why were early third gens so much weaker then later third gens?
 

is this because they were carbed?

i ask this cuz i'm lookin at an 82. its a 4 speed with a 350 so i know its not the stock engine, but it is carbed. can it still put out decent power? i guess if i seriously look at it i'll figure out what engine it is and post it on here.

yeah definitely find out the specs on that engine and the kind of carb and intake on it too.

For factory motors, yes, the induction system did hold back a lot of power, and counting in emissions control. You have to remember, car companies where just starting to work with fuel injection in the 80s. Most people didn't think fuel injection could make the power carbs did back in the day [weren't they wrong]. Then again, Cross-Fire Injection and Throttle-Body Injection didn't help the cause.

Back on track. A carb motor has endless power abilities depending on how big your wallet is. I could take a bone stock 82TA with the CFI, and then drop in a 700hp carbed 350sbc motor. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference from the outside. Then again, I could also drop in a 700hp fuel injected 350sbc just as easily.

Hope this clears things up a little.

Being carbed wont hurt your power potential at all, until your running over 900 hp on some kinda of high boost forced induction system and need to get crazy masses of fuel to it with 96+ lbs/hr injectors.

yea, but why are the early 3rd gens so much weaker? is it just because they have crappy carbs? i mean, how much money would it take to get one to the power of an l98?

Well, on the heels of the ficticious oil crisis the Gov made car makers tighten emission and milage standards. And b/c of the "emissions" parts, small cams, small port heads and such they were "Detuned". They're still 350's, it only takes headwork or replacement and installing a decent cam. The carbs are decent at recalibrating to a point, then you'll have to step up to an aftermarket one with trick kits and modd goodies...All of the usual will work: cam, headers, cold air kits etc....

Most are 305's, the only 350s I can think of in 3rd gens are the 87+ L98s. But i guess some earlier ones were probably made. But as per usual some headwork, and a lively cam will yeild the biggest results.

yea...the car i'm looking at is an 82....but its got a 350 dropped into it. i don't know what kinda 350 but its not an l98 cuz its carbed.

To my knowlege, no 350 F-bodies were made until 87. And no 5 speed 350s were ever made, although I heard that 5 or 6 snuck out of the factory for GM people. But none were documented

I think Darth is right here, 3rd Gen T/A's didn't see the 5.7 until 87. Those 305's in 82 ( the LG4 ) and ( LU5?) were putting out about 145 and 165 horse respectively.

Well if the motor has been dropped in, how do you know its not already running strong? We need more info on the motor in the car before we can tell you what you want to hear. Is it a 4 speed auto, or a 4 speed manual?

if it is a 4 speed manual, it should be(if OE to the car) a BW T-10, a good trans, had one in my 77 Firebird Formula, behind a Pontiac 400

pretty sure that t/a's got the l98 in 86, and irocs stepped up and got the 350 in 87

if i wasnt so lazy, id check thirdgen.org

In 1982 The camaro had the same crossfire injected 350 that the corvette had i thought.

Aye its a 305 after all.

its a 4 speed manual tranny...and its a 350...i don't know why you guys are talking about 305's