Tell me about the fbody v8

[OS]

How reliable are these guys? Like I expect to get 200k+ miles out of my accord, can I expect something similar from a z28? Any problem spots? Also, will it hold an almost 6 foot guy comfortably?

 

[iamwiz82]

getting 200k miles out of any domestic would be hard. This is coming from someone who only drives domestics... for now. =]

 

[Pastore]

<< getting 200k miles out of any domestic would be hard >>



I have seen some ford rangers go past 200k... nice little trucks...

 

[Mister T]

<--- went to go get Valhalla1

 

[thebestMAX]

Got one, now 8 years old (the TA, not me) and no repairs ever, just a new battery and set of tires.

6 speed and I dont beat it but I dont baby it either.

Just do good PM and almost any car will give you over 100,000 miles, know of many small block 350s over 150,000.

6 foot tall should be no problem. Had to put a block on my clutch pedal so I could move the seat farther back. Get the power seat and you should have no problemo.

 

[OS]

<< getting 200k miles out of any domestic would be hard. This is coming from someone who only drives domestics... >>



Not exactly what I was hoping to hear, that sucks.

 

[ElFenix]

the engine itself is bullet proof. as is the rest of the driveline. you'll be able to get 200k out of that. if you take good care of it you can get any car to 200k, probably have to replace some things, but thats just normal.

 

[Layzie]

My friends got a 87 Mustang w/ 240k, stock motor, stock tranny, 5speed, but its not very fast anymore.

 

[OS]

thebestMAX, how many miles do you have on your trans am?

 

[Emulex]

most 302's and 350's were ragged. its realistic for them to fall apart during duress around 130K miles. Maybe less.

If they were driven by an old lady, and serviced on time every 3k miles, then yes 200K. But how many stangs and camaro's would that be?

fortunately the motors are relatively cheap to r&amp;r a new one for like $2500.

 

[OS]

<< if you take good care of it you can get any car to 200k, probably have to replace some things, but thats just normal. >>



Well, I was hoping to abuse the car time to time since it is a sports car. As for the replacing stuff, that's expected as long as it's not from problem spots. Are parts expensive?



<< My friends got a 87 Mustang w/ 240k, stock motor, stock tranny, 5speed, but its not very fast anymore. >>



I don't get it, do they slow down over time or something? My current car is more or less as fast as it was when new.



<< went to go get Valhalla1 >>



Well, nothing personal against him, but I don't really think he's objective

But yeah I was behind a trans am the other day in a drive through and man that car has a mean ass growl, which is why I'm asking about them now.

 

[thebestMAX]

Only 32k as I have a company car also but have had other 350s that I put over 90k on and never an engine/transmission/clutch or rear end problem. Drag raced a few also. If you dont beat them (Over rev/drop the clutch/no maintenance) you should be fine.

Before you ask - ~18 around town
- 26-28 on the freeway.

<<But yeah I was behind a trans am the other day in a drive through and man that car has a mean ass growl, which is why I'm asking about them now.>>

Yeah, it does but on the freeway over 65 in 6th gear not bad at all. Fun in town good on a trip.

 

[Triumph]

ahhhh! no, not another fbody thread!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

We had 340k on our GMC before selling it. My Grand Prix is upto about 230k and the engine still runs smooth and it's not leaking anything. 200k out of a domestic is easily possible with maintenance.

 

[OS]

<< Before you ask - ~18 around town - 26-28 on the freeway. >>



lol, that's not bad actually.



<< Yeah, it does but on the freeway over 65 in 6th gear not bad at all. Fun in town good on a trip. >>



Oh yeah I know, I was like damn I like that growl on that car at the time. I've been in several new cars and the thing is they feel generic and too sedate



<< We had 340k on our GMC before selling it. My Grand Prix is upto about 230k and the engine still runs smooth and it's not leaking anything. 200k out of a domestic is easily possible with maintenance >>



Well, I know some domestics can have good reliability like the Crown Vics, but I was looking for more fbody specific responses.

 

[Soybomb]

<< << if you take good care of it you can get any car to 200k, probably have to replace some things, but thats just normal. >>
Well, I was hoping to abuse the car time to time since it is a sports car. As for the replacing stuff, that's expected as long as it's not from problem spots. Are parts expensive? >>



Ignore wiz's comments, they're ignorant. Of course you can, and by &quot;take good care&quot; of it the guy means maintance. Change the filters when you're supposed to, change the oil when you're suppposed to. If you do that there is no reason why it shouldn't last to 200K.

All engines will get less pwoerful as they age, as the material in the cylinders and rings wear away you loose compression, power goes with it. It shoulnd't be very noticable especially until REALLY high mileage though, and by then it will be doing other fun things like smoking a bit most likely.

In short yes you should expect 200k from a z28 or any other properly maintained domestic engine. As far as if it will fit you, I'm pretty sure you'll be comfy, but go sit in one

 

[iamwiz82]

they are not ignorant soybomb. I made a (correct) assumtion that he was going to beat it for portion of its life. No car, if run hard for 1/4 of its life, will go passed 150k miles.

 

[The LIdless Eye]

I've got almost 120k on mine, it's had maintenance issues, but nothing out of the ordinary. The biggest thing I'd say with this car is to have the brakes checked at fairly regular intervals, those puppies are expensive to replace. Also, get the 6-speed. Sure the clutch will
wear out, but it's still 1/3 of the cost of a new auto trans.

Forgot to mention, I just got my 2nd tune up, and the engine still growls
delightfully ;-)

 

[LAUST]

most 302's and 350's were ragged. its realistic for them to fall apart during duress around 130K miles. Maybe less

They do for sure have the issues of longevity but they have some good benefits also.

These are also engines that have more rebuild/stroker kits on the market for them then any other motors and also much cheaper then any other motor parts.

If you get a newer Z28 with a LS1 motor in it, the LS1 has some good improvement over the previous LT series. It has a great amount of HP and the CAM is still very conservative.

The 302 is great for all the upgradeabilty but I do like the 351 a lot better. The sportsman blocks are very nice and very strong. the new replacement 4.6 was a dog the 1st few years but is now really showing great sighns of it's stregnth's

If you looking for the reliability of a daily driver and are comparing the Accord to the Z28, Go with the Accord, Trust me I'm a big HP fan and I love Stangs, Z28's all the fast stuff, but when you get into high amounts of HP and Torque you begin to lose some of the Daily Driver reliability. It's just the nature of it, Don't get me wrong though a Z28 motor can be aftermarket built to be bulletproof, But then again Sedans are a lot more known as daily drivers.

But also bottom line is the care taken of the vehicle.

 

[bigshot]

cadiallic sevile get 400k buddy
and firebirds are garabge cards taht way 5000 poiunds and go 18 secs in the 1/4mile if oyu know what i mean
buy a vette
best investment in your life

 

[Jmman]

Bigshot, huh? Maybe you didn't see my post about the completely stock Firebird that ran a 13.15 1/4 mile......Link

 

[SVTPower]

Jmman

Thanks for the Link and the quote for my new Sig... I love it