Cascade Crew

[Quasi-Traction]

Ok, after fine tuning my rebuilt carb, and still having the same problem before, I came to the conclusion that I did nothing wrong with rebuilding it. I finally caved though and towed the car to a Mechanic’s shop (thanks to xophertony’s flatbed trailer). I got a call this morning saying that they compression tested the motor (something I should have done to begin with) and #4 was not getting any compression. They also said each one of my spark plugs was pretty badly soaked in gas (which surprised me, I just cleaned them yesterday and have only cranked the motor over a few times while checking vaccum lines and the curb Idle settings). So potentially I could be looking a Blown motor…..which brings me to delema number two…. Keep the body and ditch the existing motor and probably transmission (probably just asking for trouble to mate a V6 Transmission to a 8 cylinder, at least with the way I drive…) or ditch it all and start over with a good running project and let the modding begin from there…
If I do that, here's what I'm basically looking for:

It Must be these things:

· 1982-1988 Camaro Hardtop (No T-Tops, No-VATS)
· Manual Transmission
· Runs and drives (even if it barely does so)

These are the “preferred” things

· TPI, TBI or Carburated V8
· “Base” options (I.e. crank windows, Manual locks, No AC, No cruise)
· Black Exterior
· Grey, Black or kind of that Tan/Sand colored interior.
· No Spoiler


Just about everything On the 84 I have now has been switched over the way I like it, its just that the motor is fubar, The driver door upper hinge needs replaced, and I have a leak in my rear hatch, and it could probably use a headliner and new weatherstripping all around.

[Xophertony]

i vote keep it, under one condition, you can find an engine/trans for less then 600, and do the entire swap for under 1,300. we can find a 305/5spd for about that price (in comparable condition to your v6). otherwise i would say yank the doors, hatch and hood adnsell the f***er.

[Quasi-Traction]

Yeah....not getting one with a computer controled system, if it does, I'l pull the sensors off, ditch the distributor, and carburator and go for a regular vaccum controled carb....if I pull the V6, the ECM and all the emissions controls get pulled with it. Rebuilding this carb and the price they wanted for the Idle mixture solenoid and Throttle position sensor, is just too outrageous. I can rebuild a regular carb in my garage...

My buddy Brandon told me about his old friend Andrew selling his 84 Z/28..5 speed with T-tops...its got some quarter pannel damage and taillight damage....he hydroplaned into the side of another car with it....but it runs and drives great and he has a 3.23 posi in it....he only wants $900...tempting...

[83Z28BlackBetty]

T-Top lol i guess its not too bad, but stick with what you absolutely want. don't settle for anything less. its not like these are rare cars we are talking about.

[chevymad]

Did they oil the cylinders up and then test compression again? If it is dumping alot of fuel into the cylinders it will wash them out and loose compression. The wet plugs kind of indicate that. By squirting a bunch of oil in the compression will come back up. Sometimes enough to get one to start.

[Quasi-Traction]

Before I took it to them I drained all the old oil out, fired a little 10W-30 down each cylinder via the spark plug holes, and then put 4 quarts of the same Castrol 10w-30 in the hopes that it would help. Tony and I cranked it a little messing with the rebuilt carb on it, trying to see if it was an issue with the carb, before we towed it to the mechanic. They called yesterday saying they MIGHT be able to get it running, but not well.

[Xophertony]

you are talking to a freaking expert on sealing t-tops over here if you buy it, i can seal it. new weatherstripping is only 200 bux for the whole car.

[Quasi-Traction]

I dunno........T-Tops just seem to be a constant source of leaks, something I'd really to avoid if possible.........but on the few days of sunshine we get around here.....its nice to take em off and cruise.

[aaron_sK]

I was kinda unsure, cause I've heard bad things about them, but now I couldn't imagine driving on a sunny day with a hardtop car. Then again, I'm the type of guy who drives with his windows down unless it's absolutely raining to the point that it becomes unbearable.

