Steve's Camaro Parts

Steve's Camaro Parts

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Camaro Parts - Chevy expects over half of all Camaro ZL1 models to be automatic - Steves Camaro Parts


Consider this a sign of the times: Even though Chevrolet is readying its highest-performance Camaro ever, General Motors executives are reportedly already hedging their bets that over 50 percent of all 2012 ZL1 orders will be for automatic transmission models.

The high expected order rate for automatics paired with the 6.2-liter, 580-horsepower ZL1 not only follows a growing market preference for two-pedal vehicles, it also suggests that even sporty car buyers are noting that advancements in design have all but eliminated the performance deficit long associated with this type of transmission.

Low take rates also means that fewer models are even available with manual transmissions, and it's a problem that's only getting more acute. With fewer new cars being fitted with manual transmissions, opportunities for learning how to drive a three-pedal car (along with people who can teach how to drive them) are fewer and further between. The result? Even fewer manual transmissions.

According to the Ward's Auto report, fully 89 percent of 2010 model-year passenger cars were fitted with automatic gearboxes. In the case of Chevrolet's Camaro, even the existing SS model is trending at 70 percent automatic, and that's higher than the 65 percent take rate among base Corvette purchasers.

The Oshawa, Ontario-built Camaro ZL1 is expected in dealers in the first quarter of 2012.

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

1968 Camaro - Sold at Barrett Jackson Auction - Steves Camaro Parts



Price:
*$33,550.00
Year:
1968
Make:
CHEVROLET
Model:
CAMARO
Style:
CUSTOM 2 DOOR COUPE
Exterior Color:
MAROON
Interior Color:
MAROON
Cylinders:
8
Engine Size:
350
Transmission:
MANUAL
Summary:
Supercharged small block Chevy with nitrous and 4-speed manual transmission. "The Heartbeat" paint with matching interior and trunk.
Details:
"The Heartbeat" was built in the late 80's when "the Heartbeat of America" was the tag line for Chevrolet. It still retains the old school look and feel. Featuring a supercharged small block Chevy with a nitrous system, 4-speed speed transmission, and big 18" wide rear tires, this car will get up and go. Flashy paint scheme with matching interior and trunk, mirrored engine compartment and wheelie bars. This car was featured in Hot Rod Magazines foreign and domestic back in the day, and some copies come with the car.

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Monday, September 26, 2011

1969 Camaro Parts - 1969 Camaro Fun Facts - Steves Camaro Parts



The Camaro was introduced by Chevrolet to compete with Ford's Mustang. By 1969, new interior and exterior renovations had been made in the Camaro, ensuring its place as the highest volume selling first generation Camaro, with 243,085 cars sold according to Firstgencamaro.com. The 1969 Camaro is known for its sleek design and horsepower. One of the most popular versions of the 1969 Camaro was the Z/28, or RPO Z28 Camaro Special Performance Package, which had a top speed of 120 miles an hour.
  1. Engines

    • The 1969 Camaro base engine was a 327 cubic inch V8 small block. A slower 230 cubic inch V6 version was also available.

    Innovations

    • Components introduced for the 1969 Camaro included new exterior sheet metal, flattened wheel wells and a new grill design. Variable-ratio steering, which means when the steering wheel turns the wheels turn progressively more until they lock, was also introduced on the 1969 version of the Camaro.

    Size

    • The 1969 Camaro was 186 inches long with a 108-inch wheelbase chassis.

    Considerations

    • Headlight washers, which operated by vacuum like windshield wipers, were a feature only offered on the 1969 Camaro.

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Friday, September 23, 2011

Steve's Camaro Parts - 1968 Fun Facts


Chassis and Mechanical Features
  • Body-frame - Unitized all-welded steel body construction with a separate front rubber-mounted frame section that provides extra strength and support.
  • Body Construction - Rugged body components are used throughout to increase strength and rigidity. Cross-braced bow-like members in the sport coupe roof add firm support, while the convertible has rocker panels of heavier gauge steel to lend extra stiffness to the convertible design.
  • Body Protection - Camaro is built with an eye to long, long life. Galvanized members are used along with other rust preventive materials. We even go so far as to put fenders inside the outer fenders to shield against corrosion from salt, slush, snow and ice. Rocker panels are the flush-and-dry design. Rain and snow water entering the vents at cowl level wash out the rocker panel while incoming air dries it.
  • Roadability and Suspension - Camaro rests on a 108-inch wheelbase with 59.0-inch tread front and 58.9-inch rear-wide stance for flat, level cornering and solid going on the straightaway. A combination of independent coil spring suspension up front and Mono-Plate single leaf springs at the rear provide just the right balance between smoothness and firmness. Special multi-leaf rear springs with extra-cost V8s (with 4-speed transmission only with 275-hp 327 V8). Bias-mounted rear shock absorbers offer improved suspension control.
  • Brakes--Safety-Master - self-adjusting brakes give you a full 168.9 square inches of bonded lining area. Brakes have dual master cylinder with warning light on instrument panel. Rayon-reinforced front and rear brake hoses. All brake lines are corrosion-resistant. Parking brake is foot-operated with fingertip release.
  • Exhaust System - Highly corrosion-resistant for long life. Exhaust emission control system is standard equipment.
  • Electrical System - 12-volt system. Delcotron diode-rectified generator with 9-37-ampere rating is standard.
  • Steering - Recirculating ball-race steering for easiest handling. Ratios: manual, 28.3:1; power, 17:1. Also available is low-ratio steering: manual, 21.6:1; power, 15.6:1.


