Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

Hey everybody im new to this forum and have been reading up but can't find info on what to look for when i buy this z28 tomorrow. I was looking for something like a buyers guide, what problems to look for when looking at this car.

Its a 1994 z28 6 speed with 75,000 miles on it and looks-wise is in pristine condition. What i need to know is what to look for in engine and drivetrain issues. It has the stock clutch on it, time to change? stuff like that im interested in.

Thanks in advance
Marshall

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

ummm
Water pump and opti. Run your finger under the water pump, It has a "weep hole" when the pump starts to go bad it starts to drip on the opti and kills it. Everything else should be like buying another used car does the steering pull do the breaks pulse ect. Let the car sit at idle for 5 min and see if it runs hot after driving it. If the car looks prestine it was probobly taken car of. And with only 75,000 being a 94 should make for a decent car.

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

how much $$$$$$$$$$$??

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

Just looking "pristine" doesn't mean a good car.. I bought a "pristine" looking 95 Z28 with 50k miles.... And then spun a bearing 2 weeks later, finding out that the car had sat dormant for 2 years..
Make sure you check the history on the car..

Good side: rebuild = 383

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

That's true but at least you got one of the better camaro's the 95 with the vented opti, from what I've seen the 94's opti suck.

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

Could i order the newer 95 opti and put it on my 94? i mean its the same block would it fit right? Doesnt vented mean that water from the water pump could get in?

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

You could put it on the '94 but there are some changes you will have to make in the mounting process. More than just bolting it on! If you search here you will find some indepth info on all that is involved!

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

Here's what is needed to change from non-vented to vented opti.

http://para.noid.org/~muttvette/opti.html

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

WOW!!! i bought the car and it is as i said "Pristine". A 70 year old guy owned it and wanted to sell it because he had 6 other cars. I got it for a steal at $5000. It was originally $5300 but the day we went to look at it he put a little scratch in the front bumper by backing into it with another car, so we got the scratch estimated at a body shop and they said $300 to get it fixed so the owner nocked off $300 of the price.

Anyways it shifts and runs and starts good everything up to par. I just have a few questions, i hear a slight clunk coming from the rear of the car, like one of the right or left bushings, cant tell where its coming from. Sound occurs when going over a bump or dip- Anyone know the problem i might have back there? bad bushings maybe.

Another question is that when sitting in traffic or letting the car idle the temperature gauge moves all the way up to just before the last white line, is this normal due to no ventilation on the front of these cars?

Thanks alot everyone.
Marshall

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

lol, wow. you just straight bought it even though it had problems? the temp thing...it shouldn't heat up at all because the fans should come on. check the fans for operation. if the fans work, check fluids. not a bad idea to switch to a 160 thermo.

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

That clunk you hear in the rear is more than likely the rear hatch rattling around. Its a normal 4th gen pet peeve, along with slow window motors and optisparks.

About the idling temperature, the stock computer is like that the way its cooling fans are setup. Mine used to be like that and then I got a MadZ28 tune and he reprogrammed my fans to kick on earlier and I never see my temp gauge get past 190*.

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

Really? is that MadZ28 tune your talking about something like a hypertech programmer or is it the stock computer from the stealerships that is hooked up?

Re: Buying a 1994 z28 tomorrow, what to look for
 

Ion (the guy from MadZ28) makes custom tunes to your car. You fill out a build sheet and he whips up a tune for you. You can swap car computers or you can upload a tune through a laptop like I did. If you swap computers and do the core charge there will be no downtime. Its the same concept as the hypertech I guess but better. Hypertech has had people actually report losses! Hypertech can adjust your fans too, but it wont be as good (or nearly as cheap) as a MADZ28 tune. Ions tune deleted my skip shift, you will found out how bad that sux soon, and deleted my EGR/AIR. He also did power tuning which is a definite SOPT difference, even on a somewhat bolted on car like mine. Best 75$ I have ever spent on my car.

EDIT Ion's website is www.madz28.com and another computer programmer is www.PCMforless.com . Both are supporting vendors on this website.