firebirdjosh

I found a 1979 camaro that looks pretty good but I want to know if there is anything I should specifically look for. What engines were available in that year? It has a huge round air filter on top of the engine, definately a V8. I own an 89 bird so I'm not familiar with these. Underbody isn't bad at all, there is a rust hole behind the rear wheel. Paint would be good eventually. Interior needs to be redone for sure. Its baby blue and I plan on dying it. It is advertised as a Z28 but it has no badges. Its only $1200 obo so I don't expoect too much. It does run but needs brake lines and some other stuff apparently. What do you guys think?

Erik

If it's a Z28 it should have body mouldings, a spoiler and vents in the front quarter panels.

A huge round air filter does not necessarily indicate a V8. Count the spark plugs.

Both a 305 and a 350 were available in 79. The Z28 got a 350.

gotta cut this short... hockey game is starting up again!

firebirdjosh

A guy I know looked at it and said it looks like the engine was dropped in. Its definately a V8. What are appearance differences of the engine? The car is called a Z28, yet it had no badges and doesn't have the gills on the fender. It has a spoiler though and a sick hood with induction intake (I think thats what you call it, looks like a cowl induction hood).

Erik

The second digit of the VIN should be a Q. IF it's an S, it's definatly not originally a Z28.

The 5th digit should be an L. If it's not...

The 79 Z28 came with a forward facing non functional ram air. If it's rear facing, the hood was donated from an 80 or 81.

The 79 came with finned air vents in the quarter panels. If they're not there, either the vehicle is not originally a Z28, or for some reason both front quarters were replaced with non Z28 panels. To me it seems unlikely that someone would replace panels with non Z28 ones.

There should be a front air dam, mouldings just infront of the rear tires and a 3 piece rear spoiler.

All models except the Berlinetta have black plastic around the headlights/turn signals.

The gas filler door and front grille have a Z28 emblem.

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From what you've described, I doubt it's orginally a Z28, not that that really matters (except that it might be worth bargining points in your favour). The stock engine in late second generation camaros was very weak and could very well use an engine swap to something healthier. Even GM's plane stock 350 replacement engine makes more power than the original.

firebirdjosh

Damn. What kind of power am I looking at? Also, what kind of tranny and gearing came with the base model? I'd hate to have an upgraded engine and have it toast the tranny and rear end.

Erik

IF it's a stock LM1 (Z28 engine) it'll have around 180hp and 280ft/lbs torque. Who knows what engine is in there though. A mild engine rebuild with vortec iron heads is relatively inexpensive and easily worth 300hp.

The 10 bolt rear is plenty strong - way stronger than the 10 bolt in the 4th gens. My stock rear end handles 12.9 runs with ease. The rear could be just about anything. Jack the rear up, spin the tires by hand and count how many times the drive shaft turns. 3.5 turns = 3.42 gears. With a manual transmission 2.56 (v6), 3.08 (non Z28 350 and 305) and 3.73's (Z28) were available. With an auto 2.41(305), 2.56(v6), 3.08(305 and non z28 350), 3.42(Z28).

The tranny? Hard to say. If it shifts well and the fluid looks good, I wouldn't worry about it.

firebirdjosh

I really appreciate all the time you put in so far to helping me. I am going to take some pictures today and see what the guy says as far as work needed. So far I know he reccomends new brake lines. It's an automatic FWIW. What form of injection did they come with, and can I change it to TPI (if thats better)?

On another note, what am I looking at for vortec heads and a rebuild? I'd LOVE 300hp.

Erik

Fuel injection was not available in 79. Yep, TPI could be swapped in. If you go with vortec heads, you'll have to use a donor that came from the factory with vortec style heads, or buy an aftermarket kit, or just go with a different style head. I suggested the vortec because it's the best inexpensive head on the market, and it's better that most, if not all the factory heads that have ever been available on classic chevy muscle cars.

firebirdjosh

I really need to see what year that motor is! So how about this engine rebuild kit? Any hp gains?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33620

Also, how hard is it to dye the interior? The interior is dirty, but no tears on seats. I figuere I can dye them and save a ton of money.

Ls1smlblck

firebirdjosh : Check on NastyZ28.com (2nd gen Camaros). On the main page there is a listing of the years. Go under 79 and it will tell you all options and codes for this car. The 3 main thing that will tell you it's a Z is the cowl or trim tag, the build sheet and VIN. Go to nastyz28.com and it will tell you how to decode them all. The trim tag is on the drivers side top cowl panel. The build sheet is usually under the rear passenger buckets or in the top bench seat. (which you'll have to pull the rear seats to find) If the car is a "N" (Norwood plant) the trim tag will say "Z28" . If it is "L" car (Van Nuys plant) it will have a one letter/number code which I forget right now. But again you can go to that site to decode it. Those are the main 3 thing to tell you if it is a Z. Can't always go by the VIN also. I've seen were a VIN plate was changed but the trim tag wasn't or Both changed and found the VIN on body and revealed it wasn't so watch out. V-8 camaro with rear spoiler could be a RS or Berlinetta and the spolier could be added to a "plain" Camaro also.

If you don't want to look at the whole site, here's the tech info:

http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro79.html