Power Trains
    Standard Engines--
  • 140-hp Turbo-Thrift 230 Six.Smooth, effortless performance along with a decidedly modest appetite for regular-grade fuel. Single-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters and single exhaust system. Seven-main-bearing crankshaft.
  • 210-hp Turbo-Fire 327 V8. A perky V8 that will please you with its economy. Its 327-cubic-inch displacement and two-barrel carburetion give it the stamina for all kinds of duty. Compression ratio, 8.75:1, general performance camshaft and hydraulic lifters. A 61-ampere-hour battery and single exhuast. Uses regular-grade fuel. Extra-Cost Engines--

  • 155-hp Turbo-Thrift 250 Six. Here's a bigger 6-cylinder engine that's excellent for runabout service. Cubic-inch displacement: 250. Single-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters and single exhaust. Fully counterbalanced seven-main-bearing crankshaft. Uses regular-grade fuel.
  • 275-hp Turbo-Fire 327 V8. Ideally suited to higher performance requirements. Four-barrel carburetor, 327 cubes and a 10.0:1 compression ratio. Single exhaust standard.
  • 295-hp Turbo-Fire 350 V8. One of two Camaro SS engines available. You can judge its credentials by the fact that it powers the SS. A 350-cubic-inch V8, it checks in with a compression ratio of 10.25:1, 4-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, dual exhausts and resonators.
  • 325-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8. Tops in the Camaro stable. Unique feature: "porcupine" cylinder heads that improve engine breathing and combustion. Four-barrel carburetor, 10.25:1 compression ratio, general performance camshaft, hydraulic valve lifters and dual exhausts with resonators. Standard Transmission--

  • 3-Speed fully synchronized. Standard with all engines except 325-hp V8 (see below). Fully synchronized in all forward gears. Shift lever is column mounted unless floor-mount shift is specified. Extra-Cost Transmission--

  • Special 3-Speed fully synchronized. (Camaro SS only). Floor mounted in a snug rubber boot for real shifting fun. Must be specified with 325-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 if you order a 3-Speed manual transmission. Offers closer ratios to take advantage of bigger V8 output. (Available with console).
  • 4-Speed fully synchronized. Floor-mounted and available with all Camaro engines. Available also with console. Tailor-made for the real car buff. Shift pattern is debossed on the control knob. Ratios matched to engine.
  • Powerglide Automatic. Available with all engines except 325-hp V8. Consists of a three-element torque converter and geared drive for a magnificent blend of smoothness and responsiveness. Steering column mounted unless floor-mount is specified, with or without console.
  • Clutch. Single dry disc diaphragm spring type. Conventional roof and linkage connects suspended pedal to actuating fork. Size and capacity matched to engine choice.
  • Propeller shaft and rear axle. One-piece balanced propeller shaft, attached at transmission and differential through universal joints. Rear axle ratio matched to power teams
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Steve's Camaro Parts - 1967 Fun Facts



