About a month ago I bought my first Z28, a car I've had my eye on since I was a teenager. The car basically satisfies multiple desires:
1) I've always wanted a Camaro
2) I wanted to learn how to drive a stick shift
3) I want to know what makes cars tick by doing my own repairs/mods on it with the help of a buddy of mine who's more mechanically knowledgeable than I am and has had a few Camaros and Vettes to work on in the past

Now that 1 and 2 are taken care of, I'd like to tackle 3. In my opinion, this offers numerous benefits, the most important being the fact that you can save money by doing your own repairs/mods, and you can also share your knowledge with rookies such as myself . Anyway, what I want to know is, being a strict newbie with limited knowledge of cars, what are the best ways for me (besides the obvious of just doing the repairs) to learn the necessary skills required? Any specific literature or software? I'm only 23 so I'm not in a rush and not one of the types of people to do little research before diving into a big project; that'll just wind up creating a headache. To give an idea of how my car is, see the signature for aftermarket mods plus the following features and needs:

-- original LT1 with 105,000 miles
-- SLP short-throw shifter
-- driver's side tie rod needed
-- alignment needed
-- belt tensioner needed
-- a/c compressor busted

Any suggestions on how I can repair the above and also learn more about other things are greatly appreciated. My buddy lives about 90 minutes from me so I'm not able to see him too often and I'd like to know as much as I can on my own. I actually replaced the thermostat this past weekend, so I'm not totally incompetent, just about 90%

 

I got the GM service manual for my 95 Z from Helms and it has paid for itself multiple times...

 

A haynes book will help you see what goes where. That way as you read discusions you can see what everyone is talking about. If you want to learn, stay around here and go to car shows. I find a lot of good information from sites like this. Search a topic or read about someone elses install. And if you don't know the answer...ask.

 

Look around and do research on Shoe Box's Website, before you try a new project. He has everything you can possible need, from pics, diagrams, manuals, and writes up. Just book mark it for easy use.

I was in the same boat as you acouple of years ago, I found a F-Body club here and have learned so much from those guys. To the fact that I have installed the cam and pulled the heads on my car. And Im about the same age as you 22. Good Luck and have fun. Just remember if you are having a problem someone on here has already had that problem and found how to fix it, so do a search, to find the answer, then post if you cant find what you are looking for

 

the best advice you will ever get^^^^

and good luck with the car, any specific questions just post em and i am sure someone will help you out

 

Find a Harbor Frieght near you and get all your tools there.. I got a jack, jackstands, basically every socket imaginable, wrenches, creeper, screwdrivers.. everything you would need to do the usual stuff, for alittle under 400$. Haven't broken a tool yet.

The alignment can't be done by the home mechanic. Scratch that off the list. The AC compressor, if my LT1 memory serves me right, is fairly easy. Get prices at Autozone, and while your there pick up, as already said, a Helms repair manual.

While your there, get the belt tensioner. Those things are like 20$ and take 10 minutes to do.

A tie rod I've never done, so I can't offer you advice on that one. Let us know if you have any more questions, were always glad to answer them.

 

another positive vote here for shoebox's website

 

I actually went to shoebox's website before I changed my thermostat, and like you guys said it's great. Plus the fact that it's for a 95 Z is perfect for my car.

Thanks for everyone's support so far, I'm going to pick up a repair manual (I was thinking of this one since I've heard good things, anyone have an opinion on that?) and I've already got most of the tools I need.

 

Learn by doing. You can find out how to do pretty much anything by searching this forum. I installed a clutch, long tubes, and motor mounts having never done it before... everything I needed to know I found on here. A camaro is a good car for a novice mechanic because it has lots of things that like to break.

 

This is the manual you want http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2...9H5L21L1UTA63A it's expensive but well worth it. You might be able to find it cheaper on ebay.

 

Buy a used Helms manual (or sometimes Helms has them on sale). It is the best bar none and worth every penny.