3rd Gen Camaros

Why does it seem like the 3rd Gen cars don't get enough love these days? While the early cars were performance challenged, the later 3rd Gens were adequate performers for their day. With them being so plentiful and cheap, I'm surprised they're not finding favor for more projects.

Anyone else agree, disagree, or think I'm on crack for talking about 3rd Gens?  

I have a 1988 v6 Camaro that I have owned since brand new and I still love my car.The v6 isn't that popular, but they are starting to make aftermarket parts for these motors and they do have potential. I believe with the right parts these engine can come close to a v8 small block. Spmetimes it is easier and cheaper to keep these engines. Also with the smog laws of California it may be a smarter move. Hotrodding is about being different.  

I have a 1990 camaro, and i love it, YES, it does have a LOT of problems do to being beat by previous owners.  but i love the body style and the shape of the car.  I have heard that all the 3rd gens have been known for their problems, but i wouldnt really know because all my friends are rice lovers...enough said.  but i love the idea of pure muscle and though the cars are plentiful and cheap, fixing all those problems can be pricey as im finding out. but that aint going to stop me.  

Really, any 3rd Gen that has problems from being beat on by previous owners can't be any worse than the guys with beat to hell Fox Mustangs. You can find a good condition Z28 or 305 RS car for under $3000, try finding a nice 5.0 Fox car for that amount!

There's so many 305 cars out there, do you think there's any interest in a performance 305 build, or would prefer to just go ahead and do a 350 swap?  

I've owned my 1989 Camaro RS 305/5-speed  since new and am completing a 4 year long (and expensive) mild resto/mod job. I think what hurts these cars in the eyes of musclecar people is the computers, weak drivetrains, unusual suspensions (torque-arms and struts), and flimsy body structure. My car has caused it's share of aggravation in these areas over the years and I just spent 3 weeks fixing some electrical issues but overall it's been a solid daily driver for 17 years. As mine has been "restified" and still appears to be a clean original car it turns heads everyday and can be a very fun and comfortable car to drive.  

I must chime in on this hot topic. The first gen/third gen press coverage debate. Yes it is true that if it wasn't for the firt gen there would be no third gen Camaro. The lack of emissons regulations required on them due to grandfathered clauses leave there engine combos and horsepower expectations completely to the control of the builder (if intended for everday driving). No doubt a popular Chevy to hot rod.

However the sleek design and more reactive handling of the third gen Camaro doesn't make it a slouch either. I am the owner of a 1991 Camaro RS. Yeah, it has the whippy 305 TBI V8 and a 700R4 transmisson, but I plan to restore the body, drop in a 383 stroker, beef up the transmission with pefromance clutch pack and a swift kit. I also plan to upgrade the rear end and braking system. I do this because the think the third gen Camaros was the best generation made. After all that generation ran from 1982-1992. No other generation has had that long of a production run. Go 3rd Gen Camoros! Go!

Derrick Thomas
Dallas, Tx  

YEs, God, PLease.  i have begged for a performance 305 build.  Aren't you the guy that i ripped for pulling the 305 out of the project purple car?  build a performance 305 please.  bore it 40 over stroke it put aluminum fast burn heads on it.  put a real nice cam in it rollers cam roller rockers, do it all.  show us what you can do with a fat wallet and a 305. please shut up all these guys that say a 305 is a boat anchor. please.

p..s don't ask a question if you have no intention of following through  

I've had an '84 camaro for 3 years, and i love it. It was the Iroc-Z that really made this generation. Hood louvres, ground effects and all. I'm doing a mild performance build on my 305, but im an 18 year old working on minimum wage in Ontario so my options are kind of budgeted. The complete engine setup is: L69 305 H/O block, crank, and pistons. Crane cam with .454 lift both intake and exhaust, Edelbrock Performer RPM high rise intake, holley 600 cfm carb, full roller rockers, GM dual roller timing chain with 3 timing options(straight up, 4 degree advance, 4 degree retard) Also looking for a set of vortec heads, or Edelbrock Performer RPM heads.  

I have seen alot of 3rd Gen. cars here in Oklahoma. I recently bought my 91 to rebuild. I think that you are right in that they don't get enough love. I really love my camaro.  

Yo know I love em!  

I'm the proud owner of an 86 iroc-z. Although it has a few one off items, like the old style heads but new one piece rear main seal. Oh and you gotta love the government mandated third brake light mounted on the top edge of the rear window, on the outside! All kidding aside, it was the car I wanted as a senior in high school. I graduated in 86 so it would have been new. I've got a wife and kids now and It's not the priority she once was. At this time she's in the garage with a nasty atf leak around the front pump area, and needs some paint and light body work. Damn I love that car and I'll be hard pressed to let her go. The time will come when I can justify spending all that money on something that's  just gonna sit alot. I believe there is a romance and kinship we all feel with our rides, whatever they may be. they remind us of our youth, a simpler time. It's  an honor to be a gearhead.  

I am currently building my 83 camaro l69 it was my first car and my first love... Ive had it together twice now but did not like the set up. first i got rid of the hp305 and did the crate 350. then to a very built sbc but that caused me to explode the 10 bolt. so i tore it down so now i am building a 383 and keeping the 5 speed. i love the body style and the handling. i think they deserve more credit for what they are and what they can be for a fraction of the cost.  my parents bought this new off of the lot