Second gen camaro's as all around performer??

[OttawaStreetRacer]

I was looking around for inexpensive cars that are E-test exempt and easily tunable for an all around performance. I want a car that I can run a decent quarter in (12's or low 13's) as well as do both grip and drift style track racing. So I was wondering how much power can these cars handle without going full frame? What would be involved in making a reasonable drift/grip racer out of this type of car and are the parts widely available? Is there any thing in particular one should know about these cars before buying one? Any help would be hugely appreciated

[-The Stig-]

It can be done, but I'll be honest with you... it'll cost you alot to update the car's 30 year old suspension to do what a newer can do pretty much stock or near it.

If you want a good all around car I'd suggest a 240SX or something similar. Small, light, and RWD are what you need for your needs.

A 2nd Gen Camaro... good choice, but for what you're looking for I'd have to say look elsewhere. Unless you want to spend alot of money suspension upgrades and having a lot of down time.




Actually, if you really want to skip emissions go with a 70-72 Datsun 240Z. Those things can be made to do anything for fairly cheap.


EDIT: On second thought, if you don't like the 240Z maybe an older Porsche?

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by RedNeck383

Actually, if you really want to skip emissions go with a 70-72 Datsun 240Z. Those things can be made to do anything for fairly cheap.


EDIT: On second thought, if you don't like the 240Z maybe an older Porsche?

Yes, listen to CBass, uhm, I mean RedNeck.

[OttawaStreetRacer]

Thanks, I was thinking about a 944 until I saw the insurance prices for a guy my age (I'm only 18). I'm not so worried about the cost of parts because I will be starting work at an auto shop in a week. The discounts are rediculous for employees so all i'm really worried about is availability. The datsun is something i will have to look into cause that sounds pretty kick ass.

[OttawaStreetRacer]

I've been looking around and I've been having trouble finding 240Z. Would a 280Z be just as good because they are a dime a dozen around my area. Emmissions in canada doesn't apply to any car older than 20 years old so a 280Z would still be able to bypass the test.

[-The Stig-]

Sure a 280Z would work.

You can get an Idea on parts cost and what not here: Strickly Z


Happy Trails.

[RACER D12]

Im looking for the same thing in a car as you. And funny enough im looking at 240z's and 280z's. But just a word to the wize CHECK them up and down for RUST. More importantly chassis rust. Body rust can be fixed (its hard to find one with out body rust) but chassis rust will cost you. So happy hunting cause im still lookin.

[LjasonL]

2nd gen camaros are way too heavy and way too antiquated suspension to seriously think about being competitive with modern cars.

Not to mention being quite possibly the ugliest cars ever made...

I would like to build a 1st gen camaro with IRS, coilover suspension, fuel injection and a turbo. That would be a sweet car.

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by ldelaysionl

2nd gen camaros are way too heavy and way too antiquated suspension to seriously think about being competitive with modern cars.

Not to mention being quite possibly the ugliest cars ever made...

Too heavy? They're only 3400-3500lbs, thats only 100-200lbs more than a 4th Gen.



Ugliest cars ever made? Coming from a guy who owns a Urabus I dont know what to think.

C'mon, You're tellin me my best friend Dave's car is ugly?


Back then GM could design a car... now its all bleh.

[LjasonL]

Originally Posted by RedNeck383

Too heavy? They're only 3400-3500lbs, thats only 100-200lbs more than a 4th Gen.

I was unaware... still, body on frame, leaf springs, and solid rear axle are not conductive to handling performance. Didn't most of them come with drum brakes on all 4? 3000 pounds is too much weight for a car without at least two discs.

C'mon, You're tellin me my best friend Dave's car is ugly?

YES! Everything between the 1st gen and new ones (whatever "gen" those may be ) can choke on a biscuit for all I care. My cousin (who has a 1st gen) keeps talking about selling it and getting his favorite car ever, a 2nd gen. I don't know what's wrong with him

Subaru's are cool looking, just like Neons And nothing beats a wagon.

[Frozenblue**WS6]

had a wrx... think my ws6 looks way better.... it sure is a shitload faster...

[NSX-R-SSJ20K]

Originally Posted by Frozenblue**WS6

had a wrx... think my ws6 looks way better.... it sure is a shitload faster...

? AND?

As for Camaro's like Idelaysion said 1st Gens are freaking awesome but everything from then on has gone downhill.

[Layla's Keeper]

Originally Posted by ldelaysionl

I was unaware... still, body on frame, leaf springs, and solid rear axle are not conductive to handling performance. Didn't most of them come with drum brakes on all 4? 3000 pounds is too much weight for a car without at least two discs.

I'll start with the fact that the Camaro has always been unibody, just like it's parent car; the Nova.

Then I'll move onto the fact that leaf springs and solid rear axles are conducive to high cornering performance with proper shock valving, good traction bars (i.e. not drag racing slapper bars), and a BIG sway bar. Just ask anyone who competed in the glory days of the Trans-Am. Or, if you'd like to know more about how good solid rear axle cars handle, ask the guys who run the modern Trans-Am.

I'll give you the brakes, but considering how cheap an aftermarket kit from Baer is, or how easy it is to swipe factory bolt-on discs from a C3 Vette, it's no matter.

With proper tuning ANYTHING can handle. It's just a matter of how much tuning is needed. In the case of leaf spring F-Bodies, it's a bit less work than most people realize. Heck, the biggest hurdle is going to be fitting big tires into those wheel wells. 9inch wide is the most I've heard without either radiusing the fender lip or rubbing on the leaf.

[LjasonL]

A solid rear axle can work fine on a nice smooth racetrack, it's in the real world things get ugly. One wheel hits a bump or pothole, both wheels get upset...