Is it possible? Frankienstien? First car?

(Actually Several Questions)

Would it be possible to put a Pontiac Trans Am GTA (87-89) front head light assembly onto a Iroc-Z(or normal Z-28) Camaro(87-90)? The main concern is if it's close enough is bolts and attachments to hook it on, also the hood will have to be replaced with a Trans am hood because of the flip up head lights on the trans am, and the trans am hood has some humps in it that I don't think the camaro has, making a different shape, so might not fit. There's allot of tricky things, but is it feasable? Anyone think? I've seen a firebird trans am with complete camaro front end, if not for the tail lights it would be pretty good camaro clone. I like camaros, but the trans am, dare I say, look cooler, exculuding their tail lights...

Another off topic question. The Trans am and Iroc-z camaro both have 350 TPI 5.7L V8 engines, but which is better? Faster? Geared better etc? I've been pouring over both cars (87-90) for a few months and can't decide which one... I'd definetly take both if they came up at the right price. But I don't want to pour all my money into a camaro or trans am and discover I would have gotten just a slightly more amount of horse power with the other, or faster times or smoother shifting.

I was at one point all ready to go with camaro, because my dad claims to have never lost with his 69 camaro, I'd I thought it'd be great to keep up that legacy, as his camaro was engulfed in flames back in 88, so an 88 camaro looked pretty symbolic. I know the 80's were the worst years for the camaros in terms of horse power, but with some work it'd be pretty tough to beat, maybe even put a newer 350 in it(or bigger). The only reason I looked at Trans am is I wanted to make sure camaro was the top in the 80's, put they're so Identical in specifics, just looking they're the same except the head lights and seats! But does one have a more effective fuel injector, pump, etc? Anything?

I just got a job, and have some money coming and time to start looking for a car and let my dad have his 85 Astro back, so the 80's fast cars are mostly right in my price range around $3000.

Last question, can you put a supercharger or a turbo on either of the cars without having to change other componets to handle the extra horsepower? Or are their original parts strong enough to handle the extra boost?

I realize this is a Z\28 Message board, please don't hurt me.

=ToKo

 

Actually I think that's very possible, from what I've heard 2nd gens are having a problem with people making Camaro clones from a Firebird, because the Camaros are worth more.

 

Yeah, I noticed there are less Camaros for sale, and they're more. That's another reason I was looking at Trans Am closer, I can get one in better condition for cheaper than a Camaro, and it's really hard to find a Camaro with a 350 V8 5.7 L engine(especially for 3000) , most of the ones you see for sale are the 305 or v6. Allot of the Iroc-z are selling for about 7,000, and only go up from now on.

So, although the Camaro's value is more, In performance which is better? Perferably Compared to the GTA t/a...

 

Man, you just brought back some fun memories! One of my friends had a sweet Black 86 Trans Am. 383 Stroker that had a serious lope and was hard to catch on a straight shot! He was driving down a road and looked to his blind spot so he could pass a slower truck in the right lane and slammed into the back of the pickup (The truck hit it's brakes right when he turned his head.) He had an 84 Camaro in the back yard with some fresh black paint, so he stuck the whole front end on his Firebird. From then on we called it the Cam-Am. It was weird at first, but the lines melded together pretty nicely.

 

I found an 83 camaro for sale here, has a 383 stroker V8. The paint is chipping and peeling, the seats are slightly stained, plenty of rips, the carpet is worn through wear your heel goes. But only $1000 dollers!

Another, 84 Camaro, all stock, in some what good condition, only one or two tears, ok paint. $2900

I'd take a new camaro, like a 95 or something but most of them are out of my price range.

The one I really want is this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-...90977315QQrdZ1

But it's in New york, and I'm in eastern Idaho.
Camaros are harder to find in Idaho, the winters are usally to bad for a camaro to get through.
Recently saw a an 86 camaro abandoned, sat around for months tires all went flat and little kids threw rocks at it until a tow truck came and impounded it... Sad sight.

Anyway, thinking about it if I got a camaro I wouldn't want a trans am front on it...

 

Wow, $1,000 for a Third-gen F-Body in that condition? Too bad you can't come here to Texas to get it. You can find them around here in either better condition for the same price, or in the same condition you mentioned but for a lot less. My buddy bought his 89 RS with a 305 and in pretty good condition; Seats had no tears/rips, carpet not dirty, body straight. The only thing really wrong with it was the front bumper cover was cracked because it was lowered and it took a lot of hits on potholes, etc. He got that for $800. Check eBay some more, find one in one of the lower states and just go pick it up. It's usually worth the drive, we have tons down here and there's not much of a market to sell them at a high price!

Edit - To give you an idea, I got my 81 Trans Am (Power locks/windows, T-Tops, ect) for $100 down here. It did run when I got it, but I junked the Turbo motor. There are some good deals if you are patient and wait them out! Good luck!

 

I'd settle for a camaro in rough condition, as long as the frame was straight, and the engine was a strong 350. I can work on the rest later. Can't get to picky when pickings are slim. I saw a 94 camaro for 2000, it was the z028 350, it had a front end collision and needed new bumber, left hand fender and bumber (about 800 dollers in repairs)

If I get from ebay or something like that I'll need the money upfront, and only making 200 a month takes awhile to save up enough to afford something, but if I do find one for under 2000 I probably could afford about 800 or so to ship it, or ship it so far and pick it up.

Thanks for the help!

 

I would suggest signing up with www.thirdgen.org if you aren't already. It's the largest 3rdgen forum on the internet with HUGE archives of information.

No, a Firebird front won't fit on a Camaro. The lines are completely different. It has been discussed many times on www.thirdgen.org .

Given equal options, they are both equal cars when it comes to performance. But if you are going to rebuild/swap the motor, then it really doesn't matter which is faster. Oh, and you couldn't get a 5-speed with the 350 from the factory, only the 305's had a 5-speed. If you're looking at say 90-92 models, try to find one with a G92 RPO code, that is the performance package.

If you took both cars, equal options and stripped them down to the bare chassis and frame, you would have identical cars. The only main difference would be the exterior and interior. Everything mechanical and electrical is identical.

You can put a supercharger on a stock motor, but it's really recommended to either rebuild the motor for boost, or get a new motor. The 3rdgens are known to have high miles, and a high compression stock motor isn't good for a supercharger.

 

Alright, Thanks allot, that helps!
I'd take either one then if, which ever comes up. But I don't really like the newer Trans ams. They looked good in 89 the GTAs. It's allot of money to to rebuild and super charge... Might have to save up for that mod, but even a stock camaro or trans am could take most of the cars around, 'cept that car collector guy on the corner with his sick Iroc-z, or his formula Trans am, his '72 Nova is tough, or maybe his 69 SS camaro... well you get the Idea...

Camaro's and Trans am look alike because they're both body by fissure right? Just curious...

Thanks again!