Hey everyone,
I'm new to Camaros and wanted to start a build thread to track progress and allow input from the knowledgeable users here to get me on the right track.

The Basics:
B4C: LT1 and 6 speed
84,000 original miles
Lowered 2 inches with Eibach springs
No cat or real exhaust and no o2 sensors
Hurst shifter
Maroon in color with a black stripe

The Bad:
-SES light on

- Ugly color

-Low coolant light on

-Gas gauge is off by about a 1/4 tank

-Ride is pretty rough

-Ugly C4 Vette wheels need to go

-Needs a new bumper and driver front fender...considering a LS front end/headlight swap

-Weak key fob response

-Needs exhaust

-A/C is charged and blows cold but only when the AC compressor relay is pulled and you jump the terminals; but blows strong and cold when that's done; haven't checked the in car fuses yet just the fuse block at the motor

-ABS INOP light on; but brakes work fine and have a 3rd brake light

-Passenger window trim on the outside pops out

-Little interior parts: Blown speakers, center console needs pin for hinge, glovebox doesn't always latch

-Slow power windows

All the issues listed above taken into consideration I'm happy with the car. It drives fine and doesn't seem to have any issues. I have taken it on some trips and it did just fine and still wasn't too much of a gas hog.

Being stationed in 29 Palms, CA and recently having a baby my first priority is AC followed by exhaust and SES light. This isn't my DD, more of a weekend car, but I would like to be able to drive it comfortably when I need/want to. I will add more as it comes to me....Pictures attached.

 

Didnt see the year of your car. One of the best tools for these cars is using an aldl cable and a laptop to get and clear codes and moniter data. Here is a link for cable ALDL OBD1 OBD cable OBDI OBD2 engine codes at the top of this section in a sticky is free software for the 94-95. A 93 you can flash the codes with a wire or paper clip. 96 up alot more options for getting codes but a cable and laptop with the right software is a great option. This site will be very helpful on all sorts of things 4th Gen LT1 F-Body Tech Aids and you should bookmark it. May want to include your goals or plans for the car(like if you want more power). I would also include if you have to pass emissions. My thoughts on color since you dont like color and if your on a tight budget might be to two tone it if you can find a good line when fixing the damaged areas. Sometimes the classsifieds on the forums are a good place to get good used parts(some new too).


Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android

 

haha saw the year in the header lol. Putting a signature with any mods and current info is always a good idea too.


Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android

 

Thanks Slick! I will update my signature for sure. Plans for the car are definitely more power, streetable, doesn't have to be a 9 second car but something fun that will run a good 11 or so in the quarter. No need to pass emissions; but want the deafening drone of the straight pipe gone. The plan for color is matte black plastidip or if I can find a decent paint and body shop painting the car matte black. I'm wanting to run an all black theme..something sinister and evil looking. Thanks for the advice. That ALDL cable and my laptop will act like any regular OBD scanner plus allow datalogging?

 

2 suggestions...first is download the first sticky Injuneer posted @ the top of this section of the forum...Free 94/95 LT1 scanning software. Ya can see all that's happening and can see/clear codes in engine & tranny, etc. You'll love it. Then get the GM service manuals for your car. There are 2 volumes and can sometimes be found for sale on this site, and I've found 3 sets for sale on ebay a couple weeks ago ranging from about $30 to $120 in price. If you're like me, on a low car budget and able to do the labor myself, they really help to get started. The only hangup with the software I have is storing the data in a file...I click the STOP button and the data freezes, but is lost when I resume scanning or leave the program. Go forth & may your questions and experience multiply!!!

 

Definitely need to go through that thread. I need to get a Windows OS though because I'm running Ubuntu and can't figure out the Windows emulators. I will look for a service manual as well. I'm definitely more than able to wrench on my own car and will. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Got my ALDL cable ordered today. I'm hoping there are some stored HVAC codes and that is why the AC isn't working via the **** on the dash. The compressor spins freely and when the AC Compressor clutch relay is jumped in the fuse block in the engine bay the AC pumps nice cold air. The HVAC fuse in the car checks out fine as well....any other ideas or things to check?

Also wanting to get into the exhaust...if I can find a reasonable set of headers I will start there otherwise I will start at the manifolds back...no smog or anything like that for the car so that's not an issue. Any advice on companies/parts to start with?

Sorry for the newb questions I'm coming from having diesels and modding them for the past 5 years or so. It's a whole other ball game here...

 

Got the ALDL cable today and will be using the FreeScan software to see how it works. Thanks guys wish me luck and I will post more later.

 

The PCM may see the r134a refrigerant pressure is low, not allowing the a/c to operate. I wonder how Freescan is workin' for ya?

 

Having driver issues with the cable..I'm not super computer saavy when it comes to things like this. I will let you guys know when I figure it out..also found out my alternator is putting out 12v..

 

Post you driver problems on the Computer Diagnostics and Programming forum - should be able to help you out.

 

I was able to use Datamaster to monitor my car. I have not forgotten about this thread we just had a baby and it has been a hectic few months. My car threw a MALF 29: EAS Electrical Fault and MALF 77: Fan 1 Fault (car has electric fans on it). No O2 sensor codes, although it is straight piped with no cat and no O2s...I'm confused...this is my first Camaro and I now have to make it smog legal so I am going to find try and find a stock exhaust. Also bizarre was how the AC has only worked by bypassing the relay and now it worked without fault and blew nice cold air..

To add to the interesting start to this story, I had a guy get ahold of me recently and let me know the car has been through roughly 4 owners in the past year..yikes! I want to try and fix it up and give it a long term home.

Attached is a video of the monitor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMOp...e_gdata_player

 

Use Shoebox's LT1-specific list to translate the codes:

http://shbox.com/1/Dtcs.htm

DTC 29 = Secondary Air Injection (AIR) pump circuit (usually a blown fuse for the AIR pump)

DTC 77 = Cooling fan relay control circuit

All LT1's have electric fans.

There is no after-cat O2 sensor on the OBD-1 cars (93-95). The left bank sensor should be on the base of the exhaust manifold, and the right bank sensor should be in the Y-pipe, right below the exhaust manifold.

 

Awesome! Thank you for the info. I will be checking for blown fuses and moving on from there. Thanks

 

Also wanted to add that I am going to be making smog legal power, I'm moving to Nevada and getting out of the military so I can no longer register the car in my home state and need to pass smog. In NV the test is idle speed and 2500 rpm..any suggestions for where to start?