Looking for a buyers guide or some tips and tricks
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mount Joy, PA
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Car: 96 Firebird T-Top
Engine: 3.8L V6
Transmission: Automatic
Looking for a buyers guide or some tips and tricks
Hey guys, Im looking into picking up a roller for a budget street build. I was wondering if there is a buyers guide floating around anywhere or some tips and tricks to make sure Im getting a solid car, and not a rusty mess. I have enough experience to know how to do minor rust repair/welding and filling where needed, I just dont want to miss something thats normally overlooked and wind up with a rust disaster. I know the Z-28 has skirts, is there any way to check how solid the rockers are without removing them? Thanks in advance! Oh, Ill be looking for an 88-92 Z-28 roller if that makes a difference.
#2
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Re: Looking for a buyers guide or some tips and tricks
--Check the inside of the spare tire well--should be a clean drain hole
--T-top bar can often have rot in it in an otherwise spotless, low mileage car that's been garaged its entire life
--Floor boards, particularly the driver's side right along the left edge of the interior, just inside the door
--Strut towers in the front wheel wells
--Probably not much of a concern since you're looking for a roller, but a beat car can often have cracked paint at the bottom back edge of the doors, and the top of the B-pillar just behind the top, back edge of the side windows
--Rockers as far as I know would have to be removed, but from what I've seen, even on rotted cars the rockers seem to somehow escape relatively unscathed so I wouldn't worry too much about those, especially if the rest of the car is clean.
Also FYI, 90-92 cars are speed density, pre-'90 are MAF. Generally MAF cars are easier to work with, except where thirdgens are concerned. The speed density is the better system, but both are probably ok.
--T-top bar can often have rot in it in an otherwise spotless, low mileage car that's been garaged its entire life
--Floor boards, particularly the driver's side right along the left edge of the interior, just inside the door
--Strut towers in the front wheel wells
--Probably not much of a concern since you're looking for a roller, but a beat car can often have cracked paint at the bottom back edge of the doors, and the top of the B-pillar just behind the top, back edge of the side windows
--Rockers as far as I know would have to be removed, but from what I've seen, even on rotted cars the rockers seem to somehow escape relatively unscathed so I wouldn't worry too much about those, especially if the rest of the car is clean.
Also FYI, 90-92 cars are speed density, pre-'90 are MAF. Generally MAF cars are easier to work with, except where thirdgens are concerned. The speed density is the better system, but both are probably ok.
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mount Joy, PA
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Car: 96 Firebird T-Top
Engine: 3.8L V6
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Looking for a buyers guide or some tips and tricks
Thanks for the great info, definitely helps. I actually have another thread concerning fuel and air delivery for the engine I want to build as I plan on beefing up the entire drivetrain.
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Re: Looking for a buyers guide or some tips and tricks
--Check the inside of the spare tire well--should be a clean drain hole
--T-top bar can often have rot in it in an otherwise spotless, low mileage car that's been garaged its entire life
--Floor boards, particularly the driver's side right along the left edge of the interior, just inside the door
--Strut towers in the front wheel wells
--Probably not much of a concern since you're looking for a roller, but a beat car can often have cracked paint at the bottom back edge of the doors, and the top of the B-pillar just behind the top, back edge of the side windows
--Rockers as far as I know would have to be removed, but from what I've seen, even on rotted cars the rockers seem to somehow escape relatively unscathed so I wouldn't worry too much about those, especially if the rest of the car is clean.
--T-top bar can often have rot in it in an otherwise spotless, low mileage car that's been garaged its entire life
--Floor boards, particularly the driver's side right along the left edge of the interior, just inside the door
--Strut towers in the front wheel wells
--Probably not much of a concern since you're looking for a roller, but a beat car can often have cracked paint at the bottom back edge of the doors, and the top of the B-pillar just behind the top, back edge of the side windows
--Rockers as far as I know would have to be removed, but from what I've seen, even on rotted cars the rockers seem to somehow escape relatively unscathed so I wouldn't worry too much about those, especially if the rest of the car is clean.
A couple other areas to check: Inside the rear fender wheels; For some reason, my 91 Z28 has a golf ball sized hole on either wheel well. I've not seen it on any others that I've owned, but just letting you know....
If you're looking for a roller, you might try to find one that someone already took the carpet out of. I bought my 91 Z28 this way; I knew where all of the problem areas were before I bought it. (well, most anyway).
I think the single best advice I can really give is to know when to walk away... There are WAY too many of these cars still around to buy a rusty or abused vehicle and try to fix it. Unless the price is astronomically low and you've got the time, money and know how to fix the issues, WALK AWAY.
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