1967 FACTS Excerpted from Michael Antonick's White Book
  • The first Camaro model was the 1967, introduced on September 26, 1966. At the time of introduction, several important options were not available. These included the RPO-Z28 Special Performance Package, and the 396-cid displacement engine for Camaro SS models.
  • The 1967 model was the only first generation Camaro to have both rear shocks mounted forward of the rear axle. Later years changed to a staggered arrangement to counter wheel hop. The 1967 was the only Camaro to feature a right-side traction bar, also to counter wheel hop. The traction bar was standard equipment for all Z28 models, and was installed on other high performance models.
  • The 1967 Camaros did not have side marker lights.
  • The 1967 Camaro was the only Camaro model to have its VIN tag mounted to the door hinge pillar. The VIN tags of later models moved to positions visible through the windshield.
  • The bumblebee nose stripe was part of the SS package at the start of 1967 production, but became a separate option (RPO-D91) in March 1968.
  • Chevrolet built three special Camaro pace cars for the 1967 Indianapolis 500 auto race. It also built 78 lookalikes for complimentary use by race officials and dignitaries during the month preceding the race. After the race, these lookalikes were sold to the public as used cars. All were white SS/RS convertibles with Bright Blue custom interiors. Other options varied. All had "Chevrolet Camaro Official Pace Car 51st Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race - May 30, 1967" decals on their doors. (Chevrolet also built anywhere from 100-560 Pace Car Replicas for a special "Pacesetter" campaign which ran through June, plus 21 cars exported to Canada. The actual number of these cars is unknown, this number is my guess - Greg McGann)
  • When first introduced in September 1966, the 1967 Camaro SS came only with a 350-cid engine, an engine displacement exclusive to the Camaro within the Chevrolet line that year. In November 1966, the 396-cid engine was added to the SS option list.
  • Though similar to 1968, the 1967 instrument panel was unique to the year. Its padding did not fold over the corners as did the following year. And, with the exception of air conditioned models, the 1967 instrument panel did not have the side air (Astro Ventilation) vents.
  • The ignition for the 1967 model (and 1968) was located on the dash.
  • The first Z28 models were built starting on December 29, 1966, and low volume delivery began in January 1967. The Z28 was initially developed as a contender for the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Trans Am sedan racing series. The series had a displacement limit of 305 cubic inches which the Z28 met by combining a 327-cid Chevrolet block with a 283-cid Chevrolet crankshaft for a 4" x 3" stroke that yielded 302.3 cubic inches.
  • The "Z" in Z28 was at first nothing more than another option code, along with others like Z23 for the Special Interior Group, or Z87 for the Custom Interior. But the Z28 had a special ring to it and became the model's official name. However, the Z28's built in 1967 carried no external identification other than wide racing stripes. Convertibles could not be ordered with the ZZ8 option.
  • Chevrolet listed curb weights for the 1967 Camaro as 2,910 pounds for the 6-cylinder coupe, 3,070 pounds for the 8-cylinder coupe, 3,165 pounds for the 6-cylinder convertible, and 3,325 for the 8-cylinder convertible. Add 21 pounds for power windows, 20 pounds for the folding rear seat, 86 pounds for air conditioning, 9 pounds for power brakes, 23 pounds for front disc brakes, 10 pounds for the 250-cid 6-cylinder engine, 39 pounds for the 327-cid V-8 engine, 72 pounds for the 350-cid V-8 engine, 258 pounds for the 396-cid V-8 engine, 7 pounds for the four speed manual transmission, 14 pounds for the Powerglide, 56 pounds for the Turbo Hydra-Matic, 38 pounds for dual exhaust, 29 pounds for power steering, 15 pounds for heavy duty battery, 8 pounds for an AM radio, 9 pounds for an AM-FM radio, and 17 pounds for the Rally Sport.
  • The 1967 was the only Camaro model to feature side vent windows.
  • The headlight door covers of the 1967 Camaro were electrically operated. Later model years were vacuum operated.
  • All 1967 Camaros had single leaf rear springs.
  • The center console design used in 1967 was unique to the year. Additionally, the design of the optional instrument grouping which mounted to the console was unique to 1967. The secondary instrument cluster consisted of fuel gauge, temperature gauge, oil gauge, ammeter, and clock.
  • The first 1967 Camaro built at the Norwood, Ohio, plant had a VIN ending in N100001; the first built at the Van Nuys, California, plant had a VIN ending in L100001.

Monday, September 19, 2011

1969 Camaro Parts - Fans Vote 1969 Camaro as the Best Chevrolet Ever - Steve's Camaro Parts


Cover your ears, Corvette lovers--the 1969 Camaro is the best Chevrolet of all time, according to Chevy fans.
As part of its centennial celebration, Chevy asked fans to vote online for their favorite vehicle from the marque's 100-year history. Nearly 125,000 people voted, and the Camaro edged out the 1970 Chevelle SS in the final round of the four-round elimination contest.

Chevy design director Tom Peters agrees with the verdict: "Today, the '69 Camaro has become one of the best examples of timeless design in the industry.

"Like the very best designs, the Camaro is much more than just a machine because it evokes powerful emotions in people of all ages," Peters said. "That's why we looked to the '69 for inspiration when designing the fifth-generation Camaro and why the '69 Camaro is an example of the timeless vehicles Chevrolet will strive to deliver for the next 100 years."


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Friday, September 16, 2011

1967 Camaro - A Legend is Born - Steve's Camaro Parts San Bruno, CA


The mid 1960's were an exciting in the world of American automotive production. The emergence of the muscle car was in full swing. With the introduction of the Ford Mustang in late 1964 the country was ripe for the muscle and Chevy was right there hitting the mark with the brand new Camaro. There are few cars from this period in history that have as much wide spread recognition and fame as the 1967 Camaro. From casual observers to hard core gear heads on to professional car collectors the first generation Camaro instantly captured the hearts and minds of the American public.

