Buying an F Body

[bobross419]

I always thought the idea of a 3rd Gen F-body with the old Chevy 302 (3.0x4.0) engine would be pretty sick. You could probably keep the stock tranny because of a little lower torque, but have fun upper RPM goodness.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: bobross419
I always thought the idea of a 3rd Gen F-body with the old Chevy 302 (3.0x4.0) engine would be pretty sick. You could probably keep the stock tranny because of a little lower torque, but have fun upper RPM goodness.

Yea but better the get a 75-80 Monza. Takes a V8 as well and is smaller lighter.

<-- Misses his ole 75 Monza 4.3L V-8

 

[bobross419]

Never really looked into the Monza before. Sounds like a really nice little car. It looks like it was a B-Body though? Might make things really hard for spiffing up the suspension these days Would be a fun as hell project car though.

 

[Arkaign]

Get one and build it up like this : http://www.thirdgen.org/techbo...roc-z.html#post3933154

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: bobross419
Never really looked into the Monza before. Sounds like a really nice little car. It looks like it was a B-Body though? Might make things really hard for spiffing up the suspension these days Would be a fun as hell project car though.

Nope it was a H-body. A lot of the 3rd Gen F-Body got a lot of its parts/ideas from the Monza/H-Body line.

You can put the control arms and rear axles off a s10 on it for 5lug setup.

 

[bobross419]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: bobross419
Never really looked into the Monza before. Sounds like a really nice little car. It looks like it was a B-Body though? Might make things really hard for spiffing up the suspension these days Would be a fun as hell project car though.

Nope it was a H-body. A lot of the 3rd Gen F-Body got a lot of its parts/ideas from the Monza/H-Body line.

You can put the control arms and rear axles off a s10 on it for 5lug setup.

Nice.

 

[angry hampster]

I wouldn't buy anything with a 305. That motor has zero potential.

 

[mwmorph]

Looks like everyone is saying either trash car or project. I'm just looking for a fun little DD, not another project. I'm done heavily modding cars.

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
just say to yourself when you get your hair cut, "business in the front, party in the back..."

I would if I could, if only for the novelty value. Unfortunately, I'm asian and my hair just won't do it. It's too straight and stiff.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
I wouldn't buy anything with a 305. That motor has zero potential.

Not true. It's perceived this way because most people who opt to do major engine work on cars using this motor swap in a 350, since the 350 is an identical block to the 305 (straight swap), available for pennies in junkyards, and a much better platform for making power.

The TBI 305 is a slug, but the TPI is respectable. The TPI system, however, has numerous limitations that restrict power - the system completely falls on its face around 4500 rpm. The MAF system in pre-1989 cars can also be problematic when performing serious engine mods - the SD system in 1989+ cars is a little more mod friendly.

OP, these cars have a huge aftermarket and a very large online community behind them - any questions you may have, you are almost certain to find the answers to somewhere online, since others before you have dealt with everything these cars can dish out and posted about it

If you do get one, (regardless of engine / trim / year), make sure the first thing you do is a good set of weld-in subframe connectors. One of the biggest gripes about these cars is the massive amount of chassis flex. Mechanically, they are pretty sound usually, although TPI cars tend to have a problem with vacuum leaks.

 

[herm0016]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
I wouldn't buy anything with a 305. That motor has zero potential.

bull. you can pull quite a few horses out of a 305. they are also very easy to work on. upgrade the intake and heads in an afternoon easy. you can also bolt in a 350, which is one of the best engines ever to grace the earth, with loads of aftermarket potential. you could pretty easily upgrade to an LS motor also. want a 400 small block, a great high rpm performer, easy upgrade.
the F bodies one of my all time favorite cars. I love the look and they have great aero, very stable at high speeds, good amount of down force on the front end.

 

[thedarkwolf]

My miata is no colder then any other car I've had and warmer then some in the winter. It has a good heater and very little space to heat up . The problem with the soft top in the winter is you can't scrape a plastic window and it fogs up easy. I have a hard top on mine in the winter but it adds no extra warmth as far as I can tell but does have a much bigger glass window.

