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3rd Generation Camaro
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Published: October 12, 2006
In a different direction than the trend of the 2nd generation Camaros, in 1982 the 3rd generation moved away from the larger and heavier bodies than those of their predecessors. For the first time in a while, the Camaro was smaller and lighter. Chevy also got rid of the front sub-frame and added a MacPherson strut system along with a coiled suspension in the rear.
Sadly, a weak engine line-up would continue to be the name of the game for the 3rd generation Camaros. The base engine in the sports coupe was a 2.5 liter V4 with an output of 90 horsepower. This engine could be upgraded to the base engine in the Berlinetta model which was a 2.8 liter V6 rated at 112 hp or to a 5.0 liter V8 that produced 145 hp (an upgrade to that was the "Cross-fire Injection" engine that produced 165hp).
Cosmetically, very little changed on the Camaro over the years of its 3rd generation. In 1983 a nice boost in power was given to the Camaro with the introduction of the "L69" engine option that added a Corvette-spec camshaft along with a re-finished exhaust system and a four-barrel carb, the 5.0 liter V8 produced a much more respectable 190 hp (compared to the previous 145). A five-speed manual transmission could also be coupled with this new engine. At last, something was done to increase the performance of the Camaro.
In 1984, the L69 engine became more available in 3rd generation Camaros due to the fact that the Cross-Fire engine was scrapped, while an automatic was thrown on most Camaro models. The interior of the Berlinetta was given a digital instrument panel and overhead console that were both trendy as well as unnecessary considering the weak base engine in the Berlinetta that needed upgrades–not the instrumentation panels.
What some consider one of Chevy's best moves in terms of Camaro performance, the International Race of Champions (IROC-Z) model was introduced in 1985. The IROC-Z had 16" five-spoke wheels and an available Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 5.0 liter V8 that maxed out at 215 hp. It had been a while since Chevy offered a Camaro with over 200 hp, so this was great news to Camaro fans–the only drawback being that the engine was not available in a manual (only a four-speed automatic in both the IROC and the Z28).
The next noteworthy year for 3rd generation Camaros came in 1987. Big-block engines were finally available again in Camaros with a 5.7 liter V8 as an option in IROC-Z's. When coupled with the new TPI system, the 5.7 was rated at a whopping 225 hp–the highest horsepower available in a Camaro in 13 years, with much better steering and handling than any high-horsepower Camaro before it. The 5.7 liter was only available in a four-speed automatic, but this year the 5.0 liter became available with a five-speed manual transmission.
Another revival occurring in 1987 to the 3rd generation was the comeback of the convertible–the first mass-produced convertible since 1969. Other changes included a scrapping of the four-cylinder engine and the high-output carbureted 5.0 liter V8. In their place came a new 165 horsepower carbureted 5.0 liter V8. The Berlinetta model was dropped from the 3rd generation and was replaced by an "LT" option package.
In 1988, the 3rd generation saw the end of the Z28 model, as the IROC name had become established enough to represent all high performance Camaros. The Z28's 5.0 liter V8 was available on the sport coupe with a new fuel-injection system that gave it a 170 hp rating. Additionally, IROC's could be ordered with a rare road racing package with bigger disc brakes, an aluminum drive shaft and a modified suspension.
After a few small modifications to the 3rd generation Camaros, the IROC name had to be dropped in 1990 since Dodge picked up sponsorship of the event. The Z28 came back in 1991 where the IROC left off and was given a top end 5.7 TPI engine that put out 245 hp. That year saw the production of the rare Camaro B4C pursuit vehicle for use in law enforcement. It was basically a Z28 labeled as a RS with some of the tunings akin to the 1LE race package.
Closing out the 3rd generation was the 1992 model year. Very few changes were made to the Camaro this year in preparation for the new generation of cars. All Camaros from this year were given a "25th Anniversary" badge on their instrument panel and for 175 dollars more you could upgrade to the "Heritage package" with get racing stripes. The final year of 3rd generation Camaros left more to be desired by Camaro fans who eagerly awaited the introduction of the 4th generation.