Like many automotive model launches of the day Chevrolet really poured on the media and marketing. Perhaps taking a tip from it's biggest competitor the 1967 Camaro was the official pace car for the 1967 Indianapolis 500, very much like the Mustang was just a few years earlier. The Indy 500 promotion was a big one including dozens of special "Pace" cars specially made for race officials and celebrities to drive to promotions and events in the months leading up to the race. There was also a "Pacesetter" package that Chevy dealerships were able to create if they chose to.

Another big moment in the promotion of the 1967 Camaro turned out to be a first for the news media as well. For the first time ever, in the final days of June, 1966, a news conference was held live in 14 cites. This feat was accomplished by hooking up these cities together by telephone lines and had never been done before. Looking back this seems like child's play from today's standards but back in the 60's this was quite a marvel! In addition to this there was a six minute television promotion, on top of newspaper and radio ads, that let the American public know they were in for something special.

The name Camaro was figured to be a good choice by the folks at Chevy because nobody had any idea what the heck it meant! When the press asked some of the project managers what the name stood for they replied, "It's a small, vicious animal that east Mustangs." It was statements like that that really helped fuel the Mustang vs. Camaro rivalry which, arguably, worked out to more sales for both Ford and Chevy.

Like most brand new car models the 1967 Camaro has several features and quirks that are only seen on the first model year. These tell tale signs often quickly disappear as they are replaced with better or upgraded items in the second year of production. These are the tips that car enthusiasts and collectors live for. The first day the 1967 model was up for sale to the general public was September 29th, 1966.

Here are just a three things to remember at your next car auction or show that were unique to the 1967 Camaro�

- The 1967 model had both rear shocks mounted in front of the rear axle. This was changed to the more familiar staged set up (one in front and one behind) in 1968.

- Side vent windows only appeared on the '67 model.

- The VIN plate on the first year model was located on the door pillar and was later moved to the more standard dashboard location in '68.

It's at least arguable that the Camaro has seen more unofficial promotion than many of its competitors. There have been dozens of popular songs written about this car, not the least of which is everyone's' favorite "Bitchin Camaro" by the Dead Milkmen. Various years and models of the car have appeared in movies for decades although the most memorable is the 1967 Camaro featured in the 1985 John Cusack movie "Better Off Dead" which introduced a whole new generation to the fascination of the early years of this iconic car.

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Thursday, September 15, 2011

1968 Chevrolet Camaro convertible gets beautiful restoration - Steve's Camaro Parts San Bruno, CA

Back in the days when cars could be ordered to the buyer's specifications, a young college graduate in Iowa ordered a new 1968 Chevrolet Camaro convertible. The 21-year-old woman took delivery of her sassy Matador Red car on July 30, 1968 in Sioux City.

The happy owner set out in her Camaro in search of a teaching position in central California, where she drove her Camaro for almost a decade before taking it out of daily service.

The original 327-cubic-inch V-8 engine proved to be a lemon. It was replaced by a rock solid 350-cubic-inch V-8. Another decade passed, and when the owner's two daughters approached driving age, the car was revived and the three-speed manual transmission was replaced with an automatic transmission.

When the Camaro was 37 years old, in 2005, it was sold to a second owner who refurbished the convertible, replaced many of the well-worn parts, and resprayed it in the original color. Also added were power brakes and power steering, options that were available when the car was new.

By 2008, the Camaro was back in pristine condition with a new white convertible top and was offered for sale. That is when Mark Eitelgeorge learned of the car. Since 1980, he had longed for a first-generation Chevrolet Camaro.
As a teenager Eitelgeorge had worked three part-time jobs to save money for his first car. Back then he located a used Camaro for $1,000. The price was right, so early one afternoon he went to see the car. It looked great but he wanted his grandfather to give the car a once-over. By the time his grandfather was available later that afternoon the car had been sold. Eitelgeorge never forgot the disappointment he felt when he missed out on that first car.

The 1968 Camaro was located nearby, so Eitelgeorge, accompanied by his wife, Jeannie, went to investigate. "I didn't want a project car," he says. At first glance, he remembers, "She fell in love with it." He did, too. The automatic transmission had been removed and the original floor-mounted Saginaw manual transmission was replaced.

Eitelgeorge and his wife put the top down and took the 15-foot, 4.6-inch-long car for a test drive. "It drives as smooth as any new car," Eitelgeorge says. He purchased the car in May 2008.

Records show that Chevrolet manufactured 16,927 convertibles like Eitelgeorge's. He explains that his 3,295-pound Camaro is the standard, base model. It is not an RS or a SS upscale version. The base price when new was $3,148.55.
Nestled in the dashboard is the original AM radio with the traditional five pre-selected push buttons.

"The exact number of miles on the car is unknown," the third owner says, "but it is estimated to be about 100,000 miles." The speedometer can register speeds up to 120 mph. Eitelgeorge is confident that his Camaro can easily surpass 100 mph should the need ever arise.

