How's everyone doing? My name is Marshall and I have a 1978 Camaro that I'm looking to do some work on this summer. I've narrowed my performance mods to three options:
-I could go with a new intake, carb, air cleaner, and all assorted fuel lines and linkages
-I could go with a new set of cheap front brake calipers, maybe rotors if I can get a deal
-Or I could go with a suspension setup including Hotchkis Springs and swaybars

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to keep this under 7 or 8 hundred.

Here is the car I'm starting with:
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr132/1978-CAMARO-KID/SDC10029.jpg
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr132/1978-CAMARO-KID/SDC10030.jpg

Rebuilt calipers are not much money. Around here they sell for around $60 exchange. That should still leave plenty for the other mods like #1 on your list. I'd certainly go for safe braking over anything else first!
I doubt you could go with the suspension setup and not be over the 700-800 budget alone.

Cheap and brakes are not two words you want to associate together. We are talking about human lives here, if they fail. I say start with a brake upgrade and go from there.

What is wrong with your current brakes?

"suspension setup including Hotchkis Springs and swaybars" for "under 7 or 8 hundred" is going to be tough

What "intake, carb, air cleaner" does it have now For that matter, what engine?

Search in the suspension and brake forum for the 1LE conversion to see how to improve braking for not too much money. Once you have that taken care of, go here and check out the suspension kits. Dave is a site sponsor and will get you better components for less than Hotchkis.

http://www.pro-touringf-body.com/suspension_kits.html

Welcome to the board! Very nice Camaro you've got.

ALWAYS FIX THE BRAKES FIRST. And by that I mean get at least get the stock setup functioning properly, not an aftermarket high performance setup. You NEED properly functioning brakes or you might end up with a Camaro that doesn't look so nice, if you ever get to see it again after returning from the hospital. Like was said above, a rebuilt set of calipers is cheap, ditto fresh pads. And don't forget to check the condition of the front rubber brake flex lines while you're under there. Rotors can be turned down true again if they have enough metal left (there's usually a minimum thickness spec cast into them somewhere- if not, your local brake shop has the spec in a book). And don't forget to check the condition of the rear drum brakes, including making sure the self-adjuster wheel is working.

When starting with a new car I always FIX in the following order (what I upgrade for performance can vary- this is just the order that things get repaired back to factory-correct performance before I drive it):

1. Brakes (and make sure the brake lights work, too! You don't want to get rear ended!)
2. Steering and suspension
3. Cooling system (an overheating car is miserable to drive around in)

Once all that is fixed back to at least stock specs and the car is a reliable driver it's OK to start modifying and upgrading as you see fit.

Ditto on what Damon said.

I upgraded my engine/transmission first and now im stuck with a car that has plenty of power and can't stop or go in straight line without tons of steering wheel correction.
So now im back to basics.

Replaced disc, pads, hoses and lines and master.
Shocks, spring and the whole front end.
When im done, it should drive like new.

A lot of guys are running stock or near stock stuff. The stock brakes are fine, if in good new working condition, replace the soft brake lines (Preferably braided stainless steal lines, better pedal and safer IMO). Hunt through the Junk yards for some better sway bars, best bet would be looking at the Firebirds, T/A's to be specific. the sway bars from second gen Camaro's and Firebirds will interchange, the firebirds can tend to be bigger.

What is wrong with your current brakes?

"suspension setup including Hotchkis Springs and swaybars" for "under 7 or 8 hundred" is going to be tough

What "intake, carb, air cleaner" does it have now For that matter, what engine?

Current brakes are the originals and just feel a little too weak for me to feel safe. I was looking at some simple Wilwood Dynalite calipers on Summit that didn't cost too much. I've also been doing research on what others are using, but there are so many options. My main problem is that the brakes have to fit under my original Cragars, so I can't go too big.

I should have been more clear on the suspension, I meant to say Hotchkis Front Springs and GENII sway bars, but I also know of someone trying to sell an Eibach sway bar. I suppose it sounded like a meant I would be getting a TVS setup from Hotchkis, nope.

I was looking at an Edelbrock Performer EPS Intake, Performer Carb 600 CFM with a manual choke, and simple 14 in. Air Cleaner. As of now it has the stock components that accompanied the...305 :(. I wasn't trying to turn my 305 into a performance engine, I simply wanted to make it run more efficiently.

