I have been recently looking to purchase a Camaro and I came across an ad in autotrader claiming a 5.0 liter V8 in a 1989. I thought the 5.0 liter is the Ford engine right?

 

Yes but the Ford 5.0 is a 302 cubic inch motor. The Chevy 5.0 in that Camaro is a 305 cubic inches. They are 2 entirely different motors.

 

The GM 305 can't compare to the Ford 302. Bore and stroke are different even though the displacement is close to the same. GM also produced a 302 which is far superior to the 305 but it was before the 5.0L designation era so technically, GM produced 2 different 5.0's both in the SBC platform. You'll never see someone with a GM 302 claim it to be a 5.0L though.

 

Is the Camaro a TBI or TPI car?

 

Honestly not sure what it is. I don't know as much as I should, but heres the info. And sorry, it was a:

1990 Camaro RS Coupe with the 5.0 L. Sorry I can't provide more details.

 

The 305 came with either the TBI or TPI. However the vast majority were TBI.

 

Looks like You found a 305 TBI car... with 170 hp and 255 lb ft. of pavement pounding torque!

 

That really sucks. Is that even fast? Or a better question is can it be made fast?

 

That is a really slow car in stock form. 15-17 second quarter miles under 90 mph can get old rather fast! Anything can be done to make it a quick car. It all depends on how much money/ time you have to get it where You want it. How fast are You looking to go?

 

Not without a ton of work and money. If you're looking for a performance car, get a Z28 or an IROC with the TPI engine. The TBI's were the base model economy car.

 

I would at least like to get it between 12-14 in the quarter mile