With a four-barrel carburetor replacing the original two-barrel model, Eitelgeorge reports fuel economy of about 13 miles per gallon. "You don't buy a car like this with economy in mind," he explains. "This car is fun, fast and loud."
Refueling can be a challenge with the new anti-siphon nozzle pumps, the owner says. Driving in modern-day traffic without a right side mirror, the owner says, "takes some adjustment."

Eitelgeorge has contacted the original owner and she still has the original wheels, which he soon plans to install. It's another step toward originality that this 1968 Camaro convertible deserves.

By VERN PARKER

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Camaro History - Steve's Camaro Parts San Bruno, CA



The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in 1967 as a compact car specifically built to provide competition for the highly popular Ford Mustang. This pony car was built atop of the same F-Body platform as the Pontiac Firebird, which had a similar production lifespan of 1967 through 2002.

During the preproduction stages of the Chevrolet Camaro, General Motors codenamed the vehicle 'Panther'. The name 'Camaro' was decided upon before production began. The word 'Camaro' in French is slang for 'friend' but in pony-car slang, the name means 'Mustang killer'.

During its production lifespan, there were four generations produced. The first generation lasted from 1967 through 1969. The second generation lasted from 1972 through 1981. The third generation lasted from 1982 through 1992. The fourth generation lasted from 1993 through 2002. The fifth generation is believed to begin production in 2007; a concept was shown at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.

When the car was introduced in 1967, it was available in two bodystyles, a coupe and convertible. It shared many mechanics with the Chevrolet Nova and built atop a unibody chassis. The base engine was a 3.7 liter inline-six cylinder capable of producing 140 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a Saginaw three-speed manual gearbox. A Muncie four-speed manual and a two-speed PowerGlide automatic were offered as optional equipment. Near the end of 1967, a Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 became available on the SS396. In 1969 the TH350 was offered on the Camaro as optional equipment, in place of the PowerGlide which was no longer offered. 14 inch wheels were standard.

To compete in the pony-car arena, General Motors offered a 5.7 liter eight-cylinder engine in 1967 that produced nearly 300 horsepower.

The Camaro was highly customizable, with over seventy factory and forty dealer options available. the z28 option was not mentioned in the sales literature so many buyers were unaware of its existence. Due to the lack of press about the Z28 option, only 602 examples were produced. The package included many performance enhancements such as a 4.9 liter small-block engine, front disc brakes, Muncie 4-speed gearbox, suspension improvements, 15 inch Rallye wheels, and power steering. The aesthetics of the vehicle were segregated from the other Camaro's with racing stripes being placed on the hood. The Z28 package was offered by GM specifically to comply with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans Am racing series that required an engine size of five-liters or less. Also, the vehicle must be sold to the general public.

The SS (Super Sport) package included many performance and aesthetic upgrades and was popular with more than 34400 examples created. Under the hood was a 5.7 liter eight-cylinder engine with a 6.5 liter big-block offered as optional equipment in 1968. On the grille, horn button, and gas cap were SS badging. Non-functional air-inlets adorned the front hood.

The RS (Rally Sport) package was basically a cosmetic upgrade. The headlights were hidden, the taillights received minor alterations, and the exterior rocker trim was revised. RS badging could be seen throughout the vehicle. This was the most popular option ordered in 1967 with over 64840 examples produced.

The RS and SS packages could be ordered together, creating the RS/SS Camaro. The combination included both the aesthetics of the RS and the performance of the SS. A Camaro RS/SS convertible with a 6.5 liter engine paced the Indianapolis 500 race in 1967.

With over 220900 examples produced in 1967, the Camaro proved to General Motors that the public was starved for small, performance, pony-cars.

In 1968 the Camaro received minor aesthetic and mechanical improvements. Side market lights were added, the grille became more pointed, and the taillights were now segregated. The side vent windows were removed. Performance was improved slightly by the staggering of the shock absorbers. On some of the models, the single-leafs were replaced by multi-leaf springs.

Buyers became aware of the Z28 package in 1968 and ordered nearly 7200 examples. The RS continued to be the most popular option with 40977 examples produced. The SS accounted for 27884 of the 235147 total Camaro's produced in 1968.

For 1969 the Camaro became safer and faster. General Motors mandated that the Camaro could not come from the factory with engines larger than 6.6 liters. To bypass this rule dealerships such as Yenko Chevrolet, Dana Chevrolet, and Nickey Chevrolet offered the Camaro with the 7 liter, big-block, L-27 corvette engine producing 425 horsepower. These performance options became so popular that in 1969 Chevrolet began offering two Central Office Production Orders (COPO) options, numbers 9560 and 9561. The COPO 9561 option included the L-72 Corvette engine. In total, there were 1015 Camaros equipped with the L-72 Corvette engine.

