Interested in a 1979 Camaro

[Shant J.]

I'm sure most of you will leave a negative comment, but I figure that I might as well post it.

What are your thoughts on the second generation Camaro?

They had relatively tame power plants, thanks largely to increasingly stringent emissions regulations. However, they were still among the quickest American cars sold in the late 1970s.

I'd fancy a 1979 Z28. It's not much faster than a Fiesta, but it still has that amazing V8 sound. Also, it doesn't hurt that they're cheap to buy, and cheap to maintain.

 

[Nicksfix]

Throw in a 355 c.i. small block,scrap that 10 bolt,install a 4:10 geared 12 bolt,shift kitted TH 400,or a Muncie 4 speed conversion and you've got yourself one hell of a ride.

 

[Shant J.]

Throw in a 355 c.i. small block,scrap that 10 bolt,install a 4:10 geared 12 bolt,shift kitted TH 400,or a Muncie 4 speed conversion and you've got yourself one hell of a ride.

Truth be told, I don't like modifying classics. I prefer restorations.

I'd keep the stock 350 and four-speed.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

I'd keep the stock 350 and four-speed.

Are you sure you want to lose to my 4cyl automatic family sedan at every light?

 

[JCE]

Find one in great shape and enjoy cruising in a classic. While I do not prefer 2nd gen Camaros I do appreciate what they are about thanks to me owning a 3rd gen Camaro.

Just enjoy driving and get racing out of your vocabulary and you will be in heaven. You should check the rear wheel wells for rust, the hatch floor and under the carpet in the front as well.

Post pics if you get one!

*edit*
Oh and simple bolt-ons and removal of the choking emissions, exhaust and intake will seriously liven up the acceleration. You do not need to get rid of the 350. This is why there are billions of performance parts for that engine.

 

[Shant J.]

Are you sure you want to lose to my 4cyl automatic family sedan at every light?

But I'll lose in style.

 

[JCE]

But I'll lose in style.

Yes you will. You have a classic and the winner has a forgetful econobox that will never be a classic.

 

[gogatrs]

Are you sure you want to lose to my 4cyl automatic family sedan at every light?

lol
Funny story:
I was on vacation in Florida a few years back.
We pulled up at a red light in our rental mini-van next to a Mustang Mach 1.
So my Dad leans out the window and asks if the rich ass teenager in the car wants to race?
The guys face lit up lol.
Long story short, we won. lmao

 

[Jim Prower]

Durnit, Hemmings recently ran a buyer's article on this car, and I got rid of that mag.

In general, though, you'd better prepare yourself to dive into miles of vacuum hose and some temperamental carburetion. Pre-computer emissions-controlled cars are a nightmare to get running right, and easily fall out of tune when you least want it. I'd actually suggest getting rid of a lot of that vacuum-controlled stuff, get a stout carb, and just run with that. It's not hard to get much power and a bit more reliability that way.

However, if your aim is to impress concours judges...well, if you're the James May sort, go for the full anal-retentive resto of EVERYTHING. If not, I'd suggest pulling what emissions equipment you can get away with in your area...since the car's more than 25 years old, anyway, you actually can get away with quite a bit in some places. I think it'll be better to have it mildly modified and running correctly, than chasing down that pesky vacuum leak and resetting the carb every few months...

A lot of the low power stuff has to do with the intake side of the engine rather than the exhaust, and the cars can be easily improved. Rust will also be a problem, so check the car thoroughly, since a lot of these cars have been played with hard and put away wet. Personally, I'm not a fan of the 2nd-gen's looks, either metal-bumper or rubber-bumper, the "euro look" GM was trying doesn't suit my tastes, but if you admire it, go for it.

 

[Shant J.]

Durnit, Hemmings recently ran a buyer's article on this car, and I got rid of that mag.

In general, though, you'd better prepare yourself to dive into miles of vacuum hose and some temperamental carburetion. Pre-computer emissions-controlled cars are a nightmare to get running right, and easily fall out of tune when you least want it. I'd actually suggest getting rid of a lot of that vacuum-controlled stuff, get a stout carb, and just run with that. It's not hard to get much power and a bit more reliability that way.

However, if your aim is to impress concours judges...well, if you're the James May sort, go for the full anal-retentive resto of EVERYTHING. If not, I'd suggest pulling what emissions equipment you can get away with in your area...since the car's more than 25 years old, anyway, you actually can get away with quite a bit in some places. I think it'll be better to have it mildly modified and running correctly, than chasing down that pesky vacuum leak and resetting the carb every few months...

http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2010/09/01/hmn_buyers_guide1.html
This one?

 

[Jim Prower]

That one exactly, man. They can do a great job telling you exactly what to look for in one.

 

[Eric.]

Always preferred the Trans Am of those years, myself. The Camaro's style just looks messy.

 

[Crispy]

Well, enjoy the hell out of it while its running. But once it starts having mechanical problems it'll be time to part. That thing will clean your pockets if your not careful, though with care, you could get an extra 100k on it.

 

[Shant J.]

The Trans Ams are nice, but Smokey and the Bandit fans have made them way too expensive.

