rebuilding v6 3rdgen with my kid -- what to mod? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

Hey all--

I bought an 85 2.8 Camaro for my stepson. He's 14 now, so we have a couple of years to work on it. I paid $100 for it, and I think that was a fair price for what we got.

Pics here

Anyway, it wil be a daily driver for him, and he'll take defensive driving classes, then use it for HPDE and AX. Maybe OT someday.

The stock 2.8 V6 is STAYING! One day it will be replaced by a 3.4 with some mods, but not until he proves to deserve a car that's not slow as molasses. We do have a 5-sp for it.

I'm not concerned with fitting into an AX class. I'd just like to know what mods I should make to make it a nice car.

We'll be doing a complete mechanical rebuild, so where appropriate I'd like to use aftermarket performance chassis or durability-related parts instead of stock. But we will be on a tight budget.

My ideas include:

4thgen rear with SLP Torsen
4thgen wheels -- cheapest style that clears brakes -- salad shooters?
home-made C5 or LS1 front brakes like I've seen on some other F-car sites
LT1 rear brakes
SFCs, possibly home made
battery in rear
exhaust -- I like the way an Aerochamber sounds on the V6-60 -- we'll see what he likes
Getting shock ideas from JonA and djborden on cc.com.

That's the easy ones. Then there's the things I really don't know enough specifics about F-cars to choose:

What about bushings? Springs? Reinforced or upgraded f/r control arms or PHB?
Cooling? Steering? What else?

thanks!!
kevin

CharlieFoxtrot View Member Profile	Feb 19 2004, 05:23 PM Post #1
newbie Group: Advanced Members Posts: 35 Joined: 27-January 04 From: Sarasota, FL Member No.: 163	Hey all-- I bought an 85 2.8 Camaro for my stepson. He's 14 now, so we have a couple of years to work on it. I paid $100 for it, and I think that was a fair price for what we got. Pics here Anyway, it wil be a daily driver for him, and he'll take defensive driving classes, then use it for HPDE and AX. Maybe OT someday. The stock 2.8 V6 is STAYING! One day it will be replaced by a 3.4 with some mods, but not until he proves to deserve a car that's not slow as molasses. We do have a 5-sp for it. I'm not concerned with fitting into an AX class. I'd just like to know what mods I should make to make it a nice car. *We'll be doing a complete mechanical rebuild, so where appropriate I'd like to use aftermarket performance chassis or durability-related parts instead of stock. But we will be on a tight budget.* My ideas include: 4thgen rear with SLP Torsen 4thgen wheels -- cheapest style that clears brakes -- salad shooters? home-made C5 or LS1 front brakes like I've seen on some other F-car sites LT1 rear brakes SFCs, possibly home made battery in rear exhaust -- I like the way an Aerochamber sounds on the V6-60 -- we'll see what he likes Getting shock ideas from JonA and djborden on cc.com. That's the easy ones. Then there's the things I really don't know enough specifics about F-cars to choose: What about bushings? Springs? Reinforced or upgraded f/r control arms or PHB? Cooling? Steering? What else? thanks!! kevin

sgarnett View Member Profile	Feb 23 2004, 01:59 PM Post #2
Seeking round tuits Group: Advanced Members Posts: 5,522 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Kentucky Member No.: 33	I'm not sure 275s are a good choice for a kid's first car anyway. The odds are already fairly high that a new driver will have an accident in their first year or so of driving. Obviously you already know that, judging by your (probably wise) engine plans (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Wide tires in the rain, like a big engine, require some finesse and restraint. It might be better to start him off with some 215/60-16 all season tires for daily driving, and use separate tires for autocross/hpde. The 215 tires will fit (barely) on 16x8 alloys, or I can make you a dirt cheap deal on some 16x7.5 steel wheels with wheel covers from a 96 V6. If that's too narrow for ya, 225~235/55-16 or of course 245/50-16 are all reasonable candidates.