The COPO 9560 option included a 7-liter, big-block, ZL-1 engine. The engine was constructed of aluminum to help reduce the overall weight. The engine was reported to have produced around 430 gross horsepower but in reality it was closer to 550. With only 69 examples produced it is one of the rarest and fastest of all Chevrolet Camaros.

Most of the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro mechanics remained unchanged. The aesthetics was a different story. The grille was redesigned and the headlights now sat farther back adding to the aggressive features of the car. Newly reshaped door, rear quarter panel, and rear valence gave the 1969 Camaro a smooth, low, and wide stance. The production of the 1969 Camaro, which continued into December of 1969, was the final year for the first generation Camaro.

The second generation Camaro began production near the middle of 1970. The body had been redesigned and the suspension was greatly improved. The rest of the mechanics remained mostly unchanged from the prior years. The biggest change was the base engine, which was now a 4.1 liter inline-six capable of producing 155 horsepower. There was no convertible option offered, only a 2+2 coupe configuration.

The big-block eight-cylinder had been bored to 402 cubic-inches but still retained its 396 badging. The Rally Sport, Super Sport, and Z28 packages were still available. The Z28 now featured a 5.7 liter engine that produced 360 horsepower.

1972 was not a good year for the Camaro. For 174 days production ceased at GM's assembly plant in Ohio due to a UAW strike. This resulted in 1100 Camaro's failing to meet 1973 Federal bumper safety standards. In total, only 68,656 examples were production. Less than a thousand were the SS package so General Motors decided to no longer offer the package after 1972. This meant the big-block 396 cubic-inch engine was no longer offered.

The Camaro, much like the rest of the industry, had to adapt to new government and insurance safety and emission regulations. This meant new safety features like larger bumpers needed to be affixed to the car that could protect the vehicle and its occupants at certain speeds. Engines were detuned to comply with safety and emission concerns. The cars became safer but their performance was seriously crippled. This was true for the Camaro in 1973 when its highest producing engine was a 350 cubic-inch V-8 that produced 245 horsepower.

New for 1973 was an LT option which included impact-absorbing bumpers. The Camaro grew in size in 1974 due to a forward sloping grille and new aluminum bumpers. Rectangular bumpers replaced the round taillight designs. Sales of the Z28 package continued to decline so the decision was made to discontinue the option after 1974.

Horsepower was measured in NET rather than gross rating beginning in 1975. This meant that the reported horsepower was much lower than in prior years. The 350 cubic-inch V8 was now rated at about 155 horsepower.

In 1977 the Z28 was re-introduced in an effort to revitalize the muscle-car persona of the Camaro. The base Camaro's were outfitted with air-conditioning and an automatic transmission. A Borg-Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual gearbox could be ordered as optional equipment.

1978 marked the first year for the T-top option on a Camaro. The Camaro was given larger taillights and new bumpers.

As vehicles became safer, they became slower. The public shifted from wanting performance to luxury. Oil embargos and rising fuel costs had made the engines smaller but more fuel efficient. For 1979 the LT package was replaced with a luxurious Berlinetta that included special wheels, paint, emblems, and interior.

1979 was a very strong year for Camaro sales with 282,571 examples being sold.

1980 and 1981 saw very few changes. The hood scope on the Z-28 was revised to help siphon air to the engine.

In 1981 sales were down considerable to just over 126,000. This would be the final year for the second generation Camaro.

In 1982 General Motors introduced the third generation of the Camaro. The vehicle was stylish and versatile, earning the coveted Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year. Both aesthetically and mechanically, the vehicle was improved. The suspension was upgraded making it more capable in the corners and at speed.

This was the first year the Camaro was equipped with a factory fuel-injected engine. A four-speed automatic gearbox replaced the three-speed unit. A five-speed manual gearbox was also available. Due to rising concerns of oil shortage, a four-cylinder engine was offered for part of 1982.

6000 examples of the Z28 Camaro were sold to commemorate the return of the pony-car to the Indianapolis 500. The special-edition vehicles were painted in two-tone silver and blue paint with orange pin-striping.

To honor the International Race of Champions, Chevrolet introduced the IROC-Z in 1985. The package included an improved suspension, decal package, and a 305 cubic-inch L98 Tuned Port Injection system borrowed from the Corvette. The IROC-Z was featured on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best List for 1985.

The L69 small-block engine was offered from 1983 through 1986. The LB9 small-block was introduced in 1985; the L98 small-block was introduced in 1987; the LO3 was introduced in 1988. The LB9, L98, and LO3 stayed in production until 1992.

1992 was the final year for the third generation Camaro. 1993 marked the beginning of the fourth generation which persisted until 2002.

New technology and material made the fourth generation greatly improved over the prior years. Weight was reduced with the use of plastic body panels sitting atop a steel space frame. Performance was increased thanks in part to a better suspension system. In 1993 Chevrolet offered the LT1 eight-cylinder engine, which had been in production for a year on the Corvette, on the Camaro. A six-speed manual gearbox was offered with the LT1 engine.

