I don't know if there are a lot of third gen owners here, but I've been having some thoughts on my next project car when the '78 is restored and upgraded. I want to expand my winter vacations to Florida and was considering having a second Camaro down there to keep in storage so we can travel in the winter by car or plane and I'll still have my own car to use down there. When I was in high school on vacation in Florida, I saw 1988 Camaro RS on the lot down there as they were expanded in their exclusive markets from CA to TX and FL. I loved the clean look of them and thought they were the best looking 3rd gens I had ever seen. In '90, I almost bought a new RS 305/auto, but instead went for the practicality of the front wheel drive of a Beretta for Illinois winters. I kick myself to this day for not going with the Camaro, I'm sure I'd still have that car today if I had bought it. But I'm thinking that maybe I should make an RS my next project for my snowbirding car.
So I'm thinking about what are some upgrades to do to a good driver that I can pick up cheap. Most of the '89 and '90 RS were 305/auto, so that's pretty much the best place to start. I found this site awhile back which has a lot of thoughtful budget friendly upgrade recommendations:
http://tbichips.com/?page_id=22A lot can be done to the exhaust, air cleaner, TBI, transmission, rear gearing, and ignition to upgrade a 305 that will then become the basis of a crate Vortec engine swap. I considered rebuilding a wrecking yard Vortec to get the cam and compression optimal. But the ease of a crate Vortec seems like a pretty good stage 2 to the project, with those upgrades saved for a later stage. I'm making a list of things that will be done when switching 305 TBI to 350 Vortec with TBI, here's what I've learned so far:
Send 42mm TBI to be bored to 46mm for a 350
install 350 injectors
18psi regulator spring and chip from Harris Performance
I can remove AIR, EGR, and cat.....no one checks where I am
use Edelbrock Performer EPS 2716
use Holley 17-41 TBI adapter and 375-1255 gaskets (not sure on the studs needed)
Felpro MS9800T intake gasket kit
manifold bolts from local hardware 5/16" 18x1.5" and flat washers
3/5" spark plugs R44LTS
Purolator PV774 PCV
I think the 305 flywheel just swaps over as far as I know?
plug the timing sensor on the Vortec plastic cover
block off fuel pump opening and use the AC Delco Vortec fuel pump EP381
carry over log exhaust manifolds? (the author on that page seems to think they are good up to 300hp and that is what a Vortec with exhaust and intake will produce)
an oil cooler adapter with a Wix 51036 seems like a good safety upgrade too
Aside from bolting over the upgrades done to the 305, that's the list I've made for myself so far. Is there any parts I missed (there always is something you didn't think of needing), anything that has a cheaper option, or anything that will work better?
Not sure what people do with their 3rd gen vintage AC systems these days. Is there a kit or tricks to making it work with modern refrigerants? I don't have AC to deal with on the '78, but it's pretty much guaranteed to be on any '89 or '90 RS.