[jrg77]

I have an '85 Camaro. It currently has a T-5 trans. I have just put together a 408 SBC. The rest of the car is stock. The intended purpose of the car is to drive to HPDEs, AX events, and general racing education. The engine bay has the engine and the radiator removed. The car was red, then white, now black (I didn't do it - bought it this way).

Should I strip the engine bay then paint it, slap the engine in and continue to the drivetrain support mods, slap the engine in and do suspension mods, or what? I would really like to drive the car, but I don't want to drive it and break it because something is overstressed. Also don't want to drive it if it is going to be dangerous.

Thanks,
Jason

[nape]

I would really like to drive the car, but I don't want to drive it and break it because something is overstressed.

Thanks,
Jason

That's the nice thing about tracking a car that you don't have to drive to work everyday, if it breaks, it'll sit until you have the time/money to fix it.

The T5 will be overstressed if you're making near 325 RWHP, however, you might be OK for a while in novice groups (HPDE 1&2 with NASA) if you realize what your car is: a heavy, pig of a rocket ship with no suspension or brakes (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif) Mean, I know, but I've got a 3rd gen too.

The advice I was given follows: "Take it out and have some fun, working on it for years gets old." and "Good students have big brakes and small egos. You've got tiny brakes, so you better have a real small ego." (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

Go drive it so you can see what you need to upgrade, otherwise you'll be throwing money at it and not knowing what problems you're trying to fix.