 

[JCE]

Well, enjoy the hell out of it while its running. But once it starts having mechanical problems it'll be time to part. That thing will clean your pockets if your not careful, though with care, you could get an extra 100k on it.

My family has owned literally 2 dozen Camaros of varying generations and your "advice" is meh. Our Camaros have proved the most reliable cars we've owned minus a couple of pickup trucks. Just my $0.02.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

But I'll lose in style.

True. Though as mentioned, H/C/I and you've suddenly got a car that isn't slow. And will likely cause fewer issues.

Yes you will. You have a classic and the winner has a forgetful econobox that will never be a classic.

Neither will your SVT Focus. Also I wouldn't call my car an econobox given it's a bit too big for that. Oh and my car is probably the only midsize sedan built in the last 10 years that at least a few people will remember another 10 from now as it actually, you know, feels good to drive.

 

[niky]

Whatever you do, dear Lord, don't paint it yellow with black stripes.

Fascinating car... been looking for a good one... been thinking about giving one to my Mom on her birthday, since she used to drive one back in NY.

 

[JCE]

Neither will your SVT Focus.

We will see about that. . The rarity and SVT badge ensure a strong chance of being a classic in 20 years.

 

[Crispy]

My family has owned literally 2 dozen Camaros of varying generations and your "advice" is meh. Our Camaros have proved the most reliable cars we've owned minus a couple of pickup trucks. Just my $0.02.

They are very reliable. In fact I think the older ones are more reliable than the newer ones! They are just like a couple of BMW's though, if something does go wrong, chances are its sometimes best to just get rid of it.

 

[Zenith]

Whatever you do, dear Lord, don't paint it yellow with black stripes.

I second this.

... they were still among the quickest American cars sold in the late 1970s.

That's like saying it's among the quickest sloths

Why aren't you considering a 1970-1973 Camaro? Similar looks, not too pricy. Plus they still had acceptable amounts of power for a pony car, especially the 1971

 

[Shant J.]

Whatever you do, dear Lord, don't paint it yellow with black stripes.

Fascinating car... been looking for a good one... been thinking about giving one to my Mom on her birthday, since she used to drive one back in NY.

That's actually the color I want, and no, not because of Bumblebee.

And I don't like the way the early seventies models look.

 

[Paulie]

If you were going pro touring with an LS-series V8 I'd say hell yes, keeping it stock and it's still a good looking stylish classic, so go for gold.

 

[niky]

That's like saying it's among the quickest sloths

Why aren't you considering a 1970-1973 Camaro? Similar looks, not too pricy. Plus they still had acceptable amounts of power for a pony car, especially the 1971

I remember my Dad telling me of the time he was lined up at the lights against a 911... Suffice to say, it was embarrassing for him and the car... And yet, when they traded it in for a car with a back seat, they got more for it in trade-in than they paid... demand was so high...

Prefer the pre-Federal bumper ones myself... Much cleaner look.

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Truth be told, I don't like modifying classics. I prefer restorations.

I'd keep the stock 350 and four-speed.

Even some small things like headers, mild cam (I'd say somewhere around the 220* @.050), aluminum dual plane intake, and 3310 Holley will make a world of difference in how it runs. It'd be a blast to drive with a 2.64 Super T and a 12 bolt with somewhere around 3.42 gears.

I really like that body style Camaro. A guy I know has a '79 Z/28 that he basically did the things I outlined. That car is one nice piece of machinery. He built a 400 small block for it. I think he told me it is around 10:1. The cam isn't radical by any means, but it sounds ,and runs, pretty good.

 

[JCE]

Even some small things like headers, mild cam (I'd say somewhere around the 220* @.050), aluminum dual plane intake, and 3310 Holley will make a world of difference in how it runs. It'd be a blast to drive with a 2.64 Super T and a 12 bolt with somewhere around 3.42 gears.

Hell even with just the simple stuff and a 4.10 gear he'd pickup a ton of acceleration with less hassle. I wish I would of done it on my Camaro when I got it. 👍

 

[Shant J.]

More images:

CHP test car

 

[zr1chris]

I second this.



That's like saying it's among the quickest sloths

Why aren't you considering a 1970-1973 Camaro? Similar looks, not too pricy. Plus they still had acceptable amounts of power for a pony car, especially the 1971

Good question. I actually prefer the early 70's.

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Hell even with just the simple stuff and a 4.10 gear he'd pickup a ton of acceleration with less hassle. I wish I would of done it on my Camaro when I got it. 👍

Yeah, the 4.10's would make it accelerate quicker. The downside of that is you have to deal with turning around 3500 RPM at 65 MPH. That's not something a lot of people like having to deal with. Especially with that mild cam. It will really sound buzzed up there.

A 2.64 Super T and 3.42's would give the exact same take off feel as an M21/M22 and 4.10's.

 

[Shant J.]

As I said before, I really don't like the way the early ones look.

 

[Mudd]

Allright, figured it out.

My all original #'s match '79 Z28, was repainted once (correct color) before I bought it. The only thing I changed was an addition of a pair of Flowmasters. I still need to put the stripes back on 'er, but I wanna freshen up the paint first. Not the fastest Z28 on the block, but she sure is fun to drive and definately turns some heads!