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Will ethanol hurt your Chevy Camaro?

October 3, 2008

Chevy Camaro
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When filling your Chevy Camaro up you may have noticed a sticker on the gas pumps that says “Gasolines May Contain Bio-Based Oxygenators (Ethanol).” This just means you are getting E10 ethanol gas. Additionally you may have even noticed a sticker saying “By New Federal Law all Gas Blends contain up to 10% Ethanol.” If you have rebuilt the fuel system in your classic Chevy Camaro recently then you should have had few if any problems running it on E10 ethanol gas. If you have not rebuilt the fuel system on your classic Chevy Camaro then you may want to look into rebuilding it before running a lot of E10 ethanol gas. The use of E85 ethanol gas in your classic Chevy Camaro is not suggested at all unless it has been properly altered to run on flexible fuels.

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can be manufactured from maize (corn), sugar cane and other grains. Ethanol is used as an oxygenate in automotive fuels. It promotes clear burning and helps increase octane. One good thing (but in excess potentially a bad thing) it does is absorb water which means it will help prevent fuel lines from freezing and it will limit the corrosion caused by water in the tank. The ethanol in E10 is also a solvent that will loosen sludge, varnish and dirt that has built up in your fuel tank. It promotes clear burning and helps increase octane. One side effect of ethanol is that it absorbs water. This means it will help prevent fuel lines from freezing and help limit the corrosion caused by water in the tank.

There are two types of Ethanol fuels currently available in the US. One is comparatively safe for all Chevy Camaros and the other is not unless your Chevy Camaro particularly states it is designed to run on flexible fuels. The other type of ethanol blended gas is known as E85 which is 85% ethanol. E85 is not a safe choice for any Chevy Camaro unless it is designated as a “flexible-fuel” vehicle.

There are certain potential hazards and unwanted side effects associated with using E10 in your Chevy Camaro. Your vehicle will consume more gas especially if you use E85 which officially and generally stated by the ethanol industry as a 25% to 30% drop. The drop is contributed to the fact that ethanol contains less energy than gasoline even though ethanol has a higher natural octane number. The fact that it does help loosen sludge in your fuel tank can cause problems with clogged lines and filters as well as block carburetor jets and fuel injectors. Those loosened particles have to go somewhere after all.

Collectors of Chevy Camaros should be cautious when using ethanol based fuel in vehicles that will be stored for lengthy periods of time. The fact that ethanol can absorb some water is useful but there is a limit to what it will absorb. Ethanol saturated with sizable amounts of water will induce the ethanol and water to separate with the water settling on the bottom of the fuel tank where the pickup is located. Make sure, no matter what type of fuel is used, that if you are going to store your vehicle for a prolonged period of time that you take precautions. It is recommended to either completely empty your tank or fill it up full to help diminish possible damage to your fuel tank. Please be aware that there are many other factors involved in properly preparing a vehicle for storage other than just the fuel in the fuel tank. If you should decide to leave fuel in your fuel tank be sure to add some fuel stabilizer to it as well.

Another possible serious issue with ethanol is that it can be incompatible with older rubber compounds. Also in higher concentrations it can bring about corrosion to aluminum and steel which is a part of older Chevy Camaro fuel systems.

If it as been longer than 10 to 15 years since your Chevy Camaro has been rebuilt/restored you should really think about replacing all gaskets, seals and rubber fuel lines. Also gas filters or screens should be replaced or at the very least cleaned. It would also be a good idea to pull the fuel tank, drain it and clean it out to remove dirt and sludge before the ethanol can loosen it up. This should absolutely be done before filling up and starting your Chevy Camaro if it has been sitting for an extended period of time whether it was prepared correctly or not. To battle corrosion you can use a gas tank sealer resistant to ethanol.

