I currently own a 4th gen V6 and have been shopping for a 3rd or 4th gen v8 car and saw a 3rd gen Z28 for sale and it was a 5.0 HO badged Camaro. From what I've read, the 5.0 3rd gens are way underpowered due to emissions gear under the hood. After doing a search, I'm more confused than ever. Is this car basically an RS with a few more ponies or is it a legit step up from a 3.8 V6 4th gen?

 

Model year would help identify engine options for that year models.

 

Unfortunately, the owner was not home. It had a For Sale sign with no info or phone number. I owned a 1986 2.8 years ago, and that is the extent of my 3rd gen knowledge.

 

Since it has no high mounted 3rd brakelight (1986 & later), I am going with 1984-83 Z28 that had the L69 305 HO. It was 190 HP & 240 TQ. and the highest Camaro engine for its time in 83-84. 1985 had this engine in the IROC-Z only and was replaced by the LB9 TPI.

 

The L69 3rd gens are capable of running low 15's. Motor Trend ran a 15 flat 1/4 mile in their test. Its not a big step up from a 3.8 liter 4th gen, but personally, I would much rather have the L69 Camaro.

 

Thanks for the info. It was not an IROC Z (if it was, I would have camped out in front of the guy's house until he came home). Some rust around the rear wheel wells, T tops and the hood has the single indent in the center of the hood.

Is this car somewhat rare or is this a fairly common package? I thought the Z28 was 5.7 only...but again, I don't know much about 3rd gens.

 

If it is L69 it would be a good find, but Rare no. Only steaks are rare not 3rd gen cars.
For your info the 350 L98 was $1052 option avaliable on IROCs and later on Z28s,two other engines were used the standand 305 Carb/TBI and the 305 TPI.

 

If it has T-tops check the floors. Hopfully they are still there.

 

if running in good condition, it will be about as fast as a 5 speed 3.8 if the 305 is auto. i always raced a friend of mine with a 2000 firebird, he had an slp intake and flowmaster catback. i had a modified stock air box and no muffler, and we were about dead even. if you arent mechanicly inclined, i would steer away from it and stick with the 3.8 as it will be cheaper to keep the 3.8 running

 

I will politely disagree here, a V8 Fbody is about 5x more reliable than ANY 3800 Series GM V6. My 305 ran trouble free for 250,000+ miles I've known more 305 and 350 owners with 200k+ miles than 3.8 owners with even 150k miles.

To the original poster you can always low ball the owner and offer a low amount and they might take it.