I have been so busy trying to fix my newer Z28 that I have been neglecting my first Z.
I have a quick question.

What type of engine does a 1980 Z28 come with? I think they had LT1s back then (didnt they) I would like to know which engine was put in stock.

I know it only came stock with about 190 HP. Do they stillmake mods for this engine?

 

There were first gen LT1s, 350 ci 370 hp, however they came in 70-72 cars one wouldnt ocme in yours. There are several possibilities. But if your car is a real Z28 it probbaly came with a generic low hp 350. From 73 cars didnt start to make any real power again until the L98s.

Other options for camaros in the 80s were 305s, or that really small V8 that I can never recall its exact ci. Its like a 265 or something. Really lame motor

 

Well I ran the VIN and it said it was equiped with a 350 ci engine.

And I know it is a big V8 just by doing random work on it.

im pretty sure it is a REAL Z28. unless somebody went through a huge amount of trouble to take a regular RS or Berlinetta and totally revamped it to exactly be like a Z28 in every way.

I think that 265 ci engine you are refering to came with the berlinetta.

 

Does anybody else have a 80 Z28?

 

it will be a lm1 350 if its a true z28 and its the factory block

 

damn you beat me to it. There are tons of aftermarket parts for this engine.
Gen 1 sbc was made from 55 up to the 90's. And 350 isn't big, phyically or cubic inch.

 

i have a 79 z28 with a 350 (lm1). the vin will have a letter l in it. the other v8 in80 81 camaros was a 267(a real p.o.s). iknow because my 81 malibu has one! besides the 262 in 75 and 76 this motor was one of the worst v8s ever! to check if yours is areal z the cowl tag will have z28 stamped on it if it was a norwood built car.

 

California 1980 Z28's were only available with the 305 and an automatic. 350's were available elsewhere, as well as a 4speed, but not in California.

It was a standard post 1978 small block Chevy. However it is NOT an LT1. (No not the old LT1 or the new LT1, just a run of the mill post 1978 small block Chevy.)

 

I've a 1980, but the original engine is long gone.

As for mods, buy yourself a shortblock and complete the engine yourself or do like I did and buy a complete crate engine. I wasted a lot of money doing mods to the tired stock low compression engine.

That said, there are thousands of things you can do to a 'classic' sbc.

 

350 isnt big? Since when?

relatively speaking a 400 or 454 is obviously biggER but that doesnt mean a 350 is not big.

 

I think this is what it might come down to.(replacing the engine)

Was the the LM1 a good engine? What else was equipped with the LM1?

Although if I do that I will replace the transmission. Which would go against my goal of trying to keep it stock.

I already have one Z28 for speed. I was going to RESTORE (trying to keep everything original) This one for the love of Z28s. And it would have to be a personal interest because nobody is going to get what they put into the car WHen they try to sell it.

OH yeah I have already ran the VIN # and it is a Z28.

 

i hate when people say that hp fell off in 73 for the z . granted the 73 is no power house but its only rated at 10 less hp than the 72(255hp in 72 and 245 in 73 and 74) and yes their both sae net ratings, the net and gross ratings change between 70 (360 hp) and 71 (330hp)

 

well thats just what I was hinting at...back in the 60's a 350 was pretty small and tamer then the big inch monsters. But by todasy standard a 350 (or 346 if you like) is huge!

I have a 400 Pontiac in my car--so a 350 is bit small...

 

Yeah but you have to admit CUBIC INCHES are not the only factor.

a 350 LT1 is a great engine.
an LS1 346 is "supposed" to be even better
and the LS3 which is in this years corvette may be one of the best engines Chevy has ever made.( and I am pretty sure its not much bigger than a 350)

Supposedly when they do bring the Camaro back it is supposed to have a 365 ci engine (from what I heard)

Modern tech= smaller engines but with great potential

And better MPG

 

The new vette has an LS2, not LS3 (It's a 6.0L, but the block is actually smaller than a Gen1 sbc).

- Justin