I need to buy a cheap used car. I have always liked the look of the 3rd gen camaros and i wanted something fast, so i decided to find a 1988-1992 camaro. After my long search, I found a 1991 RS with a 305. Here is what he has told me about the car...

"The car is a RS with a 305 engine in it. The engine runs strong, it has no problems to my knowledge. The body is in good shape except on the front end someone backed into it when I was at work one day and now there is a section of paint missing which is about 2 by 4 inches. The front also has stone chips like any car would since it is driven on the highway alot. The interior is in good shape no rips or tears. The driver side lock does not work so to unlock the car you have to unlock the passenger side first."
Also...
"The headers are Edelbrock they were about $500, I put them on about a year or so ago. The Flowmaster exhaust is not duel exhaust, I put that on about 2 years ago. Also I put in a K&N air filter about a year ago. Since I have a good air flow I got the Jet Stage 2 chip. I put 3 inch chrome tips on my exhaust as well. "

He is asking 3000 for it. What should I do. Is this a good price? Is the car worth it? Is the 305 a decent engine or what? I want speed but cant seem to find an IROC around here with a 350 and I need a car quick. Any help would be cool.
Thanks

 

It has ups and downs. If its a 91 RS its gonna be a TBI car. Now while it wont be much in the power department, it should have enough to make it fun to drive. And it probbaly wont leave you stranded. Those TBi motors run forever in my experience.

 

yea the 350 irocz's are hard to find...and the ones you do find are a lot of money...305's are an alright motor, of coarse its not as good as a 350, but its still a nice quick motor. It sounds like the car is in good condition. I think its worth 3000 from the sound of it...you might be able to talk him down a little bit also. if it doesn't have a ludicrisly amount of miles on it...I would say, go for it and buy that thing.

 

ijust looked at another iroc today i want buy another one this girl tried to pass her 305tpi off as a 350 she lyied to me and changed all her badges to 5.7 one but she neglected to do the rocker panel decals olus i know the 8th digit code by heart i told her to **** her self basically and she still said it was a 350tpi

 

Buy it and drive it. When you are ready, build it up to say a 383 with some good heads and intakes.

 

have you ever driven a car with a 350 or bigger or a car with lots of power? or are you used to 4 bangers or 6's with not much power? if the second then i say go for it. you will think the thing is ***** to the wall fast. but if your used to drivin 350's, 355's, 383's etc.. then you will think it's slow, doesn't mean it cant be fun but you wont be as happy. i have owned 3 camaros an 86 SC with an LG4, an 89 IROC with an L98 and now i have a 92 RS with the L03, it's a great car, no problems what so ever and it has 120k on the clock, i got it for 2500 bucks but the lady just wanted to get rid of it. it's in basically new shape other than a few little spots. i love the car but it is definetly lacking in power compared to the 350.

now on another note is the car a 5speed? if so i'd say go after it, 5speeds in most anything are fun, so why not. and like the above said if you get tired of the 305 build a beast of a motor and drop it in.

if the car is in as good a condition as it sounds i say go for it, you will have fun in it. and you will atleast be driving an f-body. and if your not set on the L03 i'd go buy that LB9 iroc u said you looked at, especially if it's a 5speed, or even if it's an auto, it will have more power than the RS. but i would buy either, just because of the looks of the cars.

 

Well I used to own a 2002 Mustang GT with the 4.6 and then a 2002 Explorer with the 4.0 v6. I basically need a cheap car and I really like the looks of the 3rd gen camaros. What are the numbers on a 3rd gen RS 305... 0-60? Quarter Mile? I know I am not going to get the thrill of the 350... but is there going to be at least "something" under the throttle. Im also not trying to heavily mod it. Maybe a real loud off road exhaust with some 40 series and some appearance mods and thats about it. I plan on only keeping the car for two years until I graduate college, then purchase a new car on my own. Lemme know what you guys think and those track times would be really appreciated. Thanks....

 

Yes you will feel "something" but realize this a TBI has Low Horsepower (I think around 190hp in 91 but I could be wrong) and a decent amount of torque. Now is this engine junk......most people would say it is but I really don't think it's crap. It's still a V8 and since it's a V8 it is capable of making power. The Heads are restrictive, the cam is crap, and the manifold is also restrictive, essentially the only real performance problem i've ever heard about a 305 is these problems if i'm wrong somebody correct me b/c i'm not an expert. Do your homework and find the right combination if you want power. But if you just want to keep it and beat on it for two years then you'll probably be happy with the 5.0L. Good Luck on finding a Camaro though.

 

I've had two 305 TBI f-bodies thus far... and honestly, I love the motor. They're right about it not having the kick your mustang GT did, but its definately got some power, and with minimal money it can be just as snappy.

The reason I love the motor is it was basically indestructible...I kept it in good oil and changed it regularly, and that sucker took constant never-ending abuse for a good 50,000 miles.

 

If you're going to get a 305, make it a 305 TPI IROC or Z28, the TBI 305 is a boat anchor. 170hp, 255 ft-lbs, low 16s in the quarter. Now this one has a set of headers which is a biggie on those cars, but I still wouldn't get it. I'd snag a nice later 305 TPI (lowest hp was 190 in 86, could have up to 230hp depending on year and tranny) and start from there for mods like headers, etc. Much better base if all you want is a mild bolt on car...

 

190? I wish. Try 170
http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

 

305 TPI is fine. You can get one with a blown motor for all I care. Take it out and stuff in a 383 and your problems will be solved for a while. Stuff in a low compression 383 and a blower and your problems will be solved for a while longer.