1984 Chevrolet Camaro - The Ghetto Ride

My 1984 Camaro: A Restoration Journey

I've had this 1984 Camaro since about 1992. For many years, it was my daily driver. When the original V6 engine finally gave up, I had to make a tough choice: scrap it or restore it? I decided to restore it, but I wanted to make it better than it was—something I could be proud of for years to come.

Here’s a look at the mods and upgrades that turned my Camaro from a basic V6 into a custom machine.

Interior: From Stock to Modern

The first thing I tackled was the interior. The stock 1984 interior just wasn’t cutting it, so I ripped everything out and started fresh.

• New Dash: The original dash was outdated, so I swapped it out for a 1992 dash. Not only does it look better, but it gives the car a more modern feel without losing that classic Camaro vibe.
• New Carpet: The old blue carpet had seen better days, so I replaced it with a more stylish graphite-colored carpet. It looks great and gives the interior a more cohesive look.
• Interior Plastics: I also changed out all the interior plastics for graphite-colored pieces to match the carpet. It really tied everything together.
• Added Power Options: This car didn’t come with power windows or mirrors, but I wasn’t about to settle. I added those features to bring it up to modern standards.

Custom Mods: Making It My Own

I wanted to make sure this Camaro was unique, so I added a few custom mods that really set it apart.

LED Turn/Brake Lights

• I swapped out all the exterior lights for LEDs, including the turn signals and brake lights. Over 1,000 LEDs were hand-soldered into place. It was a lot of work, but the end result was totally worth it. The car looks sharp with its bright, modern lighting.

Custom Audio System

• Sub Box: I custom-built a subwoofer box to fit perfectly in the Camaro’s limited trunk space. It provides the deep, rich sound that makes cruising a lot more fun.
• Hidden Amps: I hid the amplifiers in clever spots to keep things clean and minimize clutter.
• Custom Kickpods: These were built from scratch to fit into the footwells and hold the speakers securely, all while delivering great sound.
• Touchscreen Display: I even built a custom bezel to house a 7-inch touchscreen running off a Raspberry Pi. It’s a cool tech upgrade that adds a lot of functionality without looking out of place.

LED Instrument Cluster

The factory dash lights were barely visible at night, so I added LED strips behind the instrument cluster to give it a bright, modern look. It makes the dash pop, especially when driving at night.

Bi-Xenon HID Headlights

The stock halogen headlights were pretty much useless, so I swapped them out for Bi-Xenon HID lights. These lights are a huge upgrade for nighttime driving, and I can actually see where I'm going now.

The Journey So Far

Restoring this Camaro has been a long, challenging, but incredibly rewarding project. I’ve taken my time to make it my own, from upgrading the interior to installing custom audio and lighting. It’s more than just a car to me—it’s a part of who I am as a car enthusiast.

What’s Next?

I’m always looking for new ways to improve my Camaro, so I’m never done.