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well first things first...don't run outta gas. no matter what kinda pump you put into the tank....your going to hurt it by running the tank dry. the gasoline..belive it or not...actually helps cool the pump. and the pump you want depends on how much fuel demend there will be. if your getting bigger injectors, bigger engine, or spraying...always a good idea to get a higher flowing pump. theres many different options on which one to get...so just do some research. jegs, summit, thunderracing.com, and fbodymotorsports.com are just a few places you can go to find parts that you need.

the trans mount problem is very common due to the torque arm set up. the arm gos from your rear to the back of the trans...so any acceleration...even a little bit...pulls on the mount. i personally would do 2 things. one....get a polyurothene (prob spelled wrong) mount. run usally bout 30 bucks and are alot stronger. sencond...get an aftermarket torque arm set up the bolts to the floor instead. i forget who makes them...i believe BMR....but again those sites and such will have them..so just do some research.

to start with performance...depends on money willing to spend. there are ALOT of options. basics would be get some headers, if emmissions isn't a concern can go with the race only style..no emission stuff like egr or air. then get a catback system and y-pipe. then can go with cold air intake, other bolt ons. follow that with a tune. your car dosn't need a chip. you can get mail or dyno tunes. dynod are prefered. should always do this when do upgrade...especially with aftermarket cams and if you do get rid of the emissions stuff.

IF you have the money...you can go and buy a new block and build a new engine. if this car is your daily driver...i would recomend using forged internals...just as a safty aspect since your starting fresh. you can do another 350, or bore it to a 355, 383, or 396. but if its your DD..i would stick with the 350.

after the bottom end is taken car of..you can work up. again..if you have the cash...go and get yourself custom grind cam with heads to match. most speed shops or machine shops who do performance can help you find a good combo. your 350-400hp is very do-able. then you can get a ported intake, bigger TB, bigger injectors, cold air intake, and stuff like that. all said and done with....a 350 with a custom cam/head combo and bolt ons should get you in the area you want with a good tune.

if you want to convert your car to a 6spd...its not hard...but always recommended to just sell yours..and buy a nice 6spd. just easier. but if you want to convert..you need either a donor car with everything on it...or but the parts. there are many write ups on it on this site..and LS1tech.com. its not hard..but time consumming.

the biggest concern with upgrading your car..is cash. how much are you willing to spend? because everything adds up quick...as you will learn.

goodluck
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Any chevy can be an SS.
Only a Camaro can be a Z28

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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-04-2008 @ 15:56:01     Reply | Top | Edit

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I'd considered spending about 10,000 total.

If it would be any more than that, I would rather just convert it to an electric vehicle.

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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-04-2008 @ 16:04:57     Reply | Top | Edit

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my two most immediate areas of concern are the transmission breaking loose (it is broken loose currently) and the fuel pump (I'm not sure how much longer it will be drivable).

I can pay the mechanic to do the fuel pump, but it's about $600 in labor. I'm not sure if it's a job I should dare to do on my own, and I'm not sure if I should put in a normal pump, or hold out for a "performance" pump. Should I replace the tank too?

My experience level:
-
I'm very comfortable doing my own brakes, and I've never replaced a caliper before, but I think I would be ok with that. I've done the easy stuff, oil, etc. I changed out my starter on my own as well. So, I have some mechanical competence, but when I think "fuel tank" I choke up a bit. I don't want to spend $600 on labor, but I'm not sure if I can handle the job on my own. It requires dropping the rear end, and exhaust, and dropping the tank out, and fuel lines, and I'm not sure what tools I have or would need to buy, etc....


As for the transmission mount, I'm not sure what tools I should get for that either. But I'll look in to it some more.

I really would appreciate someone to hold my hand a bit here. :-) I like the thought of working on my own car, but I dread the thought of getting in over my head and being car-less.