If your Chevy Camaro (or any vehicle) was built to run on leaded fuel and hasn’t had hardened valve seats installed you probably want to think of using an anti-valve seat recession additive no matter what fuel type you use these days. However, there has been considerable talk of whether hardened valve seats are really needed. Some have found that hardened valve seats aren’t essential for normal daily driving where the engine is not subjected to extreme heat. So unless you are drag racing, pulling a heavy load constantly (i.e., a truck towing a trailer), have a turbo charger or something similar that puts a lot of RPM’s and a lot of heat (like where the exhaust starts to get red, running lean EPA-style mixtures), then there was no big problem running unleaded in an engine without hardened seats.

E85 is a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gas. If your vehicle is not designated as a “flexible-fuel” automobile you should not use E85. If you run E85 in older automobiles (pre-1995 that are designed for gasoline) then your car may be severely damaged. It can cause damage to seals and hoses along with causing corrosion throughout the fuel system. It can also wash lubrication off the engine’s cylinder walls. The hydroxyl group on the ethanol molecule is an extremely weak acid, but it can enhance corrosion for some natural materials.

For ethanol contaminated with big amounts of water (i.e., approximately 11% water, 89% ethanol), considerable engine wear will occur. This wear is especially harsh during times while the engine is heating up to normal operating temperatures. Just after starting the engine low temperature partial combustion of the water-contaminated ethanol mixture takes place and causes engine wear. This wear, caused by water-contaminated E85, is the result of the combustion process of ethanol, water, and gasoline producing considerable amounts of formic acid (also known as methanoic acid). In addition to the production of formic acid occurring for water-contaminated E85, smaller amounts of acetaldehyde and acetic acid are also formed for water-contaminated ethanol combustion. Of these partial combustion products, formic acid is accountable for most of the rapid increase in engine wear.

Engines specially built for flexible fuels employ soft nitride coatings on their internal metal parts to deliver resistance to formic acid wear in the event of water contamination of E85 fuel. Also, the use of lubricant oil (motor oil) containing an acid neutralizer is essential to stave off the damage of oil-lubricated engine parts in the event of water contamination of fuel. Since older cars are not protected from formic acid the use of E85 is not supported.

About the Author:  For more Chevy Camaro information check out Chevy-Camaro.com

Chevy Camaro Parts Still Going Strong

June 13, 2008

Many people know that the Chevy Camaro was a very popular style of sports car. And along with the Corvette it was the only other muscle car that actually surpassed the twenty-first century. Today, these cars are still known for their outstanding performance and automotive dependability. By offering better engine horsepower and torque the Chevy Camaro is still going strong.

Chevy Camaro parts are easy to actually find. And, in some situations if you are actually looking for parts for older year models of the Chevy Camaro these can be found too. Sometimes through automotive dealerships, and in other cases a salvage yard is effective in finding the needed parts.

Most of the parts designed for the Chevy Camaro are similar in year makes however, they are not all exactly the same, and some of the parts essentially won’t work on various engines.

While many individuals and mechanics have modified some of the engines in the Camaro the concept of a good running engine remains the same. Nobody wants a vehicle that isn’t in the best possible running condition.

By using the parts that are designed for the Chevy Camaro an individual can be sure to have the best quality and high performance of an engine they want. Parts for the Camaro are easily installed in many situations too. For the most part the time it takes to install many of the parts isn’t considered as long as those vehicles that are made today in the sense of being computerized and other various problems.

Mechanics will tell you that in some instances used car parts are just as good as new car parts. It all depends on which parts are actually needed for the Chevy Camaro.

Quarter panels, hoods, bumpers, and parts of this nature can be used and certainly serve the purpose if they are in good condition. Even some engine parts such as a fuel pump, water pump, radiator, and other parts, can be used, and still be considered in good quality condition for your vehicle as well.

But now, as for the major parts such as air intake systems, manifolds, and other parts these are best if they are actually new. Purchasing these parts is easy to do and these parts are not hard to find.

