I just took possession of a 92 Camaro RS. Its in pretty good shape, and runs good. I will be honest, this is the first american car I have ever owned. I am considering adding some performance parts to the car, and would like some advice. I thin it has 170HP stock, and I am used to driving a TT 3000 VR4. If someone could answer the below questions I would be very grateful:

1) Would you even bother "upgradding" this car, or sell it and start with something that already has a 350. I do want to stay with a 92 or older body style.
2) If you would pick a "project" car other than the 92 RS what year, make, and model would use choose (staying with the 3rd gen camaro, trans-am, or firebird).?
3) What size rims can you fit on the 3rd gen cars?
4) Is it easier to mod a TBI (which I think I have) or a TPI?
5) Can you swap in a LT1 or LS1?
6) If you were to keep the RS what engine would you swap into it?
7) Its white w/the red interior. Any websites that I can get parts to change the color?
8) I really need some advice on what to do, so if someone could contact me by e-mail I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Craig Hoffman
Twinturbo@knology.net

 

Congrats on the new f-body! I am looking into buying a 92 RS myself, and I might close on the deal this weekend. Yes, you do have the 5.0 L03 TBI engine with 170hp and 255tq. It is a bit more reliable than a TPI engine due to less mechanical parts to break. As far as engine swaps go, you can fit an LT1 in there, but with some work. An LS1 can also be done, but is a major headache and price wise is not worth it, nor is an LT1. If you really want a 350 then your best bet in my opinion is to buy a crate engine from GM. From $1300 to $4500 you can find the engine that'll suit your needs best. Honestly I think the later year 3rd gens are great project cars. I used to own an 84 Z28 and I think that year is the worst of the 3rd gens as far as maintaining and reliability goes. Very difficult to tune, but that's just my experience. Yes, you can fit 17" wheels on 3rd gens, but they require wheel spacers. The mods you do on a TBI engine for the most part will yield less of a performance gain than on a TPI engine, but you can still mod it. You can put a new intake manifold on it. Heck, you can even get a carburator intake manifold and use a TBI adapter. Larger injectors, induction mods, exhaust, etc. The first thing you should do is head over to www.thirdgen.org and search for "Ultimate TBI". One of the things they will recommend is you get an air cleaner assembly from the L69 "H.O." engines (like my 84 Z28 had). It's a dual snorkel air cleaner system that flows really well and you'll notice an improvement over the very restrictive stock air cleaner assembly on your car. I could go for days on the possibilites for your car, but if you want, hop on AOL and IM me sometime; my screen name is "sahlomonic".

 

With a lot of mods you can get the L03 into the high 14 sec. range, if you want to go faster a engine swap is in order, and like sahlomonic said go over to
ThirdGen.org
they have a forum just for TBI equipped cars and they are a lot of help.

 

While RS's are nice cars, they aren't too big on performance. They can be made fast, but here's my honest opinion:

1) I wouldn't try to make the RS fast, a few easy cheap mods here and there, nothing serious.

2) Other than a 92, I'd pick 90-91.

3) I think 17s are about it unless you do some real work under there.

4) I don't know what's "easier", but I know that a TPI will respond better to the mods.

5) Many people have swapped in LT1s. A few have swapped in LS1s. Like said, the LS1 swap is not really worth it. You can buy a nice used 98-00 car for the price of the swap.

6) Some kind of crate engine. Take a look for what you want.

7-8) www.thirdgen.org Couldn't ask for a better site.

 

Granted L03's are slow but not that slow!!, My car would cut a hi 15 sec. 1/4 brand new, but I know how to drive and it's a 5-speed car which helps a lot.