Help me decide!!

[-RU-]

I found a 1988 RS with a 305 in it for 4500. Good condition drive good but i dont know much about the 305. Is this a good idea???

[91DropTop]

its most likely a tbi, personally i think 170hp is a little week for the car but it depends on what your looking for, thats more than i would pay for a RS

[NJ346]

$4500 for a 3rd gen....walk away! You can pick up 4th gens for cheaper than that and even get an LS1 for that if you shop around.

[-RU-]

Good lookin out. I was looking for a V8 F-body to fix up alittle bit. Is there aklot of aftermarket parts for a 305.

[deadtrend1]

Good lookin out. I was looking for a V8 F-body to fix up alittle bit. Is there aklot of aftermarket parts for a 305.

yes, but the main focus is on the GENIII crowd now.

[//<86TA>\\]

that a lot of money for a 305tbi car, it had better have low miles, under 50k to even consider that.

I would walk away. The only engines with dealing with in the 3rd gens are the tpi engines. Even then, 4500 is a lot, unless the car is in really good shape with low miles.

You not going to find an ls1 car for that much, unless its high mileage and pre01.

[NJ346]

You not going to find an ls1 car for that much, unless its high mileage and pre01.

I don't mean to get off topic, but what's wrong with high mileage and pre 01 cars? 98 was the worst year, but the 98-00 have a slightly bigger cam. the only major difference was the intake manifold(pre 01 even had a better TB). I picked up my 6 speed car for 5K over a year ago and there have been a few listed on this sit for ~$4500 with mileage in the low 100s which is average for a 10 year old car.

[HeadlessNorseman]

yeah i wouldnt go for a $4500 ls1 car either. You can find a decent shape 3rd gen for half that. As for aftermarket parts, anything for a chevy small block will work, but dont buy anything 305 specific. Headers, intakes, cams, most bolt on parts are compatible with 350s. Just dont buy any 305 heads because if you get a 350 later there are better options. 305s limit you to smaller valves. And the cylinder filling is much less efficient that way. You can easily get about 300hp out of one with a carb, but it requires 305 specific heads. Despite what a lot of people will tell you, carbs are not that bad and are quite fun. TPI intakes are tricky to install and they are still expensive. The only way your really going to get power out of a tpi is with a stealth ram. And youd better learn how to tune or locate a tuner who knows how to mess with TPI computers.

[91DropTop]

I don't mean to get off topic, but what's wrong with high mileage and pre 01 cars? 98 was the worst year, but the 98-00 have a slightly bigger cam. the only major difference was the intake manifold(pre 01 even had a better TB). I picked up my 6 speed car for 5K over a year ago and there have been a few listed on this sit for ~$4500 with mileage in the low 100s which is average for a 10 year old car.

the pre01 cars didnt have the ls6 block or intake manifold, and i believe the 98 and 99 ones had some valve train issues...im sure someone can fill in more details

[//<86TA>\\]

AFAIK, the pre01 ls1's had crappy oil pumps and rod bolts, and im sure some other issues.

[Tru2Chevy]

I wouldn't pay that much for a 305 car unless it was under 20k miles / 100% original / garage kept all it's life / etc.

Sounds like the owner wants to cash in on the *slightly* rising 3rd gen values long before they hit their stride.....or they are just taking too much of one or more controlled substances :)

- Justin

[deadtrend1]

AFAIK, the pre01 ls1's had crappy oil pumps and rod bolts, and im sure some other issues.

eh .. mainly the 98s had the weak rod bolts.

01-02 got upgraded clutch hydralics, LS6 intakes ...

[NastyEllEssWon]

i just sold my 98 ls1. had 95k miles. beautiful car. as for the 98/99 cars the only major problems most had were the window motors and wiring issues in the doors. the lt1's were the cars with the oil pump problems. the only difference between the years is the intake/egr/pcv designs. ive never heard of anyone having a problem with an ls1. vinnies car is nice too. has like 180k miles on it. :nod:


http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=40586


link to the ls1 i sold for 5k

[-RU-]

Thanks for all the heads up. I talked them down to 3700. Still not sure what to do , but i appriciate all the info.

[NastyEllEssWon]

whats the rundown on the vehicle. for that price it better be mint and super low mileage. these cars just dont command anything for prices anymore

[-RU-]

No rust on the body and the interior was completly redone. I will test drive it this week and see how it runs. But just eyeballed it looks like really good condition. i think it had 58000 miles on it but not positive.

