WMLover212

Hello everybody-

This is my first time on this site so I hope I am posting in the right place.

No, I am not posting as a buyer. That would be in the market. LOL

I am buying a 1992 z28 manual camaro and need to know if there are anything in particular I should be looking for when I take it in for a look.

Known issues with it:

He says that first gear comes and goes; you have to push it hard up in first before it catches but otherwise transmission runs fine, he says.

Guy says there is a hole in the exhaust somewhere; did not specify where. Says that some days it sounds really bada** then some days it doesn't. I was planning on putting an Edelbrock exhaust system on it anyway so I don't think I need to be too worries about it. (My 88 IROC-Z had that exhaust)

Also says he had ignition trouble with it (turning the key) and jury rigged a push button start under the dash... idk what to think about that.

He is asking for 3800...

Now, I am not a mechanic nor am I especially techy with cars but one thing I do not want is a one-wheel wonder. When I drop the hammer I want to stretches of rubber. Also, am I to understand that all 92 camaros have the LT1 corvette engine in it??

I would really appreciate any feedback from you guys, since you are the experts (at the vary least compared to me) on whether this camaro sounds like more trouble than it is worth.

slowride94z

1. no, needs to be rebuilt$$$
2. needs new key
3. too much, in my opinion
4. hell no
5. yes I agree,,,but this is my opinion and welcome to the sight

WMLover212

Thanks for the reply!

I was afraid of that with the trany. Any ideas what an estimate would be??

As for the price, exterior and interior is suppose to be in prestine condition and there is less than 100K on it. TPI engine 5 speed manual and was supposedly a show car before this guy got it 2 years ago. What do you think the a fair offer might be for it?

cars3

Agree with all of the above. Just my $.02 TPI motors will nickle and dime you to death. I've had three, and still own two now and they can cost alot of money to keep them running. For me I love the TPI motors and I will do everything I can to keep mine going.

Injuneer

Check the engine code. GM did not offer the 5-speed manual with the 350CI "Corvette" engine, because the 5-speed wasn't strong enough. It only came with an automatic. The 305CI engine came with the 5-speed though. The 305CI was the base engine in the Z28.

ws6transam

For $3800 you are buying a car that needs $1000 worth of transmission repairs, and $500 or more in troubleshooting repairs to the wiring system. So add that to the cost when you figure out how much this machine is worth. If it was a show car, it wouldn't have a busted transmission nor a jury-rigged pushbutton underneath the dash. Those are just TWO of the problems which are obvious. There will be more that are not obvious, like the inevitable rebuild of the front suspension for $500, and other stuff like that. So in effect, you will most likely be spending $5800 or more on this car in short order. For that kind of money it better be rust-free everywhere, with a really clean interior, and good paint that doesn't need much, if any touchup.

Marc 85Z28

Offer $2500, unless the rest of the car is rough too.

The transmission issue may be something simple, like a clutch not fully releasing due to a hydraulic leak.

No idea why he went with a push button start. It's the standard issue corporate GM steering column and ignition lock cylinder. There are millions of them around, and they're cheap to fix/replace.

The engine is most likely a 305 TPI since you state it's a manual. The LT1 wasn't available until 1993. If it's got a single catalytic converter, it's got 205hp with a 3.08 rear. Two converters means it's a G92 car (may be worth $3800 with the problems) and puts it at 230hp with a 3.42 rear. Look for the RPO code G80 on the SPID (sticker under the center console lid) for the presence of the limited slip differential. The G92 car will have it, the 205hp car may or may not.

The difference between the standard Z28 and the G92 may only be 25hp on paper, but their real-world performance is dramatically different! The G92 will run nearly as well as the 350 cars.

WMLover212

So the easiest way to find out is to see if it has 2 cat? If it does, and it is a G92 then it already has positraction?

Just to clarify on the sticker, if it says G80, it is the 205hp but if it says G92, then likely it has the 230hp and the limited slip?

You said the codes are under the center console lid? The arm rest?? I am going to ask him to take a picture of it and send it to me.

Marc 85Z28

If it's not under the center console lid, it may be on the backside of the locking compartment lid in the rear cargo area. I believe some later cars had it put there.

There was a myriad of option combinations on these cars, and I doubt anyone really knows EXACTLY what was offered with what, and what was required to make other options available. But this is what I believe to be true:

G92 = performance axle ratio. But ordering this either included OR required high performance tires, engine oil cooler, G80 limited slip differential, and the high output engine (either HO 305 or 350).

Chances are if it has the J65 rear disc brakes, it has the G80 limited slip diff. If it has G92, J65 is required.

Get a picture of the SPID. Look for G92 performance axle ratio, G80 limited slip diff, and N10 dual converters. If it doesn't have all of these, the car is overpriced.