The Camaro returned to the Indianapolis 500 as the honorary pace car in 1993. To commemorate this historic accomplishment, Chevrolet offered a limited quantity of special edition Camaro's, painted in a black and white color scheme.

The design and mechanics remained mostly unchanged over the next few years. Minor revisions were made to comply with newly introduced emission standards. Mechanical changes were made to correct problems that had been found throughout the years.

In 1996 the RS package and the SS package were re-introduced. The RS was an appearance option for the six-cylinder Camaro's while the SS was both an appearance and performance package for the eight-cylinder cars.

1997 marked the 30th anniversary of the Camaro. A 30th Anniversary Package was offered to honor this accomplishment. The vehicles were painted white with orange stripes. 100 of the Anniversary Camaros were given the LT4 engine with 330 horsepower; a thirty-eight thousand dollar price tag accompanied the vehicle.

The interior of the Camaro was modernized in 1997 and again in 1998, although the 1998 improvements were minor in comparison to what transpired the prior year.

The body design was drastically changed in 1998, mainly in the front. Round headlights replaced the square design. The headlights were flush, inline with the rest of the body. A new grille and bumper were used, both positioned a little differently to mimic the headlight changes. A new powerful, lightweight, all-aluminum LS1 power-plant retired the LT1 unit. The OHV LS1 was borrowed from the Corvette and slightly detuned to produce just over 300 horsepower. To handle this extra power, the disc brakes were enlarged and the suspension was upgraded.

Total production for 1998 was 48490. This was disappointing for General Motors, especially with the newly revised body and powerful options. The lowest production year for the Camaro occurred in 2001 with just over 29000 examples being produced. This was due to low sales and production ceasing early to begin work on the 35th Anniversary 2002 cars.

2002 marked the final year for production of the fifth generation Camaro. The styling and mechanics were unmodified, carrying the same design from 1999.

A special 35th Anniversary Edition was offered and could be ordered on all trim levels and packages. The 35th Anniversary SS Camaro could only be ordered as a convertible or with T-Tops. Around 3000 examples of the 35th Anniversary Edition were created. Total production for the year was just over 42,000.

On August 27th, 2002 production ceased. The Camaro had accomplished its goal, to provide competition for the Ford Mustang and other compact, low-priced, sports cars. Outfitted with large, Corvette engines, matted to effective gearboxes and given great suspension and brakes, the Camaro was truly a performance machine that was capable and fun to drive. It was fairly practical with room for more than two passengers. It was economical with sticker-prices in the range that many could afford. The production of the Camaro has ceased, but its future has not yet been written. Expect to see this legendary vehicle on the roadways in the near future.


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Saturday, September 10, 2011

1969 Camaro SS stolen in Newark 36 years ago is recovered in Calif. - Steve's Camaro Parts

A classic muscle car stolen from New Jersey's largest city nearly 36 years ago has been recovered on the other side of the country.

A Santa Maria, Calif., man bought the 1969 Chevy Camaro SS from a seller on eBay in February. But Keith Williams told KSBY-TV he contacted the California Highway Patrol after certain features of the car didn't match the model.

Police discovered the vehicle was stolen in Newark on July 8, 1975.

The original owner, Janice Maffucci, told the TV station the car was stolen from the post office where her father worked. She can't believe the vehicle was recovered.

Maffucci says she plans on selling the car.

Police are tracing the registration in hopes of finding the thief.

Tags: camaro part, camaro parts, Camaro restoration parts, 69 camaro, 1969 camaro, aftermarket camero parts, chevrolet camaro, ss, z28, rs, chevrolet, restoration, 68 camaro, chevy, 67, 69, f-body, camaro, chevy camaro, chevrolet camaro, gm, z-28, 350, ls1, z/28, pace car, camaro ss, 69 camaro, first generation, copo, fbody, yenko, 67 camaro, 68 camaro, musclecar

Friday, September 9, 2011

What rear ends interchange with 1967-1969 Camaros - Steve's Camaro Parts

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    Specializing in 1967-1968-1969 Camaro Parts
    What rear ends interchange?
    with 1967-1969 Camaros
    What rear ends interchange?
    with 1967-1969 Camaros

     

    Q. What rear ends interchange with first generation 67-68-69 Camaros.
    A. Below is a list of rear ends that will interchange with first generation Camaros. If you are aware of any errors in this information please let us know
    Camaro 1967-69
    Firebird 1967-69
    Nova 1968-71
    Below are the basic measurements of first and second generation rear ends. The second generation rear end is 1" longer (1/2" on each side). A second generation rear end can be put under a first generation Camaro by moving the leaf spring mounts as you can see below they are different.
    1967-1969 Camaro
    1970-1981 Camaro
    Axle tube flange to Axle tube flange
    54 1/4"
    55 1/4"
    Between centerlines of spring seats
    42 7/16"
    45 3/8"
    Axle shaft length
    29 33/64"
    30 5/32"

