Ok So, I recently started to restore this 1987 Camaro; I'm pretty sure it's a 305. What I was wondering is, does anyone know a good place to check VIN numbers to find out Information on your car (I know it's a V8) What the difference between Iroc / Z28 (I know it's not an IROC) and what are some tips and major things I should replace - Just doing the little things atm: Wheels/Tires, Sparkplugs/Wires, Filter, Fuel Pump, Alternator. What are things known to go out on these cars.

It also has an aftermarket Exhaust - Some sort of glass tube or something.

 

Here isa website that should be helpful with all the casting numbers.
To find out if its a 305 or 350 look down on the engine block behind the right valve cover
(if your facing the motor from outside the car). There should be a set of numbers like
GM5.0LG (305)or GM5.7LG (350). You may have to push some wires out of the way and clean the number plate off to see it.
http://www.mortec.com/location.htm

 

[font=arial]The 1987 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe got restyled rally wheels (unique to this year), new lower body stripes, and argent headlamp pockets.The dropped Berlinetta model was replaced with the new 'LT' option for the '87 Camaro Sport Coupe. The 1987 Camaro LT option incorporated most of the Berlinetta's equipment except the electronic instrumentation.Late in the model year, the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro RS was introduced for California and with only V-6 power. RS had Z28 style valances that were painted body color (like IROC) and had no lower body stripes. The RS got the 15 inch 5 spoke aluminum Z28 wheel which were painted to match body color. The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro RS came only in red, white, or black. It also had the same steering wheel used in Z28's and IROC-Z's.Delco-Bose sound systems and leather interior were available for the first time and were available on all Camaro models.Automatic gearshift **** is switched from round to square in all models.The CHMSL moved to the spoiler (which was slightly increased in size) on all cars equipped with a spoiler (all Z28's, IROC-Z's, spoiler optional on LT and Sport Coupe). Lower body stripes on Z28 still numbered 4, but gap between the top three stripes was removed.Camaro convertible was introduced for the first time since 1969 as a regular production option.

The convertible was available on the 1987 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe, Sport Coupe LT, Z28, and IROC-Z. The new 350 TPI motor was not available in the convertible however. The convertible conversion was performed on t-top equipped (t-top models have extra bracing) Camaros by ASC. Only 1,007 convertibles were produced this first year of production. 1987 was the 20th anniversary of the Camaro and the convertibles were considered the anniversary editions and were signified by a special dash badge that read `20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition'. Also specific to the 87 convertibles were the one year only third brake light and fairings extending a few inches onto the top edge of the doors. G92 performance axle ratio and J65 four wheel disc brakes were available this year on the IROC-Z convertible.1987 was the last year for Camaros produced at the Norwood Ohio plant, the original Camaro Plant.The 350 TPI and 5 Speed 305 TPI combinations were finally available on the IROC-Z28 after alot of testing. The 350 was only available in the IROC-Z and only with an automatic transmission. The exterior differed in appearance only by `5.7 Tuned Port Injection' badges rather than `Tuned Port Injection' badges. The TPI 350 motor was not visually distinguishable from the TPI 305. A few things can be used to disinguish a 350 TPI from a 305 TPI (other than the badges, which are often changed to sell a 305 TPI as a 350 TPI). All TPI 350 IROC-Z's (1987-1990) and all TPI 350 Z28's (1991-1992) had automatic transmissions and most had rear disc brakes. The eighth digit of the VIN is and `8' for 350 TPI's and an `F' for 305 TPI's. The service parts identification list in the center console glovebox will list the code B2L and L98 for a 350 TPI, LB9 for a 305 TPI. The under hood sticker should list the motor as a 5.7 liter rather than a 5.0 liter. All TPI 350 (1987-1992) Camaros had a tach with yellow at 5000 and red at 5500. They also all came with the Borg Warner 9 Bolt and 3.27's in 87 only.In 1987, the 215hp 305 TPI motor returned on the newly available 5 spd / 305 TPI combination only. Torque was rated now at 295, up from 275 in 1985. Automatic 305 TPI's still got the weaker cam and 190hp rating.All 5 spd 305 TPI '87 Camaros came with the better cam (25hp advantage) until 1990 when G92 HAD to be specified to get the better cam in the 5 spd 305 TPI. Roller lifters and new valve cover/head design on V-8 Camaros. Valve covers featured new sealing and mounting through center of cover. Heads featured new raised lip for improved valve cover sealing.G92 and L98(B2L) cars finally got the Borg-Warner HD 7.75 inch four pinion rear end, produced by GM

 

With your vin any dealer can look up exactly what your car was built with. Including what everyone asks, the rear gear ratio.

 

Vin information regarding RPO's was deleted from GM's system for everything older then 10 years. So asking the Dealer is a waste of time for 1987 model.

 

You should still check the casting numbers on the block, to make sure what size your motor is.
Someone could have swapped it out before you, unless you bought it from the oringinal owner.
I kinda had that problem when I bought mine. I was told it was a 350, because the guy who had
it before me was told it was a 350, when it really was a 305. Ididn't know any better at the time
to check the numbers. I'm glad I checked before I started to modify.....

 

[sm=chairshot.gif]
Just my opinion: 99 44/100 % of 305 TPI's are sold as 350TPI's because the buyer wants to belive it and dose not chexk it out. Right now there are more stock (so called 350's) then GM installed in 3rd gen cars.According to most owners. that 305 is a 350 because that is what they were told. Dumb....[sm=chattypair.gif]