Need ideas on extensive 3rd gen project

[KNanthrup]

So my buddy and I just picked up a 3rd gen Camaro for free a few weeks ago. Randomly we decided that we are going to build it for The Race Across America competition for fun.

The competition is basically a setup where you must drive your car on the road to different events (so the car must be street legal and drivable) and at each event your car is tested in a different performance category. They range from drag strip, slalom, road course, etc. and you get points for each based on how well you do. So the car must be well balanced in each field.

First of all I want to explain our resources. He owns a wrecking yard so we have LOTS of stock style parts we can use (engines, rear ends, frame parts, etc.) which is where we are trying to save money, although some aftermarket parts will obviously be needed. We also have some very useful tools like every kind of welder, a giant lathe (driveshaft, etc.), multiple compressors and special tools.

Now, I need suggestions as to what to put into this thing, we have just begun to come up with ideas. For the engine we're thinking a 406. A big block would be lots of grunt but too heavy for the handling parts. A well built 406 should get the job done for straight line work. As for the suspension... well I don't really know. I was thinking we should fabricate an independent rear setup but he wants to go solid axle. Maybe a long truck arm setup would work well? He mentioned a 9inch but I think it may be a little too heavy for our needs. I'm not sure what the 12 bolts weigh, I was also thinking a ford 8.8 its about 40lbs lighter and pretty stout, I use one in my smallblock powered S-10.

Now I haven't really gotten a chance to go over the 3rd gen chassis yet so I'm not sure what will work and what won't but I'm looking for your guys's experienced input on this.

We're doing the competition for fun so I'm not going to dump tons of money into it, we're looking to do all of our own fabrication based on what we have with the exception of needed aftermarket parts (like engine build, certain suspension parts, etc.)


So with that, lay all the ideas on me!! Thanks guys


-Kevin

[TraceZ]

I'd recommend upgrading the suspension with stock style aftermarket parts.

-subframe connectors
-lower control arms and relocation brackets
-a stronger, adjustable torque arm
-a adjustable panhard rod
-larger diameter swaybars front and rear
-upgrade springs on all 4 corners with lower and stiffer springs
-performance shocks(rear) and struts(front)
-strut tower brace

You'll want to put an air bag in the passenger side rear spring and inflate it only for the drag race. Also relocate the battery to the right rear. Make sure you carry a spare tire, but remove it for the competition events. Can you gut the interior? At least remove the back seats.

DO you have to use the same 4 tires during all the events? You might want to consider changing tires if you are allowed to.

Depending on the power of the engine, if you are running an automatic trans the stock rearend may be good for a few passes down the strip. If you are going to really flog it in the quarter, upgrade the rearend to a ford 9". Does it already have limited slip? you'll want to make sure it is working properly, or replace it with new.

It would be nice to install some upgraded brakes too, to help it stop faster. Does it have rear disks or drums?

And of course, you'll need some nice wide rims to put your tires on.

[DeWynter]

If nothing else do the subframe connectors and the strut tower brace. Make sure you get a STB with three mounting spots(each strut and the firewall). A wonder bar may be something to look into for slalom stuff. They come factory on some cars but a quick search on the net will find you one. Deffinatly repalce the rear suspention parts with better stuff and you can go with the more rare 9 bolt factory rear end if you need the extra strength(equal to a dana 40).

G92 and L98(B2L) cars finally got the Borg-Warner HD 7.75 inch four pinion rear end, produced by GM Holden's Limited of Australia (Firebird WS6 cars went to this unit in 1986). These units can be identified by their 9 bolt (rather than 10) differential cover that has a rubber plug. The Borg-Warner logo is also cast into the bottom of the differential case. This rear axle came with tapered rather than straight roller bearings and a cone-clutch rather than disc-clutch limited slip unit. These units came painted black from the factory while most others were bare metal.

G92 for 1987 required the following options:

* 5.0 TPI (LB9)
* Limited slip differential (G80)
* Rear disc brakes (J65)
* Engine oil cooler (KC4)

G92 (performance axle ratio) available only on IROC-Z with 5.0 TPI (LB9). G92 was available on IROC-Z convertible in 1987. All 1987 350 TPI (B2L) IROC-Z's came standard with the 3.27 BW rear end and everything that was included with G92 but did not have the G92 RPO code because it was mandatory; this changed in 1988 however when a 2.77 BW rear was standard and G92 had to be specified to get the 3.27. All 1987 350 TPI (B2L) IROC-Z's required J65 rear disc brakes, G80 limited slip differential, and KC4 engine oil cooler.

this should help you find it in the junk yard