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Posted By: jjdynomite   On: 09-04-2008 @ 16:48:27     Reply | Top | Edit

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shoot me a email jjdynomite@fbody.com

Im on the run @ work right now so I really cant post, but I can get back to ya later this evening.
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Posted By: x91z28x On: 09-04-2008 @ 17:01:34     Reply | Top | Edit

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the trans mount all you need is basic rachet set, and a floor jack. take the floor jack and put it on the tailshaft houseing of the trans. jack it up until the jack is barly pushing the trans.

then unbolt the 4 bolts...2 on either side...holding the crossmeber it. also take out the center nut holding the mount to it. set the crossmeber to the side.

should be 2 bolts holding the mount to the trans. unbolt them...and presto...the mount is out. bolt the new mount in and reverse order. i beliver the size sockets you need are 13, 14, an 15MM. i foget exactly the size for the bolts...and a rachet..and extension.

if you lived closer i would be able to help ya out with the mount and fuel pump. unless the tank is rotted out or close to no need to replace it..just look at it when its out and make the call.

and i have to ask...why would you convert a camaro to a electric car? and 10k should be enough to have a nice, powerful, streetable fbody.


--
Any chevy can be an SS.
Only a Camaro can be a Z28

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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-04-2008 @ 17:05:33     Reply | Top | Edit

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I love the concept of an electric car. I really want one.

Plus, I hear they have super high torque, making them very nice to do short races with. And I think it would be quite unusual for someone to turn an old pony car in to an electric.

If I'm not planning to go over 400hp, what range of pumps should I be looking at? Some of the pumps I have seen are as much as 500 dollars.

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Posted By: x91z28x On: 09-04-2008 @ 17:17:03     Reply | Top | Edit

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http://www.jegs.com/p/DFI/745155/10002/-1


the cheaper on is good for UP TO 400hp NA. so that might be a decent one for you. but look around on different perforamnce site...or find a local speed shop and talk to someone there. pumps should have a few different ratings..one being up to 400hp or 500hp, etc. so maybe one thats good to 500 so your safe...but again...look around
--
Any chevy can be an SS.
Only a Camaro can be a Z28

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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-05-2008 @ 07:43:00     Reply | Top | Edit

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..

Ok. I've looked around a bit, and this one really caught my eye.

The "Racetronix" 135-FLT1-FPK2 is a "kit" that includes a wiring harness and pump. The pump says it does 255 LPH, which I think (from looking around) is plenty big enough for anything I would personally consider doing.

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog/?action=vshop&vid=4&pcid=165

I would appreciate it if any of you could tell me if there's any major drama associated with ordering the wiring harness, and installing it. And I would also like to have some affirmations that I've not chosen poorly.

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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-07-2008 @ 21:43:36     Reply | Top | Edit

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I've purchased the poly engine mount and the racetronix fuel pump.

They should arrive by next weekend, and I'll put them in (hopefully) correctly.

I think I'll end up doing my suspension next... I was cleaning out the garage today, and when I looked down the driveway at my car, it seemed to be tilted quite a bit towards the right. I looked at the height difference between the left(drivers) side rear tire, and the right side, and it was at least 4 inches lower on the right.

I suppose this is just a shock? Hopefully it's not anything serious.

Is it reasonable to replace the shocks and struts myself, or is that something that truly is best left to 'pros'?

Thanks all for your continued support.

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Posted By: x91z28x On: 09-07-2008 @ 23:58:11     Reply | Top | Edit

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usally if a car sags...its due to the coil spring. the shocks control how much your car bounces up and down...and the coil controls height to put it simple. i would say your coil is going. front struts can be a pain in the a$$. alot of times....all 4 jobs i have done to 93-97 fbodys.....the top bushing seizes to the rod...and you need a new bushing. rears are easy. i would recomend leaving the fronts to someone who has a spring compressor...such as a shop. if you unbolt the nut holding the coil in place with out a compressor...could be bad news.
--
Any chevy can be an SS.
Only a Camaro can be a Z28

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Posted By: RoAdRaGe912 On: 09-08-2008 @ 00:23:20     Reply | Top | Edit

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^^A poly engine or tranny mount?

^If you can even get the nut off. I had to take a cutting tool to one of mine. It's not a job that can't be done, but it's not the most fun (really a downright PITA). As long as you are aware the spring is compressed and use the correct equipment it's quite simple. You can rent McPherson strut compressors (i preferred this style compressor) from an auto parts store and do the job yourself, or take it to a shop if you're not comfortable. It shouldn't cost that much to have a shop do it.
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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-24-2008 @ 15:56:37     Reply | Top | Edit

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I'd like to thank everyone that took time to help me with my fuel pump and transmission mount.

The racetronix pump is working great. I ended up cutting a hole in the body to access the tank more easily. I was quite concerned that it would end up looking very tacky, but I made a "flap" and put rubber tubing (sliced open on one side) around the outer edge of the hole, and around the flap. It fits together snugly, and over the top of all of that I put a piece of sheetmetal, and put about 12 screws in it. The whole thing is screwed down on top of a pile of silicon to eliminate any potential leaks and vibration.

The transmission mount went in (after some coaxing) and is working great.


Now I'm not sure where to go next.
1. Put in new crossmember braces and torque arm, and frame connectors (and the strut brace).

2. Redo suspension springs, shocks, struts, and control arms.

3. Exhaust.

4. Brakes (mine feel soft, but the shop says they are in great shape).

I don't really want to touch the engine yet, because (honestly) I'm not sure yet if I want to rebuild the LT1 I have, or buy a kit, or pull an LS1 out of a junker and rebuild that instead. (could really use some advice there too).

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Posted By: x91z28x On: 09-24-2008 @ 17:47:12     Reply | Top | Edit

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well first decide on what you want. if you want to throw some performance at it...start with a cat back exhaust system. and the choices there...again..depend on what ya want. SLP makes a nice cat back system...and its loud has hell. magnaflow makes a good one as well. just stay away from flowmaster im my opinion. sounds decent...but flow isn't there as much.

if the brakes feel soft..they might have air in them...a caliper might be sticking..a slider may be sticking (the thing the caliper slides on). if it dosn't bother you and the car stops saftly....up to you weather you want to dish the money out at this point to redo the brakes.

what i would start with...is subframe connectors. try and find the 3point ones. those are a must if your planning to put ANY power into this car.

the will deffinatly ride alot better if you redo the whole suspension. its amazing what a difference new shocks and struts can make. but like i said..i would start with subframe connectors
--
Any chevy can be an SS.
Only a Camaro can be a Z28

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Posted By: Axelay On: 09-24-2008 @ 17:52:35     Reply | Top | Edit

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I want to get it to 400hp to be sure. But I just don't know if I want to do that with the current engite (150,000 miles) or an LS1 taken from a junker, or if I want to buy an already build engine.

As for exhaust, I don't want it too much louder than stock, though I wouldn't mind having it a bit louder, so long as it's not loud for the sake of being loud.

Do I need all of these, or just some, or just the subframe?

-subframe connectors
-torque arm
-tunnel brace
-strut tower brace
-driveshaft loop

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Posted By: x91z28x On: 09-24-2008 @ 18:06:46     Reply | Top | Edit

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if you get to your 400 mark...all would be deff. for now...just subframe. strut tower brace would be last thing in my opinion.

if you put an ls1 into your car..it will take some work to get it to work right. wiring, trans i belive has to get swaped, your crossmember needs to be changed...deffinatly do some research if you go with the ls1 road. its been done...just involved

--
Any chevy can be an SS.
Only a Camaro can be a Z28

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Posted By: GREENARROW On: 09-29-2008 @ 09:25:47     Reply | Top | Edit

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There are a few performance shops out there that offer built LT1, I know gollen or something like that has a 460HP LT1 for around 4500, but you can get it how you want it and may be less. GM performance offers a LT1. I would think if you're not going to rebuild your LT1, then replaceing it with a turnkey LT1 would be more cost effective. But again, depends on what you want.

As for where to go next, I would say get your car riding straight. Get some springs and shocks/struts for. KYB are good performance shocks, about 100 bucks a piece for fbodys. Springs are about $100-300 bucks depending on who and where you get them. I got the BMR lowering springs and they are great. I had the same problem with sagging sping on the right side, so I switched it all at once. If you take the front struts off yourself, easy job, then take them to a shop to take the springs off for you, reuse the mounts on them, should cost you about $50 bucks for all that. Then you just swap in the new spring/strut assembly and you're good to go. Assumeing you can still use the stock spring retainer and bushing. But if you have to get new parts for that, then you take the old spring/strut off, toss it, and swap all new parts in it.
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GREENARROW 1st fbody - 87 Camaro 2.8, 2nd fbody - 96 TA (RIP)

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=423456 http://www.myspace.com/sandzman28
"95" 6-speed convertible Z with some stuff, "06" Yamaha 50th Ann. R1 with alot of goodies

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