Information about Shevy Camaro '77 RS

Hello people, nice to meet you.
my name is David, from Israel, I'm new at this forum so I'll make a short introduction.

I currently drive a Hyundai Lantra '96 which I will be replacing soon. (this car sucks) and plus I am looking into building my own drag racing car.

The car I have in mind is a Chevy Camaro '77 Rally Sport, It currently has no engine and nothing is working (thus making the project more fun, imo) I didn't buy this car yet, but I am allmost settled on it, I am now waiting for it to go to a check to see if it's chassis is in one piece.

The camaros here in Israel are really rare, and there are not much, so if i would like a good car base for drag with alot of tuning and modifiying opportunities, this will be the car for me. What I'm getting to eventually is this, does anybody here have any experience with the above car? where can i read more info?

thanks, every help you can give will be greatly appriciated, here is a picture of the car... and, hello, hope we'll get together with no problems :)

http://www.classiccar.co.il/Ads/images/camaro.jpg

Looks like it'll need some work, including a donor engine. Try doing a search for 2nd Gen Camaros, or even for a 77 Camaro on some of the major search engines. This should provide you with basics on the motors that were offered, etc. Is this supposed to be a strictly strip car, or will is also see the street as well?

For the next 4 years, it's going to be strictly strips, but then it's going to go on streets (not for racing, rather for shows and exhibitions).


i've been looking for some information on this car... still i have a question un answered.


what is the diffrence between the z28 and the rs? i know the ss is the later rs version. can some one spill some light on this issue? I will appriciate it much.

plus, i now have hik-ups :) :lol2: (for real )

anybody? please help...

i know found out that the RS is aka Z85, does it meen it's better than the Z28?

can i get to a stock Z28 having an RS?
i meen are they the same base?

As far as I know, as for the more recent Camaros, RS is the designation for an appearance package, i.e. ground effects and a three piece spoiler extention that was offered on any model, V6, Z28, or SS (the SS wouldn't have the spoiler extention though). That means, you can have a stock Z28 with an RS appearance package, no problem.

As for the Z85, I have no idea what that means other than it might be the specific code that signifies it came originally with the RS package, but that has nothing to do with it being a Z28 or not.

You should do a VIN # check on it, to see what came on that vehicle originally...

tnx i will, where can i read the vin# off of the car?

the RS, or Rally Sport, for almost all years has been the "pretty" camaro, also known as the appearance package, while the Z28 has been the fast one. the Z85 and Z28 designation is the build code for thes options, found on the build sheet. all options for the vehicle are three digit codes. it just so happens that the Z28 is named after its option code, while the RS is not. but the Z28 is a much better option for performance. the actual numerical value of the build code has no impact on better or worse, just happens to be a larger number. RS camaros usually have a softer ride, more creature comforts, and more pretty outside equipment, while Z28 camaros usualy have a tuned stiff suspension and powerful engine. and less creature comforts. im not sure exatly on options for the 77 camaro, but even the Z28 was hardly a high performance machine, it was the height of the gas crunch and emmisions, and all the cars were suffering. so your best bet, especially if its going to be a drag car rather than a restoration, is to completely build your own drivetrain and suspension, therefore the options the car came with are a non issue, and dont matter. if you plan on showing the car after racing it, i would go with an RS because they are prettier, and will do better at a show, but then again, the cars are the same, and you could easily make a Z look like an RS. so again, the options the car came with are pretty non important. oh and the SS is not the new RS, the RS as i said before is the Rally Sport option, while the SS is the Super Sport, and was a performance option, for instance, in 1969, the Z28 had the hot 302 and a race tuned suspension, while the RS had everything from the Inline 6 to the 350, while the SS could get all the way up to the big block V8's of the day, with the most power. so the shorthand, was that the RS was the pretty daily driver that everyone could love, the Z28 was the high strung road course racer with a high revving small block, and the SS was the meathead big block massive power dragster built for strait line performance. dont know if thats the same as the 77, but im pretty sure thats how its been for all the years.

the VIN # is on the front dashboard, look at the car from the outside, standing in front, the lower right hand corner of the windsheild, there will be a 14 digit code of letters and numbers, that is the VIN # and will tell you everything about the car, assuming you can take it to someone to have it decoded. if you post it on here, ill see if i can get it decoded for you at work.

i ma going to put my :2cents: on this car, i think it would alot of fun to put something big in it,say like a 502 crate motor, but maybe that is just my young(18) age getting the best of me, all i can see with that car is "diamand in the ruff"

i'm pretty young my self (20).

question: can i make this RS act like a stock Z28? it's the same body and chassis? (give or take the front bumper which i read is diffrent between models). are there alot of tuning and modifying options for this car (whole drivetrain - springs coilovers engine carbs etc`)? If i take this car, can i make it a good car eventually?

