1993 Z28 rebuild Problems

[voices_of_ryan]

So I have a 1993 Z28 that I bought really cheap back in arkansas after it had been wrecked and repaired by a dealer. Needless to say why I got it so cheap was because it was a patch job to say the least.
Anyway I actually got into a fender binder about 2 months ago and have since been planning on rebuilding the car threw and threw. I got lucky about 2 weeks ago and found a complete v6 camaro for $300 on craigslist. Went and looked at it and snagged it up.

So i've been doing all the body work at a local bodyshop that's been kind enough to help me out free of charge but I have some very daunting technical tasks to face. First of which.

#1. The car has always had a horrible studder off the gas in first gear... It almost feels like the engine is getting no gas and then bam, it catches and acts like it's suppose to. I do get a check engine light but for the most part it all reads back to a bad quad driver module. I've replaced the computer, map and evap solinoid to no avail. Coupled with putting extra grounds on the block itself to see if it just wasn't grounding. Once again to no avail. So any tips or help here would be fantastic.

#2. Someone who had the car before replaced the theromostate with a 160 degree stat. Now i've read a bit about lt1s and how they run. But as I generally understand, this does no good without retuning the computer so... Should I take it out?

#3. Will the airconditioning condenser and etc work from the '95 v6 to the '93 v8. Is it the same unit?

#4. When I wrecked the car here about 2 months ago the radiator was punctured but I didnt let it run long enough to overheat. However as soon as I started it up the car acted way diffrently. Having little to no power and having to put your foot all the way into the gas to even keep it running. But it sounded like the motor was fine. It just seemed like the computer was saying "nuh uh... nope". So any help here would be great.

Thanks I would really appreciate some help. I'm almost done with the body work and am waiting on the new radiator to get to the autoshop to get the car running again... hopefully.

-jacob

[Rockin C Racing]

#1 Beginning stages of the opti-spark going out
#2 The thermostat is OK.  You don't have to retune the computer for it
#3 I don't know, but take some measurements, check the mounting pattern, and check the electrical connections to see if they all match.  If they do, then yes the will interchange
#4 Sounds like the opti-spark finally took a crap with the fender bender jolt.

[voices_of_ryan]

So basicly most of my problems are probably directly related to the distributor going out? I'm thinking that the optispark is the Entire distributor setup correct?

If anyone wants to view pictures of the project you can see them Here.

Again thanks for the help futher opinions welcome too
-Jacob

[Rockin C Racing]

Yes the optispark is the distributor located on the front of the engine under the water pump

[BumpaD_Z28]

Welcome, looks like a fun project

And I think Cody has definitely got you pointed in the right direction

~DaVe

[voices_of_ryan]

Nice, hopefully on my next day off I'll be able to pickup the radiator and see where we stand. Thankfully the front part of the car is taken pretty much completely apart and with any luck that means the distributor is going to be alot easier to get taken off.

[stormy69]

#2. if its a street car, i would run a 180 degree thermostat...
#3. The condenser is identical, the upper a/c line is also the same but the line(s) attached to the compressor are v8 specific. dont know about the compressor... 93s had a high pressure cutout switch but you can just bypass it if you get a 934-97 hose assy.

[stormy69]

just did some checking, the v6/v8 compressors are different. probably a mounting issue.

[Ozz1967]

just did some checking, the v6/v8 compressors are different. probably a mounting issue.

Yes, but the condensors should be the same size...just as the radiator should be a direct swap.

[stormy69]

i already said the condenser was identical, i was merely answereing his compressor question in that message. and i agree that the radiator is also the same, tho he didnt ask about it...