Need a real mechanic to answer this
 

Was driving my 97 Camaro on the freeway today when I guess the lower radiator hose popped off and spilled coolant on the freeway and i didnt notice. Drove for an indeterminate amount of time before the car overheated and I pulled off and got towed. Waited for the car to cool down, replaced the hose, checked the thermostat and other hose then filled the radiator back up......it took way way more than it should.

When I attempted to start the vehicle it would crank over but not start, and then the coolant leaked out the exhaust. The radiator will not hold coolant now. Any idea what the damage is and any clue how much this might cost to get professionally done ? I know it's major damage :(

Sound like the head gasket is blown. It is not going to be cheap to fix. The heads will need to be remove and sent to a machine shop to see is they can be re used. What is the mileage on the engine? Could range any where 1000 to 1800 easily and if the engine needs to be replaced 4000-5000. It is not a good idea to put new heads on a high mileage engine.

It has 97,500 miles. I've seen headgaskets blown on vehicles that would still start and run and hold coolant. Is it possible it is something else ?

Your is blown bad. Coolant comming out of tail pipe is a cracked block, cracked head or blown headgasket.

coming out the exhaust?! thats nuts bro... i feel bad for you.. its not fun to have a serious problem like that... good luck to you.

OOPS! Sorry, I'm a fake mechanic...:D

:p:p:p:D:D:eek::eek::eek: haha

Highest estimate rate was $2800 not counting heads if they either needs replaced and lowest was $1400 not counting heads if they need replaced. Mechanic is pretty hopeful about it considering the mileage and circumstances surrounding the incident. He said he does a lot of headgasket replacements on the IROC's with the 5.7 and they almost always blow both heads with the gasket but it happens very little with the 3.8. Yeah i went with the $1400.

over heating
 

ya you blew the heads but a reason it wouldnt restart you may have fried wire casing's that were close to the block that probly went over way 300 deg and you now have a eletric problem also

naw it wasnt the wire casings......it was flooding the combustion chamber with coolant.....couldnt ignite the plugs though the engine wanted to, all in all damage was minimal