gyrene2003

yeah, 91 92 is definatly the best years!!

super_kev

iTrader: (5)

My TA was a 305 TPI/auto and a nice car; had enough power for me to get the rear loose fairly easily and got 25 MPG to boot. As for emissions modding, nothing is really easy under CA laws, but it can be done. You can slap a semi-built 350 in place of the 305 and as long as it passes the sniffer, no one could tell it was a 350 by looking at it.

As for getting a car with PBR brakes like one of the posters mentioned, I wouldn't let that get in the way of buying a car. The older style ones aren't a deal breaker, and I haven't had any problems with our 3rd gens that were pre-'89 discs. Just make sure the car has 4-wheel discs and a TPI (Tuned Port Injection) motor (came in 305 and 350 flavors) and you're good to go. Everything else can be changed later to your liking without much hassle.

What's the price? I know I wouldn't pay more than 3K for one, but it's been several years since I've gone 3rd gen shopping and I'm sure prices have changed.

Bounce over to thirdgen.org and you'll find all the information you'll ever need.

RobDarden

I had an '87. I still think the IROC was one of the best looking Camaro's ever. I had no problems with my '87 and I had it to 120,000 miles. OOOPS! - One problem - the window washer fluid pump broke. Other than that nothing. Man I miss that car!

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Anothing thing of note is the pre 88's were V belt, whereas 88 and later were serp.

And a 305/auto combo is certainly a dog no matter what anyone says, especially now since these cars are going to have a lot of miles on them

Justin00SS

iTrader: (5)

My 92 rs had 19X,XXX on it when I bought it.

I knew it was rebuilt but I didn't know I had a cam in it and I didn't know it. It ran like the **** the whole time I had it. I thought it was just a POS. I didn't care because it looked ok and I got it for like 1500 bucks.

I got spanked by a pre-99 v6 mustang once and was like yep this car is slow.

Then I sold it and the guy that bought it changed an o2 sensor and called me to tell me the car was running AWESOME. I was like great. I saw him and the track and the damn thing ran a 14.0 flat!

THAT POS!

An o2 sensor.

25thAnnivZ28

I currently have a 92 Z28 350 and have had it since 97. I'm just about ready for a newer F-body but for what it is it's been a real good car. Near stock it ran 14.1s, with a few bolt ons it saw high 13s then a mild stall, suspension and some tire and it went 13.5s on 1.76 short times. It has over 100 passes at the track and has been nothing short of reliable. I only hope my next F-body will treat me as good.

If it were me I'd opt for a 90-92 car, pref. a 350. They have plenty of power down low so it makes for a good daily driver and a fairly strong performer through the 1/8th. After that? Well don't expect much lol Finding good clean 90-92 cars is getting harder and harder. If I found another car like mine for the right price I'd buy it and save having payments on something newer.

AMack

iTrader: (1)

I have a 92 RS. Its pretty slow by modern day standards, but i can see how people back in the late 80's would think it being decently fast. Its not much for acceleration with its 170HP, auto trans, and 2.73 gears...but damn can it get amazing gas mileage. Close to 30MPG on the highway.

In a 3rd Gen's defense, the engines are all nearly bulletproof, they have impeccable styling ( IROCs, 91-92 Z's, and of course, Heritage Cars-lol--), and any V8 3rd gen will have a 'relative' shitload of low end torque. Even my LO3 makes 255 ft. lbs at 2400 RPM. Now of course we dont make that much torque compared to a LS1, but they make the torque down low and makes these cars fun to drive.

Z28LS1KID

My dad bought a red 1986 Z28 brand new and kept it for 15 years before he sold it . Man did I love that car. It was the 305 TPI (190hp/285tq) with the auto trans, t-tops, black interior, etc. Had decent power for what it was. I've tried several times to buy the car back over the past 5 years, but with no luck. A 3rd gen with a TPI motor is definately a nice choice. Good luck.

DubyaSsixTA

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, the TBI 305 isn't the best performance choice, but they won't die easily. As a daily driver, mine has performed great. A TPI car (305 or 350) will be more fun for sure.

NoSlowSS

Look out for clones. It's not a rare occurance for people to make normal camaros into IROC clones, and it's VERY common for 305 IROCs to be sold as 350 cars.

Here's a link with clues that should help you avoid nearly all "clones". After looking at an IROC for sale and then bringing this guide back over to look things over more closely later on, it was pretty obvious that it was NOT a 350 IROC nor was it an IROC at all.

Good luck. While it's difficult to make them faster than a stock LS1, they are usually blessed with AWESOME handling. You can always swap in an LS1 later on as well.

http://www.iroczone.com/techartspottersguide.html