i live in israel, here we got approx 30 camaros all over the country, making this camaro one of a kind (one of 30 to be accurate) it's going to cost me 5K$ USD. i know it's much more then i would have got it in the u.s. but, that's israel..

thanks for the answers so far. waiting for more :)

it should act the same as a Z28, altho i am not to sure on that.but there a a million different thing you could do to that car, just, i repeat, just stay away from the 305TBI.

what is 305TBI?

lol, the worst engine chevy ever made, well, arguably anyway. it was a 5.0 Liter V8 that only made 170hp it hada horrible bore stroke ratio defined by the gas crunch and emmisions, they made it a small bore trying to reduce hydrocarbons, and long stroke trying to make torque, and it really just is a boat anchor.

as far as making this RS run like a Z, it really wouldnt be all that hard. the main diff between the two would be the wheels, tires, shocks, springs, engine, and rear end. they usually used the same transmision though. but rather than making it run like a 77 Z28, i would reccomned some aftermarket parts if at all possible, such as edelbrock IAS shocks, Eibach springs, some centerline wheels and sticky tires. im a goodyear eagle man but thats kinda a personal preference deal. and when it comes to the engine. boots may be onto something with that 502, especially if your gonna drag it, but that also is a factor of money. bt then again, all racecars are. but to answer your question, on wheather or not you can make this a good car eventually, i think so, just be very careful to look over the whole car looking for rust, and bondo, and band aid fixes, if you buy the car, and it desintigrates by the time you get it home, its probly not worth the money and effort, but if its pretty solid, and dosnt need alot of cancer treatment, and you arent intimidated by the body work, then i think your off to a pretty good start.

tnx 89iroc. assuming (and just asuming for now) that i get the car, and i wanna make it a drag car, what engine and gear will be best for max 1/4mile? shall i convert it to injection or rather stay with carbs?

anyone?

i would stay with carbs, there is mor parts for them out thereon the market,and beside, there are fairly cheep.

well with drag racing, the key is to build for torque and hp is gonna go along with it. make a big V8 that can be a big small block. using aftermarket parts you can go up to around 454 cid. or go with a big block, and from there, the sky is the limit. if you wanna start with a crate motor, i would reccomend the 502, its a strong base that should respond well to mods. but it comes with 502 hp so there really isnt a whole lot you would NEED to do, but more is always better :) for drag racing, i would agree with boots. its alot easyer to drag with a supercharged big block chevy and twin four barrel carbs. or, go turbocharged if your up for it. superchargers tend to be less expencive and easyer to install though. as far as a cam, im not an expert, best bet is to contact a cam company, such as comp cams, or crane cams. for internals, light is might. the lighter your rotataing assembly the fast it will rev and go into the powerband. also frees up parasitic horsepower loss. i would go with a TH350 if your are using a small block, and a TH400 if you are going big block. use a ratchet shifter or a CO2 shifter and they will be faster than a manual of the sme time period. as far as the rear end. get a 12 bolt rear if you can. but if your stuck with a 10 bolt. get a high quality rear unit such as torsen, or eaton, or auburn and bolt it all together. run no less than a 4.11 gear 4.56 is pretty nice. and sticky slicks. im a Mickey Thomson man myself. that drivetrain is tried and true, and has proven its self time and again. where your gonna make yourself different is in the engine. youll have to do your own homework on that and deside what heads you want, and what cam and induction, but then again, thats the fun part of the whole car building game :)

and also, it is a common misconception that there are more aftermarket parts for carbs. not the case. perhaps say, 15 or 20 years ago that was the case. but the aftermarket learns fast. and fuel injection is top dog. the reason i recomend carbs to david is because he seems to be new to all this. and its better and easyer to cut your teeth on the carbs, rather than the electrical systems of fuel injection. also, for racing applications, you have to know how to tune them and get the most out of them, that means doing all your fuel spark curves and fuel tables. and messing with the wiring, and learning all the finite detials of that process. i mean, ive been doing my research and all for a few years. and im still not all that up to speed on it. so it is pretty complex so my advice is given on the idea that david is in the learning faze. not nessesaraly what is the best for performance.

wow, i appriciate the detailed answers! i will keep you updated on when i get the car.

no prob, welcome to the camaro obsession ;)

i guess the only reason i said stay with the carbs is because i work on a lot of older plymouths, and well, with mopar, the way to go is carbs

fair nuff, guess it is one of the benifits to using the most popular V8 ever made, (sbc) you get the driving force of the whole aftermarket and factory development. but i suppose some people like working with stone tools and big sticks. aka mopar guys ;) lol, just kidding just kidding, no hate from this guy. but yeah, i see where your comin from, just throwin out my two cents on the matter.

