Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Were the 1982-92 Chevy Camaro's/Pontiac Firebird's good vehicles? I'm starting to become a big fan of these cars (I prefer the Camaro's styling over the Firebird's) and I consider them to be one of the nicest looking cars of the 1980s/early 1990s
You mean the "cease-fire" injection? You're much better off with a tuned port injection.
Never have owned a 3rd gen F body, but I know they're commonly associated stereotyped as being driven by those who wear mullets and live in trailer parks.
The 1989 Trans AM turbo I think is by far the best 3rd gen F body ever released, surpassing all others. One of the bummers about the 3rd gen F bodies is they were grossly underpowered; until 1987, the top engine was a 305 that didn't even break the 200 hp mark. Also until 1987, you could not get a convertible on an F body.
Another interesting tidbit: in '82 when the 3rd gen F body came out, the rear suspention went from leaf springs to a triangulated 4 link, however GM stopped production of the beefier 8.5 rear (that was used in 1981 and previous years) and instead started using the crap 7.5 rears that were continued into the 2002 model year, even on all of the LS1 equipped cars!
Also in the engine department, for the '82 model year, they pulled the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder and the 2.8 liter V6, both from the Chevy Citation and used them to power the new Camaro and Firebird. I believe the 2.5 was dropped after the '85 modely ear, but the 2.8 soldiered on until either '90 or '91 when it was bumped up to the 3.1 liter V6.
The first, and only, brand new vehicle I ever bought was a 1989 Camero. It was loaded with everything I could have wanted in a car, and within a few months I hated it with a glowing passion. I found myself driving my 1973 Jeep J-4000 pick-up more than the Camero, because at least the old pick-up wouldn't leave me stranded with no warning. I owned the Car 16 months and had to replace the computer 7 times, plus having to deal with HORRIBLE fit and finish problems from day 1. Screws and parts dropping out from under the dash were common place, shoddy paint job, low grade plastic everywhere.
I will give it credit and say that it would stick a corner like no vehicle that size should have. And for having a V-8, IF you kept your foot out of it, the car would deliver some rather impressive MPG figures. The T-tops never leaked a drop no matter how hard it downpoured either.
You mean the "cease-fire" injection? You're much better off with a tuned port injection.
Never have owned a 3rd gen F body, but I know they're commonly associated stereotyped as being driven by those who wear mullets and live in trailer parks.
The 1989 Trans AM turbo I think is by far the best 3rd gen F body ever released, surpassing all others. One of the bummers about the 3rd gen F bodies is they were grossly underpowered; until 1987, the top engine was a 305 that didn't even break the 200 hp mark. Also until 1987, you could not get a convertible on an F body.
Another interesting tidbit: in '82 when the 3rd gen F body came out, the rear suspention went from leaf springs to a triangulated 4 link, however GM stopped production of the beefier 8.5 rear (that was used in 1981 and previous years) and instead started using the crap 7.5 rears that were continued into the 2002 model year, even on all of the LS1 equipped cars!
Also in the engine department, for the '82 model year, they pulled the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder and the 2.8 liter V6, both from the Chevy Citation and used them to power the new Camaro and Firebird. I believe the 2.5 was dropped after the '85 modely ear, but the 2.8 soldiered on until either '90 or '91 when it was bumped up to the 3.1 liter V6.
The 2.5 Iron Duke was dropped after the 1986 model year and the 2.8 was replaced by the 3.1 Liter V6 starting in 1990 I believe, that sucks that the top engine of the pre-1987 models didn't break the 200hp mark, I take it the 8.5 rears had better handling than the 7.5 rears?
the 3rd gen had the looks but it hard to get past their lack of power and now a 4th gen with a LT1 or LS1 are quite resonable priced on the used market that it would be a good idea to pick one up over a 3rd gen cause it is hard to beat the raw power and fun factor of the LS1 powered Z28
the other downside of the 82-92 3rd gens was that you could not get the 5.7 TPI with a standard tranny the all were auto only the 305 came with a stick shift
Last edited by GTOlover; 01-25-2010 at 04:30 PM..
Reason: spelling
The 2.5 Iron Duke was dropped after the 1986 model year and the 2.8 was replaced by the 3.1 Liter V6 starting in 1990 I believe, that sucks that the top engine of the pre-1987 models didn't break the 200hp mark, I take it the 8.5 rears had better handling than the 7.5 rears?
Thanks for the correction. I was almost certain '85 was the last year for a 4 cylinder in a Camaro.
Yes the 8.5 rear was a sturdier rear than a 7.5 rear. The 8.5 rear was a replacement for the GM 12 bolt. It's almost as strong as a 12 bolt rear.
As for the comment made by GTO lover, the 305's were avaliable with a stick shift however the tranny they used was a T-5 and it was junk. It was known to grenade even when powered by the tire burning 190 hp 305 V8.
the 3rd gen had the looks but it hard to get past their lack of power and now a 4th gen with a LT1 or LS1 are quite resonable priced on the used market that it would be a good idea to pick one up over a 3rd gen cause it is hard to beat the raw power and fun factor of the LS1 powered Z28
the other downside of the 82-92 3rd gens was that you could not get the 5.7 TPI with a standard tranny the all were auto only the 305 came with a stick shift
I thought it was a major mistake by not having the standard tranny with the 5.7 motor, I thought the standard tranny/5.7 combo would have an advantage with the power/economy ratio
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
