Do these cars actually exist? I have been looking for more than 3 months in the Kansas City/St. Louis area and haven't seen one of these cars for sale. All of the Z28s seem to have a 305 or 350 with an automatic, or they are an RS which may have a 5 speed.

Usually on sportier cars, people usually chose a manual transmission. Most of the Mustangs I see for sale have a 5 speed, but none of the Camaros.

Does anyone know what percentage of the cars were 305 TPI / Manuals?

I can only think that either the manual really sucks, people think the 350 is worth not having a manual, or people are so happy with their 305TPI/manual that they don't want to sell it.

Just been frustrated, because I would really like to consider getting a 3rd Generation F-body, but I can't find one with a 5 speed!

 

I am not sure about build numbers but they are out there. When I was looking for my car that is all I found was a 305TPI w/ 5spd. Depending on who you ask the 350 never came with a 5spd so you will not find one. The 5spd does not suck that horribly but it isnt nearly as strong as the T56. I do know that the world class T-5 is the stronger of the 2 T-5s that were put in 3rd gens. Keep looking you will find one I am sure of it. You may have to look out of your area.

 

They exist because I have a car I use for parts that was 305 TPI/T-5. But from what I understand the T-5s are really weak and if you put any real power to them they dont stand up. Manuals are more fun to drive, and better for rally races but if you plan on doing any kind of strip activity, you cant beat a well built and stalled auto.

 

Yeah, they made 305 TPI with a 5 speed, I own one. They're pretty rare I guess you could say. Check thirdgen.org as well. I don't know the exact numbers, but probably only somewhere like 10-15% of all thirdgens are 305 tpi 5 speed, there were no factory 350 5 speeds and there are a lot of 305 TBI 5 speeds. It'll be either a GTA, T/A, formula, or Z28 or IROC. The world class T5s started in either 88 or 89.

 

They are out there but they are hard to find! I got mine (see sig.) after looking for close to 3 mos. I knew I wanted a stick and that is what was hard to find. Auto's everywhere - finally found one by accident - at a dealership on the way to look at another car. I got it in 95' with 7000 miles on it. Was owned by a lady exec. from Pontiac and she ordered it with the stick and black velour interior. She hardly drove it and it was garage kept, they had just put it on display that day! Keep looking and don't settle until you find one. Granted it will probably be harder than it was in 95'!!
GOOD LUCK!

 

305 TPI cars with a 5 sp do exist, but the production numbers of them never equaled that of the Automatic's. Most of these cars were special orders, which raised the attrition rate on these cars because they were raced mostly. No Factory 350 TPI with a 5 sp
were never made. The 5 sp was consided a weak tranny and that is another reason for there scarcity. But they are out there.

 

The early T-5's weren't very shock proof a couple of hard shifts and it was goodbye!

The newer T-5 WC (world class) was quite a bit better and was found in later 305 cars 89+ I belive.

Not all 305 5-speeds were 1LE cars but most were special order cars. So when you do find one most of the time it is in really ggod shape and has low miles.

 

Approximately 15 to 20 percent of all Camaros produced from 1983 (first year of the 5-speed) to 1992 came with the T5. This percentage varied slightly by year. And 1987 was the first year the T5 was available with the 305 TPI. So they are rather difficult to find today. I am the fortunate owner of a 1987 305 TPI/5-speed Z28 convertible, an extremely rare combination.

 

Those 305 TPI 5speed cars are pretty quick!!

One of my buddies has one, 1989 IROC-Z he runs a 13.95 @ 97mph. All free mods with stock internals and a 3.08 rear.

Nothing wrong with that!

 

yes, they do exist, one in my garage. my car is stock except a k&n filter, and with all the abuse i put i through, the transmission is just fine, its the bw one. check the sig for pics

 

I have one too, it just takes time to find them, especially this time of year. I specifically wanted a TPI, 5spd, hardtop car and it took me 6 months to find one in my area and in my price range. It's definitely a little easier if you'll take a t-top car so they're out there, just keep looking.

 

i kinda stumbled on mine and got it for a steal. 875$ for a 5spd with a 350(of course not original), its non posi, but the clutch and tranny are strong. needs a throwout bearing and eventually upgrading to a t-56. But it runs mint and its in mint condition.

 

I had the same problem only I wanted a carbed 305 that was a z-28 of the 85 up style... as a result I was stuck with an 85 (same year as I was born) in order to get a carb...

Ended up getting a dented up one that people say I paid too much for, but I love it. The car only had 160 000kms on it when I got it and it ran good..... funny cuz I am replacing everything anyway.

keep looking, there are tons of TPI cars out there with t-5s... welll compared to 85 carbed with a t-5

 

Judging by the amount of responses, there are quite a few. Mines a 87 305 TPI car. Now it's a 350 and the non WC T-5 has been replaced with a WC T-5. And ye the 305 TPI 5-speed combo was not to bad for performance.

I wold defenently try to find a 88 or later one for the WC T-5. To tell you the truth though. If this T-5 breaks that I have now. An auto is going in.

 

Yep, my car used to be a 305 5-speed. Bought it with 42,000 original miles and garaged kept. A rare find indeed.