I just bought a 1994 Camaro Z28. LT1 engine, K&N CAI, cut out exhaust. 98000 miles on it. The visual condition is pretty good. z06 rims and drilled brakes and stuff too.

I was told I have to replace the water pump and the rear differential will need replacing soon. It also leaks here and there. Total of 1700 dollars worth of repair. Car was bought for 3500 bucks, with a clean title.

Today I drove it in the town for the first time since buying it. I got a measly 5 miles to the gallon. I traveled 20 miles and emptied 1/4 of the gas tank. I didn't even step on it, maybe once or twice but the rest of the time i was going below speed limit doing 1500rpm. Is it normal or is there something really wrong with the engine too...

Now here's my question. If this car is worth it, I'll spend the money on it no problem, but I'm broke, and if this is just going to waste my money, I better off getting rid of it before it hits 100K.

What do you guys think.

 

Haha no.. five miles to the gallon is not regular.. I dunno if your car could go through that much gas that quick without dying.. check if one of the leaks is a hole in your gas tank.

 

was the gas gage below 3/4? once i hit 3/4 tha gage drops fast in both 93s ive had. run out at just below 1/8 tank. fill her up and run for a day and fill her up again. that will give you a better idea of your mpg.

 

yeah the gas gage sucks on these cars just dont let it get below half... if your geting 5 mpg your math is wrong or you have a rly bad leak that you dont know about....

 

sell it

 

Rear end and water pump are NOT gonna cost you almost 2 grand... And 5 mpg means you prolly have a bad *** leak lol. Check your O2 sensors, plugs, wires. All of that should cost under $200 and is easy to do yourself.

As far as the water pump and rear end... Waterpumps are like $50 and a used rear end in good cond is like 250. Whoever charges you 1400 to put them in is ripping you off. Bring your car here and I'll do em both for half that if you want lol.

 

new water pump for a lt1 is 150. to $200. if the water pump is leaking replace it right away. water on the opti is not good and its actually a good idea to replace the opti if you are replacing the water pump. the opti/distribitor is under the water pump and just below it so if the pump goes it leaks onto the opti. no dont sell it these cars will run fine to 200k miles. the rear end could be just bearings and if not i think evilkal is about right on a used rear end. what kind of leaks are u talking about?

 

fill your gas all the way up. then go for a drive and record the miles. then refill your tank to know exactly how much fuel u used. 1/4 on the gauge isnt very accurate.

 

Should I Keep IT? Of course. Fix it, and give her all the He ll she can handle. She is an f body. I have a rear end for you $150. The water pump is an easy replace. Bleeding the coolant system is another story. haha. Do try the others advice about filling it all the way up the way the fuel pump . if its not an error based on the way gm designed the fuel level sending unit (the arm moves slowly at first due to placement and trajectory) If its leaking gas you should smell it. If its not then its going somewhere. Check your compression, do a leakdown test. Check the injectors, something is going on.

 

Wow this forum rocks haha

So I guess I'll be keeping it then. I'm gonna try to get her all fixed up soon as I can.

Whoever said the gas gauge sucks, he's right. I put about 9 gallons in it and the gauge was showing full. The gas tank is supposed to be 15 gallons...so yeah, my calculations were totally off. I reckon I did about 10-15mpg which is kinda expected from a 5.7 V8.

Rear def isn't holding up any more and my steering arms are gone too...I wish I wasn't living in California. why is everything so damn expensive here? :P