An individual can actually go to a local automotive parts store of some kind and as long as you have the year and make of the Chevy Camaro then the salesperson can probably help you find exactly what you need. As far as pricing for the Chevy Camaro parts this will obviously vary depending on where you go and also the company you get the parts through. Going through auctions is another way of locating and purchasing Chevy Camaro parts although if you are actually purchasing parts that are unseen you should find out if there is some kind of warranty that comes with the purchase of the part. Just in case the part doesn’t work for some reason. By the time the last Chevy Camaro was made in 2002, the car had gone through some major changes in style and manufacturing.

There are essentially several different web sites via the Internet that are all about the Chevy Camaro. Some of these web sites offer historical views of the car while there are others that offer several details and information about the Chevy Camaro parts and how individuals can go about obtaining the parts they actually need.

Some of these web sites will ask for the year and make of the Chevy Camaro in an attempt to offer the best descriptions and details on the parts you are looking for. This allows you to find the exact match for a part via the Internet. Many of the web sites found via the Internet also have various Chevy Camaro parts available to be purchased through the web site via the Internet. Although there aren’t many of these web sites, the best thing to do is simply search for Chevy Camaro parts web sites and in the results you should find those that have parts for sale. In addition to these sites, it is important to remember that when you actually purchase a part via the Internet there is going to be additional shipping and handling fees associated with the original price of the part. Comparative shopping for Chevy Camaro parts is a good thing to do as well. If its possible to do, this will allow you to find the best part for the best possible price.

IROC Camaro Parts

June 11, 2008

IROC stands for International Race of Champions, which means IROC camaro parts have everything to do with the organization. The IROC auto parts are not specific to the camaro; however the camaro is one of the most popular racing cars in the circuit. The design offers fast movement with minimal gas use. There are several IROC camaro parts that could be needed in order to turn your camaro into a racing star.

The thing about IROC camaro parts is that they are expensive. The parts usually have to do with the engine and added exterior parts to help the car be more aerodynamic. Starting with the exterior IROC camaro parts that may need to be switched out include the steel headers, breaks dual exhaust system, and even the fuel injection system may need to be replaced. With IROC the parts are going to be made for the track. Made for the track means they are built to last at top speeds for the races as well as having the routine maintenance. Usually after each race the car is looked over and checked for diagnostic readouts to make sure that the car is running smoothly. Obviously this is to help eliminate accidents.

The steel headers are just part of what should be replaced for a race car. The steel headers offer more strength to the engine than the factory parts when going at top speeds.

Other IRCO camaro parts include things like the seats and seat belts. It is important that the pedals in the car also be improved. During a race the pedals need to be in a comfortable position with the metal style so the shoes don’t slip off. The rubber pedals in most cars don’t offer as much comfort. Going back to the seat belts, in race cars a five point harness is used to keep the driver protected. If you really want an IROC camaro this is what you should have.

There are plenty of IROC camaro parts to help create the race car of your dreams.

Camaro NOS Parts

June 10, 2008

Camaro NOS parts boost your car’s performance specifically for short bursts. This is the fastest way to get your Camaro large amounts of horse power in a short period of time. There are so many advantages to adding Camaro NOS parts to your car and a few disadvantages.

NOS stands for Nitrous Oxide System. It introduces the gas to your engine and allows it to burn fuel faster and cleaner. The gas used in NOS system is Nitrous oxide and it is made up of one part oxygen and two parts nitrogen. When it is introduced to the engine it heats up and releases the oxygen part to the fuel system. The extra oxygen makes burning fuel more efficient and more of that same fuel is used. That additional fuel burning is where the power comes from.

Camaro NOS parts help racers get an edge against the completion without putting their engines into harm. An experienced NOS technician can help set up the system correctly and the car itself will run better.

If properly set up it poses unique advantages. It increases the horse power on specified time periods only. The car using NOS will not use as much fuel helping to save a little money. NOS parts are designed to work on any car with minor adjustments.

It is also surprisingly safe. Nitrous oxide is not combustible and will not burn. It is its relationship fuel that enables it to work. The NOS system can be pushed without exploding or wrecking the car. Normally the sacrifice is in the pressure.