I wouldn't spend any money on the 305. Get the rest of the car ready for an engine upgrade later. Brakes, suspension, transmission, rear end probably in that order should keep you busy and broke for a while.

Brakes are VERY important so do them first.

Then buy good suspension parts. IMHO, after the bad experience with buying catalog rear leaf springs that didn't fit, I would prefer you buy the rear leaf springs from a local spring shop especially if they've been in businness as long as Triple Cites Spring in Binghamton, NY.

As for building up the 305, it's probably a waste of good money IF you can acquire a 350 for it. If you can't find a 350 to build, then by all means, it won't hurt the engine if you put a new cam & lifters in it plus add an aftermarket aluminum intake and a new carburetor to it.

Current brakes are the originals and just feel a little too weak for me to feel safe. I was looking at some simple Wilwood Dynalite calipers on Summit that didn't cost too much. I've also been doing research on what others are using, but there are so many options. My main problem is that the brakes have to fit under my original Cragars, so I can't go too big.

I should have been more clear on the suspension, I meant to say Hotchkis Front Springs and GENII sway bars, but I also know of someone trying to sell an Eibach sway bar. I suppose it sounded like a meant I would be getting a TVS setup from Hotchkis, nope.

I was looking at an Edelbrock Performer EPS Intake, Performer Carb 600 CFM with a manual choke, and simple 14 in. Air Cleaner. As of now it has the stock components that accompanied the...305 :(. I wasn't trying to turn my 305 into a performance engine, I simply wanted to make it run more efficiently.

What do you mean they feel weak? Are they bad or are you comparing it to something much newer?

With 15" wheels IMO fix the stock brakes and use better pads & shoes. 15" tires are a soft spot anyway (those are 15s right?). Dynalites are for lightened drag cars I think, but I'd have to look, and you might be into new MC, PV, all of it. You’d blow that $800 budget out the window for little if any gain. You could get the new Wilwood D52 replacement calipers, or SSBC has D52 replacement calipers too.

Suspension - Call Keith: http://www.customworksproducts.com/6401.html

If the 305 ain't broke don't fix it. Save your $$ for a nice 350. That’s just me.

Your $800 spending limit is tight, choose wisely.

Nice ride you have there and welcome Marshall.

What do you mean they feel weak? Are they bad or are you comparing it to something much newer?

With 15" wheels IMO fix the stock brakes and use better pads & shoes. 15" tires are a soft spot anyway (those are 15s right?). Dynalites are for lightened drag cars I think, but I'd have to look, and you might be into new MC, PV, all of it. You’d blow that $800 budget out the window for little if any gain. You could get the new Wilwood D52 replacement calipers, or SSBC has D52 replacement calipers too.

Suspension - Call Keith: http://www.customworksproducts.com/6401.html

If the 305 ain't broke don't fix it. Save your $$ for a nice 350. That’s just me.

Your $800 spending limit is tight, choose wisely.

Well Bonzo, the brakes are sufficient for just cruising around, but in case of any sudden need to stop, i would be in trouble. A year ago there was a four car pileup that occured right in front of me, I slammed on the brakes and fishtailed out of control. The car could have been totaled but I missed the crash by a foot or less. I would just like to have a safer setup, which would make me feel better about driving the car around.

I had a feeling the Dynalites were for drag cars, but I need to check.

I've definitely decided to go with brakes though. My good friend has an aunt who works at a dealership who should be able to get me a 30 to 50 percent discount, which means I can get some nicer parts.

Thanks to everyone for their input, I'll keep ya'll posted on the brake progress, I might even post it in my progress thread which I haven't touched in a long time....

Welcome Marshall, nice ride you got there.

I rebuilt my brakes with mostly stock parts (rebuilt calipers, MC, turned rotors & drums), put in stainless hardlines, upgraded to Russell braided hoses and Hawks front pads w/stock rear shoes. Made for a decent improvement over stock and didn't cost a whole lot.

Good luck.

I wouldn't spend ANYTHING YET on that car with only $800 and a 305.
What I would do is write down how much it's going to cost to get the car where you want it.
Then start deciding which engine is best for your goals......HP, MPG, etc.
Then worry about brake upgrades, and suspension upgrades AFTER that is done.