[Xophertony]

chris does that too. he turns up the heat all the way and rolls the window down.

[Quasi-Traction]

....guilty as charged. Its a weird OCD thing for me. If its not pouring down rain, I have my window down, even if its 28 degrees outside.

[83Z28BlackBetty]

I love driving with the window down, Makes me happy also keeps me awake when its late, or early.

[iansane]

[Quasi-Traction]

Its final kids..............It dropped #4's exhaust valve.

THE MOTOR IS TOAST!! LET THE V8ing BEGIN!!!

Transmission and Motor are going buh-bye. Keeping the Alternator, and the Power Steering pump. The Distributor is spoken for, but the rest is open to parting, or I'll sell the whole thing for the righteous sum of $150. Rebuilt carburator on it with a new TPS, float, Electronic choke springs. Remanufactured version of this costs $480 at NAPA with a $28 core. If the motor sells, the Bellhousing stays attached to the motor, with the clutch, pressure plate, clutch fork and throwout bearing. Starter goes with it.

Ok, so here's a couple of questions:

1) Driveshaft length and torque arm length, Exactly the same for the V8 T-5's verses the V6 T-5's or not? Same amount of output shaft splines or will I need a new driveline yoke?
2) Transmission Crossmember...Identical or not?
3) Motor mounts...what's the difference between V6 and V8?
4) Fuel Lines.......anyone have the chassis lines for a V8 car, or how can I re-route them to the passenger side (using a Mechanical fuel pump on my V
5) Emissions controls.....anyone ever pulled em before? do I need to keep the ECM? Is this going to be a "trace-each-wire-and-find-out-which-ones-to-pull" kind of thing, or do the Computer/emissions controls have there own seperate harness. verses ones for like dash lights, brakes lights, signals, heater, wipers (I.e. the "necessary" stuff)
6) if I have to pull the whole harness, does a company like Painless make a "basic" setup for a Carburated, non computer controled 3rd gen, that will give me things like Wipers, signals, brake lights, headlights, and a Heater. (those are all I need)
7) Would anyone like to help in this effort to bring this project to pass?
Would you like a cookie?

[Xophertony]

1) drive lines should be the same. back when i was into the v6 scene guys would convert to aluminum ones alot.
6)www.casperelectronics.com
7) me

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/engine-swap/229665-v6-v8-swap-read.html

[QwkTrip]

Motor mounts are different but will bolt in existing hole in the engine crossmember.

Torque arm is the same.

Transmission crossmember needs to be switched for a V8. $10 at GM dealer for a new one.

Fuel lines can be reused as long as they are sufficiently sized.

I removed the ECM and cut out all unecessary wiring and rerouted and bundled the wiring for a V8 engine. Of course, I've never tried to start my car yet so I don't know if that was a good idea.

You don't need new "chassis" wiring, such as headlights brakes, ect. In fact, DON'T TOUCH IT! All you need to modify is the wiring to run your engine. If you don't know what to do with the wiring then my suggestion is to partner with someone who does.

Good luck! My V6 car started transformation when I blew a head gasket. Started with a ZZ4 350 and worked it's way up to the supercharged big block.

[Schultzy89GTA]

[Quasi-Traction]

Since the crossmember is different and Redbird is taking my V6 tranny, I'll ask him if he'll swap crossmembers also with me (cuz' he'll need mine to make my tranny fit in his car). If he says no........what's your brew of choice shultzy?

[Schultzy89GTA]

Alaskan Amber or Fat Tire Amber are the staples but 'cold' will do. I may actually have two of them. I have one that is brand new that I got when I bought the tranny stuff from Jon. I went with a Spohn xmember so the factory piece just sits amidst the 'hall of shame' gathering dust.

-Schultzy

[QwkTrip]

Hey, Shultzy, how has that Tremec TKO worn over the last couple years? If I remember right it has a 3.27:1 first gear ratio. I bet it pulls like a monster in 1st gear