My new Camaro!
Discussion
Here are some pictures of my 1992 Z28 Camaro 5.7 TPI. I bought it a few weeks ago but have only just got the photos of my mate! I had a 1987 IROC-Z 5.0 for around 18 months previously, and some of you may remember I posted a while back asking about the cost of engine rebuilds/upgrades. Someone suggested simply selling mine and getting a 5.7, I dismissed idea this until I saw this one! It's covered 35,000km and spent most of its life in Japan.
Nice. 245 horses are always preferable to less. 
VIN decode here if you haven't already done it: http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-camaro-VIN-decod...
VIN decode here if you haven't already done it: http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-camaro-VIN-decod...
Thanks for the kind comments people 
In fact, I doubt whether my IROC was even producing that…
Thanks for the link! *hurries off to find V5*
LuS1fer said:
Nice. 245 horses are always preferable to less.
VIN decode here if you haven't already done it: http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-camaro-VIN-decod...
245 feels a lot more then 190! VIN decode here if you haven't already done it: http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-camaro-VIN-decod...
In fact, I doubt whether my IROC was even producing that…Thanks for the link! *hurries off to find V5*
yabadaba said:
That looks really really nice. From the photos you've posted it looks in fantastic condition - seems to be the case, in general, for the ones that come over from Japan. Looks like some pretty meaty rubber on the rear wheels, too....certainly helps give it even more presence!
Thanks! Yeh those are 295/50/15s on the back and 265/50/15s on the front. To be honest I am not overly keen on having bigger tyres on the back but they are all brand new so for now I’ll keep them! ZR1cliff said:
Looking good and only 35,000 Kms? 
Yeah it was a real find! The interior is practically like its just come out of the factory, luckily I’m not afraid to use it though! somnv said:
Stunning!!!
Did you import it yourself or find it in the UK?
What are running costs like for a Camaro of this age in terms of parts prices and availability? I've never owned an American car but have always fancied a Camaro.
Norm
It's a simple cast iron OHV V8 that only requires oil and coolant changes. Filters and service parts can be bought from any number of UK suppliers for not very much. Body parts will always be expensive because of the shipping if you bend it but since insurance is cheap, the risk is low. The main expense will be fuel at around 18-20 round town and maybe 26 or so on a run. You should be aware though that for the 3rd gens, 5.0s are more the norm and range from 4 barrel carb to fuel injection and the 5.7s are far rarer (note that many people also claim the 5.0s to be 5.7s so have a VIN decoder handy). The later the better as with all GM cars.Did you import it yourself or find it in the UK?
What are running costs like for a Camaro of this age in terms of parts prices and availability? I've never owned an American car but have always fancied a Camaro.
Norm
Edited by somnv on Tuesday 29th September 16:53
The 1998-on 4th gen has a far better, lighter, and powerful all-alloy V8 engine although essentially based on the same OHV design but has arguably less classic looks. Most of the 4th gen panels are also plastic (doors, hood and hatch. )I hear 300hp/ton might be selling his 4th gen too.
Things to look for on 3rd gens are brakes, rust on inner sills where the exhaust runs, leaks, defective self-closing hatch motors (which the 4th gen never had) and leaking water pumps and heater matrix.
somnv said:
Stunning!!!
Did you import it yourself or find it in the UK?
What are running costs like for a Camaro of this age in terms of parts prices and availability? I've never owned an American car but have always fancied a Camaro.
Norm
Thanks Did you import it yourself or find it in the UK?
What are running costs like for a Camaro of this age in terms of parts prices and availability? I've never owned an American car but have always fancied a Camaro.
Norm
Edited by somnv on Tuesday 29th September 16:53
I bought it in the UK, it had been imported from Japan in 2007 by the previous owner.
As LuS1fer says service parts are fairly cheap although I usually source non-service parts directly from the USA (apart from heavy items like exhausts and engine parts) because it usually works out quite a bit cheaper and you can often get them quicker, even factoring in shipping and import duty. The added bonus that you can literally get anything for them, either from the US or UK suppliers.
Insurance is cheap, I’m 24 and I pay £370 a year fully comp. My Vauxhall Cavalier V6 costs me £650 a year! I got around 21mpg from my 5.0 Camaro and it returned 28mpg on a long run through France, and I wasn't even trying that hard to get good fuel mileage.
Edited by IROC-Z on Thursday 1st October 16:48
IROC-Z said:
somnv said:
Stunning!!!
Did you import it yourself or find it in the UK?
What are running costs like for a Camaro of this age in terms of parts prices and availability? I've never owned an American car but have always fancied a Camaro.
Norm
Thanks Did you import it yourself or find it in the UK?
What are running costs like for a Camaro of this age in terms of parts prices and availability? I've never owned an American car but have always fancied a Camaro.
Norm
Edited by somnv on Tuesday 29th September 16:53
I bought it in the UK, it had been imported from Japan in 2007 by the previous owner.
As LuS1fer says service parts are fairly cheap although I usually source non-service parts directly from the USA (apart from heavy items like exhausts and engine parts) because it usually works out quite cheaper and you can often get them quicker, even factoring in shipping and import duty. The added bonus that you can literally anything for them, either from the US or UK suppliers.
Insurance is cheap, I’m 24 and I pay £370 a year fully comp. My Vauxhall Cavalier V6 costs me £650 a year! I got around 21mpg from my 5.0 Camaro and it returned 28mpg on a long run through France, and I wasn't even trying that hard to get good fuel mileage.
With current exchange rates and a fairly good selection of vehicles already in the UK I'd let someone else do the work of importing, especially if its not a brand new vehicle.
For parts I use USAutomotive and John Woolfe Racing (which I always spell wrong..... lol). As they are in Bedford and not far from me, although they do mail stuff.
They have most regular and all service items on the shelf for cars like Trans Ams, Camaro's and Mustang. Prices are good too for the most part or at least cheap enough not to worry about them.
If you're interested in a 4th Gen Ls1 Camaro send me a PM as I might be selling mine
In that case I might be tempted with a 3rd Gen. I was planning on buying a Jaguar XJR next spring but maybe a Camaro is also worth considering. I guess the key would be to fine a well maintained one that's not had dozens of previous owners.
I'll need to see if I can test drive one someone to see if I like them, as I've never driven one before.
I'll need to see if I can test drive one someone to see if I like them, as I've never driven one before.
somnv said:
In that case I might be tempted with a 3rd Gen. I was planning on buying a Jaguar XJR next spring but maybe a Camaro is also worth considering. I guess the key would be to fine a well maintained one that's not had dozens of previous owners.
I'll need to see if I can test drive one someone to see if I like them, as I've never driven one before.
As long as you realise a 3rd generation Camaro will not offer the same in terms of peformance as a Jaguar XJR, mine is still pretty quick however with 0-60 is around 6.5 seconds. Despite it being an older generation of the Chevrolet V8 engine it is still smooth and responsive. What older American cars sometimes lack in terms of finesse and handling (with respect to modern cars) they more then make up for in excitement factor! I'll need to see if I can test drive one someone to see if I like them, as I've never driven one before.
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