If you absolutely MUST keep that 305.....heads gotta go.
There's a few articles here on how to get the 305 up in power.
I personally think it's easier to start with a 350.......my first choice is LSX powered personally.

Heads - EngineQuest replacement Vortec castings. Machined 1.94 / 1.50
Shavers Specialty Service at approx $225 ea for bare castings, milled at 0.030
Cam - COMPXE268H 224/230-degrees
Intake - Edelbrock Performer RPM Airgap (Vortec)
Carb - 650-cfm Speed Demon

Under Dyno Conditions 372 hp

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/0667_phrs_305_chevy_engine_blocks/index.html

Welcome Marshall, nice ride you got there.

I rebuilt my brakes with mostly stock parts (rebuilt calipers, MC, turned rotors & drums), put in stainless hardlines, upgraded to Russell braided hoses and Hawks front pads w/stock rear shoes. Made for a decent improvement over stock and didn't cost a whole lot.

Good luck.

that is a fine set up, that is probably the best budget set up you are gonna find. plus its real easy to get rotors/calipers/pads/exc later on when you need to do a brake job. every autoparts store has those parts, the Hawk pads a great, what i run, but its probably easier to order 'em online.

I wouldn't spend ANYTHING YET on that car with only $800 and a 305.
What I would do is write down how much it's going to cost to get the car where you want it.
Then start deciding which engine is best for your goals......HP, MPG, etc.
Then worry about brake upgrades, and suspension upgrades AFTER that is done.

If you absolutely MUST keep that 305.....heads gotta go.
There's a few articles here on how to get the 305 up in power.
I personally think it's easier to start with a 350.......my first choice is LSX powered personally.



http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/0667_phrs_305_chevy_engine_blocks/index.html

Aceshigh, thanks for the comments. I'm definitely not keeping the 305, and LSX is my first choice, but the engine is on hold til at least a year or two from now. And by the way, your car is easily one of my favorites and I love the GTO motor.

Here is my proposed parts list as of now, let me know what ya'll think

As Bonzo suggested, I really like these Wilwood D52 calipers:
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr132/1978-CAMARO-KID/Camaro%20Parts/WilwoodBrakesD52.jpg

Wilwood Tandem Master Cylinder, will this be a noticable improvement over stock?
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr132/1978-CAMARO-KID/Camaro%20Parts/WilwoodTandemMasterCylinder.jpg

StopTech slotted, drilled, and vented rotors:
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr132/1978-CAMARO-KID/Camaro%20Parts/StopTechBrakeRotor.jpg

And I might have enough spare change for the Hotchkis Springs:
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr132/1978-CAMARO-KID/Camaro%20Parts/HotchkisFrontSprings.jpg

So let me know what ya think, whether I've made terrible decisions or not so bad decisions :) Thanks

78 Camaro Kid......It all depends on you your cash flow, time, skills and resources.. Some will plan the whole project and then implement. Some will buy new parts have have others bolt them on. Some will fabricate and trawl junk yards...

Regardless of opinions from "take it a apart and put it on a rotisserie" to "bolt on bits from the local breakers" I would do it "your" way. If you make mistakes, you gain experience.

Personally I have found over the years I prefer to do the best I can at any given time. So in your case...wait save do the full TVS. Enjoy chucking it into corners etc. Wait, save, do the Baer brakes. Enjoy looking at them thru the wheels, oh and stopping... Wait, save, do the 434...annoy neighbours and get speeding tickets.....Wait save add a few turbo's or Prochargers... you get the picture..... Using branded parts allows for better resale should you crash, burn it, have kids, or just give up at some stage..It's all about the journey.

slamming on the brakes and fishtailing is just how it used to be before antilock brakes. You can't do that, you have to pump it. I am personally going to repair my brakes to factory specs. I'll worry about fancy stuff another time. New rotors, calipers, all lines, stainless hoses and wheel bearings and dust caps while I am in there. I've got a long way to go to get where I can drive the car though. I still would just get the brakes good for stock use first though, you can probably do it for less than $200 even getting the stainless hoses. Calipers are $13 at autozone with a core charge. Then go for some sway bars start replacing bushings here and there. As for an engine, I am still way out on a limb here and don't really know which direction I am going to go yet. I am going to be getting another job soon, so I just may end up looking for a big block that someone wants to get rid of half way through a rebuild or something.