may have found a new F-body....

[skorpion317]

1986 Trans Am - 83K miles
Rebuilt 350
Richmond 5-spd
Flowmaster exhaust
Accel ignition system
Cowl hood
Blackouts
and some other minor stuff...

and a stupid paintjob.....purple/black. the front half is purple, and back half is black. It's nicely done, no body damage or missing paint. I just don't like the color scheme.


The car is in really good condition. not a scratch on it....no visible damage if it ever was in an accident.

now here's the killer....he wants $3,895 for it. I don't think it's worth that much. What do you guys think?

[NJSPEEDER]

is the 350 built and what year is the t-5 set up from?

i ask about the tranny because i believe '86 woudl predate when they started putting the strong tremec units in f-bodies(from memory, someone correct me if i am wrong)

see if the guy has receipts for the engine rebuild. preferably some specs on it too. would hate to see you buy a car and have it be a time bomb.

what rear and suspension is in it? be nice if he did something there too, but i doubt it. most people build a motor and skip making it handle/hook.

if the motor is in good shape and it has good clutch feel it sounds like it could be a nice fast car. i think 3900 is a little steep. i would think something around 3250 would be closer to market price.

later
tim

[j0n]

why are you wasting money on a third gen when all you want to do is make a wicked ls1?

[skorpion317]

I'm not sure what year the trans is from...i'm pretty sure it's an aftermarket piece though. as for the rear and suspension, i have no clue. I just saw the car in a parking lot with a "for sale" sign on it. I'll call the guy tomorrow and find out the rest of the details.

I was just looking on Kelly Blue Book, and a '92 T/A with a 5.7L and a 5-spd (which never existed from the factory), as well as a few common options i tacked on, in good condition, came out to $3,910. This guy is definitely asking a little too much. he's probably just seeing what kinda offers he's gonna get. I might be able to get down to 3 grand if I haggle enough.

[NJSPEEDER]

why are you wasting money on a third gen when all you want to do is make a wicked ls1?

because some people like to start with project cars that weigh less than 3700lbs :)

later
tim

[skorpion317]

why are you wasting money on a third gen when all you want to do is make a wicked ls1?

the project camaro won't be an LS1.... :wink:

[j0n]

why are you wasting money on a third gen when all you want to do is make a wicked ls1?

the project camaro won't be an LS1.... :wink:

i meant 4th gen...w/e you know what im talkin about

[skorpion317]

why are you wasting money on a third gen when all you want to do is make a wicked ls1?

the project camaro won't be an LS1.... :wink:

i meant 4th gen...w/e you know what im talkin about

heheh yeah i got your drift.

[enRo]

If you were looking into a BBC 572, might I suggest a rolling chassis in excellent shape, and work with that. The price is ok, I paid $1,600 cash for my '86 with 140K miles, bone stock. :Dispenses Two Cents: :P

[skorpion317]

If you were looking into a BBC 572, might I suggest a rolling chassis in excellent shape, and work with that. The price is ok, I paid $1,600 cash for my '86 with 140K miles, bone stock. :Dispenses Two Cents: :P

if i can find a rolling 4th gen chassis.....

[enRo]

If you woulda caught me two months ago, a Junkyard by my house brought in a green 95 or 96 FB 6banger with a blown trans and minor rear end damage. Was 50% stripped within a day, and it was gone within two days :( It was abused, but coulda been cheap.

If you want, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good rolling chassis. :-D

[skorpion317]

If you woulda caught me two months ago, a Junkyard by my house brought in a green 95 or 96 FB 6banger with a blown trans and minor rear end damage. Was 50% stripped within a day, and it was gone within two days :( It was abused, but coulda been cheap.

If you want, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good rolling chassis. :-D

well, the project won't be taking place for a year or so, so there's plenty of time.

[TheWraith]

87 is when the world class T5 started, so NJSPEEDER is correct about that. But if it has an aftermarket trans, that's a non issue.

I'd definitely get the vin and run a carfax before you'd even consider buying something like that first off. The fact that it doesn't have a scratch on it and doesn't look like it's been hit mean absolutely nothing when you're talking about a car that's been repainted. You'll definitely want to make sure the mileage is legit as well.

But in terms of the price in general, i'd want receipts and specific specs on the engine before I'd even consider that price. I'd definitely want to get the car up on jackstands and check things out from the bottom as well. The fact is, the car is modified to a point where it really doesn't hold any value more than the sum of it's parts in my book. If you don't know what you're looking at either, you might want to take a friend along who knows their ****. If the guy is full of ****, and it's the original engine with a couple things done to it, and the stock T5 trans, it wouldn't be the first time something tried to pass **** off as aftermarket. I've seen countless examples of people passing off 305's as 350's.

