1976 Camaro. Restore & Upgrade Questions - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

bookerV · 07-21-2005, 05:37 AM

Hi all,

I'm debating buying a 1976 Camaro. 8 cyl, 350 motor. It hasn't been started since 2004 though. I would be buying this with the intention of fixing it up and perhaps putting a couple of upgrades into it. I would like to avoid all body work if possible with the exception of paint. I used to do all kinds of work on cars in high school. Rebuilt motors and such, but that was 7 or 8 years ago. I really want to get back into it, as it is a great hobby and I love cars. So basically I'm looking for some expert opinions.

How much work would I likely have to do to get this in tip top shape?
What kind of upgrades could I make to this beast?
How common are parts for this car?

Any general info that any of you might have with regards to this car or it's restoration / upgrading would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!

shakran · 07-21-2005, 05:45 AM

It's pretty impossible to say how much work you'd be in for without getting it in front of you and figuring out what's wrong with it. With this car, in addition to sitting too long, and the usual used car game of "what the hell did the owner screw up," you've also got the possibility that it hasn't been started because it can't be - - - your work could be anything from just an oil/battery change to a total engine replacement.

As to upgrades, the limit is pretty much your wallet. Those cars can be made demonically fast. Anything from bolt on mods, superchargers, all the way up to swapping in modern running gear, or even building a full out race engine and bringing it up to GT-1 specs. There's a few guys around the country that even put jet engines in their cars. It all depends on how much cash you have and how insane you want to go.

merkerguitars · 07-22-2005, 12:46 PM

Q: How much work would I likely have to do to get this in tip top shape?
A: Depends on how bad of shape the car your buying is in. And how *exact* you want to restore it or fix it up to.
Q: What kind of upgrades could I make to this beast?
You name it, they most likely make it. From engine drop ins. To Brake upgrades, to custom dash clusters.
How common are parts for this car?
Very Very Very common. You can get all new body panels easily and to restore an interior, reproduction parts are really easy to find.

william · 07-23-2005, 04:56 AM

Make sure the car can run first, then ask yourself again. Camaro is a very common car, thus very easy to find replacement parts for. But you really need to know if you are rebuilding the car or the shell. Overall, the engine and driveline are the most expensive replacements.

cj2112 · 07-23-2005, 09:10 AM

Keep in mind this is a 30 year old car, your likely looking at worn suspension, brakes and steering components as well as the other things mentioned here. If I were looking to upgrade things, I'd probably go with a build up of the top end of the engine. Mild cam, maybe a set of heads(if I could find a good deal on them), intake manifold, carbeurator, headers and exhaust system. Any part you can imagine putting on this car is likely to be made by somebody, somewhere.

cruizer · 07-27-2005, 08:14 PM

Keep in mind that people park cars for a reason. The good thing is that's it is a common vehicle.

I know with my cars I made a goal every year of what I wanted to do. Usually the first year is to get it to run, steer and brake. It doesn't sound like much of a goal but when you start putting money into it; it all adds up fast.

Good Luck!

07-21-2005, 05:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
bookerV Addict Location: Ontario, Canada	1976 Camaro. Restore & Upgrade Questions Hi all, I'm debating buying a 1976 Camaro. 8 cyl, 350 motor. It hasn't been started since 2004 though. I would be buying this with the intention of fixing it up and perhaps putting a couple of upgrades into it. I would like to avoid all body work if possible with the exception of paint. I used to do all kinds of work on cars in high school. Rebuilt motors and such, but that was 7 or 8 years ago. I really want to get back into it, as it is a great hobby and I love cars. So basically I'm looking for some expert opinions. How much work would I likely have to do to get this in tip top shape? What kind of upgrades could I make to this beast? How common are parts for this car? Any general info that any of you might have with regards to this car or it's restoration / upgrading would be much appreciated. Thanks!! __________________ "That's why you're the judge and I'm the law-talking guy." Lionel Hutz

07-22-2005, 12:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Q: How much work would I likely have to do to get this in tip top shape? A: Depends on how bad of shape the car your buying is in. And how exact you want to restore it or fix it up to. Q: What kind of upgrades could I make to this beast? You name it, they most likely make it. From engine drop ins. To Brake upgrades, to custom dash clusters. How common are parts for this car? Very Very Very common. You can get all new body panels easily and to restore an interior, reproduction parts are really easy to find. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

07-21-2005, 05:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	It's pretty impossible to say how much work you'd be in for without getting it in front of you and figuring out what's wrong with it. With this car, in addition to sitting too long, and the usual used car game of "what the hell did the owner screw up," you've also got the possibility that it hasn't been started because it can't be - - - your work could be anything from just an oil/battery change to a total engine replacement. As to upgrades, the limit is pretty much your wallet. Those cars can be made demonically fast. Anything from bolt on mods, superchargers, all the way up to swapping in modern running gear, or even building a full out race engine and bringing it up to GT-1 specs. There's a few guys around the country that even put jet engines in their cars. It all depends on how much cash you have and how insane you want to go.

07-23-2005, 04:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
william Psycho	Make sure the car can run first, then ask yourself again. Camaro is a very common car, thus very easy to find replacement parts for. But you really need to know if you are rebuilding the car or the shell. Overall, the engine and driveline are the most expensive replacements.

07-23-2005, 09:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	Keep in mind this is a 30 year old car, your likely looking at worn suspension, brakes and steering components as well as the other things mentioned here. If I were looking to upgrade things, I'd probably go with a build up of the top end of the engine. Mild cam, maybe a set of heads(if I could find a good deal on them), intake manifold, carbeurator, headers and exhaust system. Any part you can imagine putting on this car is likely to be made by somebody, somewhere.

07-27-2005, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
cruizer Upright Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada	Keep in mind that people park cars for a reason. The good thing is that's it is a common vehicle. I know with my cars I made a goal every year of what I wanted to do. Usually the first year is to get it to run, steer and brake. It doesn't sound like much of a goal but when you start putting money into it; it all adds up fast. Good Luck!