Huffman, John Pearley. "Generations." Edmunds.com. 16 June 2003. Inside Line. 12 Oct. 2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/ar ticleId=66170.
Musclecarclub.com - Muscle Cars - Chevrolet Camaro. 2006. Musclecarclub.com. 12 Oct. 2006 http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet- camaro/chevrolet-camaro.shtml.
Cosmetically, very little changed on the Camaro over the years of its 3rd generation. In 1983 a nice boost in power was given to the Camaro with the introduction of the "L69" engine option that added a Corvette-spec camshaft along with a re-finished exhaust system and a four-barrel carb, the 5.0 liter V8 produced a much more respectable 190 hp (compared to the previous 145). A five-speed manual transmission could also be coupled with this new engine. At last, something was done to increase the performance of the Camaro.
In 1984, the L69 engine became more available in 3rd generation Camaros due to the fact that the Cross-Fire engine was scrapped, while an automatic was thrown on most Camaro models. The interior of the Berlinetta was given a digital instrument panel and overhead console that were both trendy as well as unnecessary considering the weak base engine in the Berlinetta that needed upgrades–not the instrumentation panels.
What some consider one of Chevy's best moves in terms of Camaro performance, the International Race of Champions (IROC-Z) model was introduced in 1985. The IROC-Z had 16" five-spoke wheels and an available Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 5.0 liter V8 that maxed out at 215 hp. It had been a while since Chevy offered a Camaro with over 200 hp, so this was great news to Camaro fans–the only drawback being that the engine was not available in a manual (only a four-speed automatic in both the IROC and the Z28).
The next noteworthy year for 3rd generation Camaros came in 1987. Big-block engines were finally available again in Camaros with a 5.7 liter V8 as an option in IROC-Z's. When coupled with the new TPI system, the 5.7 was rated at a whopping 225 hp–the highest horsepower available in a Camaro in 13 years, with much better steering and handling than any high-horsepower Camaro before it. The 5.7 liter was only available in a four-speed automatic, but this year the 5.0 liter became available with a five-speed manual transmission.
Another revival occurring in 1987 to the 3rd generation was the comeback of the convertible–the first mass-produced convertible since 1969. Other changes included a scrapping of the four-cylinder engine and the high-output carbureted 5.0 liter V8. In their place came a new 165 horsepower carbureted 5.0 liter V8. The Berlinetta model was dropped from the 3rd generation and was replaced by an "LT" option package.
In 1988, the 3rd generation saw the end of the Z28 model, as the IROC name had become established enough to represent all high performance Camaros. The Z28's 5.0 liter V8 was available on the sport coupe with a new fuel-injection system that gave it a 170 hp rating. Additionally, IROC's could be ordered with a rare road racing package with bigger disc brakes, an aluminum drive shaft and a modified suspension.
After a few small modifications to the 3rd generation Camaros, the IROC name had to be dropped in 1990 since Dodge picked up sponsorship of the event. The Z28 came back in 1991 where the IROC left off and was given a top end 5.7 TPI engine that put out 245 hp. That year saw the production of the rare Camaro B4C pursuit vehicle for use in law enforcement. It was basically a Z28 labeled as a RS with some of the tunings akin to the 1LE race package.
Closing out the 3rd generation was the 1992 model year. Very few changes were made to the Camaro this year in preparation for the new generation of cars. All Camaros from this year were given a "25th Anniversary" badge on their instrument panel and for 175 dollars more you could upgrade to the "Heritage package" with get racing stripes. The final year of 3rd generation Camaros left more to be desired by Camaro fans who eagerly awaited the introduction of the 4th generation.
Huffman, John Pearley. "Generations." Edmunds.com. 16 June 2003. Inside Line. 12 Oct. 2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/ar ticleId=66170.
Musclecarclub.com - Muscle Cars - Chevrolet Camaro. 2006. Musclecarclub.com. 12 Oct. 2006 http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet- camaro/chevrolet-camaro.shtml.