Other things i'd look for would be evidence of hidden rust or accident damage, if it was an auto car originally, and whether or not it was a hack install, how professional the engine install was, any leaks, what rear is in it and what gearset (you'd probably be smart to compile and print out a giant list of rpo codes in case the rpo sticker is in the car), etc. Obviously how well the car runs and drives is key too.

As for the suspension, i'd expect that it would most likely be a 15" wheel car, so it's not going to have the best stuff, unless the guy changed them.

[skorpion317]

the 86's never came with 350's, it seems. so if it is indeed a 350, it is not the original engine.

[GP99GT]

the 86's never came with 350's, it seems. so if it is indeed a 350, it is not the original engine.

no ****...its also a 5 speed, no 3rd gens had a 5 speed with a 350. both were most likely swapped, or its a carbed 305 or something.

[TheWraith]

the 86's never came with 350's, it seems. so if it is indeed a 350, it is not the original engine.

that is correct, no 350's in 86, and also no 350/5 speed ever. Except for rumors of a handful of promo/prototype cars, but the odds of this being one of them are probably up there with winning the lottery.

my point was - just because the guy says it's a 350 doesn't mean it actually is. make sure you don't get had, especially because the only thing that would make that car worth well over 3 grand is the upgraded drivetrain.

[skorpion317]

the 86's never came with 350's, it seems. so if it is indeed a 350, it is not the original engine.

that is correct, no 350's in 86, and also no 350/5 speed ever. Except for rumors of a handful of promo/prototype cars, but the odds of this being one of them are probably up there with winning the lottery.

my point was - just because the guy says it's a 350 doesn't mean it actually is. make sure you don't get had, especially because the only thing that would make that car worth well over 3 grand is the upgraded drivetrain.

exactly.

[Ian]

I'd go look at it, get some casting numbers off the block and when you get home run them. I'd also test drive the car to make sure it isn't some clapped out turd. Then, if it's a decent car, talk the guy down to less than 3g's. Flash $2800 cash at him and he'll probably take it.

[camaroracer1992]

you can buy my camaro if you want, show quality and fast as **** hehe

[12secondv6]

Why not look at dodge ne-ons?

[j0n]

you can buy my camaro if you want, show quality and fast as **** hehe

ill give ya 20 bucks for it...along with my soul and my car

[CrAsH]

you can buy my camaro if you want, show quality and fast as **** hehe

ill give ya 20 bucks for it...along with my soul and my carlol

[skorpion317]

you can buy my camaro if you want, show quality and fast as **** hehe

hmmm....how's $5 sound? that's all i have in my pocket right now.

[NJSPEEDER]

you can buy my camaro if you want, show quality and fast as **** hehe

if you ever sell that car i will stab you in the eye. then i will :ban: you from the entire interweb. hehe

later
tim

[camaroracer1992]

nah i wouldnt sell it, if i EVER did it'd have to get pieced out id never get my money for it no where near what i put into it.

[skorpion317]

i may have found another one that may be cheaper....it's a 3rd gen Camaro. Has the GFX, two tone (black paint with silver/gray GFX). Not sure if it's a 6 or an 8. i'm going to check it out tomorrow.

[CrAsH]

kool

[j0n]

kool

quit posting while at school...you'll get suspended

and of course ttiwwp :P

[skorpion317]

kool

quit posting while at school...you'll get suspended

and of course ttiwwp :P

i'll get 'em in a lil bit. i'm leaving right now.

[skorpion317]

ok, no pics. i did, however, get a wealth of info on the Camaro:

1986 Camaro Z28
72,000 miles
305 8-cyl
5-spd
T-tops
$2000 obo

It has minor rear bumper damage, a small crack on the left side. the paint on the hood and rear deck is faded. The tires are OK, they have plenty of life left in them. The weatherstripping around the T-tops may need some work. The dashboard is cracked, which i believe is a common problem with the 3rd gens.

There were no visible leaks under the car, nor was there any rust.

I'm not sure if the car is carb'd or has TPI, i forgot to check the rear bumper. It has chrome exhaust tips, although the "For Sale" sign didn't mention an aftermarket exhaust.

I checked Kelley Blue Book....a carb'd 5-spd with A/C, power steering, AM/FM/cassette, t-tops and alloy wheels is worth $1500 in good condition. In fair condition, which this car would fall under, it's wroth $1100. A TPI car in good condition is worth $1580, a fair TPI car worth $1,175.

Now, if I got this car, first thing in order would be a cam swap. If i'm not mistaken, the '86's had reduced power due to a smaller cam, right? I'd also need to do some minor repairs to the weatherstripping. The rear bumper I'm not too worried about, nor the paint. Those things can be fixed later.

What do you guys think? is this car worth buying? or should i leave it alone? I might drive it tomorrow.

