Issues with the late 3rd gen?

Hey guys. I stopped by here a while ago, and since then, have been quietly prowling the market for my own 3rd gen. Anywho, my best friend found one for me...a '91 Z28 350TPI , 5 speed manual. Im goin to take a look at it next week...its goin off pretty cheap, guy says it needs work and all...

Anywho, I was wondering if, when I go to look at it, I could get some pointers, as to what to look for, what to stay away from...stuff like that on the 91 Z-28's.

Any info for the camaro-noob would be appreciated...cuz I'm sooo ****in done riding in a 96 grand am...I'm about to slit my wrists on the struts everytime I look at that nasty, sideways 3.1..... *sobs*

I would definately check the block casting numbers. There weren't supposed to be any 350's with 5 speeds. All 350's were supposed to be automatics. It's probably a 305/5 speed car, or was if it is a 350. :)

Yeah man, apparently its a 5 speed richmond trans...I dont know much about richmond for transmissions, but its definately not stock.

But yeah, i know to check numbers from when my best friend bought his 73 mustang...(which to this day kills me...what a horrible year for a horrible car industry...) so yeah...I was lookin more for something like common wear-and tear, recalls, stuff like that.

che4ck the pinch welds-they are terribly weak and are probably mangled due to jacking

tap around under the car on the floor pans and such. Checking for the obvious, any signs of weakness, or holes. I say if the Body/chassis is in good shape, have at it. You can fix anything on the motor or drivetrain, but it's not very fun tying to fix a cracked, rotted out strut towers uni body. Good luck man, and welcome to the wonderful world of Camaros. No funner car to drive in my opinion. Granted, I haven't drove every car there is, but you will see what I mean. ;)

Hell yeah man. I can't wait to start fiddling with that 350 crate...anyone know anything about richmond trannies?

Hard to beat a Richmond, but keep in mind it's not an overdrive tranny. Lower first gear and close ratios. Good gear box though. Be interesting to see how it fit in the third gen as it is quite a bit different than the T5.

think i should be worried about that at all?

Im takin a look at it tomorrow...thing needs a new hood (eep! bodywork! lol...not too bad, i guess) but yeah. for 2k, i hope its something i can work with.

yeah, it aint a T-top, but i woulda figured as much. How well does the chevy framework hold up? do ya find alotta these things with trashed frames and suspension?

Hard to beat a Richmond, but keep in mind it's not an overdrive tranny. Lower first gear and close ratios. Good gear box though. Be interesting to see how it fit in the third gen as it is quite a bit different than the T5.

Don't be so quick to say that it's not an OD. Since it is an aftermarket trans, there is no telling what gears are in it.

- Justin

If it was a 5.7 from the factory, the 8th digit on the vin code will be an "8".
5.7's were hard tops only, no T tops. Only about 6000 produced for 91. 5.0 vin code F. 10th digit "M" for 91. I haven't noticed any major problems with mine, except when the wife drives it.

The eighth didgit on this one is an F.

He says it runs on a 5.7TPI, Im checkin it this weekend, but I guess he swapped out a V6, or a 5.0.

The guy musta been ambitious...swapped out the tranny and the engine, heehee.

BTW, i like the info on the vin number decoding...any sites for that? pages?

F is for Z28 with 5.0 TPI. Found this web site on GM's

http://members.fbody.com/CyberFreak/html/gmvin.html

Good Luck

thanks. BTW, anyone know the difficulty of reinstalling tuned port injectors? I know for a set of 8 Bosch injectors its gonna run me about 480ish for price...any pointers?