Things to remember when using NOS are that it is advisable to have an experienced NOS technician working on adding the system. Another thing is that after market chips that you buy must also be specifically designed for NOS used. The newer after market chips are designed for more aggressive driving, and thus could lead to possible trouble.

One of the parts you may need to replace are the NOS bolts. These are not very expensive. In fact they can be found on various sites for under $10. There are also some rare NOS parts that will be a little more expensive. NOS for the Camaro’s can include the smog pump adjuster braces, brackets, stickers, and even the oil fill tube. It is important that all NOS parts on the Camaro are going to be compatible, even when parts are replaced.

To replace parts a technician may still be needed, depending on the part. All other options can be done by the owner of the vehicle. For Camaro NOS parts it is best to research the systems out there before a purchase is made. The other thing to consider when purchasing NOS is that the extended warranty or car loan may be affected. Most car loans and warranty companies do not approve of certain aftermarket additions to a vehicle, especially if they are to improve the speed and possibly cause damage due to high speed and wrecks.

Camaro Mesh Wheels

June 9, 2008

Camaro mesh wheels are an accessory that can be bought for the 82 to 2002 Camaro. The mesh wheels are designed to give a sportier look to the vehicle, but not cause a problem for the tires or brakes of that vehicle. The Camaro mesh wheels are going to be a bit higher priced than the factory wheels or even others that can be found.

The mesh wheels are created with aluminum in a 2 piece or three piece design. They also allow for any type of break even when there are fitments. There is a maximum lip design to the wheel to offer the tire the most protection from road debris.

Most of the Camaro mesh wheels have the rivets to give the wheel more design as well as more spokes than a typical wheel. Care for these wheels is usually washing them with a specific solvent to keep the shine. They are placed on with 5 nuts.

In some cases the wheels, depending on the store, will offer alloy rather than the aluminum. When choosing wheels it is important to know the wheel base of the Camaro you have. Normally the wheels are going to be 20”.

There are different styles of the Camaro mesh wheels as well. Some of the mesh wheels have more spokes, while others have the five. The design is up to the owner of the vehicle and of course the price they are looking for.

Depending on the wheels you can spend anywhere from 100 to 1000 dollars per wheel. There are also racing wheels in the mesh. It is up to you to choose the type of wheel from alloy, aluminum, chrome, titanium and others. The mesh wheels can even come in black depending on the company chosen. Purchasing the wheels used is another option.

Camaro Aftermarket Parts

June 8, 2008

There are many Camaro aftermarket parts to get for any year of Camaro. To create a better looking sports car in the Camaro it’s important to know what options there are. For example the front end of the Camaro can be changed by offering a new grille, bumper or even hood. The Camaro aftermarket parts are going to enhance the car rather than detract from it.

Other options available in Camaro aftermarket parts include replacing fenders, adding new heater parts, scoops, spoilers, graphics, decals, accents, mirrors, and much more. Have you ever wanted t- tops or a sun roof in your Camaro, but at the time you could not afford them? Well if that is the case then think about aftermarket sun roofs or t- tops. With a little work done by you the owner, or by a professional, the sun roofs can be installed with little problem. There is some cutting to be done on the roof itself. Then the parts need to be installed so that they work properly. A mechanic is going to be the best person to make the sun roof or t- tops work properly.

To truly make a race car out of a Camaro consider NOS. NOS is definitely an aftermarket part that will allow the vehicle to move at higher speeds. Depending on the year of Camaro the parts needed may change. Again a qualified technician should be used to install the system.

To turn the Camaro into an official race car, having different seat belts may be wise. Most Camaro’s are sold with the normal seat belts of any car; however for that race car feel a five point harness offers more. It is also an easy system to get out of in a hurry if the need arises.

Spoilers are rear additions on Camaro’s that can help with the wind sheer. They offer more stability for the car when it is going a little faster. There are several types of spoilers for the Camaro, from the lower design to a bit of a higher design. Most believe that the spoiler adds to the looks as well as the benefits for racing.