[TheWraith]

thirdgen camaros pre-90 don't have a 100k digit on the speedo, so i'd carfax and generally all around inspect the car and make sure it doesn't have 172,000 on it.

otherwise it sounds pretty decent. You can't go by blue book on a car that old either. that car in good condition with that mileage is worth a lot more than $2000, let along $1100.

and i'd have to look it up, but i'm not sure that the 86 with the 5 speed got the "peanut" cam. Most year 5 speed cars did not, only the auto cars. Either way the LG4 is a dog, and i'd save money to do at least a heads/cam swap if not a whole engine if you want any sort of real power.

[CrAsH]

kool

quit posting while at school...you'll get suspended

and of course ttiwwp :P :twisted: on of the joys of being in CISCO class is the computers and the network are ours not the rest of the school and they cant do anything to us + the teacher lets us aslong as we do our work. hell with 1 name i get administrative acces on those computers :twisted: .(and Cisco is a networking company if u didnt know)

[j0n]

thirdgen camaros pre-90 don't have a 100k digit on the speedo, so i'd carfax and generally all around inspect the car and make sure it doesn't have 172,000 on it. Â*

otherwise it sounds pretty decent. Â*You can't go by blue book on a car that old either. Â*that car in good condition with that mileage is worth a lot more than $2000, let along $1100.

and i'd have to look it up, but i'm not sure that the 86 with the 5 speed got the "peanut" cam. Â*Most year 5 speed cars did not, only the auto cars. Â*Either way the LG4 is a dog, and i'd save money to do at least a heads/cam swap if not a whole engine if you want any sort of real power.

agreed on the cam...the 305 can move...if done correctly...by now im sure you know who to talk to about 305 power

[skorpion317]

thirdgen camaros pre-90 don't have a 100k digit on the speedo, so i'd carfax and generally all around inspect the car and make sure it doesn't have 172,000 on it. Â*

otherwise it sounds pretty decent. Â*You can't go by blue book on a car that old either. Â*that car in good condition with that mileage is worth a lot more than $2000, let along $1100.

and i'd have to look it up, but i'm not sure that the 86 with the 5 speed got the "peanut" cam. Â*Most year 5 speed cars did not, only the auto cars. Â*Either way the LG4 is a dog, and i'd save money to do at least a heads/cam swap if not a whole engine if you want any sort of real power.

agreed on the cam...the 305 can move...if done correctly...by now im sure you know who to talk to about 305 power

of course i do.

also, i was looking into CHP's Bitchin Camaro, a build-up of a 305 with Vortec heads and some other goodies. i may go that route if i get this car 8)

[BigAls87Z28]

1986 Camaro with 5spd will be carbed, either the allmighty LG4, or the more powerful L69.

1986 is right before Hyd. Roller cams. Only 305's that didnt get the penut cam were teh 305 TPI's in 85, and 5spd TPI cars in 87.

[skorpion317]

1986 Camaro with 5spd will be carbed, either the allmighty LG4, or the more powerful L69.

1986 is right before Hyd. Roller cams. Only 305's that didnt get the penut cam were teh 305 TPI's in 85, and 5spd TPI cars in 87.

there were only 74 L69 cars produced in '86 :shock: maybe this is one of them....

i'll know for sure when the hood is popped open. The L69 had a dual snorkel air cleaner.

[Tru2Chevy]

1986 Camaro with 5spd will be carbed, either the allmighty LG4, or the more powerful L69.

1986 is right before Hyd. Roller cams. Only 305's that didnt get the penut cam were teh 305 TPI's in 85, and 5spd TPI cars in 87.

there were only 74 L69 cars produced in '86 :shock: maybe this is one of them....

i'll know for sure when the hood is popped open. The L69 had a dual snorkel air cleaner.

Just check the VIN. If the 8th digit is an H, you have the almighty LG4. I don't remember the digit for the L69 though.

- Justin

[TheWraith]

i wouldn't hold your breath on it being an HO car - as already stated there were very few in 86.

on the subject of modded 305's, a friend of mine had a 200k bone stock lg4 bottom end with vortec heads, an intake, a carb, and a cam, and he was knocking down low to mid 13's with a T5 and a 3.42 posi rear a couple years back. that's pretty respectable for what it was and what money he had into it.

[slasherbarb]

that trans am is the car by circle auto in riverdale...went there one day with a co worker from strauss while on a test drive...guy said it was a customer's car...he gave me the keys, so i started it up...sounds halfway decent...only thing is when i reved it to about 3000 rpm...IT STAYED THERE TILL I SHUT THE CAR OFF!!!...yeah so...i am a bit skeptical about this car....i would look at that camaro though...

[skorpion317]

got the 8th digit of the VIN number....it's an H, meaning it has the LG4 (165 HP, 250 ft.lbs of torque).

that's not really a problem for me, i don't mind. I just want another Camaro :D

now i have to come up with the funds.