Many believe that 1985-86 ushered in the rebirth of American Performance. The 1990 model year, with manual 5-speed and equipped G92 and 1LE packages, included the fastest production models of the 1985-90 five liter (305 cubic inch) version IROC-Z model years, as is the 1991-92 Tuned Port Injected Z28 models (as the IROC-Z ended in 1990 and replaced with Z28 in 1991). Here is more 3rd generation F-body knowledge and facts for 3rd gen newbies and/or Camaro enthusiasts looking for research, facts, specs, stats, and information on the 3rd generation Camaro and Firebird.Starting with the 1985, and the first year of the Tuned Port (TPI) system, actually outperformed the five liter Mustang GT in Motor Trend's magazine road testing in 1985 (this wasn't simply based on straight line performance) and Motor Trend crowned the new Tuned Port Injection (TPI) IROC-Z to be the Ponycar king of the 1985 production year. The other hot performance optioned 3rd gen was the L69 H.O model which could be ordered with the 5-speed.
The 5.0 Tuned Port Injection models could not be ordered with the manual tranny until 1987 (due to the high torque ratings of the Tuned Port Injection), which was also the first year for the new Corvette 5.7 TPI (L98/B2L) engines fitted in the F-body twins. But they, too, could not be ordered with manual transmission.In 1986 GM changed the camshaft design for emissions purposes and lost power in the TPI engine from this cam change.
Racing,pro-touring Firebird, Camaro, trans am suspension and chassis components,GEN II, GEN 2 racing products, the best suspension kits on the market, springs, shocks. 3rd Generation Camaro Parts The third generation Chevrolet Camaro was the first Camaro built without front subframes or leaf-spring rear suspensions and spanned years 1982-1992. These Camaros front ends were held up by a modified MacPherson strut system and the hind end a long torque arm and coil springs.
Motor Trend's testing documented the 5.0 Mustang absolutely destroying the 1986 TPI Camaro IROC-Z and Z28 in road testing comparison. GM changed Camshafts the following year due to this lack of performance. The 1986 Tuned Port Injected Camaro was the least powerful of the 85-90 IROC Camaros, and road testing revealed the embarrassing 1/4 mile times for GM's Ponycar twins that particular model year.1987 was the much-anticipated release of the Corvette L98/B2L 5.7 liter 350ci TPI motor for the Camaro IROC-Z, Formula 350 and GTA Trans Am. Motor Trend testing showed disappointing results for the 225hp 5.7 TPI Camaro with its identical 1/4 mile dragstrip times as the 5.0 EFI Mustang. Handling & braking went to the LB9 optioned 5.0 powered manual 5-speed Camaro/Firebird as usual, thanks to GM's more advanced suspension geometry and braking components over Ford's weaker handling/braking 5.0 liter Mustang.
Both the 5.7 TPI Camaro and 5.0 EFI Mustang recorded identical 14.7 quarter mile times and 140+mph top speeds with the Camaro edging the Mustang out slightly over 100mph due to its aerodynamic design.1988 the Camaro and F-body cousin Firebird horsepower rating went up, as it did every year after. Until 1990 where the TPI maxed out at 245hp for the 5.7 (L98) 350ci automatic and 230hp for the 5.0 (LB9) 305ci 5-speed with G92 and 1LE options (limited 1LE option F-bodies were built to compete with the Saleen Mustangs in showroom stock road racing competition) with documented 1/4 mile times of 14.6 for the 5.0/5spd model and 14.4 for the bigger 5.7/auto model, shows these were the best performing and fastest 3rd generation F-bodies produced to date. (Take note that this is not the TBI Throttle Body Injection 170hp Camaro or Firebird, as they were the 'economy version' and had around 75hp less than the performance version 245hp TPI Tuned Port Injection equipped F-body versions, which was a big contrast in performance between the TPI and TBI models.) There were only four (6) 1LE models produced in 1988, with over 700 units being produced by the last year of the 3rd Gen run in 1992.1989 and 1990 would prove to be the best performing IROC-Z models of the 3rd generation models. In 1990 the G92 option became a full performance 'street' package that shocked many unsuspecting 5.0 Mustang of the time, with 230hp and 245hp, 3.23 gears or 3.42 gears, and similar 3,200 lb weight, the 5.0 Mustang guys were quickly finding out that these G92 optioned performance Camaros were a different breed from the earlier run-of-the-mill cruiser models.Now, a note for all the newbies and/or young fellas new to the 3rd generation F-bodies, or those who may be thinking about restoring or building up a late 1980s early 1990s 3rd generation Camaro, Firebird Formula, or Trans Am. Just remember that TPI = good and TBI = bad if you are looking for horsepower or wanting to run with 5.0 Mustangs of the same era.
The TBI will not get it done in factory or semi modded form. You will need at least the LB9 optioned 5.0 TPI with the manual 5-speed or the L98 optioned 5.7 automatic (the 350ci cars were not available with the 5-speed transmission, only the 4-speed automatic). Also remember, factory stock for stock trim, the 1986 was the slowest year of production, and the 1990 IROC-Z and 1991-92 Z28 models were the most powerful 3rd Gen models, although the 1991-92 cars carried a little extra weight. Pound for pound the 1989 and 1990 IROC-Z and Formula were the best performing 3rd Gen models produced (of course that does not include ultra-rare models like the anniversary turbo Trans Am or SLP Firehawk).The author of this article owns both Camaro and Mustang models from this generation, and I love them equally. But honestly, I believe that the Ford 5.0 liter 302 engine is a better all-around motor versus the GM 5.0 liter 305 engine. In terms of a balance of power, torque, reliability, dependability, acceptance to bolt-on modifications.