    Thursday, September 8, 2011

    1967 - 1969 Camaro Emission Systems - Steve's Camaro Parts

    Camaro Emission Systems
    1969 System
    Three emission control systems are found on 1967 through 1969 Camaros:

    * The Air Injector Reactor (AIR) system pumped air into the exhaust manifold(s) to help complete the combustion process. The AIR system consisted of the air injection pump (aka smog pump), a fuel mixture control valve (1967) or an air diverter valve (1968-9), check valves, air manifold assembly, and air injection tubes (one per cylinder).
    * The Controlled Combustion System (CCS) was introduced in 1968 and was used on cars that did not receive the AIR system. CCS improved combustion efficiency via recalibrated carburetor and distributor settings and higher operating temperatures (compared to 1967). The higher operating temperatures were accomplished by using a 195°F coolant thermostat (instead of 180°F) and the use of a thermostatically controlled air cleaner (ThermAC). The ThermAC system was designed to warm intake air to 100°F when underhood temperatures were less than 100°F. It consisted of a damper door mounted on the snorkel of the air cleaner which directed warm air from a heat stove on the exhaust manifold into the air cleaner.
    * The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system utilized manifold vacuum to draw crankcase vapors into the engine to be burned. Filtered air was drawn through the engine, through the PCV valve, and into the intake manifold.


    General Application

    In 1967 (as in 1966), emissions equipment was required only on cars sold in California. The California cars were fitted with an AIR system (Regular Production Option (RPO) K19), and the PCV system (RPO K24). All engines equipped with K19 had unique engine codes due to the required holes in the exhaust manifold(s). Also, the L26 (230 ci L6) engines with K19 used a different distributor and the L30 (327 / 275hp) engines with K19 had a different initial timing. Note that smog equipment was not required on cars built in California but intended for sale in other states.
















    In 1968 and 1969, the California and federal emissions requirements were the same and all cars were built to the same 50-state standard. The AIR system was installed on all L6 cars with manual transmissions, all small blocks with manual transmissions, and all Camaros with big blocks. (Chevelles and full-size cars with the 396/325hp engine and TH400 transmission were the only 68-69 big block cars to not have smog pumps.) Only the automatic L6 and automatic small block Camaros did not have smog pumps, instead they had the simpler Controlled Combustion System. Generally speaking, an automatic car required less aggressive emission control than a manual transmission car because the engine load (and carburetor fuel metering consistency) was more stable and predictable.
    In 1968, vehicles exported to Canada and other countries did not require the AIR system. RPO KD1 was used to delete the system (if it would have been so equipped otherwise) and 1/4"-18 NPSF straight pipe thread plugs were installed in the manifolds. It is unknown if a credit was issued on the Canadian window stickers for this delete. The Controlled Combustion System was still installed on the exported L6 automatic and small block automatic cars.

    In 1969, Canadian cars used the same emission controls as U.S. cars.

    PCV became standard on all Chevrolets in 1968 and is still used today on all cars.
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    Friday, September 2, 2011

    First Annual Texas Camaro5 Meet - Steve's Camaro Parts


    According to General Motors, 6 of the top 10 Dealerships in 5th Gen Camaro Sales are located in the Lone Star State, so it’s only fitting to throw a Texas-Sized Camaro bash to celebrate America’s favorite modern muscle car. This past weekend the streets of Austin, Texas were filled with F-bodies as over 50 Fifth Generation Camaros rolled into town for the first ever Texas-Wide Camaro5 Meet. Camaro owners from all over the great state of Texas converged onto the capital city to take part in the largest documented gathering of individually owned 5th Gen Camaros to date. Camaro clubs from Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, and of course Austin, were all well represented, as well as many small towns all along the way.

    The event was kicked off with a Meet-and-Greet at The Oasis on Lake Travis, where organizers say that approximately 51 Camaros were parked together, gleaming under the hot Texas sun. Needless to say, the 5th Gens attracted more than a little attention. After lunch, the participants made a short scenic cruise through the Texas Hill-Country back in to downtown Austin for a photo shoot.



    So, the 1st Annual Texas-Wide Camaro5 Meet is in the books for 2011, and by all accounts it was a great success. If you’re a Texan and missed out on the meet, don’t worry because the Camaro5 crew plans to make this a yearly event. With the ranks of Camaro owners and the popularity of the 5th Gen growing every day, positive enthusiast events like this should only continue to grow as well.
    Camaro5 member Jose Lugo, from Temple, Texas, left us with these thoughts; “The Texas-Wide Camaro event was more than just a meet. It gave us the chance to match faces with names, and gave us the opportunity to interact with other fellow Camaro owners who love and enjoy their cars as much as I do.”

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