Some Camaro Questions

I'm a poor college student with a 1997 Camaro Z28 that i got at an auto auction for 85000 with 47k miles, with a T56 tranny. I was wondering what oil to run 10w 30 or something like 20w 40 was recomended, because i do lose a lot of pressure when the engine gets hot. Also i have cleaned out cats and its reaking havoc on my computer. I installed O2 simulators, but i'm not sure if thats the best thing for my power. I was thinking of just getting the two cats i need and putting back in the O2 sensors, but that would cost a lot of money. Also i need a new clutch and probably rear end... does anyone know where i can get a good clutch (i'm around stock power so the need for a high power handling clutch is none) all the ones i've found are around $400 or more. And what gear ratios come stock with the 97 Camaro Z28 T56 - 6-speed and how much would it cost to go to say... 3:73s and is that what you guys would recomend?

Dave

First of all, I hope ya didn't pay 85000 like your post says... :lol: I'm assuming you meant 8500...

You should prolly run 5w30 in the cold months, and 10w30 in the warms ones... (non-synthetic)

Also, your o2 sims have no effect on your power. Leave the cats gutted and leave the o2 sims in. The rear two o2 sensors are only responsible for emissions and are not used to adjust your a/f ratio at all...

If you want a stock clutch, you can pick one up at Advance Auto or AutoZone...

Stock gears will prolly be 3.23 or 3.42 in your Z. You can get a full kit, including gears, install kit, fluids, additive, crush collar, girdle, stud kit, etc, from ThunderRacing for about $400. I recommend that if you want to swap gears...

BTW
1st - 2.66 2nd - 1.78 3rd - 1.30
4th - 1.00 5th - 0.74 6th - 0.50

haha, yeah, i paid $8500. I was looking for something a bit more in a clutch that would handle what i do to the car, but again i don't want it to be gaggles of money (gaggles = anytihng over 400)

Also i just want to make sure that you wouldn't run 20w-40 when the engine is hot, cause, well i lose a lot of oil pressure when it gets that hot, and i lose a lot of power when the engine is hot.