those bolts. then you can use screw extractors to get them off. or maybe just a breaker bar.

d00012

I cut the top off that bolt and removed the egr valve, then drilled out that bolt.

Car runs now, new egr valve is in, running better now. Still leaking from the head gasket, or a crack in the block.

shakenbake

Thats what it was like for my car. Every simple little 10 minute job turned into 3 hours because of something like that. Or going through and finding something and saying " why the heck is that like that". good luck.

d00012

I'll be getting a top end gasket set soon, and tearing apart my car, again. If it's the block that is cracked, I'll be looking for a 3.1 or 3.4 (if I can find one)

chevyracingrox

3.1 kicks ***! thats what I have.

d00012

Just got back from the junkyard. The only 3.1 there was in poor condition.

shakenbake

When I went to a lot of junk yards all the motors that were labeled in "good running condition" were mostly mislabeled and were missing tons of parts. As I said before the motor that was put in my car (a 2.8) which was said to be good was said by the mechanic to be bad. But The engine is essentially "okay" I guess its sort of rough but it wasn't fun finding a good motor.

One guy wanted me to pay for a motor over the phone... he guaranteed me the motor was good and wanted me to come down and see it running. I dident pay over the phone. I drove 2 hours to un bury a bunch of firebirds out of a foot of snow to eventually find the right engine and it to be missing parts and probubly will never run again. I dident meet too many guys who werent trying to bullshit me or sell me a crap motor. The guy I bought the motor from seemed trustable. The mechanic I had install it did some crappy work tho I knew alot of people even family members who he did work for and they said he was great and honest and whatnot. Maybe I just look easy to rip off idk.

d00012

Yeah, junkyards are never reliable, and neither are mechanics, in my opinion. $500+ to replace an alternator?! It's only what, 2 bolts to take out? $30+ to change oil. Now that is a rip off.

I now have to rebuild my transmission. It's going out, fast. I don't think the previous owner treated it well. Then again I went over 200K miles and 99% of the engine was stock when I got it at 196K miles.

At least I rescued it, and am now treating it like a child. Haha!