Hello all,

I am looking to get a third gen camaro Z. The years I am looking for are 88-92. My big question is should I ONLY look at 350's or should is there even a reason to consider the 305? I am very new to car performance and repairs so any newbie help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

i have a 305 its torquey and fun,, i hear its a very very strong reliable motor,, but honestly if i could have i would have opted for the 350 pesonally dont get me wrong i still adore my 305 and all its torque and power.

 

If you want a 350 TPI you will have to settle for an automatic. If you like shifting look for a 5 speed 305 TPI. They are not easy to locate so be patient. The 1984-1986 L69 are a good simple carb. engine with a mandatory 5-speed w/ 190hp. Those L69 motors have the same performance times of a 305 TPI auton. Good luck.

305 TPI auto except '86 1/4 is about 15.3 215HP
305 TPI 1986 only auto is 15.9 1/4 190HP
305 TPI 5-speed is same as 350 TPI 220HP
305 H.O. L69 is 1/4 in same as a 305 TPI auto.
350 TPI is 1/4 in about 14.1-14.9 225-240HP

These are approximate and found on most web sites. Check my facts, I'm on beer 5.

 

305 TPI, 350 TPI, And the 305 HO are all fun cars. I've seen a 305 TPI with just a few little mods, whip a 350 TPI's butt. Also TPI's aren't all that. I'm thinkind about going with a carb on mine. So Just look for a car in good shape and go from there. Have fun and goodluck with your search.

 

89 iroc-z is right,, there all just a blast, a very fun car,, hang on to em there 10 years from bieng a classic and there very very rare to find when i started my searching in 2002 there where 50 listings in my area with a decient price on em,, no theres 3 listings in my area all above 10,000 dollars,, hang on to em whatever you get and enjoy

 

a 350 car is more then just the motor.. you get alot more for your money and they are easier to work with on engine swaps. 91-92's have the most up to date pieces obviously making them very easy candidates for upgrades but your going to pay alot more for them also. a 350 car is easily worth 500-1000 more on average and more so when they are well taken care of.

 

An engine doesn't have anything to do with value all the time. And if you have a car you love and you won't sale it, then value isn't an issue.
And a carb car is easier to work on and upgrade.

 

there are goods and bads between carb and tpi-carb has higher top end that tpi does not and tpi has faster throttle response and between 305 and 350 well piston size is the only big difference/everything else could be inter-changed---i have the 85'305 tpi that has 215hp due to bigger cam(factory)and 3-42's rear end(also factory)if i could only keep a good tranny in it(b&m trans kit very soon)i will find out just how fast it is /just remember all camaro's are about the same depende on how much you want to spend to change it

 

305.
For the fact that having the 5.0 was the only way to get a 5 speed!

 

No auto 305 came with 3.42s. 3.23 and 3.27s were pretty much it. And 1985 was the most powerful Lb9 until the speed density cars of 90-92. I've had both an '85 TPI T/A and had a 1991 Lb9/auto car and it pulled 187whp and 270wtq. That's a little better than GMs rating of 200hp for the auto/single cat cars.

I loved my 305TPI. But the 350TPI is a torque monster. But stay as far away from the 86-89 auto/Lb9 cars as possible. They got the peanut cam.

 

Why do people make the 305 cams an issue. you can change that in just a few hours. The LT1 cam works great in the 305 tpi.

 

Because not everyone knows how to swap out a cam in 3 hours, let alone change an air filter.

 

It's been proven that the LT1 cam is not much larger than the L98 cam. Do a TGO search. And since ALL Speed Density cars got the L98 cam, it wouldn't make sense to swap out one cam for something barely any bigger.

So again, why do we make such deals about 305 cams? To know which ones to put in and which ones NOT to put in.

 

Thanks everyone for the great replies. I was afraid that getting a 305 would be kinda like getting a 89 Mustang 4 cyl....lol

I am not more comfortable getting a 305 if I find the style I like!

 

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sorry but i have an 85 iroc i'm the second owner when i removed axles to put in 28 spline locker w/3.42's i found that new gear was same as one that came out (41/12 on gear) now original owner said he got every option when he special ordered it in OCT of 84' weather that was one of the options i don't know but the #'s don't lie car only had 30000 original miles when i got it so i don't thing he had anything replaced