thanks..........ok. slowly working the little bugs out. Shes a really clean old car but needed alot of maintenance to get it running flawlessly. Car has to be reliable. Thats my #1 .

I laid out some cash so I wont be doing much except enjoying her the way she is for a while. But what are the best bolt ons / upgrades? Do computer chips even work? Really digging this purchase.

 

Well the typical stuff first like headers and a cam upgrade, I'm not too up on the TPI engines so I couldn't tell you if there is a good chip upgrade.
You haven't said unless I missed it if you have the 305 (5.0) or the 350 (5.7) engine or if it's a stick or automatic.
You can spend a lot trying to make power out of a 305 and not get very far, the 350 has a lot more potential and if you have the 350 it has an automatic trans that can have some upgrades done to it where as the wimpy 5 speed stick that was available with the 305 would need to be replaced with something better (read costly) if you build much more power, that being why it was never offered with the 350 engine.

 

Its a 305 Auto. BUT I owned a 86 Vette for yrs. 350 240 HP. I swear this car has more pick up and go. Definitely not looking to replace any major components. Just some bolt ons. Tomorrow I'm going to switch over the thermostat to a 160 from the stock 210. Hoping thats makes a difference here in Florida.

 

I had an '84 Vette for a while, your Camaro may have lower butt gears which would explain it having more seat of the pants feel when you gas it off the line.

 

84' was a crossfire injected (basically the same engine as the 82' 3rd Gen Vette. That was a weak motor. 85 TPI was introduced and in 86 aluminium heads. I could swear the 89' Camaro 305 I own now has more nuts. Not alot but even when Idling it goes when I take my foot off the brake some. The Vette wouldn't. I havnt had the chance to really take it out on the highway yet and really stretch it. Looking forward to it.

 

I know but what I'm saying is the Vette probably had higher gearing than the Camaro which would make the Camaro jump off the line better but that 305 will peter out at higher speeds. I'd find it hard to believe a 305 Camaro could run with a 350 Vette of the same vintage,

 

Gotcha. Its all good. I'm definitely not into higher speeds anymore. Just some honest street fun.