Okay, I'm just starting to look into getting a Camaro for my first car (3rd generation) and I was wondering what "Z28" and "IROC" stand for. I think one of the two terms designates twin turbo but I'm not really sure. Can anyone fill me in?

 

No camaro's got turbos, the only thirdgens to get them were the turbo trans am's (TTA).
Iroc stands for International Race of Champions, Z28 is actually an RPO.
I'm not sure of all the differances, I know the IROC's and Z28's got bigger motors, better gears, optional posi, better suspentions. The only thing I know the IROC's got exclusivly are wonderbars.

 

On average the IROC's are better.. but not always.
Depends what engine it has, etc..

 

'iroc' and 'z28' are just model designations. they usually included bigger engine options and such things. though i think you could still get the 305 in a Z28 but it just usually never happened (who wants a crappy 305 TBI ). i think 3rd gens have a mixture of 4th gen technology with the repairability or 2nd and 3rd gens. i just managed to fix my own problem on my car concerning a distributor module and i doubt i coulda done the same with a toyota camry i used to own. they're good starter cars to learn to drive and get used to power so when you step up to LT1 or an LS1 you'll be ready to handle those beasts. i know i'm itching to get one once i finish car college next year (you know, when i start making those nice figures )

 

You could get a 305 in a Z28, never a TBI though. As a rule (except for the earlier years when they could be equal), the biggest motor in the RS, or SC was smaller than the smallest motor in the z28. Most Z28's were 305's but the 305's were formitable, in 92 the 305tpi in the z28 was putting out 240hp, as opposed to the 305tbi in the rs putting out 170.
http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml
You should be able to learn tons from that chart

 

your own chart says that the 305 TPI puts out 205HP (not 240 ) compared to the TBIs 170. but at least a TBI upgrade is alot cheaper than a TPI upgrade, or so i have been told. except for the gas mileage my little throttle bodied 305 does just fine until, like i said, i get enough money for an SS

 

The LG4 (305 carb) & LO3 (305 TBI) were the base engines in the 1985-89 Z28 and IROC with the LB9 (305 TPI) & L98 (350 TPI) being the extra cost options. This changed in 1990 with the LB9 being standard.

 

5.0 (305) 230@4200 300@3200 TPI

 

bahhhhhh. 305tpi isnt a bad little motor at all ,with a few bolts ons, youll be keeping up with mustang 5.0,s and thats really what where out for. even if it isnt as fast(in the long run) its a hard motor to kill, you just about have to drive it with no oil to kill it. , shouldnt say that watch me blow mine lol, its torquey, lot of lsi where doing there 60 fts at 2.0 2.1 2.2 my little 305 wast far behind with 2.3, so all in all 305 isnt bad, dont be scared off by a 305 its a good motor. asssuming youll be buying the iroc with tpi, other wise 305 carbs are not to good, but all in all its a camaro