Time???

madmax

Time seems to be very hard to come by these days. Seems like you can never win. For example: My Camaro gets about 500 miles a year on it. The starter was showing signs of wearing out so I spent a day getting it running, tried to replace myself but just couldn't quite get it out. So, two days ago I finally broke down and took it to a shop. They replaced it and all seemed fine. Yesterday I took it for a ride and when I shut it off at the supermarket it wouldn't start again. After playing with it for an hour I decided to walk home and get my truck. 6 miles took me about 2 1/2 hours. By the time I got home it was maybe 10:00 and I was beat. This morning I took a voltmeter and some test leads and found the solenoid was getting no voltage. I ended up making a long probe out of a coat hanger, wrapped tape around it and connected it to the battery with a wire. I was able to reach down to the starter solenoid connection under the engine and finally got it to start. So now, after waiting for a taxi for an hour I finally get to work around 2:00. Now I'm beat and I still have to get the thing fixed... Man, I got other things to do!!! :mad:

madmax

audiobliss

Wow. That's a story. What kind of Camaro do you have?

beardog03

Damn the luck..!
Take it back to the guy that fixed it, and tell him to fix it right....

BIZILL

i'm beginning to dislike camaros. welp, maybe if i kept up on mine, all would be better.

bobman1235

Cars are the devil. They take your time and money. Yet they're so damned fun

PolkThug

I know how you feel, my car is taking about 99% of my free time... I haven't even watched the EpIII DVD yet.

BIZILL

hey thug, you're the one building up your stang, yes? install a 5.1 dvd system in there so you can watch epIII while you do your other upgrades.......

madmax

My Camaro is a 91 1LE 5.7 liter which was factory built for SCCA racing. No AC, no power windows or locks, no fog lights, no original radio, black exterior. It also came original with upgraded suspension over the Z-28, fuel tank baffles, special shocks etc.

Let me tell you, a black car with no AC and leather seats is NOT good for hot summer days...

BD, the guy fixed it properly, this was a different failure.

In 1990 they only made 43 1LE's total (both 5L and 5.7L) and in 91 they made 40 1LE's with the 5.7 liter and automatic so it is quite rare. Right now it has 23K miles on it. Most of those miles were to and from the race tracks with the previous owners.

Mine is mostly original except for engine modifications and an added radio sold by GM at the time. Oh, and an alarm system with remote start and light weight power window motors and door locks. Some stuff you just need. Three Camaro club members had it before me and each one dumped tons of money in the engine. It's a blast for sure.

madmax

BlueMDPicker

cell phone + call to friend = time

Some of us are close enough to save you a 2 1/2 hour walk.

beardog03

he does have a point there bro...!!

PolkThug

audiobliss wrote:

Wow. That's a story. What kind of Camaro do you have?

Here's Max doin a burnout in his Camaro!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-401571584051618894&q=camaro

audiobliss

Oooh, that's a nice sounding Camaro. (Well, I can't really hear it...) I've never heard of the 1LE before; I"ll have to look into that. Did GM only make them in 1990 and 1991, making for a total of only 83 1LE cars?

Now, wait...do I understand that your car is an...:eek: automatic...?

Still sounds pretty nice.

audiobliss

Good one, PT! I can't believe he shut off the engine so abruptly after having it revved like that for so long.

reeltrouble1

Max,

Sounds like one sweet ride. I really think the Camaro captured the heart of the average American like no other American sports car. The stangs are very close but the original IROC series just seemed to put them over the top.

RT1

madmax

They made them for many years, even into the new body style. They were standard street rides except for the first 3 years. I can't remember the total numbers as it's been a few years since I last read my camaro books but it was something like 5 the first year in 89, 40 the second year in 90, 700 something the third year in 91. The third year is when someone let the cat out of the bag and some of the real enthusiasts found out how to order one. After that 1LE was listed as an everyday option and had nothing to do with factory racing.

The first three years the option of 1LE could not be ordered. You had to know to order the fog light delete, radio delete and AC delete and some other things I forget and it would trigger the racing version. It was not their goal to sell to the public. I think the numbers shot up to several thousand in 92 when they made it an orderable option. Of course for the general public no ac, tough suspension etc just didn't cut it so all that extra weight was added back in and the aluminum drive shaft, baffles, etc all went away. After all, most people want a car they can actually drive without making them sick from the heat and vibrations. For me, I just drive on cool days and not very far. I do it REALLY fast though.

Mike,
I didn't mind the long walk. It was perfect walking weather and I needed the exercise anyway. Thanks for the offer though. I used to go out a few times a year for a long hike. It was fun for the first 5 miles. That last one was pretty long though...

madmax

audiobliss

So was the 1LE option available up until the last Camaro? And if they went back to the aluminum driveshaft, omitted the gas tank baffles, and added back in all the weight, what did the 1LE package do?

Driver

Thats One Sure Way Of Getting Rid Of Those Tyres

PolkThug

BIZILL wrote:

hey thug, you're the one building up your stang, yes? install a 5.1 dvd system in there so you can watch epIII while you do your other upgrades.......

