Son looking for a 3rd gen

[rob67gmc]

My son wants to get a 3rd gen when he gets back from Iraq. What are some things we should look for or stay away from?
Found this one but ad says 305 and 350 engine. Also says 6 speed. What would be correct for this car?
Thanks for any help!!!
Trying to get educated so we can find a good one.



1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS

Easley SC

Seller photo

Seller photo

About This Camaro

Body Style: Convertible
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior Color: Gray

VIN: 1G1FP31E6KL117304
Engine: 8 Cylinders 350 TPI
Transmission: 6 SPD MANUAL
Doors: 2
Wheelbase: 101"

Standard Equipment: Pass key Security System, 15 inch Rim Size, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Active belts, 6 speed manual Transmission, AM/FM Radio, 305 Cubic Inch Displacement, 8 Cylinders
Seller's Notes: BBK Throttle Body, New Heavy duty shocks on front and back, Traction lock rear end Richardson 373 Gear Ratio, Numerous upgrades call for more details.


CARFAX
Free Record Check Results:
VIN
1G1FP31E6KL117304
Year/Make/Model:
1989 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Body Style:
CONVERTIBLE
Engine Type:
5.0L V8 TBI OHV 16V
Manufactured In:
UNITED STATES
Search Results:
18 records found in our database

[ZL1power69]

that VIN states that it originally came with the 305 TBI V8 (LO3). the v8 came standard on the RS conv, where as a v6 was standard on the RS coupe. The LO3 305 V8 could have came with a 700R4 auto or T5 maunual trans. if its a 350 and a 6 spd then that would have had to be swapped in. the 350 TPI was not a factory option for the RS (not until 91 with the B4C police package), it was availible in the IROC but only with an auto trans.

Third gen Z28's and IROC's had better suspensions and the IROC had the 350TPI as an option after 87. I would not go for a v6 third gen, as they are very underpowered and upgrades for them are slim to none. if he is just going to put around town then thats another story. Try to avoid t-tops is you can as they let the car flex to much (a set of sub frame conectors will help this) and leaking is common. I could go on but if you have any specific questions let us know.

[goldz28]

Is your son stuck on 3rd gens?

[rob67gmc]

Thanks ZL1 . I didn't think a 350 and 6 speed were stock. Think I'll check it out and see if I can find out any more on it.

goldz28, he's not really stuck on 3rd gens. At first he wanted a 1st gen that we could build together. He's trying to talk me out of the old engine I pulled from my Pro Street '67 GMC before I sold it. Found a local '73 Camaro for sale but he doesn't like the body style. I don't know how he feels about 4th gen.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by rob67gmc

...Found a local '73 Camaro for sale but he doesn't like the body style...

What? What? What???? Slap him to his senses! (joking...)

Problem with 1 gens and early 2 gens are the safety features aren't there unless you put them there - expensive. 3 gens and 4 gens are decent, but in a 3 gen I'll bet you'd be hard pressed to find one unmolested. 4 gens are the nicest for daily drivers, you get a/c, heat that works, vents, antilock brakes, traction control (on some), etc.. decent gas milage on some.

Depends on what he wants to do with it... if you're looking for something more "dependable" I'd say go newer.

Now, on a personal note... tell your son I (and all of us here) said thanks.

[rob67gmc]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like slappin' his Momma 'cause there ain't no way he come from my loins!!!

Looked at that '89 today nad it was nice. Had a 350 TPI and T-56 6-speed and new rear gears. The engine and tranny were installed by Hawk's 3rd Gen Parts in Easley, SC ( http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ ). I've dealt with them before so I'm sure the work was done correctly. I'm waiting to hear back from my son about it.
And "thanks", I will pass on your "thanks" to him.

Rob

[philly rs]

those guys are the shit!!! they do great work! i hang with the hawks guys at the f-body gathering in ATL every year i go......the cars they bring are the shit!!!!

[SG007]

4th gens are more reliable, but the parts are expensive...i had a 3rd gen for my first camaro, loved it. but you have to watch out for the basket cases.