The last type of aftermarket part you might wish to have on your vehicle are the tires. Most Camaro’s come with the factory tires, but a race car needs to have something a little sportier. When you change the tires offered on the vehicle you can also change the wheels. The wheels offer a shinier look depending on your personal tastes. The tires can make it easy for the racing to be done or to just look at little flashier. Some racing tires cannot be used on the streets. It is important when purchasing items that the laws are checked. Camaro aftermarket parts are wide in variety, offering the chance to enhance any car.

1995 Camaro Parts and Accessories

June 7, 2008

The 1995 Camaro parts and accessories available are going to be similar to any car. The difference of course comes in the year and model of the car. The parts available that may be needed include power electric window replacements, exhaust systems, carpet, convertible top replacement, compressor, batteries, and much more. In this article the 1995 Camaro parts and accessories that you might like to have will be discussed.

Any car that can be upgraded to look better or go faster will require a lot of work by either you or a mechanic, depending on how in depth you would like to get. For the 1995 Camaro you have a fairly new model. It is just 13 years old. This model car has already come equipped with fibreglass rather than metal for the fenders, bumper, front valance, and basically the outer shell. The fibreglass tends to hold up worse than metal on older cars. That is because when it is in an accident it cracks and breaks, rather than just denting, even in some minor accidents.

The good thing about fibreglass is that it can be patched, replaced, and it will not rust. For the 1995 Camaro parts and accessories the first thing to discuss is the exterior such as the fenders, grilles, bumpers, doors, and even the side panels. If these items need to be replaced the cost can be up there in the $200 or more range. The good news is they can be ordered to fit your model with the correct paint. That means no matching on the owner’s part is necessary. It also means there are more of these parts available because the car is a lot newer than others on the road.

Accessories to be interested in include different wheels, tires, adding a scoop or spoiler, as well as changing the interior with car accessories. A lot of the racers will add in five point harnesses, a racing steering wheel, and bucket seats to be more comfortable. They may even take away the window to add in the mesh covering.

Changing the mirrors both exterior and interior can also be an option if need be. This usually requires the doors to be changed for the exterior mirrors as they are part of the door.

Tinting can also be added to the windows to make the car feel sportier and keep it cooler inside. Tinting is an easy process that requires a cool garage.

If cosmetics are not something you are interested in, you have other options. The engine can be replaced with a more powerful system. The 1995 Camaro is V-8 with fuel injection. However, adding such things as NOS for the 1995 Camaro parts and accessories will give the car more power. Changing the muffler system to add a cooler sound can also be down. A lot of individuals like the glass pack muffler systems for that high rev, causing other drivers to notice the sports car as it moves.

1994 Camaro Hood Parts

June 6, 2008

Those who have a Camaro know just how great they can be, meaning the different 1994 Camaro hood parts might be used to increase the look of any Camaro. There are several hood products that can be bought for a Camaro to make it look a lot better. Hood ornaments, dual hood scoops, abs hood scoops, racing power accessories, teardrop hood scoops, and even the hydraulic bars to keep the hood in the upright position are available. 1994 Camaro hood parts will range in the items as well as cost.

Fixing the Camaro up to look a little better is going to be a bit of a high price depending on what options are chosen. Before moving to the added accessories for the 1994 Camaro, there are some parts that might need replacing as the car ages. It is hard to believe that this car is now 14 years old, but it is true and some things may be failing.

The first thing to go on hoods is usually the hydraulic bars. These are the bars on the car, of course, that allow the hood to remain upright while you are working underneath. It’s important to keep these in good shape even if the support bar is in place. They are fairly easy to change out as long as you have the right tools. Another aspect of the hood that may need to be replaced is the hood latch. This allows the hood to stay locked unless it is released. While these are metal sometimes things happen like an accident where replacement may be needed. Speaking of accidents there may even be a need for a whole new front end and therefore hood if the car has been in an accident. To restore the car, hoods can be found in junk yards or other places. A little paint on the hood and it is good as new and you save on the actual hood part. To replace an entire hood from the factory can be upwards of $1,000.

