He said there would be one Camaro, but there is two.

[dugganzx3]

So +1 if you got the reference in the title to the movie the Freshman, "he said there would be one boy, but there is two."

I picked up a 1980 Camaro for a project car recently. I've always loved pony cars, I picked up my 96 Camaro when I was 19, I've been modifying it and dailying it for the last 2 years. It's my daily, winter beater, drift missile, drag race car, but I'm sick of beating/breaking the car I drive every day.

I bought and sold an s13 last year, but it needed more work than I cared to do, so after making a few bucks on it when I sold it, I have been waiting for the right car. This was it.











It was recently repainted Medium Atlantic Blue, basically rust free minus a 3 inch hole in the passenger side floor. It needs the trim, mirrors, and lights re-installed, which I have. It desperately needs a tune up, and the brakes gone over, but she runs and drives currently.

The only things I'm missing are weather stripping for the doors and windows, and the door panels. Besides this, it needs the interior cleaned up.

It's originally a 305 v8 car, which I think it still is. It has 115k, but it might not be original, it has a 4bbl carb swap, and looks suspiciously like a 350, but I'm far from an expert.

It does have a th350, and VIN check says it was a posi car. It does have nice t-tops and the z28 rear wing.


My plans are to get it back to complete, safe, roadworthy condition. Then eventually long tubes, true 3 inch duals, and 4 inch drop front, 3 inch rear. Not sure what wheels, but the god-awful ones on it now will go.

[dugganzx3]

Reserved for more nonsense...or progress...

[jpalamar]

3" exhaust is overkill. 2.25 is probally perfect for the power level this thing will have.

[schaffer]

this thing is begggin for the sloppy mechanics treatment....

[dugganzx3]

Originally Posted by jpalamar

3" exhaust is overkill. 2.25 is probally perfect for the power level this thing will have.

man, out of the whole thing, that's the only comment you have? My rationale is the motor i'd like to swap in should benefit from a bigger exhaust. This is all down the road

Originally Posted by schaffer

this thing is begggin for the sloppy mechanics treatment....

haha, my buddy who towed it home wants me to do a 5.3 turbo swap. For the next year or so this engine will do, but eventually it'll see an engine with 2 or 3 times the power of this one lol.

[dugganzx3]

small update, got the radio working, 2 speaker am/fm/cassette in all it's glory, still cool in a retro sorta way.

I've just mainly been taking a few minutes here and there to get everything organized and cleaned up, I have most of the hardware, I went back through my parts and definitely missing the lower grill... also need a few more nuts for the rear spoiler, probably just run to the hardware store this weekend. I'm also going to paint the factory upper grill gloss black, its a faded grey, so when I get a lower grill I'll match it in gloss black as well.

Also got the markers in and working, weather, school, and work are killing progress right now.

[CleanNeon98]

Google backpressure. It is important on everything, ESPECIALLY non-turbo cars.

[95naSTA]

^^ That applies to older pushrod engines mostly.

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Google backpressure. It is important on everything, ESPECIALLY non-turbo cars.

Not exactly.

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by jpalamar

You should stuck to blowing your car up. Mine doesn't need back pressure.

You should learn to spell and get a life outside of trying to harass members of this forum, loser. Bet it helps you sleep at night though

[jpalamar]

Doesn't change the fact your 'info' is not correct.

And I did go back and edit my post right after I posted to be nice.

[dugganzx3]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Google backpressure. It is important on everything, ESPECIALLY non-turbo cars.

Originally Posted by 95naSTA

^^ That applies to older pushrod engines mostly.

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Not exactly.

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

You should learn to spell and get a life outside of trying to harass members of this forum, loser. Bet it helps you sleep at night though

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Doesn't change the fact your 'info' is not correct.

And I did go back and edit my post right after I posted to be nice.

So those marker lights look pretty good for being 33 yrs old ehh?

1. The exhaust won't be replaced for a long time, probably end of summer.
2. I want 3in true duals for the sound...I want this car to be stupid loud, and nice and low, I don't plan to do much more than an exhaust and drop it on 16x10 steelies.
3. This car had 145 hp brand new...doesn't matter what exhaust is on this engine, it'll never be fast.
4. I understand back pressure

[dugganzx3]

So got some pic heavy updates, finally able to put in some time on this old girl!

First things first were to move it to the flat parking spot in our driveway so I can use a jack/etc. Then started out by removing all of the nuts, bolts, etc that were chilling in the passenger side rear floor. FML I hae no idea where half of these are going lol.



Side Markers installed, I didn't think I had them, both bulbs are burnt out, but just glad to find the assemblies and get them installed.


Sold to me with "vacuum leaks" since half the vacuum lines are either not hooked up or missing, I'd say so lol.


Started fixing a few of them, just to get her to start easier. Eventually I'll replace all of them...after I figure out what's all missing and what goes where lol.


One of the engine braces was removed...idk why.





Upper grill installed. Decided against painting it for now. Still missing a lower grill.



Tail lights and spoiler were just chilling in place,so I bolted the spoiler in, and started working through the bulbs in the tails, 2-3 out of 8 work lol.






So this panel was off, so I started mocking it up...not sure why its a tan/gold color, and why it wasn't repainted blue? I'm probably going to paint it silver to match the rear window trim, which still needs to be put back on. The panel is just set on as I'm planing on painting it.





Some interior shots...







Real and original Hurst Hatch t-tops...so friggin cool.

[dugganzx3]

Finally have an update, 7 of 8 spark plugs replaced, the number 4 plug was cross threaded at some point, so of course, I'll have to re-thread it because nothing is easy/cars suck/old cars blow/etc.

Windshield wipers and the cowl shield grate were re-installed. I did get the driver side lock working and mounted it, so now the car can be locked/unlocked. The driver side mirror is installed but won't stay tight, and the passenger mirror is to loose to install at all, so some bigger self tapping auto-body screws should do the trick, so hopefully I'll get those finished soon.

I have front brake pads I just got in, so now I'll have to pull the old rotors and hopefully they can be resurfaced. I don't have a leak anywhere, and the fluid is full, but have no brake pressure, I'm thinking bad master cylinder?

[PaleDSM]

My Stepdad is in the process of restoring a 1982 Z28. Lots of work but they can be really cool when done right. Good luck with the project.

[dugganzx3]

Originally Posted by PaleDSM

My Stepdad is in the process of restoring a 1982 Z28. Lots of work but they can be really cool when done right. Good luck with the project.

Thanks man!