It will be a 4.2 DVD system, I've already got all the stuff (don't wanna cut the dash for a center channel).

Its a last priority though.

Current progress:

aaharvel

I've gone the way of puss when it comes to my car. I sold my A4 last month and bought a 93 camry. I'm putting the rest of my money towards paying off my college loan. It's worth it. I hardly drive anymore anyway.

audiobliss

:eek:

Tough move, there; but like you said, it's worth it. Smart choice. What year was your A4?

aaharvel

'02.
6speed
3ltr, quattro

audiobliss

Man. Fun car. More fun being debt free, though.

Polk addict

Hey Max,
riding a bicycle helps me, its really quite peaceful unless you take a crowded trail. Try that too.

beardog03

Thug..

That`s one bad **** ride bro..

madmax

audiobliss wrote:

So was the 1LE option available up until the last Camaro? And if they went back to the aluminum driveshaft, omitted the gas tank baffles, and added back in all the weight, what did the 1LE package do?

Truthfully, I stopped watching after about 93 because it looked like any other option. There were some perks but it was not a day and night difference. The breaking power is probably the most important thing that was retained in the later cars. Remember, the reason behind them is to speed up VERY quickly and to slow down even quicker to make the curves.

Not putting down anything beyond 91, it's just that they weren't going for a balls to the wall racing vehicle after that. Sit in mine for a few miles and you will be hurting. Not everyone wants that for good reason. Its good to feel the road but who wants to be pelted with every peeble from here to the next town. Talk about a "toy". I won't be giving it up anytime soon though.

BTW, here are a few pics. Looks pretty much like any other camaro doesn't it? This one is my baby.
madmax

madmax

audiobliss wrote:

So was the 1LE option available up until the last Camaro? And if they went back to the aluminum driveshaft, omitted the gas tank baffles, and added back in all the weight, what did the 1LE package do?

Truthfully, I stopped watching after about 93 because it looked like any other option. There were some perks but it was not a day and night difference. The braking power is probably the most important thing that was retained in the later cars. Remember, the reason behind them is to speed up VERY quickly and to slow down even quicker to make the curves.

Not putting down anything beyond 91, it's just that they weren't going for a balls to the wall racing vehicle after that. Sit in mine for a few miles and you will be hurting. Not everyone wants that for good reason. Its good to feel the road but who wants to be pelted with every peeble from here to the next town. Talk about a "toy". I won't be giving it up anytime soon though.

BTW, here are a few pics. Looks pretty much like any other camaro doesn't it? This one is my baby.
madmax

audiobliss

All I can say is wow. You (and the previous owners) have taken great care of that car. It looks awesome. And I can only imagine how fun it is to drive it!

Polk addict

OH yeah, looks almost brand new!

madmax

Much the same as the previous owners I have dedicated as much energy as it takes to keep it new looking. So, what does that take? There are a few rules to go by.
1. Car never leaves driveway unless it is totally spotless, polished, shined and everything looks as if it were new.
2. Car has never been driven in the rain. It never will be. If driven to work and it starts raining, well, plan to stay the night.
3. Oil and all other fluids will be changed after 1 year or 500 miles of use, whichever comes first. So far, after 1 year all fluids are changed.
4. Cleaning, after every few trips, out comes the power washer. Most of the cleaning time is spent on the underside. It is power washed, after jacking up a good sponge cleaning is done and then rinsed. I can't tell you how many times the neighbors have stood in awe as I am laying in the mud spunge cleaning the underneath. Somehow it just doesn't seem right. Kinda like the guy picking up **** from his french poodle and putting it in a bag.
5. Never run the car in less than absolutely perfect weather conditions. For example, the windshield wipers, window cleaning dispenser and heater have been removed for weight reduction. After all, none of them will ever be needed. I found out that headlights are mandatory to have installed even when driving during the daytime as a policeman informed me quite sternly.


A quick funny story. When I first looked at it I had a perfectly good Iroc Z28 with no problems. I only went for a test drive because my friend said I really needed to see it. So, as I get in the guy sees me reaching for the seatbelt. He told me we would die if we hit something anyway so please don't put my grimey hands on his belts. After a little story I figured out that his wife does the same thing and it really annoyed him. Well, after a mindblowing 50 miles through the busy highways of Springfield VA in access of 140 mph the guy pulled in his driveway and asked me if I wanted it. I had very little money and told him so. His wife was there. He asked me what I was willing to pay and sheepishly I gave him the amount I had. Less than half of what he wanted. After all, I wasn't really there to buy it. His wife very forcefully told him he was going to either take the offer right there and then or she was gone. I truthfully thought he was going to say "Sorry", but he took the offer and sold me the car. All the way home I kept thinking, "damn, I would have kept the car"...
madmax

Polk addict

I know what you mean. Sounds like me and keeping dust off my sub. :rolleyes:

brettw22

I had an '85 Z28 and swore off Chevy ANYthing from then on. POS, money suckin, happiness draining **** of a machine.........