[maroman88]

88 camaro RS's were california only cars(for emmisions reasons).. it was a sports coupe everywhere else.

i paid 4500 for my 88 camaro with 65k miles on it 8 years ago

[-RU-]

I will have to get with you later (if i get it) and see were you got your aftermarket stuff from. Any recommendations?

[HeadlessNorseman]

I will have to get with you later (if i get it) and see were you got your aftermarket stuff from. Any recommendations?

summit, jegs, JC whitney

[-RU-]

Thank you.

[FIcamaroRE92]

hawks third gen, youngs fbody, ecklers, year one, thirdgen ranch,................

go to Thirdgen.org if you arent already on it.

[-RU-]

Thanks 92

[-RU-]

OK i test drove it. It has 158000 miles, brand new paint, semi new interior. All redone. New cat back, as well as a new steering box. Very Very little rust. What you guys and girls think?

[NastyEllEssWon]

2k firm

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

For that price I would hold out for a 4th gen...You can probably find a LS1 for that price.

[sweetbmxrider]

thats ALOT of miles for the price IMO

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

thats ALOT of miles for the price IMO

x2.......Sounds like he should be asking somewhere in the 2's for that

[WildBillyT]

2k firm

2k is around what I'd pay. Maybe a little more depending on how nice the body is. If you want something with some power you will be replacing the engine- if not the entire drivetrain. Maybe you can re-use the trans, but everything else will have to go. So figure you are just paying for the shell.

[NastyEllEssWon]

haha my mind may be scattered all over today with 60 vs 90 degree calling out fwd motors and calling tempests...gto's....BAH


but if theres one thing i do know its car buying/selling/flipping/appraising/haggling.



anything over 2300 for that car and your getting ripped. christ its not even a z28...its a freaking RS for that matter. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.


walk away and fast.


i understand you might not want a 4th gen but those are the cars in the 4-5k asking range. any third gen over 3k better have less than 80k miles or must have something desirable about it.



http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/1146253974.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1152375252.html

[jims69camaro]

it's a buyer's market right now. hang on to your money and keep looking for a '98-02 car. the payoff will be a much better platform for modifications not to mention more power to start with. if you can help it, stay away from RS cars (especially third gens). get with a Z28 or an SS ('98-02) and you'll get much more for your dollar.

[-RU-]

Thanks for the input. I will wait out. I figured even a V6 98-04 will have better horsepower. (thanks for pointing that out Jim) I know i can get one of those for that price. I'll keep my eye out. Hopefully i can get something soon to get to some of these meets you guys have.

Thanks again

[NastyEllEssWon]

please dont waste your money on a v6. the 98-02 are going for the same prices as the ls1's because people dont want to lower their prices. if your gonna spend a few grand get EXACTLY what you want. trust me. or youll end up selling it a few months later like i did with my z28

[madness410]

please dont waste your money on a v6. the 98-02 are going for the same prices as the ls1's because people dont want to lower their prices. if your gonna spend a few grand get EXACTLY what you want. trust me. or youll end up selling it a few months later like i did with my z28

+1 with me and my car..i really wish i got a 4th gen

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

please dont waste your money on a v6. the 98-02 are going for the same prices as the ls1's because people dont want to lower their prices. if your gonna spend a few grand get EXACTLY what you want. trust me. or youll end up selling it a few months later like i did with my z28

Not everyone is worried about alot of horsepower...I also question why guys buy v6 4th gens but thats just me...and u lol

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

+1 with me and my car..i really wish i got a 4th gen

I never liked 3rd gens. I wouldnt even of considered it....

[HeadlessNorseman]

I never liked 3rd gens. I wouldnt even of considered it....

When i have my monte carlo, the 3rd gen was always like the "better in every way" version of my car. Better handling, brakes, seats, interior, had t tops, and looked cool. So thats where my desire for one came in. Now i realize years later the monte was actually a much nicer car build quality wise, it just didnt perform as well. For a performance car they are still hard to beat, since they will take any small block and they are somewhat light(the 3rd gen)

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

. For a performance car they are still hard to beat,

5.0 stang all day...:mrgreen: Plus there easy to work on.