1998 Camaro Z28 is Built to Tear Up the Autocross or HPDE Course

Camaro Z28 has a junk engine, but the suspension and chassis have been significantly modified.

If you have been dreaming of getting into road racing with a fourth generation Chevrolet Camaro, but you don’t have the know-how to prepare the chassis for this form of motorsports, you are in luck. GNC Rick posted a 1998 Z28 for sale in the LS1Tech Marketplace and while it needs an engine, this Camaro seems like a great opportunity for someone who wants to participate in the local autocross or road racing scene with an LS1 car. Most importantly, with a list price of $5,000, this car is priced right as track toys go, even while needing a new engine.

Camaro Z28 Introduction

When the OP first posted his 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for sale, he provided the following brief information.

“Navy blue metallic ’98 Z28 LS1 6 spd hardtop that was my weekend track car for HPDE events and autocrosses. Fully sorted and ready to rock with lots of extra parts”

He also included a handful of photos, some of which we have included here. Unfortunately, this doesn’t tell us much about the car, as anyone buying a track car will want to know more than it is “fully sorted”. Fortunately, he would follow up the initial post with a reply that includes all of the information that someone buying a race car would want to know.

“Full suspension mods, 1LE Bushings, newer rack, Strano springs & bars, Koni SA shocks, watts link, upgraded brakes with new 2 pc rotors & pads, brake ducts spindles SS lines dot4 fluid, auburn pro diff w/3:42 gear, aluminum shaft, long tubes to GMMG cat back with Borla tips, new suede steering wheel with removable hub, killer Butler racing seat, welded 4 pt roll bar, welded SLP full length SFC, 4 10 spoke SS rims, 4 Hoosier slicks, OEM SS hood, Berger panel, duck tail spoiler, 6ltr eater splitter and much more…car needs a short block, has spun bearing, otherwise it’s great, trans is perfect.”

He would also include more pictures of things like the front braking cooling ducts, the track tires, the chassis reinforcements and more, but we have only shared a few here. Anyone who is serious about this kind of car should check out all of the information and pictures in the thread.

It Needs an Engine

While the track photos of this Camaro Z28 look great, some of the other pictures aren’t as flattering. We are guessing that this car has been sitting and the less-flattering photos show the car in its current state, with pine needles packed info the cowl vents and around the hood hinges. We imagine that it is sitting because of the last line in the description where is says “needs a short block, has a spun bearing”.

This means that the engine is junk, so while it has a good transmission and a properly prepared chassis setup, it will need an engine to go racing. For some people, that will be a problem, but if you have an engine laying around or if you have access to any V8 from a junkyard truck, you can get this Camaro on the track without spending a whole lot of money.

Click here for a closer look at the original sale thread and if you buy this car to take racing, please update us when you have it back on the track.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com