'87 Camaro advice

I'm driving a regular '87 camaro (automatic, no Z28/Iroc), everything is still stock. Unfortunately, the kid that had it last beat the heck out of it, so I'm still in the process of replacing parts. I recently got a brand new carburetor, and I'm gonna have to replace the engine and transmission within a year or two (sad, huh?). I figure while I'm getting this stuff replaced, I might as well get something worth it :D

So here's my question... What can I do to give it more power without drastically reducing the mileage?

So this is a V-6 then, the 2.8 I think, right?

Well, build the motor to the hilt After it dies. Rebuild to be race breed.
You can also swap it for a 3.4 v-6 and that is not to hard, I no some sights that give good descriptions.

If its a V-8, cause I dont know much about the third gen's, then not sure, someone else here surely has info.

It's a v8, 305 cubic inch. I looked it up online and it supposedly gets 165 HP. I think some of the '87 Irocs and Z28's had built up 305's, with about 190 HP. I'm not sure whether I can fit a 350 cubic inch in there or not with the same carburetor... all the 350 engines came with fuel injection I think, but they were also over 200 HP. That's about the extent of my knowledge :)

Well my firend here's what I know about your car. Yes you can go from a 305 to a 350. Why,because the engine are damn near the exact wieght and size. That's why alot of people get rippedo ff when the buy these engines from junk yards. Also If your gonna end up haven a blown engine you mitus well do a 350 swap. If your wandering if you can go from efi to carborated,yes you can it's just a matter of changing out the intake manifold and throttle body. Other then that everything else is pretty much self explanitory.Since you car is already a V-8 there's no need to do any of the extensive work that I have to do since I am going from V6 to V8. And so far as the tranny goes just have it rebuilt for all out racing. Hope this helps.

~Blackbob~

By the way, I have a carburetor. Switching to fuel injection now just wouldn't be worth the money. Unless I really should have FI with a 350 engine? I don't know. Maybe after I win the lottery I'll change it over ;)

I'm pretty new at this, but I'm willing to learn everything you guys know about this stuff. If I'm gonna be putting in a 350 engine and making the car faster, should I upgrade the suspension system or anything like that? I've had people tell me it's best to start there...

Anyone know what transmission comes with the third generation v8 camaro? I did some looking up, but couldn't find anything. Blackbob said get a transmission built for racing... something like the "high performance" GM 700-R4?

What's the difference between Ram Air (like the new Trans Ams have a Ram Air package) and the K&N cold air induction filter? are they both cold air induction? heh, or are they the same thing.

I have an automatic (manumatic really, or whatever you want to call it), but when I downshift manually it kinda jerks back and slows really fast in the lower gears. Would a better shift kit make switching gears less harsh?

One last question... the only body kits for the third gen camaros are the IROC ground FX, right? I want to do something different.

You guys have knowledge, and I want it. Out with it!! :D

I'm not sure whether I can fit a 350 cubic inch in there or not with the same carburetor...
The 350 and the 305 are the exact same motor except for the bore. 305's are smaller of course. Dropping a 350 in would be just like dropping a 305 in.
Switching to fuel injection now just wouldn't be worth the money. Unless I really should have FI with a 350 engine? I don't know. Maybe after I win the lottery I'll change it over
If you have the money, fuel injection is worth it, but if you don't have the money, you aren't missing out on much.
should I upgrade the suspension system or anything like that?
It depends on what you want to do with the car. If it is a daily driver, it will suffice for the suspension that is under the car. If you want to auto-cross it, then it requires a different suspesion. If you want to drag race it, requires different suspension. All in what you want to do with the car.
GM 700-R4
That's it, I have a friend with an 1984 Camaro with a 305 in it. He has a 700-r4 in it. The problem with the first few years of the 700-r4's is that the torque convertors don't look up and when they do, they will slip. Rebuilding a 700-r4 is cost more than a normal th350/400, but if you want the over drive for the mileage then it is worth it. All depends on how much money you want to spend. They can be built to take some power!
What's the difference between Ram Air (like the new Trans Ams have a Ram Air package) and the K&N cold air induction filter? are they both cold air induction? heh, or are they the same thing.
Functional ram air is what is on the new firebirds. It is built into the hood, and forces the air into the air cleaner/carb/lid/ depending on the year of the car. A cold air intake is usually an air filter at the end that picks up cold air from the out side, and usually has a tube running up to the carb. Essentially they are the same thing, just different designs and names.
I have an automatic (manumatic really, or whatever you want to call it), but when I downshift manually it kinda jerks back and slows really fast in the lower gears. Would a better shift kit make switching gears less harsh
The slowing down quickly is just gearing down. That puts a lot of strain on the motor. Depends on how fast you are going when you go to a lower gear. Going to too low a gear at too high of a rpm could cause your motor to over rev and then you would have serious problems! A shift kit usually determines how hard the tranny will shift. Usually drag racers will want their trannys to shift really hard. If you rebuild your tranny, putting in a shift kit wouldn't hurt.
the only body kits for the third gen camaros are the IROC ground FX, right? I want to do something different.
I don't pay that much attention to looks of a car, I am more go than show. Search the internet enough, and you will find something. If anything just get some lowering springs and some nice wheels, it will set you apart enough.

Just my .02. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

hey man don't loose hope on that body kit man there is at least one out there cause i personally have seen it, as a matter of fact i'm looking for it right now, so hey if you run across it before i do email me or something and let me know cause i want one too, but hey at least we know that it's out there we just have to find it