I wanted to document the build of my 1996 Camaro (possible RS model). If it is not an RS model I will document that later when I find out for sure.
This is my 1st Camaro Ever Owned

1996 Camaro (Possible RS Model)
Bought 12/6/2011 out of Hobart, Indiana
7 Previous owners
Paid $1,250.00
Pick up cost $500.00
Mileage: 137,770
Engine: 3.8L MFI V6
Transmission: 4L60E (Automatic)
Rear Axle Ratio: 3.08

 

RPO Codes Broken Down for my Camaro

AH3- ADJUSTER FRT ST MANUAL, 4 WAY, DRIVER
AK5- RESTRAINT SYSTEM SEAT, INFLATABLE, DRIVER & PASS
AR9- SEAT FRT BKT, DELUXE
A90- LOCK CONTROL RR CMPT LID, REM CONT ELEC RELEASE
B35- COVERING REAR FLOOR MATS, CARPETED INSERT
B84- MOLDING B/S EXTERIOR
C49- DEFOGGER RR WINDOW, ELECTRIC
C60- HVAC SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONER FRT, MAN CONTROLS
DL5- DECAL ROADSIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
D35- MIRROR O/S LH, REMOTE CONTROL, RH MANUAL CONTROL, COLOR
FE9- CERTIFICATION EMISSION, FEDERAL
F41- SUSPENSION SYSTEM FRT, RR, FIRM RIDE, HANDLING
GU4- AXLE REAR 3.08 RATIO
IPB- TRIM INTERIOR DESIGN (PB)
J41- BRAKE SYSTEM PWR, FRT DISC, RR DRUM, CAST IRON
K34- CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATIC, ELECTRONIC
K68- GENERATOR 105 AMP
L36- ENGINE GAS, 6 CYL, 3.8L, MFI, V6, HO (ERV6 SERIES)
MX0- MERCHANDISED TRANS AUTO PROVISIONS, O/D
M30- TRANSMISSION AUTO 4 SPD, HMD, 4L60-E, ELECTRONIC
NF2- EMISSION SYSTEM FEDERAL, TIER 1
NG5- REGISTRATION EMISSION, CERTIFICATION, FIFTY STATE (50)
NK3- STEERING WHEEL SPORT, SOFT RIM, SIMULATED LEATHER
N92- COVER, WHEEL BOLT-ON
QB3- WHEEL 16 X 7.5, STEEL
QEA- TIRE ALL P215/60R16-94T BW R/PE ST TL AL2
R7A- CONTROL SALES ITEM NO. 26
R8T- CONTROL SALES ITEM NO. 69
STE- PLANT CODE ST THERESE, PQ, CANADA
T96- LAMP FOG, FRT
UB3- CLUSTER INST, OIL, COOL TEMP, VOLTS, TRIP ODOM, TACH
UN6- RADIO AM/FM STEREO, SEEK/SCAN, AUTO REV MUSIC SEARCH CASS, CLOCK, ETR
UQ0- SPEAKER SYSTEM 4, DUAL FRT DR MTD, DUAL STD RGE QTR/SHELF
U73- ANTENNA FIXED , RADIO
VK3- LICENSE PLATE FRONT FRT MOUNTING PKG
VM3- LABEL INFORMATION CONSUMER, CONTAINS BPR IMP STANDARD FOR FRT 5 MPH & RR 5 MPH
V73- VEHICLE STATEMENT USA/CANADA
1AY- STOCK ORDERS PROCESSING OPTION (DEALER ORDERED CAR)
1SB- PACKAGE OPTION 02
12B- TRIM COMBINATION CLOTH, GRAPHITE (B) (96)
12I- INTERIOR TRIM GRAPHITE (96)
37Q- MOLDING COLOR BRIGHT TEAL MET
37U- EXTERIOR COLOR, PRIMARY (BRIGHT TEAL METALLIC)
6GN- COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (6GN)
7GN- COMPONENT FRT RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (7GN)
8TB- COMPONENT RR LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (8TB)
9TB- COMPONENT RR RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (9TB)
BC/CC- EXTERIOR, BASE COAT / CLEAR COAT
WA-U146A- EXTERIOR COLOR, PRIMARY (BRIGHT TEAL METALLIC)

