Newly acquired 87 V8 Camaro

Well, I just recently picked up an 87 Camaro, which features a carbureted V8. It has some moderate body damage, but I got it for only $250!! I got lucky from a friend of a friend, who bought a new car and just wanted to get rid of it. It aint perfect, but it's the fastest car I've owned (my other car is an 84 vette). It runs very well. The car looks pretty good too, just a few rust spots and some paint chipping on both bumpers. I think I got an awesome deal!

Anyways, this car is already pretty fast by my standards, but I want to make it faster! The problem is, I don't know anything about the engine. I just know the owner dropped the engine in about 50k miles ago, and it's a carbureted V8. It was new when he put in the engine, but I have no clue as to what engine it is.

Also, I don't know anything about carburetors.

I would love to make this car faster, and have thought of getting a preformance carb. What do you guys suggest for significant improvements in torque/hp at a limited budget? If a carb would be appropriate, can you guys suggest any carbs without knowing the exact engine?

Also, one other question. I have a small round key that fits in a little key hole a bit underneath the steering wheel. Anyone know what that's for because I have no clue??

Any help would be hugely appreciated!

Well you need to know what you are starting with. Is it a 350 or a 305? Well regardless, you should just do your standard intake and exhaust upgrades. For starters; manifold, air cleaner, headers, pipes, mufflers, cats, etc. Ignition is always a good place to tweak as well. Other guys in this forum know about 3rd gens so they can give you the specifics on what to do. Happy trails with the new, to you, Camaro.

Congrats on the new car Vetteracer and welcome to the forum.

John

Thanks for the welcome.

How can I tell if its a 350 or 305? I took some pics, but I doubt those would help.

Also, I was thinking of replacing my cat with a straight pipe. But I was concerned that I might lose torque from the loss of back pressure. What are you guys' opinions on this?

casting number on the rear of the block by the oil sender.

Thanks for the welcome.

How can I tell if its a 350 or 305? I took some pics, but I doubt those would help.

Also, I was thinking of replacing my cat with a straight pipe. But I was concerned that I might lose torque from the loss of back pressure. What are you guys' opinions on this?
Back pressure shouldn't be a problem by removing the cat unless you went with long tubes with a 4 inch catback and got rid of the cat as well but I doubt your going to go that far. Good Luck.

John

:useless:

i love posting that

i love your sig LT1Man! sorry, not much help in this thread :)

Thanks for all your help guys. Right now, I think I'm gonna start out with an edelbrock performance series manifold and 600 cfm manual choke carb. Do you guys think this would be a good starting combo? Also, how much torque/hp do you think I'll gain?

Also, I am on a really tight budget, but the above items will only be about $350 in parts. How much do you think installation will run me, or is it easy enough to just do myself?

Again, thanks for the help.

Just make sure its not a Stock LG4 with 160 hp