iwanta3rdgen

Alright first I will introduce myself. My name is Chris Im from Jackson Michigan. I've been reading this board for a while now. Well Im looking at buying a 3rd generation Camaro with either a 305tpi or 350tpi. I was wondering what the average price would be for a good condition camaro. From what Ive seen about 3500 seems to be a good price for one. Are there any camaros that i should steer clear of, any of them better than the others. Im looking for a dependable camaro for some moderate cruising the occasional 100mile trip and maybe some drag strip fun after I get some more cash to mod. Thanks for any help.

85_LG4

Nice ta meet ya Chris, I am Matt, (Holland, NY) I only have time for this one post as i was just walking out the door but decided to comment this first. I personaly have a 305 4bbl, and i plan to upgrade it. People always tell me to steer clear of the 305, but I will try my luck. The 350 TPI's were VERY nice, althouigh I believe you can only have them in automatic (unsure on which years this took effect!) till abput 88 or so. whereas the 305 TPI could be hd with the 5spd. 3500 for a Good Condition TPI 350 IROZ would be a very nice deal. Id pay no more then 5800 for a stock 350 TPI. (in IMACULATE condition!) As for actual perf. stats, I am sorry, cant help ya there! lol... well good luck, and talk to ya later,
Matt

Black6SpdTA

350TPI's are great but I've got a 305 simply because of transmission preference. Only way to get a 5-speed is with a 305 in ALL years im pretty sure. but then again theres always the option of putting a 350 in a 5-speed car. anyway if you want something reliable i'd stick to a little newer third gen (maybe 88+). 3500 is good, mine was 4000 (see my webpage in sig) but its a 92 and good condition. IROC's are definitely the most performance oriented third gen, then Z28, RS, and base Camaro. good luck man these cars rule!

iwanta3rdgen

Thanks for the replies so far, keep them coming. I really want one but I wanna make sure I dont get a year thats full of recalls or something. My friend has a 87 IROC with the 305tpi its a nice car. Nothing has went wrong with it yet hes had it for about a year now.He beats on it pretty good as well. He got a deal, rebuilt motor good body for $1600. Camaros are pretty cheap ehre where im at. They are all over. The 305tpi puts down 195@4000 hp 295@2800 tq. The 350 puts out 230-240hp and 330 in TQ. I know the 350 is probably better for modding. Is it true the 305 tpi with a 5 speed is just as fast as a 350 auto? Ive been reading alot over at thirdgen.org and I know quite a bit about the basics of motors and everything. I just need help on which camaros have there plusses and minuses. Again thanks for the info.

jd13

Almost. The later years (90-92) the 5 speed 305 was nearly as fast as the 350. It was very close. I don't know all the engine codes off the top of my head or I'd give them to you. Stay away from the carb'd 305s though. Stay away from the TBIs if you want to do any performance mod. TPI is the way to go.

The 350 (l98) was introduced in '87. The 90s-92s were stronger and put out better numbers. The 350s were not offered with manual transmissions because the gobs of torque the engine puts out just eats through the t5 trannies. Now adays you could probably put a built t5 (or better yet a t56 - 6 speed) tranny and it would be alright in a 350.

I can't really help you with what years had recalls, but the chances are if you find a really good conditioned Camaro, the owner took care of it and it won't have many problems.

I would say get a 350 if you can, it's definatly better for modding. You can get way more out of the 350 than you can the 305. I'm not bashing the 305 at all, it's just that it is quite limited compared to the 350.

It basically comes down to what exactly you want. The 3rd gens were available with so many options and models etc, that chances are you can get what you want if you look hard enough. If you got any more questions, I'll try my best to answer those too.

Black6SpdTA

definitely not. although the auto loses a bit more power through the drivetrain it isnt equal to the 35-45 extra horse and 35lb/ft of torque the 350 has.

Black6SpdTA

jd13i dont know him but ive seen his car..baddest 305..hes got an 11 second 305. i geuss it just comes down to what you can find and if you want an auto or manual (w/o swappin trannys)

1985_305

All engine codes for thirdgen cars are here: http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

demonspeed

In 92, it's only 15hp and 45ft/lbs (that's a lot though). The gearing helps the 305 with 3.42's compaired to 3.23's.

Black6SpdTA

good call.. i must not have been thinkin straight i either thought 305TBI not TPI or forgot about gearing.
IWANTA3RDGEN, i think your best bet would be 305TPI T-5 or 350TPI Auto

jd13

You're right Rippin. 305s can be made very fast too, it's just that it will cost a lot more. It'll be better to spend few extra dollars now when buying the car then spending many hundreds later when modding.

IZ28

Get the 350 TPI.

guywidiroc

For those who think the 305 5 spd tpi is so slow, I just dont see where they get their info. Mine along with many other ran mid 14s with just an exhaust way back when. Are auto 350s running 13s then? cause my friend has an 87 350 tpi and it ran 14.9 with minor mods. 305 5 spd tpis and 350 tpis are very similar in speed.

DarthIROC

Defenitely get a 350 if you can they offer more and cheaper modablity. I keep seeing the T-5 come up. I actually prefer an auto, Manuals are fun to drive but in a drag race I'll take a stalled automatic over a manual anytime.

87ROC

Mine is a 87 T5 LB9 305 car. A WC T5 is in now with the L98 motor. So far no grenading of the Trans.

BUT, when it does I'm going auto. If the 305 T5 car hooks off the line it will give the 350 auto a run for its money. But put a 3000 rpm torque converter in the 350 car and it hooks, well the 305 just lost its advantage. Stock for Stock motors that is.