1979-1980 Differences
 

Hey, I was wondering if you guys could help me with the differences between a 1979 and 1980 STOCK Z28 CAMARO. I'm not talking about the general stuff like different striping, spoilers etc, mainly talking specifics that most people wouldn't know: mechanical stuff, brake lines, electrical, maybe a slight interior difference, suspension, etc. Just like to be knowledgeable about the car I'm restoring. Thanks!

The Z28 emblems changed. The nose cone looks exactly the same except they changed the mounting holes for the grill. Which was also different. Along with the hood scoop, it when from forward opening to the "air induction". the fender vents went from a "gill" to a "vent". The interior Z28 logos all changed. Thats it there. 81 the console changed for the "ecm' to be hidden in it. 81 also got the flairs in front of the rear wheels. The suspension is all the same really. It either had a small sway bar or a larger 1/1/8" (?). Springs were the same. The rear end is the same from '71 up. I had a '78 with a open diff so that can't be an indicator of anything.The 85 MPH speedo started in 80, to save gas. Again the U14 gauges could be had on any car. The YJ6 (turbine)wheels were 79 and the N90 (honeycombish) wheels were 80. Last thing I can think of is the 80 will have a black stripe through the tail lights.

Basically Z28 was a trim and suspension package. The engines were useless in any form. The top dog '80 350 made a whopping 190hp. the 305 rang the bell with 165hp.

All in all they are the same car.

I think you covered it all Damon,except that the 80 also had the flares in front of the rear tires,not just the 81.

I have been a Camaro guy my whole life. My step mom had an 80 w a 231 3 speed and my brother had a 78 with a 292 I-6 and 3 speed.Add that to owning my '78 for almost 15 yrs and my 80 for three years now. I have literally spent 3/4 of my life around second gens. I wish I could find a pic of my step moms with my dads 10ft row boat strapped to the top so we could go fishing. She sold that to my other brother after a fender bender and bought a third gen. Got did my first fender swap at 13yrs old. I bleed Camaro.

The 1979 Z28 had a close ratio Borg Warner Super T10 with a 2.64 low gear and 3.73 axle. The 1980 had a wide ratio 4 speed with a 3.08 axle to try to improve gas mileage. All of this generation has awfully small trunks and back seats. Don't know about the 80's, but my 79 came with an AM 8track deck and turbine mags.