4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access

Dragsinger · 05-21-2014, 10:02 AM

Racers,

since a clean 4 gen is relatively easy to find and reasonably priced they are attractive as a base for a GT super stocker. In addition, a "core" body in overall good condition is a big advantage from the point of body and paint prep. Plus, with each year that passes the older cars become harder to find and in a more "weathered" condition.

My question, the "issue" I see with the 4 gen is engine compartment access. Let me hear from some of you racing a 4 generation Camaro/Firebird. Other than the initial installing of the engine how is the access?

ss3011 · 05-21-2014, 12:36 PM

You may want to consider a 3rd Gen Camaro or Firebird. They are easy to work on !

Ed Wright · 05-21-2014, 01:01 PM

With half the engine under the windshield, I don't find mine easy to work on. But, I'm an arthritic 70 year old.

Dragsinger · 05-21-2014, 03:36 PM

Ed, I am just like you, only three years younger. Plus I have FOS [fat, old, stiff] I better build another 3rd gen. The engine is wide open with those.

Mike Pearson · 05-21-2014, 06:21 PM

actually if you are looking for an easy car to work on the gen 1 cars are the best as long as you aren't stuck on GT. My car is much simpler to work on than my buddies gen 3 car

Dragsinger · 05-21-2014, 08:12 PM

Mike, I agree but to find one at any reasonable price is just about un-heard of. Same with Nova or Chevelle.

Ease of work is not so much the issue as finding the older cars.

Also, I am not a thrash at the track racer. If I have any major problem I go home and put it on the lift.

I have raced a 3rd gen and work access was OK especially on a lift at the shop. The 4th gen looks like bad access to rear half of engine.

ss3011 · 05-21-2014, 08:22 PM

I have a 1991 Formula, that I raced with a small block, and later a big block Chevy. There is a lot of room in the engine compartment, and a nice feature is you don't have to remove the hood to swap engines. Of all the cars I have raced and worked on it is by far the easiest.

1320racer · 05-21-2014, 10:26 PM

I've replied to Larry on another forum but for those interested, I copied and pasted my replies...

R&R my BBC is easier in this legal GT Super Stocker than was my Chevelle.

Modifying the K member for oil pan and header clearance and modifying the cowl for carb access/clearance will be your only issues along with building custom headers. Otherwise there are no access issues.

The K member modifications include the typical super stock treatment for oil pan as well is scalped out for the custom headers which are individual tubes. Steering is again, typical super stock car with a Wilwood rack.

Adger Smith · 05-22-2014, 01:06 AM

That modification, even though it is nice and makes room, is not legal for super stock.

ss3011 · 05-22-2014, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

That modification, even though it is nice and makes room, is not legal for super stock.

??? Why ?

05-21-2014, 10:02 AM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access Racers, since a clean 4 gen is relatively easy to find and reasonably priced they are attractive as a base for a GT super stocker. In addition, a "core" body in overall good condition is a big advantage from the point of body and paint prep. Plus, with each year that passes the older cars become harder to find and in a more "weathered" condition. My question, the "issue" I see with the 4 gen is engine compartment access. Let me hear from some of you racing a 4 generation Camaro/Firebird. Other than the initial installing of the engine how is the access? __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-21-2014, 12:36 PM	#2
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 908 Likes: 70 Liked 238 Times in 113 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access You may want to consider a 3rd Gen Camaro or Firebird. They are easy to work on !

05-21-2014, 01:01 PM	#3
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access With half the engine under the windshield, I don't find mine easy to work on. But, I'm an arthritic 70 year old. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

05-21-2014, 03:36 PM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access Ed, I am just like you, only three years younger. Plus I have FOS [fat, old, stiff] I better build another 3rd gen. The engine is wide open with those. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-21-2014, 06:21 PM	#5
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,437 Likes: 611 Liked 1,904 Times in 571 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access actually if you are looking for an easy car to work on the gen 1 cars are the best as long as you aren't stuck on GT. My car is much simpler to work on than my buddies gen 3 car __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

05-21-2014, 08:12 PM	#6
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access Mike, I agree but to find one at any reasonable price is just about un-heard of. Same with Nova or Chevelle. Ease of work is not so much the issue as finding the older cars. Also, I am not a thrash at the track racer. If I have any major problem I go home and put it on the lift. I have raced a 3rd gen and work access was OK especially on a lift at the shop. The 4th gen looks like bad access to rear half of engine. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-21-2014, 08:22 PM	#7
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 908 Likes: 70 Liked 238 Times in 113 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access I have a 1991 Formula, that I raced with a small block, and later a big block Chevy. There is a lot of room in the engine compartment, and a nice feature is you don't have to remove the hood to swap engines. Of all the cars I have raced and worked on it is by far the easiest.

05-21-2014, 10:26 PM	#8
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access I've replied to Larry on another forum but for those interested, I copied and pasted my replies... R&R my BBC is easier in this legal GT Super Stocker than was my Chevelle. Modifying the K member for oil pan and header clearance and modifying the cowl for carb access/clearance will be your only issues along with building custom headers. Otherwise there are no access issues. The K member modifications include the typical super stock treatment for oil pan as well is scalped out for the custom headers which are individual tubes. Steering is again, typical super stock car with a Wilwood rack.

05-22-2014, 01:06 AM	#9
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: 4 generation Camaro/Firebird working access That modification, even though it is nice and makes room, is not legal for super stock. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)