I have owned many a 4th gen, but never owned a 3rd gen. I love the way they look and have the opportunity to pick a decent looking one up for what I believe to be a good price. Problem is, I know NOTHING about 3rd gens. So here are some of the car details and some questions.

Its a 1991 z28 with a 305 in it. White with red interior automatic, ttops, pw.pl. Looks very clean, and has 92k miles on it. Lady wants 2,000, I can probably get it for 1500.

I know the 305 is a dog. What would my options be for a engine swap down the road? Is it going to cost me a arm and leg to do? What engines are direct swaps into these cars? I did an edmunds review search and it doesnt show a 5.7 as a option but I know they exsist. I thought all z28's where 5.7 and some RS's where 3.4 or 5.0 ?????

I need someone to teach me about these cars. Help.

 

Part 2.

What are the differences in cars from year to year? More specificly 91 and 92? Aside from the side skirts and the spoilers, whats different about them than years prior? Is there a specific year I should avoid? Is there one that really stands out?

 

Other than typical factory upgrades to some parts, there is little to no difference between 82-92 except cosmetic changes. Mechanically, they're all the same. Different models got different options but they're all interchangeable. The 91-92 got the best cosmetics. I like the look of the IROC/Z28 the best. Others like the RS or other models.

$2000 for a 91 isn't bad as long as it's not a rust bucket. The cost to fix rust holes on a unibody car can get expensive.

Third gens got everything from a 4 cylinder in 82-83 to a 5.7L but you can just about put anything you want under the hood. My car has a 540 BBC under the hood but it's also not street legal.

Not all IROC's or Z28's got a 5.7L. All the information you need to know about third gens can be found at www.thirdgen.org

 

3RDgens are extremly fun cars,, id definetly opt to do it, 5.0 is not a speed demon, but it still has enough torque down there to be fun. for 1500$ i say u cant really go wrong, there getting old now and becoming more and more hard to find, give it 10years and there going to be literal classics. have fun

 

RSs could get a V6 or a 305 TBI
Irocs & Z28s could get a 305 TBI, 305 TPI, or 350 TPI. (Later years, pre-85 there was no 350)
A 305 to 350 swap is really easy, but the aftermarket has made swapping in an LSx pretty easy too.
There are differences from year to year, but you can really group the cars into 82-84, 85-90, 91-92.

 

the biggest question hasn't been asked... is the 305 in this Camaro a TBI or TPI? The TPI is significantly faster and this also changes the outlook when it comes to upgrading and swapping engines.

 

I dont know which 305 version is in the car. I have only seen exterior pictures, but the lady is going to take a bunch more today. She doesnt seem to know a whole lot about the car.

FWIW: In the pictures, I can see the car has z28 badges, the raised 91-92 z28 spoiler, and the hood with the 2 raised areas on it. Would that appearance package make it possible to identify what engine is in it? Probably a long shot but who knows

 

if its a Z28 its TPI (they did not get TBI)

 

82-87 Z28's and IROC's could get the LG4 or L69 carb, too. And 87 was the first year for the 350 TPI.

The TPI looks like 8 aluminum runners and a throttle body in front like an LT1. The TBI has a black round air cleaner like a carb.

Any small block chevy will bolt right in, but the later model 87-98 roller cam blocks are the most compatible.

 

I read somewhere recently that some folks think the 91/92 thirdgen camaro will be the next 57 bel air. I dont know if i'd believe that, but thats what i read.

if you can get a decent conditon 91 92 for under 2 k i'd jump on it. its nothing to make it a 350, just swap the blocks. great cars, great fun. you wont be sorry if the cars solid.

 

I have never heard that and sorry but I find that laughable! They have different GFX and rims big deal.

 

92K miles is not bad. Talk her down to 1400-1500 (have your cash in hand when you do it)--she will bite. Make sure the title is clean. These cars are easy to work on (lot of room under hood). Its definetly the TPI. You can get a rebuilt 5.7 with roller cam like the 92 Z28 5.7 for under 1 grand. That is basically a straight drop in. When you do so, make sure you get some aftermarket headers and bolt those on since the engine is going to be out. That will make a difference in performance. You will have nice piece of history, a good performance car with a great sound. Add some nitrous and for under $3500 you will have a nice ride.

 

They also have airbags, and updated instrument cluster and a redesigned dash. The 92s got extra sound deadening material which IS noticable. The exterior stuff went beyond just "GFX and rims". True they came with nicer ground effects and different WHEELS, but they also had different hoods, side mouldings, grilles, and trim packages.

 

big deal... and that IP came out in 90

 

big deal... and that IP came out in 90 along with airbags.

You could duplicate the 91-92 look on any thirdgen. But you can't do that to a 56 Chevy (Make it into a 57)