Help: 90 RS Rebuild Plans

[PS3Camaro]

I have myself a 90 Camaro RS, V6, and I am planning on pouring serious money into it within the next few years, I want to rebuild, and I want to do it right, I obviously want a V8, but not sure what one to go for, big block, ls1, 350... etc...

Basically, I have a amature knowledge of cars, but I try anything that I can, which sometimes isn't that good of an idea, but I get through it.

My question to everyone out there is, where to start, suggestions etc. I am sure there is a proper order of doing things in a rebuild, and I could really use your guys help on that. Tax time coming up, and that nice lil refund check will break the ice... hopefully

[wrightz28]

Well, me personlly, I say clean up what you have to get top dollar out of it and reinvest in V8 car. There's a ton of work to be done. Our resident son of Sam wrote up this thread on it to give you some insight:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=597797

[PS3Camaro]

That's what I keep being told, but I forgot to mention, the car is more of a sentamental thing... I know $ wise, it's probably a stupid idea, but it's just one of those things I really want to do, I just want something to work on, I'm not rebuilding to "invest", it's just something I want to do, and no matter how many times I've been told it's stupid, I'll never sell it, I use my Ram for work, but everything else, I use that camaro. As far as engine swap goes, I don't have the equipment to do a swap, but I have a good mechanical friend that will do it for cheaper than what it would costs to get everything i need, and it will be done right. i basically wondering what things I should replace, and what order, I probably, take out everything, get new tranny and engine put in, then put things together from there, but I just wanting to know what would truly be best way of going about it

thanks for the link

[hotrod_chevyz]

I would convert it if you like it that much.

Just go find a cheap V8 donor camaro thats complete. A wrecked or not running V8 third gen camaro would have everything you need if you can find one thats still complete and hasnt been torn apart.

Once you find one pull the v-8, have it reworked and upgraded while you spend a week switching all the stuff over from the v-8 body to the v-6 body.

Things most important to focus on is condition of donor car dash, and donor rear suspension. I say the dash because you will need gauges and wiring to match the v-8, and this would make the whole project much less painful. It will all switch over as a complete system. The year 82-92 is less important using this method, but you should aim at the +87 v-8 fuel injected with rear disk and ABS.

Thats how i would do it. $2000.00 would cover it, and the transmission and engine would be rebuilt. Another $500.00 you could clean up any body or interior flaws ect the car might need.

Another option would be to find one running good but in rough body condition for around $1500.00, and switch parts over to yours. Then later upgrade whatever you end up with. A lot of ways you could V8 your car, these are the ways it would be street legal when its done.

[PS3Camaro]

thanks alot, that really sounds like something I could do, I'll start looking for some, and thanks again

[hotrod_chevyz]

Originally Posted by PS3Camaro

thanks alot, that really sounds like something I could do, I'll start looking for some, and thanks again

No problem. Keep us updated. If you have somebody else do all the work unless its a really good friend or something your looking at probably $1300.00 in labor to pull two motors with trans hooked up, reinstall one motor and trans, and switch everything over. Cause you would want to switch out everything possible.

[99camaroconvSS]

Try using www.craigslist.com to find people selling parts. It's bigger here in Cali but you can usually find some cars being parted out on it. There was a kid selling a perfect 96 z28 body minus drivetrain for only $350 dollars. So if you're lucky enough to find a steal on a motor and drivetrain or even a V-8 car, it could save you money.
this is a listing from the Columbus, Oh area posted that date to get you started. I would try different areas around you to find what you want.
Jan-23 1985 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z - $2000 (Zanesville)

Good luck!

[PS3Camaro]

very nice, I just spent some time lookin around, and that's amazing, trying to figure out how much I'll be getting back from uncle sam, ha ha, should be enough to grab me a body with a V8 and have it rebuilt, so I'l keep you guys updated, at moment I am finalizing things and I'm trading in my 97 Ram for a 03 Silverado(I love my ram, but it was getting old, and it's just time) so I'm pretty much gonna wait for that. I'm a "geek" I'm getting the paint job on the silverado to somehwat match my camaro and what not, and I just got a raise, so, it's all good, keep you all updated, by end of year latest I should be completly done with both and have some pics with both o my babys together, and thanks for the help all.

[Z/28-350]

Hey man. I have an 87 with a 350 and TPI and auto tranny (700r4 stock) im probably getting rid of it this summer if i have the cash for a 383 crate. PM me if you're intrested.