Welcome to another round of Rough Start rule-bending. Why are we ignoring the rules we set up for the challenge, you ask? Well, in this case, it’s simple: this time we are looking at a car that will be a dedicated race car. Now, you’re free to define “race car” how you feel, so if you think that putting plates on the car we’ve chosen so that you can embarrass that one punk kid in town who thinks his LS-powered whatever is the shizz, then go for it. All we’re saying as far as the budget part of this deal goes is that we will try to keep the cost down on the car we find to a reasonable level for a vehicle that will, at best, be a second car and at worst, be something that will only be driven in bona-fide anger. We aren’t counting anything you would blow up in half a second’s worth of nitrous use, just what the ad says.
Third-generation F-bodies are still dirt-cheap if you stay away from Firehawks, IROC-Zs and Trans Am GTAs and have a huge aftermarket backing them, making the GM Wonder Twins an ideal candidate for a build. Here, we have a 1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS that looks to be a fun street car. If you can get past the mullet/gold chain/Italian…uh, “out cruising” reputation, it looks like a solid late-1980s ride. Ok, the T-tops aren’t ideal for a race car, but maybe you want to be seen as this thing rolls through town. At least you won’t embarrass yourself power wise…there is a 12.5:1 383 Chevy under the cowl hood that sports an Eagle 4340 crank, Eagle 6″ H-beam rods and a Comp Cams Xtreme roller camshaft (294/300 duration, .540/.562 lift) makes up nicely for the sorry lump that the 305 was. Having Edelbrock Performer heads, intake and a Pro Form carb on top finishes off the engine. The five-speed manual trans is a bonus…nothing says “happiness” quite like that shifter and third pedal!
The interior is still intact, except the welcome addition of Auto Meter gauges, and the black paint looks good enough for a street beater, so what do you say? For $6,200 (or best offer!) you can have a fun enough Camaro that could be somewhat respectable. And for the comments sections, does anybody want to bench race how fast it could be in as-purchased form?
Racing Junk Link: 1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
Almost the same setup as my 88 IROC-Z (I’m italian so it works) except I’ve got a little bit bigger heads (AFR 210s), bigger cam (Comp solid roller .630/.630), and an automatic (TH350). Coming off the footbreak it’s been 11.24 @ 123. Even with all kinds of trans issues it averaged 11.90s at Drag Week last year.
This black stallion should gallop into the 12’s and with a real hot foot (white gloves, white racing jacket, cigar hanging out of his mouth) could push into the 11’s.
Or maybe not and I’m just an idiot who likes these cars. Who knows?
Provided it is as nice as it looks…seems like a fair deal….I would love to own it…t-tops and all!
I respect the car for what it can do, but I feel like we’ve seen these cars done every which way for decades. It’s just getting a little boring.
Last one I paid attention to was Chad’s at the ECTA (that guy’s car is sweet).