Now, on to the more fun aspects of Camaro’s, hood parts like the scoop are accessories. There are usually aftermarket products; however some Camaro’s do come with the scoops. It usually depends on how much you wanted to spend on the car when it was first bought. The scoop allows air to flow through the hood. It offers a more race car type look while helping to keep the engine cool. There are fibreglass scoops, metal, and several different designs in the scoop range.

Some of the scoops are going to be low on the hood with two air passages. The other style is called a racing power hood scoop that allows for three areas of air flow that slims down. It sits a little higher on the hood. It is also better for the dual or quad carburetor.

The 1994 Camaro hood parts offer more accessories to improve the looks of the car. There are several options open whether it is for racing or just improvement.

1984 Z28 Camaro Hood

June 5, 2008

There are two types of 1984 Z28 Camaro hoods that can be used. The first is finding a 1984 Z28 Camaro at a junk yard. This hood is going to be made of metal. The metal tends to last a bit longer, but it will rust. That could present a problem if there is too much rust already. The second option is getting a replacement hood from the factory or other auto parts store. In this case the hood is usually fibreglass. The fibreglass hood is going to weigh less. There is also the possibility of getting a bit more damage if there is an accident.

Online is a great source to find replacement products needed to re- vamp an older car. The 1984 Z28 Camaro is now 24 years old which means any hood is bound to have some issues. If there is a replacement needed accessories may also be important to getting the Camaro back in good shape. The hood is not the only part that can fail after 20 years. The first thing to go on a Camaro hood is generally the hydraulic bars that help the hood stay up right while work is being done.

Not all replacement hoods available through shops will work for the 1984 Z28 Camaro. The 1984 series of Camaro’s had a longer hood with a slope to the design. The newer models are fiberglass and have less of the sloped design that provided the earlier models with so much character. It is important when seeking a new Camaro hood that you shop or search for the correct replacement.

Once a replacement is found the work may not be over. Other aspects of the Camaro hood involve the hinges. Those also tend to rust out meaning they will need to be replaced as well. The hinges can be found through parts stores online as well. If you are replacing the hood then all accessories should be changed.

The hood may also need to be repainted. A detail shop can help with the stripping and sanding needed on the hood to get rid of most of the rust. They can also help detail the hood to look exactly like the old car or offer a new design.

1969 Chevy Camaro Interior

June 4, 2008

Depending on the 1969 Chevy Camaro interior that the original owner chose there can be several differences in the color. Most of the interior is going to be the same as far as the gauges, pedals, steering wheel, and other amenities of the car. In the older cars the interior is going to be made of leather. The 1969 Chevy Camaro interior is no different.

The 1969 Chevy Camaro interior is mostly seen as black. While there are some variations such as red, tan, or even blue the black was by far the most popular. The seats are black leather and so is the dash; however you can see a slight change in the carpet. Some of the 1969 Camaro’s had a grey carpet over the black. Underneath the carpet the floors are generally the same color as the outside paint. This helps anyone recognize whether they’ve found an authentic 1969 model.

The dash was smaller than some of those we have today. In fact all the gauges were kept between the steering wheel for optimal sight while driving. Even the heating controls will be found nearer to the steering wheel. The heating controls were slide bars that move up and down to control the temperature.

The dash boards were leather on the top and near the heating vents. The leather usually leaves off as the glove compartment starts. This compartment is rather large, even with the slope downwards to accommodate the passenger’s legs.

The gear shift is usually a short affair. The pedals of the 1969 Chevy Camaro interior are racing in style. In other words they have the holds for grip rather than the pads seen today in Camaros. The pedals are silver and completely metal.

Some Camaros have back seats as well that are made from leather with the grey carpeting. If restoring a Camaro it is important to find authentic carpet and seats to replace the older versions with.

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