79 Camaro - New Toy, New Project

[BlackTopKing]

Well its still not my Dream car (78-79 Trans Am) but i am getting closer, sort a speak.

Either way this past weekend I went to NY to watch the Fulton Race (open wheel cars) and i had an opertunity to pick up a new toy - new project.

I simply have to get it back to Jersey...


1979 Camaro
LM1 Rebuilt 350 with Edlebrock 650 Carb and intake
(said to come out of same year corvette ???maybe)

Transmission: 4-speed Borg-Warner T-10, aluminum case, Island shift Kit.(something is with the shifter tho, 3 and 4th gear are backwards)

Rear is stock with 3:73 with nice set of traction bars

The whole front end is fresh and the rear has Gas shocks in combo with the leaf springs.
( i dont really like the gas spring set up but the stance is nice-just think there is a better way to get that look then to jack up gas springs)

Exterior is soild SOILD SOILD... not a speck of rust- hood custom, but that is it. Front nose is a little chewed up from flat bed when the car got moved.

Rims are cragers and in great ! i mean great shape! need front tires though.keep losing air i noticed.
(dont really like the 1/2 way cowl hood- would like a full slope and i am not a fan of cragers so ill deff sell them 1st thing.)

Interior is a bit beat up as well, but is complete and overall not that bad
(uncle has 2 other camaros about same year-sure i could get some interior help there)

In short...slamming deal and I like it- it does need some help and TLC most of all but not at all what you normally would expect to deal with.


I think it will be fun to play with and so far i think i will clean up and keep as is-main focuse on the interior then move to exterior. But at that time i might just get a new nose and hood. Dont think i really want to z28 clone the car!

I did take for a drive, tons of fun! Car got some beat to it and deff smokes and cherps thru the gears. So i like that.

Any way here she is....what you guys think

[LTb1ow]

I like the look, def needs some work, but not bad.

[madness410]

great looking car. good luck with the project.

[BonzoHansen]

Looks like a really great project base. Nice. Body looks mint. That goes such a long way. Did you buy it off the guy who had it painted? Can you get the paint code? Maybe you can get another hood & have it painted to match.

Some info for you: http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro79.php

An LM1 is just a stock 350 that was available in the Camaro. Nothing special or Corvette about it, although the engine might have been a Corvette option as well. Besides if it is rebuilt it's probably top a different spec anyway.

I have no idea what a shift kit is in a ST10 4 speed. A non-Z also probably got a Saginaw but a ST10 is a common bolt on. You should crawl under and ID the sideplate. This is the later Camaro ST10 shifter pattern. Are you saying 3/4 is backwards?



Get that heater box area sealed up! American Graffitti makes an AC delete box if that was an AC car.

What is a gas shock combo - gas shocks were OE on these (and most every) cars? Do you mean air shocks? If so I agree, they suck.

Anyway, that looks like one sweet project, congrats!

[Featherburner]

Originally Posted by BlackTopKing

something is with the shifter tho, 3 and 4th gear are backwards

That's an easy fix. Someone installed the plate on the trans upsidedown.

[BlackTopKing]

BonzoHansen

Thanks for the information, once i get it to NJ then ill get dirty with it and try to learn more.

I will deff look for this plate. The guy who painted it is a friend of who i got it from - so the code? i dont know if he'll even have it. lol
I will ask- its not a stock color but kind of neat- and wouldnt mind keeping the color.

i did look at nastyz28 and i should sign up.

The AC delete- Yes, deff need along with other things

I looked at your pic...BUT i am telling you 3 and 4 are backwards..


if not something is up with the transmittion- its weird but it shifts nice...

and yes... i am an idoit- i meant Air Shocks, not gas....lol
There are AirShocks on the back. just seemed funky the way they were set up- but the ride is ok- ***** i think my TA probly rides ruffer then this...


I wish i had more info. I really was up there just the 4days and out of the 4- i spent about 1day with the camaro. bought and drove it to my friends to hold until i get it back to NJ

over all the car i think is worth way more then i got it for and should be alot of fun.

Also i dont really think it will be that hard to fix up and make really nice!

[BonzoHansen]

When you get the car home let me know a few of us on here know 2nd gens pretty well and can help you in the right direction.

And it is a cool color.

[WildBillyT]

Congrats! Car looks great.

Two things:
-Dump the air shocks. You may need to replace the springs.
-Definetly ID the trans. If it's a saginaw that may need to be addressed.

[greenformula92]

im not exactly a fan of that style, however it looks great and i wish you the best of luck

[BlackTopKing]

BonzoHansen: I will deff let you guys know when this bad boy is in NJ...

I am hoping to get it by end of month, but its in Syracus right now-
so the 5hour drive plus gas, not so much- but I am not 100% if i want to drive it back or tow it.

WildBillyT

Two things:
-Dump the air shocks. You may need to replace the springs.
-Definetly ID the trans. If it's a saginaw that may need to be addressed.

AGREE and AGREE.

