The date on the cover of this issue of Popular Hot Rodding says May 1983. At the time, I was in my sophomore year of college, and we were smack dab in the middle of the performance dark ages. Smog checks were becoming common place, and even big magazines were scared to do much more than a set of spark plug wires and some chrome valve covers. The ’78 – ’81 Camaro project car in this particular story (the exact model year isn’t mentioned) had just exhausted most of the legal bolt-ons, and had been treated to a new paint job, wheels, tires, chairs, and a Steve Stanford redesign.
With a set of Hooker headers, Crane Econo-Power cam, B&M Trans-Pak, Holley “Z” intake and Mile-Dial 600cfm carb, the 305 small-block ran a best quarter mile time of 14.84/92.90—with the aid of a nitrous kit! The result was a handful of cracked piston rings, and plans for a new engine—but not before knocking down almost 25 mpg! Even today, this Camaro project represents the same kind of muscle that’s in typical garages across the country. Go to any show today, and you’ll see many Camaros just like this one.