Now my 89 5.0l mustang had a shitty heater. I think the heater core was partially blocked and as prone as they are too leaking I was afraid to flush it.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: herm0016

Originally posted by: angry hampster
I wouldn't buy anything with a 305. That motor has zero potential.

bull. you can pull quite a few horses out of a 305. they are also very easy to work on. upgrade the intake and heads in an afternoon easy. you can also bolt in a 350, which is one of the best engines ever to grace the earth, with loads of aftermarket potential. you could pretty easily upgrade to an LS motor also. want a 400 small block, a great high rpm performer, easy upgrade.
the F bodies one of my all time favorite cars. I love the look and they have great aero, very stable at high speeds, good amount of down force on the front end.

Exactly. :laugh: You can make the 305 better by getting rid of it for a 350. I had a 305 in my old Chevy pickup. Even with aftermarket carb, intake, and headers, it was anemic at best. A 350 swap woke it up and only cost me $500 for the long block.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Looks like everyone is saying either trash car or project. I'm just looking for a fun little DD, not another project. I'm done heavily modding cars.

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
just say to yourself when you get your hair cut, "business in the front, party in the back..."

I would if I could, if only for the novelty value. Unfortunately, I'm asian and my hair just won't do it. It's too straight and stiff.

http://www.lolviral.com/wp-con...ads/2007/09/mullet.png

 

[bobross419]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Looks like everyone is saying either trash car or project. I'm just looking for a fun little DD, not another project. I'm done heavily modding cars.

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
just say to yourself when you get your hair cut, "business in the front, party in the back..."

I would if I could, if only for the novelty value. Unfortunately, I'm asian and my hair just won't do it. It's too straight and stiff.

http://www.lolviral.com/wp-con...ads/2007/09/mullet.png

Thanks, I really needed that little pick-me-up this morning LOL

 

[bobross419]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Looks like everyone is saying either trash car or project. I'm just looking for a fun little DD, not another project. I'm done heavily modding cars.

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
just say to yourself when you get your hair cut, "business in the front, party in the back..."

I would if I could, if only for the novelty value. Unfortunately, I'm asian and my hair just won't do it. It's too straight and stiff.

You might want to consider going with a 4th Generation F-body. You could probably pick up one up with the LT1 (LT4?) engine for not too much more than a 3rd gen. Should have plenty of power for a Fun DD with quite a bit of mod potential down the line. Headers, Intakes, Heads, Cams... there is a pretty good market for aftermarket mods for these engines. I don't like the 4th Gen Camaro body style as much as the 3rd gen, but I have to give a big thumbs up to the 4th Gen Firebird/Trans Am.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: bobross419

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Looks like everyone is saying either trash car or project. I'm just looking for a fun little DD, not another project. I'm done heavily modding cars.

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
just say to yourself when you get your hair cut, "business in the front, party in the back..."

I would if I could, if only for the novelty value. Unfortunately, I'm asian and my hair just won't do it. It's too straight and stiff.

You might want to consider going with a 4th Generation F-body. You could probably pick up one up with the LT1 (LT4?) engine for not too much more than a 3rd gen. Should have plenty of power for a Fun DD with quite a bit of mod potential down the line. Headers, Intakes, Heads, Cams... there is a pretty good market for aftermarket mods for these engines. I don't like the 4th Gen Camaro body style as much as the 3rd gen, but I have to give a big thumbs up to the 4th Gen Firebird/Trans Am.

LT1's can be had cheap but the maintenance and upkeep on them is horrible, not to mention the abomination they call the opti-spark. For not much more, you can get into a higher mileage 4th Gen LS1 car. Heck, I've seen a couple of Z28's sold recently for under $5000.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
LT1's can be had cheap but the maintenance and upkeep on them is horrible, not to mention the abomination they call the opti-spark. For not much more, you can get into a higher mileage 4th Gen LS1 car. Heck, I've seen a couple of Z28's sold recently for under $5000.

Wasn't it the all-spark?

 

[Gillbot]

Opti-Spark http://www.delteq.com/opti_design.htm
All-Spark http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allspark

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Opti-Spark http://www.delteq.com/opti_design.htm
All-Spark http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allspark

I know...bumble bee was a camaro though in the movie.

 

[AdamK47]

The opti-spark was going out on my 94 C4 Vert when I traded it in on the C6. It would run fine at times and then other times it would run rough as hell. They are a pain to replace, so I let the dealer fix it.