(It looks very possible the car was painted #79 Mystic Teal Metallic, either by mistake, the dealer ordered it that way for some reason or the owner had it stripped and completely painted in that color.(The engine bay does appear the Mystic Teal Metallic as well) It has been repainted over with what looks like #37 Bright Teal Metallic like what the paint code and moldings code actually say it should be painted. The passenger side seems to have side swiped something as only the passenger side seems to have been repainted. You can still make out rub marks on the side. The rear bumper also has appeared to repainted.)

 

Not a bad find for a little over $1700. Needs bigger tires than those 215s!

 

Thank you MKCoconuts. I thought it was a decent find and totally agree on the tires. I'm looking to upgrade the tires to the all season Cooper Zeon RS3-A 245/50/16's. Found a decent deal on them for $515 all together.

 

Man, you're finding deals left and right. Ha. But if you any where that has snow, I would opt for some snow tires. I have all seasons on mine here in PA and we just got blasted with snow. It's fine at low speeds, but if you get up to about 35-40, the rear starts to slide. Plus, backing out of a place when your front end is facing down just doesn't work.

Also, thank you for posting the sticker for the tire pressure. My car no longer has it so I've been guessing with 40psi all around. Good to know I wasn't far off.

Any upgrade plans for the engine?

 

I'm in Northeastern KS, sometimes it snows sometimes it don't lol. I have my 2000 F350 4x4 for the rougher weather though. I'm glad the tire sticker helped out, never even considered someone might want or need the info. on it lol. I have some engine upgrades and suspension upgrades planned but it will be awhile before I can get to them. I am getting ready to do a little tune up though.

1) 3 New BWD Ignition Coils
2) Autolite Professional Series Ignition Wire Set
3) 6 New Autolite XP Iridium Spark Plugs
4) Duralast Automatic Transmission Filter Kit
5) Castrol High Mileage Automatic Transmission Fluid
6) Fram In-Line Fuel Filter
7) Duralast Oil Pressure Switch
8) K&N Panel Type Air Filter
9) K&N Oil Filter
10) Castrol 5W-30 GTX High Mileage Motor Oil
11) Duralast Serpentine Belt

Total Cost For Tune Up $300.30 + Tax

Figure this will get me by for awhile, certainly can't hurt (Besides my check book) lol.

 

There you go. I wish I still had my truck. My F-150 never let me down.

When you do the tranny fluid change, are you planning on just doing what's in the pan? Or a full flush? The reason I ask is because a full flush is a pita, but well worth it.

And let me know how those NGK Iridium plugs work. Someone else on here mentioned that they sucked. NGK isn't the best out there, but iridium is iridium. The only difference I've seen between manufactures was some were 0.4mm and others were I believe 0.6mm or 0.8mm. Oh, even if they say they're pre-gapped, check the gap before installing.

 

So what about it makes you think it's an RS? Granted I don't know what RPO or VIN codes to check, but I don't think it is. If it was, it would have badging on the front fenders and under the passenger side taillight, and it would have the factory ground effects kit and 3-piece spoiler.

 

When it comes to being an RS, their seems to be a lack of information. No this car does not have the RS badging, ground effects, spoiler or the RS RPO code....However, I find conflicting information as to whether or not that makes it an RS or not. The car was titled as an RS...Not necessarily meaning it is. One person will say yes, one will say no. It goes back and forth all day. From my understanding you could get an RS model without the RS packaging, hence no RS RPO code & it doesn't make much sense but the car would still be an RS. I'm a person who likes definitive proof and to this point, their simply hasn't been any with evidence. This is where my confusion comes from. I feel it's a legitimate argument from both sides but one is right and one is wrong. As for the fenders, they have been re-painted so I truly do not know if they are original, replaced, simply re-painted and could explain a lack of some badging. This is all just imo though.

 

I will probably go with a full flush. I have changed some of the tune up parts though as I did a bit more researching. You can see the revised list in my older post. Thanks for the gaping tip, I will definitely check em before installation.