My 1997 Camaro: Top Swap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MattStrike]

Some of you may have been following my thread in the lounge, but once I get everything situated next weekend I'll get more pictures. In the meantime, here it is!



3800, T5, T-tops, rust free. Runs and drives good. Needs a few things, like switches, fuses, light bulbs, and a deep cleaning. And of course, there are some stickers that need to be removed, radio needs to be replaced, and somebody thought a Hurst shifter was a good idea.

But looking forward to having this thing around for a while. Look forward to some hillbilly delete and other appearance improvements soon.

[PRD2BDF]

I give you three days before the motor is out for modding

[CMNTMXR57]

I was just gonna say, I sense a V8/T56 swap here shortly.

[MattStrike]

First on the list is a new shifter boot and knob. Crazy fun awesomeness will have to wait until my other daily drivers are daily drivable.

[repinS]

so 90's, so awesome!

[crash93ssei]

Needs a trip up here for a date with HD Speed

[nos4blood70]

Awesome. Now fab up a true dual set up so we can all listen to this amazingness…. A cam would help too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hkf792vC1A

[Hotwheels]

Sweet! I have always loved that color and wheels on that body style. 3800, 5 speed, and T-tops should prove to be a fun combo and easy on the wallet too.

[ga93sle]

Love the bodystyle and the color, looks very clean.

[MattStrike]

Thanks!



So I need to replace the shifter boot(s) and knob but none of the OE parts are left, not sure how the original parts fit there and what's all missing. The center console looks like there was some sort of bezel that retained the fabric boot to the console? Or is there just some metal ring on the fabric? I assume there is supposed to be a rubber boot under the fabric boot, what's there now is the Hurst rubber boot (which doesn't fit in the center console and bangs around during shifting).

Also, any recommendation on a shorter shifter rod/knob setup (or places to not look...)?

[Saturn Simon]

Looks in terrific condition for its age. Nice car!

[MattStrike]

Replacement OE shift boot (rubber lower boot) is in the mail, along with a RedLineGoods leather shift boot and retaining bezel, and a new shift knob. That gets the biggest hillbilly issue sorted out, and will keep the interior from sucking in dust like a vacuum.

Goal for this weekend is to fix an exhaust leak, clean the interior up, hillbilly tint delete, sticker delete, and get some pictures.

[MattStrike]

So one thing that's going to bother the carp out of me is the wiper blades. Previous owner had put some 'dual blade' wipers on, Ryan knows what I'm talking about, so apparently there is a specific 4th gen Camaro/Firebird wiper blade and any other wiper blade won't really work.

I wanted to put one of the more modern beam blade wipers on, but sounds like they don't work...

[MattStrike]

Had some one-on-one time with the Camaro today. Replaced the trans mount, finished getting all the light bulbs replaced, new belt, changed the last burnt-out light bulb.

Then we took the car out for a cruise!

[00Beast]

So how's the mullet coming?

[Sirius]

Couple that with a molestache and you'll really have something.

[nos4blood70]

Lookin' good so far, Matt. Appears to be well cared for.

[MattStrike]

What's a mullet? I think I'm missing a pair of cylinders for that anyway.

[ga93sle]

No V8 needed, but you do have to cut the sleeves off of all your shirts...

[MattStrike]

This weekend I fixed the exhaust leak, converted the headlamps to use the 9005/9006 bulbs and put new springs on the adjusters so they hold the adjustment. Also installed a radio only to find the speakers are so crappy it's just as bad as not having a radio. I came across a good deal on a set of salad shooters too.