What started as a simple replacement of a sensor and a hose turned into a decision to see if I could bring this superbly reliable vehicle back to its ole' glory. As many of you know, I deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. This Camaro sat for about 2 and a half years stagnant with little or no operation. My desire to see this beautiful car run like factory set in me, and I determined to learn "everything" about the systems on this vehicle. After a lot of study, and a little trial and error........I developed some strong knowledge concerning the fuel/ electrical/ vacuum/ braking/ and general engine operation. It wasn't easy......let me tell ya! I learned that ac delco has little love for it's customers, and they could care less about what the customer needs. All they care about is money. I learned that most part stores (I like O'Reilly) will bend over backwards to "help a brother out." LoL I also learned that there are people on this website who sincerely want to help (Gorn, among others). What was produced, after an 8000 dollar bill, was a 94 3.4L with systems completely restored to factory specifications with better than or OEM parts. Finally, one might ask, what was done to it? The list is as follows:

1) KTM short block rebuild, kevler head gaskets and the works/ new fly wheel/ Amsoil 5w-30 oil change w/filter
2) new clutch assembly w/new slave cylinder
3) serviced tranny including seals and bushing and Amsoil ATF fluid
4) new transmission mount
5) new singlepiece driveline including yoke and u joints
6) rebuilt rear end/ stenciled the gear-it was good/ replaced all bearings/ serviced w/ Amsoil severe gear fluid.....7.6 3.23
7) new pinion propeller yoke
8) new traction control sensor on differential
9) new shocks and struts/ monroe sensatrac/ including ALL hardware and bellows
10) new moog stock (cargo) springs
11) rear drum brake job
12) new D-52 gm front calipers w/ powerstop crossdrilled slotted coated rotors and ceramic pads to dissiminate heat and eliminate warpage.....Wilwood dual piston D-52 replacements available for 343 bucks (thats next)
13) new power brake booster w/check valve
14) new master cylinder including reservoir
15) new water pump
16) new radiator w/murray cap
17) ALL hoses replaced/ including vacuum lines and joints
18) new smog system includes: air injection pump, injection lines from v-parts Wisconsin, ac delco solenoid, EGR valve, and cleaned EGR system (including plenum port)
19) new belt tensioner and belt
20) new fuel system as follows: accel 17lb performance injectors, o rings, fuel pressure regulator, MAP sensor(acdelco), coolant temp sensors (both), IAT sensor, throttle position sensor, charcoal canister, new ac delco fuel lines(tank to rail) including full connection kit, fuel filter, new ac delco fuel sender assembly(yes the fuel gage works properly now), any and all seals and gaskets, and the purge valve solenoid
21) the plenum was completely cleaned and egr port was unclogged also replaced the plenum gasket and tightened the valve covers to ensure better vacuum
22) new valve cover grommets and pcv valve and oil filler cap
23) vacuum line kit at fuel rail new
24) thermostat
25) locking gas cap for better seal
26) all new lighting, starting at the head lights.....going all around the vehicle....then interior lights....yes ALL interior lighting (19 bulbs in the instrument cluster alone)
27) new catalytic converter
28) moog heavy duty front and rear sway bar bolts
29) new Timken front wheel bearings w/ traction control sensors
30) new moog upper and lower balljoints
31) relatively new a/c system fully serviced
32) reman alternator 105 amps/ stock
33) new battery
34) new jounces for the rear end....keeps the rear end from bottoming out
35) new heater core

I think you get the picture. What's been produced is a completely functional 50 state compliant stock camaro that runs with factory smoothness. Yes it needs a paint job and a new interior, but thats the easy part. What I need to find are the stock interior kits for it. The t-tops don't leak on it, and to look at it it doesn't look a vehicle with 234,000 miles. After what I just did to it.....it'll do it again!

The systems are so tight they're incredible! No SES light and no brake light. Success!! The problem with Chevrolet is that they produce these sytems to degrade. What's so remarkable is how well all the components degrade at the same time. This is why your 3.4L will be running perfectly at high mileage one week (as mine was) and then the next week it seems to go to pot and never return to normal. I'm fully persuaded that just throwing a few sensors and vacuum hoses at the problem is only a band-aid on a flesh wound. If a driver starts seeing the beginning stages of system failure (improper idle, misfire, smell of fuel in cockpit, fuel in the oil, fuel sender assembly inaccuracy, etc...) then there's only one solution and it isn't a cheap one unfortunately. By the way, don't expect chevrolet to give you the answers....they want you to trade that classic in for 1500 to 2000 and buy a new one. That's how the system is designed to work. Chevrolet just doesn't expect people, like ourselves, to get stubborn and not take no for an answer. The bottom line is...if you want to continue to drive "emissions legal" then it's probably going to require systems rebuild of the fuel/ vacuum/ and EGR-smog.

Let me reinterate on how I started all of this. I wanted to continue to drive my vehicle and be legal about it. In order to attemp to pass smog inspections it turned into a gremlin chasing experience. Once I replaced one part, I discovered the one next to it had faulted as a result. I did some research and discovered just how GM plans for their customers to purchase new vehicles, and they design the degredation of the vehicle sytems to accomodate. Some of my sources are GM employees who cannot discuss these realities in too much detail for fear of their jobs. However, they were cooperative to a degree and expressed their own frustrations in the way GM deals with their customers; particularly when it comes to part information and details. For some of you guys I'm probably being captain obvious, but to those of us blondes who didn't know any better the reality of the GM customer service experience was a shocker. THEY WANT YOU TO BUY A NEW CAR NOT FIX THE ONE YOU HAVE, AND THEY GET FRUSTRATED AT- AND RESIST THE ONES WHO DO! Sorry folks........but the reality is......if you want the systems to work "RIGHT/ PROPERLY/ LEGAL".....without buying a new car......you're gonna have to break down and probably drop 3 grand just for emissions puposes. But what do I know......I'm just one guy. LOL! Have a good one, and don't work too hard!

 

For those interested.....I have compiled quite a cache' of AC Delco part numbers. If I can help you at all please feel free to contact me and I'll give you whatever info I have. I don't want to come across as being unknowledgeable, from my previous post, as far as humilty. I don't know everything.......but you can bet your socks I know quite a bit. I worked on F/A-18 Super Hornets while I was in the Navy, and before the Navy I was quite the shade tree mechanic. I have torque specs, part numbers, and even prices if you need them. If you've got an issue with something malfunctioning I CAN show you how to replace it. I know my 3.4L Camaro front to back and I will be more than gracious to help you with yours. There were a handfull of people on this site who helped me and I want to return that favor.

 

By the way....I deliberately did only a short-block on my engine rebuild. I've chatted with a few of you guys here about possibly doing a top-end swap with some 3500 aluminum heads and other miscellaneous necessities that go along with that swap. I'm currently compiling information and I'm open to any and all suggestions; particularly anyone who has SUCCESSFULLY done it. I'm like Gorn.....I've seen a lot of people talking about it, but I haven't seen it COMPLETED as of yet. LOL Lay it on me! I intend to do it man! LOL