I did think about it afterwards but i am sure the springs will be needed

blk95formula:
Honestly I kind of wasnt untill now either. Dont know why really! but i was really digging the car.

i tend to like the older camaro's most of all out of all camaro's, but i think somethings even if it aint your year-when you see one that you like- you just do...

something is there with this one!
or
maybe because its different- meaning different for me.

I have been thinking and feeling the want of something different.
Actually had my TA parked at my uncles for 2 weeks ( Shamong + Pollin= still trying to clean it out of ever noke and crany)
and one of his friends really seemed to like it and made me an offer to sell it.
Craziness was- i actually thought about it....like a couple days, thought about it....simply cause i think i was - iching for someting else or different.

I didnt sell it to him, but....scary to think about it....

[T69SS]

Very nice find. Looks like she will make a great project!

[Mike]

tow it home......the questions about the trans is enough information for me to beg you to tow it home

[WildBillyT]

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showpo...3&postcount=44

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showpo...3&postcount=44

That's messed up!

[Featherburner]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showpo...3&postcount=44

Exactly what I said.

[BlackTopKing]

Huh....
3sp levers?

Well i guess the hunt is on for the flat bed.
I agree- much rather tow and not be stuck somewere on 481 or 95 for that.

Thanks for the info guys

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by BlackTopKing

Huh....
3sp levers?

Well i guess the hunt is on for the flat bed.
I agree- much rather tow and not be stuck somewere on 481 or 95 for that.

Thanks for the info guys

Saginaw transmissions could be 3 or 4 speed manuals. Both kinda suck.

[BonzoHansen]

This is what a BW ST10 looks like:

[WildBillyT]

If all three shift rods go to a tab on the cover, it's a sag.

[BlackTopKing]

WOW... you are awsome!!!
with the picture.
I will deff be able to figure this out.
although, i may seem stupid to think or question this? but the whole idea of 3sp rods chaning the gear patter on a 4sp...i dont know, seems odd.
but i am not detailed with the transmittion and until i get car home all i can do is go off of memory...
another note:
I did get the title today- so i can get it changed over to NJ form NY.

The VIN
is

1Q87L8L549576

so i was mistaken about the 79...its a 78, i actually just thought that the dash was 78...you know- The guy Bob (and Steve) both said it was a 79. I mean it doesnt change i want any more or less.

I just want to correct the POST.

I also tryed to decode it. its says that the L -engine code means 350, 175-CA...was that a Cali motor?

I am told the motor and trans arnt from that car, that its a LM1 vette motor and trans, but i will get the block Number and the Trans numbers to do my own homework.

Get the real story on the car.
I just kind of wondered if it was- orignaly a Cali motor and Trans (due to emissions) does that mean this car was once in CA? and now is in NY coming to NJ....if so

I think that is pretty cool- wonder how it got way over here?!

[BlackTopKing]

Van Nuys Assembly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to:navigation, search
Van Nuys Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Van Nuys, California. Opened as a Chevrolet plant in 1947, Van Nuys produced the Chevrolet Corvair, Chevrolet Nova, Chevrolet Camaro, and Pontiac Firebird. The plant was closed in 1992 when Camaro/Firebird production was moved to Saint Therese Assembly in Quebec.


Thi is what I found"
L: Factory- VAN NUYS, CA....

The site was razed in 1998. A retail and industrial complex, known as The Plant, resulted on the 68-acre site, as well as Station 81 of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The retail portion totals 365,000 square feet and is home to 35 retail stores and restaurants. A 16-screen movie theatre honors the site history with an automotive theme décor. GM continues to operate a car-testing facility on 27-acres next to The Plant.

[BonzoHansen]

The cowl tag offers more interesting info. Get that.

An LM1 Camaro motor and an LM1 Vette motor are the same thing. It's just a low HP, low compression engine 4bbl 350. And you can't tell which 350 from the VIN.

VIN: 1Q87L8L549576
# First digit is GM Division: 1 = Chevrolet
# Second digit is model: Q = Sport Coupe, Rally Sport, and Z28
# Digits 3 & 4 are body type: 87 = 2dr. coupe
# Fifth digit is engine code: L = 350ci
# Sixth digit is model year: 8 = 1978
# Seventh digit is L for Van Nuys.
# Last six digits increased one with each car built at each plant.

[B4C]

Nice car.....I was never a fan of cowl hoods on 2nd gens they really just dont fit the lines of the car.....the l-88 hood on the other hand looks great on these.

[BlackTopKing]

Originally Posted by B4C

Nice car.....I was never a fan of cowl hoods on 2nd gens they really just dont fit the lines of the car.....the l-88 hood on the other hand looks great on these.

Yeah, I have seen the L88- they look alot better on the Camaro's then the Pontiac's
and I do like them- there is one on craigslist actually

I dont intend on keeping the cowl on the car either way. i really just dont like that it apears to be 1/2 the hood- much rather the full cowls. I have seen them around once or twice- not bad.

just the shorties look funny on such a long hood.

but we see- who knows what i will actually do?!