[Morley]

Like any car, there are good ones and bad ones. There is nothing wrong with the 3rd gen's A/C or heat, they work just fine. The 3rd gens will run circles around 4th gens in handling, stock for stock. The 3rd gens have lots of aftermarket parts for them but they too are expensive. since it already has an engine and trans upgrade you probably won't need to do much.
The biggest thing you'd want to get is a cheap laptop, scanning software (free) and communication cable ($4 build your own), so if/when it comes time to add more power/troubleshoot the engine management system, you'll be all set. If you get this car, ask Hawks if they can supply you with the .bin file they used for the ECM's PROM chip/calpack. It will be needed if you start making modifications to the engine to tune everything.

P.S. I'm not a fan of the 2nd gen Camaros either, I like the 2nd gen Trans Am's.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by Morley

There is nothing wrong with the 3rd gen's A/C or heat, they work just fine.

P.S. I'm not a fan of the 2nd gen Camaros either, I like the 2nd gen Trans Am's.

What I meant was that if you get a 3 gen or 4 gen you can pretty much bet that it'll HAVE a/c and heat and that they probably work. Early 2gens and 1 gens you can pretty much count on the AC not being there, and unless it's been maintained the heat is questionable. (IE heat control levers and cables are 35 years old +/-, oxidize and break, and aren't cheap to fix / replace, they're not difficult to replace, but 70 heat control panels aren't easy to come by.)

YOU GUYS ARE BREAKING MY HEART! (I do like the 70-71 T/A's though... pretty damned ignorant looking with the hood scoops, etc.... problem is they are even MORE expensive that a 70 maro if you find one worth buying - numbers matching.)

[hotrod_chevyz]

1st gen - expensive
2nd gen - expensive
3rd gen - cheap
4th gen - expensive

They all share the same upgrade capabilities IMHO. Third gens are cheaper but thats more to do with popularity than anything else. They werent exactly optionless. Some were power everything ABS ect.

The upgrades on a 3rd gen arent expensive at all. $1,000.00 spent at a good machine shop is enough to push one through a 1/4 mile faster than a typical street modded 1st 2nd or 4th gen, simply because they are 500 pounds lighter than the other gens and shaving another 300 pounds or so isnt out of the question. This also makes them handle better and able to stop with less distance than other gens, ABS or not. All this translates into performance, MPG and cost of fuel especially if you factor in a 3rd gens aerdynamics. The sealer of the deal for me is the fact i can get them for a dance. I dont mind getting one, gutting it out and seeing what it can do. No big loss if its a shell by the time im done, or if the engine grenades.

The problem is they are not the best looking car around. And everybody knows how cheap they are.

[Genopsyde]

i think they're one of the best looking

[instantkevin]

third gens only look good if you make them look good, or if you are lucky enough to get your hands on a very clean 91-92 model. My 3rd gen is sexy (even without paint) and so is bag91's.

If it was built by Hawks, I would definitely say buy it! they know fbodys as well as we do and make/sell quality stuff. They are one of the few places to trust for fbody expertise. As long as there mechanical deficiencies (bad synchros or excessive rust) I say get it.

sounds like you two can do moderate engine work and/or cosmetic work (if it even needs it).

Also, I dont like 2nd gen fbodys either. :P (But i can appreciate them)

[rob67gmc]

Finally got to drive that '89 Camaro today.

Battery was dead when I got there so had to jump it.
Gas pedal is sticking when you start to push it.
Tach reading about 4500 rpm's when idling.
Speedo doesn't work.
Turn signals don't work.

Engine seems to run good and very strong. Got the back-end loose in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Had to lift since I was in town. The guy wouldn't budge off his price.
Went by Hawk'sand talked to Bruce. He said he knows the car I'm talking about but he didn't install the engine and trans, just sold them to the guy. He said I would probably need an electronic converter for the speedo and a new tach. I'm gonna call the guy in a few days and tell him it'll take $400-$500 to fix these few things and make him an offer.

Rob

[rob67gmc]

Well, I bought the '89 RS convertable. What little I dorve it before work it runs pretty good. With a car this old and all that has been changed there are lots of little things to be fixed. I'm sure I'll be hitting you guys up for some info so "Thanks!!!" in advance.

Engine has been changed to 350 TPI with a 6-speed
K&N filter
BBK 58mm Throttle Body
Richmond 3.73 gears
Spohn full lenght adj. torque arm
Spohn lower control arms w/ poly bushings
Spohn Adj. panhard bar w/ poly bushings
Spohn front & rear sway bars
PST complete front end rebuild kit
KYB struts & shocks