I am looking to buy my first Camaro. It is a 96 Z28 W4, 115k miles. Price is 4k.

It has some mods on it already. CAI, exhaust, and might be chipped. It also has a shift kit. There is where my question lies. I test drove it yesterday and when it shifts it shifts hard. Kind of like a jerk. Is this because of the kit? He just had the tranny rebuilt 6 months or so ago (he has the documentation). He said it was because of the kit. I just want to verify. I don't like it, so if I wanted to take it out, is it an easy removal? Would that take care of the hard shift?

Other than that it is a nice car. Just some minor glitches. The PW are slow, and the motor for the driver side seat is not working. The interior is excellent and the T-tops are as well. The top of the dash has seen better days and the steering wheel has some up & down play. She also needs new tires all around.

What do you guys think? Is it a good buy? Any info on the shift kit would be helpful, as the shifting is my only major concern. I have included the URL for the ad on craigslist so you can see some pics of the car.

Thanks again for any advice.

http://yuma.craigslist.org/car/621041651.html

 

The shift kit is most likely causing the hard shifting. I'm not sure how hard it is to remove though. Are you planning on using the car for the track, or as a daily driver? If you're going to use it at the track, I'd recommend leaving in the shift kit. Also think about changing out the Flowmaster. From what I've read, they don't flow too well at all.

Most of the stuff you listed is pretty common stuff for Camaro's.

That Cold Air Intake looks a bit odd, is that a K&N kit? It looks alot bigger.

 

Might take the car to a mechanic(best $50.00 you will ever spend),and have the whole car checked out.If the seller refuses,run away fast.My02.

 

That looks like the SLP CAI. It should have two smaller cone filters on it instead of the big K&N filter.

 

Good advice.

 

I am pretty sure it is an SLP intake. I haven't looked at the cones yet but will today when I meet up with him again. I will take the car to a mechanic to be looked at. As far as the shift kit, I will be using the car as a DD, so I am looking to remove the shift kit. Don't want the wear and tear associated with it. Is it a lot of money to have the kit removed? Also I have to buy new tires so if you guys have any input on which tire is best to use on the car for a DD (maybe a little more every now and then) that won't cost my first born?

Thanks alot guys for your input. I have been browsing the boards for almost 2 weeks now getting as much info as I can on the car and different issues that come with them. This board really helped ease my mind and made me better informed on the car. I will definately be on the board from this day on.

 

In reply to removing the shift kit, it might be a pain depending on what exactly was done. ie - different valve body. If the valve body was changed you would have to get ahold of a stock one and have it changed out. All depends on what the Stage 2 shift kit does. I would ask the seller if he knows. I'm not sure on the price of changing a trans with a shift kit back to stock. Hope this helps a little.

 

Yeah it helps because it gives me an idea on what I am getting in to. If I decide to leave it in, will it affect the life expectency of the tranny? It was just rebuilt 2 months ago.

 

Looks like a nice car. If it runs good I say go for it. As far as the shift kit. I suggest just leaving it in. IT might shift a little hard, but it is probably easier (and less expensive) to leave it.

I would change the Flowmaster. Nobody here likes them...


Buy it.

 

I have come to understand that.

Any suggestions? Should I go with true duals or keep it Y'd?

 

It would be more cost effective to keep the Y if you're not going to be modding much. From the sound of it you don't want to race very much as it is a DD correct?

 

As of right now it will be my DD. No big plans as of now for it. It already has the basic bolt ons. Maybe later on it will get some headers. When I do that I will look into exhaust options. You never know though. I might drive it for 6 months and have a sudden urge for a little extra umph. I would guess you guys know all about that.

With that all said and done I would like to one day have 350 rwhp. I think that is a good number for a DD who has a little bit of a wild side.

 

That is pretty much the going price 4K. I would also assume the last owner drove it hard more often than not. 115K miles is not bad for a 96 model. For tires i would go with Kuhmo's (cheap but effective)--run you less then $500. From the pics, it looks well kept. Those engines can last a long time if maintained. I say talk him down to 3500 (500 less due to the tires). As for the urge for a little extra umph....I bet that comes much sooner than 6 months; also keep the shift kit.

 

Also dont wait for the headers...PUT THEM ON NOW if the car runs good. Oh...junk the flowchoker.

 

Tires and a new motor for the DS seat are the first priority. Headers and exhaust change after that.