for that heavy of a car, and if your on a budget, I would get the mark 6 motor from GM it's a 502cid with 502hp out of the box and I think it's turn key for a little over 5 grand. Then throw on a set of Merlin heads from world products, a radical cam, a hot ignition and bigger carb and you have a good motor, I know Iroc, there's more to it, but that's a basis. I would also go with 5.11 gears to get the most out of it with a powerglide tranny. But that's just me.

absolutely 92RS, i specialize in sbc motor design, there is a whole helluva lot more, but im not gonna sit down and design this kid his engine, so i figured i would just point him in the right direction, besides, its more fun doin the homework yourself. i wouldnt want anyone on here telling him exactly what to get and put together down to the last nut and bolt ya know? also, dont want to try and overwhelm him and scare him off ;) as far as rear gearing, thats pretty much a horsepower deal there. with just the 502hp, the 5.11's would probly be better, if he hopps it up to more hp, round 800 or 1000 i would run the 4.56's. i know your an rpm dog, but youd have to be a brave man to buzz a bigblock on a budget. :)

89IROC&RS

man you know some sheeet bro....
I got some questions for ya but that will be a later day. got get my stuff from the states here.

383 stroker motor would be a good starter motor for strip purposes

Geno is right with right gear you can get 502 ft of torgue at 2800 rpm and like 480 ponies easy.

whoa, you mean I actually made a good suggestion???

Oh yeah bro ..

Hey how do you get your car in your sig?

type (img) url (/img) but instead of the parenthesis ust the bar things next to the letter "p"

Thanks for the help bro

thanx vlad, ask away when your ready, im not the most knowledgeable guy on here by any means, but ill answer what i can.

and genopsyde, to my knowldege, youve said quite a few things that were good suggestions. personally im a small block man myself, but i suggested the big block for strictly strip racing, especially cuz its such a heavy car. its just a matter of tourqe, but a 383 is a great starting place too. and will probly rev faster to boot.

oh and genopside,im lookin to put up pics of my RS in my sig, but my pics are on a disk, like, CD rom deal, does that matter? or do they have to be online somewhere?

89IROC&RS

yeah they have to be uploaded.
Go to the gallery feature in th CP and up load your pic and use it for your sig

ah HA! thanx vlad, lets see if im smart enough to do this :)

89, yea the big block is perfect for strip only, but I suggested the 383 because he seems to be a beginner in this field and the 383 would be a perfect beginner engine and all the other good stuff.

Not perfect if he's gonna build it himself though. He can get a 502/502 out of the box.

oh by the way, thanx vlad and genopsyde for helpin me get my sig workin, ya think its to big? :) but yeah, i think genopsyde is talkin about the 383 as a good all around engine for a racer, turn driver/showcar, and to be fair, we both talked about modding the 502, so it would be pretty much the same song and dance either way.

you can get a 383 outta the box too, beginner is the key word tho, shouldn't hand over too much power to someone who doesnt' know how to handle it, know what i mean.

very wise words, i suppose thats something none of us had tought of. and you said you never have good ideas ;) ppsshhhhhtt!!!

pictures i took of the car...
the owner wouldnt sell it for less then 4K$USD
what do u guys say, is it worth it?
it's going to be an strip only drag car.

http://members.fortunecity.com/davix1/alapanim1.jpg
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http://members.fortunecity.com/davix1/alapanim11.jpg
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wow, is there any reason you feel so inclined to punish yourself this way??? that car looks like its got the cancer bad, youre looking at alot of body work. probly replacing a lot of body panels, who knows how bad the inside is, also, it looks like its seen its fair share of accidents, so the frame condition is questionable. i dunno man, seeing as how rare it is over there, i just personally wouldnt put forth the effort on it. but thats me, where i can go out and find a hundred camaros for sale ya know? if its what you truely want, and think you can handle the project its going to be. go for it.

After all the discussion on the 502, I was ready to jump in and suggest the ZZ572 despite the fuel injection. However, after reading Genopsyde's post, that is definitely the smart move. I personally would venture so far as to say that David should start with a 350 and when he wants to move up and feels more comfortable, he can swap in a stroker crank to hit 383. Those two variables, plus the never ending search for the perfect cam and heads will probably keep him busy for quite a while, at least until he becomes more familiar with our hobby. What do you guys think?

hey, if the car is what you want, i would get it, or atleast for the rarity of it, but if it was me here in the states, i would say, hell no.

probobly i wont get it eventually, i will have to wait 2 years now, and then import one for the u.s.