And even sound. The motors are very close in specs, but the 302 has a larger bore, and many people don't realize that the Ford 302 actually has the same size four inch (4') bore as GM's ever-popular 5.7 liter 350ci small block, but the Ford 302 has a shorter stroke compared to GM's 305ci small block. Another positive of the 305 is the fact that is almost a perfect square balanced motor, where the bore and stroke are very close to being equal, similar to Ford's durable 4.6 liter (281ci) engine, which produced a little over 300hp (naturally aspirated) in its final production years and 400hp (forced induction) in the legendary 'Terminator SVT Cobras.' The 305 unfortunately is remembered for all the non-performance economy versions through the years, which is a shame because the 230hp 5.0 liter 305 was a great little motor, and if weren't for GM guy's having the option for a larger displacement 5.7 liter 350 engine to turn to, the little 305 would have had the aftermarket support and loyal following just as Ford's little 302.The featured white Camaro IROC-Z in this article is owned by the author, I figured I'd put that out there so you can't call foul by way of bias, towards the Mustang. These claims are simply my opinion from the years of experience I've had with these cars.
As stated earlier, I have an equal love for both of these domestic Ponycars. Asking me to choose between Camaro and Mustang is like asking me which one of my kids I love more! Certainly there is something good as well as something bad with both models. If I had to vote, judge or award these cars from this era, I'd have to give straight line 'Dragstrip' power, torque and performance to the Mustang, and the 'Corner Carving - Road Racing' abilities of handling and braking advantage to the Camaro/Firebird.So there you have it, some random American Musclecar opinions from John @ nedaCFilms / Mustang-Town and V8ponycars.com.
And you know what people say about opinions—they are like!%$?&!Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope you found some information to be useful. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by commenting below. Now, go buy American! Love this video and write up! As fans of both cars, I appreciate your opinions of both the strengths and weaknesses of these 80's pony cars.I have an L98 powered GTA and am quite smitten with the ole tune port. However, Is it a lost cause to try to modify a stock 305 TPI?
I'd love to own the right 5.0 5-speed one day but would love to try the 305 TPI 5-speed before reverting to my old ways.Furthermore, I had no idea the 5.0L ford had a similar bore to a SBC (or SBO for that matter). Keep rocking the cool car vids and write-ups.-James. Hi, I am an owner of a 1988 IROC-Z28 L98 350 TPI. I came across this article and saw the stills above from a video that I saw on Youtube. I'm actually a subscriber to the 'NedacFilms' channel. I saw the comment made by 'FredY' and I'd have to respectfully disagree with his comment.
For one thing, the only 305 TPI's that could come close to a 350 Auto/TPI was the 5 speed's with the G92 code. The G92 option was available before 1990, as it was in 1987 as standard on the 350's and as an option for the 350's in 1988 and 1989 I believe. The 1988 IROC 350's got worse times as tested back then because GM put 2:77 gearing in them and it's possible testing conditions were different each time also.The G92 3:27 POSI upgrade from a 2:77 ratio makes a lot of difference in times and acceleration from any speed, especially a dig if you have traction. The 305 TPI's honestly are some of the biggest junk motors GM ever put in a Camaro.
The 305 TPI had nothing on the 350's back then and only the 305 TPI G92 optioned with a 5 speed came close to one as far as 1/4 mile and 0-60 times go. The T5 transmissions in those 305's were junk but the 700r4's from 1987-1992 were decently built transmissions for what they were being used in (the L98's).Overall, on an average day, the 350 TPI bone stock in healthy shape will eat a 305 TPI auto/5 speed that is bone stock. Sometimes it's possible the 5speed 305 may win but it'll be barely or very close. 305's didn't get decent power until the early 90's right before the 3rd Gen. Era came to an end.
Either way I'm proud to have a 350 mildly built TPI/L98 Camaro and I've yet to have lost to any 305 car. It's good to see these cars finally get recognized for what they truly are,the 'musclecars' of my generation.I was a child of the 80's and a Chevy lover,my attention was always on the fact that the 'Stang had it all over the Iroc.Every year i'd wait for G.M. To up the horsepower so we could finally beat the Ford.In 1990 i got my wish.I'm the proud owner of a '91 Z28 G92 optioned car with the 5.7 and i love it,what a torque monster!I'm now looking for an unmolested '87-'93 Mustang to go along with my Z28.Imagine these two once rivals parked next to each other in my garage!Thanks for the info on these great cars!. For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: Show Details NecessaryHubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam.
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons.
FeaturesGoogle Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them.
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature.
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. MarketingGoogle AdSenseThis is an ad network. Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. SovrnThis is an ad network. Facebook AdsThis is an ad network.
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. AppNexusThis is an ad network. OpenxThis is an ad network. Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. TripleLiftThis is an ad network. Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites.