3rd Gen Camaro/Firebird questions, considering one for a project.

[olds307 and 403]

Unfortunately no nice G bodies exist around here anymore. Any that came up sold cheaply, a couple of years back.
I should have bought that decent 87 442 a few years back. Seeing it with rust holes for sale a few years later sucked. Everything is factory sbc powered up here, so either a G body or F body would need that "Tumor" removed😉. Unfortunately my 88 is near the end of its life, maybe I will just stick with my 70S but paint is a few years off. I get compliments on it despite being rough but I want something to polish other than my Challenger. Maybe 3.90 gears, the 2300 stall 2004R, CK servo, shift kit, 5000 rpm governor, 204/214 cam and polish the chamber's on the 55cc #6 heads on the Olds 350 will let me have a fun car to drive again. I have all that stuff on the shelf except the CK servo, shift kit and 3.90 gears.

 

[motorheadmike]

I have only one comment for Third Gens - they suck *ss to work on. There is nothing convenient about them. They have all of the space issues of a 4th gen, but with mostly stock 305's. If I have to cram myself under a dash or work in an enclosed space, then it will be for a Vette or something similar. Lastly, I think you'd look bad with a mullet 😉

 

[Wesleey]

If you u have any specific questions feel free to shoot my a pm proud owner of an 87 trans am gta l98 5.7 9 bolt

 

[Gwarren79]

I picked this up for CHEEP

 

[Gwarren79]

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Heres one, needs some work

 

[olds307 and 403]

Curious, was there any rhyme or reason to the Aussie 9 bolt rear? I know some argue it is no better than the 7.5" rear. Yeah, there is a couple of nice red GTA, a 87 350 and a 89 5L TPI 5 spd locally.

 

[ostrich]

Correct no rhyme or reason for the Aussie 9 bolt (7.75"). Really no stronger than a 7.5". I still have my 7.5 in my 85 IROC with a 383, Vortech SQ, 6 speed, welded axle tubes, SLP aluminum cover. Built my 7.5" with 4th gen internals (3:42, 28spline auburn, 28 hardened shafts), stock 7.5" is 26 splines. Has been living behind +500RWHP for years on the street. Be careful with slicks etc on the track with a 7.5". Will live for awhile, but will grenade in time.

 

[ostrich]

A good 3rd Gen resource is www.thirdgen.org. Been on there for years.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Yeah, I know all about the 7.5", traction is not it's friend and slicks broke a no slip but the stock spider gears exploded on the street. I wondered why they didn't do a 8.5" on either the 3rd but brought in the marginally better Aussie rear or especially the 4th gen cars with 275 hp minimum. Of course the same could be said about the 700R4/4L60E as well. Both are big deterrents in owning these cars over even a 84 H/O or 442. It is just there are a bunch around here now with good paint at affordable prices.

 

[ostrich]

The hardest part about the F-body 7.5" is the torque arm from the transmission. Its the only OEM rear end that has that provision so you are limited on replacement. There are replacements (aftermarket rear ends, brackets etc.) out there but are usually $$. The torque arm does work well to plant the rear end on launches. For a daily and track use (no slicks) the rear end holds up ok. I've had no issues....yet.