Alright here’s the story I have a 1994 LT1 Camaro Z28 with 154,000 miles on it. I’ve been debating as to whether to keep the car or buy something else. The car is a secondary vehicle but has seen about 12,000 miles within the last 8 months as it has become the daily driver of a family member. If I choose to keep the car it will be their primary mode of transportation and I expect it will see even more miles in the months to come.

I took the car to the dealership because it was reving itself up at stoplights. The dealership now tells me it’s going to cost $4000 to fix the opti, put in a new water pump, plugs etc. The front brake rotors also needed to be replaced etc. etc. Fixing all the problems myself is not an option as my mobility is limited at the present time due to a bike accident.

If I keep this car it will see 200,000 miles in the near future. Is it going to be a headache and a money pit? Should I just sell it and cut my losses. What else can I expect to go wrong on a car of this age and mileage? I really don’t know much about the intricacies of camaros, my real forte is sportbikes. Any feedback or possible scenarios would be greatly appreciated. I realize the car is old and my gut tells me to sell it and get out while I still can. But I love the car. Thanks.

 

Where are you living now? I'm going to send out one of the peep here on this board to do the job for you.

Somebody get out there and help this dude with his opti/w.p. and brakes.

(I'd help but I'm in Toronto, Canada)

 

$4000 OUCH

I don't see where the dealer is getting that figure. WOW! Glad I do all my own work. Have you had anyone else besides the dealer look at it? Even if the items you say need replacement are bad and you pay full price I can't seel even half that price. Your ather option could be paying someone you know to do the work. If you buy parts from places other than the dealer your bill could be much lower.

This is what I figure. ( all prices from Auto Zone)

Opti (reman) $200
water pump (reman) $50
wires / plugs $60
Front rotors $20 each
pads $20
pizza and beer $30 (not from auto zone)
paying for your friends time $250

Total $510

This is all off the top of my head, but you do have other options.

 

$4000 is REALLY high. Yet another reason not to have dealers do the work. Shop around for a better price with a regular garage. There's no reason a dealer has to do the work.

BRAD

 

I'm in Cali send them over

 

Where is CA are you? You can use a chiltons guide, or any one of the "do it yourself guides" on the internet and do those is a weekend....the opti, and waterpump one day, the plugs and wires the next. The brakes and rotors a 3rd. Its not hard, just takes awhile your first time. Those 3 things you listed are probably the biggest mechanical issues you would have to worry about. Minor things could happen, but as of right now, those 3 seem to be the thing that need replacing the most.

 

The dude is hurting people!

Send somebody... right quick.

Sounds like he'll pay a healthy compensation package for your time.

His broken bones inside his casts, will be most valuable for tool storage.



(not to make fun, hope you get well soon)

 

I also have a surging problem and misses at high RPM under load. Whayt is the Opti and how do I replace it?

 

lol, i live in chicago, and i work on lt1 motors alot, and that figure is way off :P... never know with dealers though.. jeez, you could pay for my plane ticket there and back , get me some pizza and beer, and pay me only $300 to do all the work --- it'll still be cheaper!!

 

....the opti is the distributer on the older 4th gens. http://www.streetillusionsracing.com.../opti/opti.htm

this should pretty much help you out with the entire install.....