19camaro83

So I finally decided that I was going to start my camaro project today..
Here are a few pictures of my 83 sport coupe as I am starting it...
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306199087
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306199177
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306199216

Here is one of the cracked up dash..
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306199506


Here is one of the interior (w/ driver's seat removed)
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306199278

Here is one of the interior (w/ 2nd gen. seats bolted in)
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1306199317



Please feel free to comment on anything and everything! Stay posted: this will not be an over-night project, but I am hoping to be shooting paint within a month or two.

scottmoyer

Can't access anything. The website requires me to log in. That ain't gonna happen!!!

19camaro83

These pics were sent from my phone to my email, then I opened the photos in a new window and copied and pasted the URL's. I will try to go through photobucket and see if that will be any better. Sorry for the inconvenience.

19camaro83

Okay, photobucket links up, I hope that helps you out a bit.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

A stick Sport Coupe. Cool!!!

19camaro83

The coolest part about it, I got this car absolutely free As well as the 81 2nd gen I gutted the seats from!

19camaro83

Strongly considering dropping a turbo in there.. Any thoughts/comments on this? Any recommendations? (and yes, I have read the turbo threads in the v6 forum)

19camaro83

No pictures today, just fluids and filters. Hopefully going to start sanding down for paint soon. Weather has not been cooperating here, we have had over 4 1/2" of rain in the past week.

19camaro83

I have to work today, so nothing will get done on the project. Tomorrow I might start sanding, but we have chickens to butcher first.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Do your chickens have large talons?

19camaro83

Lol, I suppose some of them do.. .

chazman

iTrader: (4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWXgtJP1IPs

19camaro83

Lol yeah, I have seen Napolean dynamite before. I was playing along with your gag.

19camaro83

Nothing was done today, I started it and drove it some, but that is about it.

19camaro83

I should have some parts in at O'reily's today, so that is something to look forward too.. Spent some time yesterday cleaning up the old oxidized aluminum rims. Got the front 2 to look half-way decent.. No pics, forgot to take any.

Camaro305SB

Very nice man. I'm restoring the car in my avatar. Its not gonna be a race car, its gonna be my DD eventually. I love my car. Crank windows, manual locks, no ground effects, steel wheels, eight cylinders. Sport Coupe love!!!!!



I wouldn't do it. Granted its more unique than a V8 swap, its gonna end up being a headache I can tell you right now, and turbo 6's don't really make all that much power, unless it came with a turbo from the factory in which case the engine itself is much, much more boost friendly.

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

Very nice- I'm kinda partial to 83's...!

You should feel fortunate you have such a nice interior for the car's age. Looks like a nice one to build on.

19camaro83

The car itself is actually in great shape. I would say about 90% rust free, interior is perfect, minus one screw to hold a plastic piece on the door, and a couple of plastic seat mount covers, which cracked when I removed them to put the other seats in. The dash of course is cracked.. no getting around that.. and the headliner is hanging down. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to have a new headliner put in, parts and labor for $75. Probably going to have to rebuild the T5 fairly soon too, 3rd and 4th gear synchros are toast, and 1st pops out of gear. The T5 will come before paint, so that gets pushed even further back now.. As for the turbo, I have completely dropped that idea. Might build up a 2.8 I have in a parts car, but still undecided.
Its nice to see a couple guys are commenting, thanks for checking it out. I know its taking me a while, but I am working on it in between my job, working on our farm, Keeping up my mom's house, and trying to enjoy what little summer I have left before I go to college.

jkrustchinsky

hahahahahaha, thirdgen owners

19camaro83

Yes, we are thirdgen owners.. I guess I don't see your humor, but thanks for stopping by!

Camaro305SB

I too can increase my post count.... Viola!!! +


83, I really wouldn't build up that engine. Its good for what it is, but was never really meant to make any sort of power. Even my 2000 Camaro with a tuned 3800 isn't all that fast... You're gonna hate hearing it but I would swap in a V8 IF your plans are to ever remove the V6. If not, just keep it mint, drive it and enjoy!

19camaro83

I know it will never be anything like a v8, but I have a good, running, EXTRA engine laying around, and I need something to do with it. It irks me that its just taking up space..

19camaro83

Changed my oil pressure switch (above the oil filter) today, and discovered that somebody before me replaced it with the bell-shaped pressure sending unit that goes by the distributor.. By the way, that is a cramped area to work in, I don't want to have to change that out any time soon again..
My oil pressure gauge is still not working correctly, so now I am going to ground out the other one and see if it is in need of replacement.
The good news - My engine is no longer pumping oil onto the ground through that bad oil pressure sending unit!

19camaro83

Haven't really done much of anything lately.. Vacuumed the interior and washed it so it is ready to go in for its headliner appointment in a week or so. I wanted to get the mud off of it before it goes to the guy's garage. Just been taking a lot of extra hours at work and saving up for paint.

19camaro83

Quick update:
The car is FINALLY going in for its new headliner this afternoon... the guy sure took his sweet time, but at least it is getting done.
I have decided to find a used t5 to replace the junk one that is in it, mainly based on time restraints. I have been working 45+hour weeks at my part time job, so I don't see me being able to rebuild a trans. in the month I have left of summer before college.

1987_sportcoupe

Sweet ride man. I have an 87 sport coupe with the 2.8. I wish mine had the manual though thinking about swapping one in when I swap the motor, I know it would be easier to buy one manual but this is my first car and I love it!

19camaro83

Thanks for the compliment! The pics are really crappy, and cell phone pics, but I don't have a camera so they will have to work for now. The guy's garage that is doing my headliner is only about 3 blocks away from where I live, small world, huh? I drove the car about 25 miles to take it 3 blocks away, priceless!
The easiest route to converting yours over to manual would be to buy a donor car with everything that you would need like pedals, the clutch assembly, master/slave cylinders, etc. Feel free to post a pic of your car here if you want, not too many people are following my pollished turd build. lol.

1987_sportcoupe

How much should I look to spend on this donor car? Everything on craigslist is like at least a grand. I really only want to spend 500 to 700

19camaro83

Well I can't tell you what a vehicle is worth, or even what I would pay for it, without seeing it personally. All you need is the clutch assembly, pedals, cylinders, etc... so anything beyond that you have to look at as a bonus. If you have a place to keep a spare car, you could even part it out and potentially make money, depending on the condition. For a parts car though, I personally wouldn't pay anything over $500. Also, yours is new enough that you might have computer issues to deal with, I'm not sure on that though.

19camaro83

Well it's been a long time, but I am back at it again. After the car got the headliner done, it got parked into an old airplane hangar and that is where its been sitting. With gas prices climbing again (and no end in sight...) I have decided that I will get my car running again and get it on the streets to save some fuel. Tranny STILL needs to be rebuilt. I will have to wait until I can get access to our car lift, and then I should be able to knock it out in a couple of days and be on the road. My uncle is restoring an 81 trans am - limited edition. He is in the process of dropping in his built 455 making 608 hp & 593 ft/lbs (dyno'd). When the engine goes in I should be able to use the lift again.

19camaro83

Holy cow.. it sure is strange how life changes.. My camaro is still sitting in that empty hangar space.. All it really needs is new tires and brakes to be a trustworthy DD.. I ended up losing interest in this project, and started another one. I started working on a 1974 f250 highboy pickup. Even made a half-way decent thread on it.. Check it out if you guys like. I am considering finishing the camaro and driving it yet.. I recently moved and am driving farther than I used to, so gas mileage is a big concern again..

Here is a link to the highboy build if anyone is curious what I have been up to..
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/11...l#post12315546