Thread: 1980 Camaro Lots of negatives

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I got a 80 camaro from my brother 4 years after he crashed it into a ditch, at the time he recieved the car it was FULLY restored, rebuilt mechanically and redone inside as well, i was younger and didnt have much interest in muscle cars but now that i have an urge to build a racing machine to stomp all over kids in mustangs and such, i want to know if this build is worth the trouble, keep in mind, im 19 , i have a good job but it doesnt exactly pay big bucks. it needs a new sub frame front and rear, the rear has a pretty big hole in it so i might as well replace the front if i do.floor pans, both doors, it has a 305ci stock motor that has well over 200k miles on it(doesnt really matter replacing motor neway). transmission probably needs to be rebuilt(which is fine) i got in a lil quick without thinknig bought a exhaust system headers are frigin sweet, and complete stainless steel brake system, chrome prop valve and master cylinder/booster. i found the hole after i put the lines in... do u guys suggest i get a replacement sub frame and build up from there after everything is remove or just buy another camaro body and start there.

p.s sorry for the wall of text.

"i have an urge to build a racing machine to stomp all over kids in mustangs and such"

Sell the 305 to someone who needs it to go back and forth to the grocery store and find a late model 502 to start with. No sense asking a boy to do a man's job.

i like the way you think but im looking to stay in the small blocks, id love a 400ci motor but its proving a challenge to locate one near me for a reasonable price. my priority for now is getting body work done first.

i am not a expert by any means but i would scrap what you have and find a more suitable starter. i think it would be cheaper in the long run. Take what is useable and sell the rest.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1086124446.html

Originally Posted by jyardgirl

i am not a expert by any means but i would scrap what you have and find a more suitable starter.

I agree!

It doesn't matter if it's a Mustang, or even a VW, Some one will always be faster! unless you have a unlimted amount of money & now how to drive what you get.

By the way..........I have a Mustang also.

Pat

their is no doubt their will be faster cars, my friends dad has a mini cooper all tricked out that i know if probably gonna end up faster than what i build. id rather have some style though along with a fast car. thanks for the suggestions i think ill save up and buy a decent body of a camaro to do wat i want. as a newby builder from my camaro i have now i cant really see much left of worth in it except all the tuneup stuff i put in to make it run right.(was gonna be an every day car before my old car died, old car died too quick so i bought a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 V10.)

Originally Posted by Fosh

their is no doubt their will be faster cars, my friends dad has a mini cooper all tricked out that i know if probably gonna end up faster than what i build. id rather have some style though along with a fast car. thanks for the suggestions i think ill save up and buy a decent body of a camaro to do wat i want. as a newby builder from my camaro i have now i cant really see much left of worth in it except all the tuneup stuff i put in to make it run right.(was gonna be an every day car before my old car died, old car died too quick so i bought a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 V10.)

You want to kick everybody's butt, buy a Smart Car and swap in a Hayabusa....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdJ84nho3_k

Since I am naturally lazy, I think you should find a better basis to start with. From the sounds of it, this car has taken a major hit, and just getting it back to a straight, usable start will cost you more than you will spend for a clean different car.

If you can, find one that was not abused and is unmolested. It is just like Fox Mustangs, the best ones to start with are the 4 cylinder ones because the torque boxes are generally hammered on the V8 cars by the time you get them.

I think there are just too many issues with the one you own.

Don

the damage was really done by it just sitting and rusting... my brother got a new car as soon as he crashed this one so he never cleaned it, i washed the car very good and scrubbed it down with degreaser and water to try and pull everything off of it but just found more issues. oh well, ill take all you guys advice (except the smart car one lol) and jus save up and buy a more suitable camaro of the same generation to build.

i'm surprised no one yet has said post pics. I must be the only one confused because it doesn't sounds like all that much time has passed since "the car it was FULLY restored, rebuilt mechanically and redone inside as well"

No offense meant, really I do not, BUT here is STRAIGHT talk- It takes cash by the YARD to be street hero these days. On a modest salary you do not stand a hot days chance in Alaska of beating anyone but street squrrels who know as little as you. An experianced builder will eat you alive. Be satisfied with starting small and LEARNING the ropes ,building up as you learn. TAKE NIGHT CLASSES in mechanics FIRST or you WILL PORE good money after bad for years and DO NOT BET on a race. There are guys out there just waiting for people like you. That Canary will bring some pretty good money in parts online or Ebay sales, sell it Pc by Pc and save the caching to buy a decent driver. Really, do not take offense, I only mean to KEEP you in the hobby, NOT PO'd and leaving it after a bad experiance.

Voice of 35 years of experiance here.

Dr. Phil wants to know why you feel a need to stomp the guys with Mustangs and such.

Post some pics of your Camaro.
Dont write it off so quick.

Im all 2nd gen Z28!!!