Chevrolet Camaro
History
Third Generation
1982-1992
Introduction: The third generation Camaros would see the first Camaros with factory fuel
injection, four-speed automatic transmission, five-speed manual transmissions,
four-cylinder engines (yikes!), 16-inch wheels, and hatchback body styles.
1982 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: The third generation of Camaros debuted in 1982 as truly all new designs.
They were the first Camaros built without front subframes or leaf-spring suspensions.
The front end was now held up by MacPherson Struts and the rear used a long torque
arm and coil springs. Engine choices were all new for 1982. At the bottom of the
performance scale, buyers could order a Camaro with a version of GM's "Iron Duke" 2.5 liter
four cylinder engine rated at a pathetic 90 bhp. Engine options included a 2.8
liter V6 rated at 112 bhp (which was the base engine in the Berlinetta), or a four-barrel
carbureted 5.0 liter (305 cid) small block V8 rated at 145bhp (which was the base
engine in the Z28). Optional in the Z28 was a "Cross-Fire Injection" (Throttle
Body-Injected) version of the 5.0 V8 which was rated at 165bhp. The carbureted 5.7
could be mated to a manual or automatic transmission, but the Cross Fire 5.7 was
available with an automatic only. A 350 T-Top Camaro once again paced the Indianapolis 500
and the silver and blue replica cars are some of the most attractive of the 1982
models. It is sad to note, however, that the real pace car used a highly modified
350 V8 that wasn't available to the public.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.5 I4 90 bhp.
2.8 V6 112 bhp.
5.0 V8 145 bhp.
5.0 Cross Fire Injected V8 165 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1983 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: The Z28 saw a nice power bump with the introduction of the "L69" engine
option. This added a Corvette-spec camshaft, revised exhaust and reworked four-barrel
carb, which boosted the power output of the 5.0 L69 "H.O. V8 to a more respectable 190bhp.
All of this power could also be hooked up to a new five-speed manual transmission.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.5 I4 90 bhp.
2.8 V6 112 bhp.
5.0 V8 145 bhp.
5.0 Cross Fire Injected V8 165 bhp.
L69 5.7 H.O. V8 190 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1984 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: The troublesome Cross Fire Injected 5.7 engine was dropped as most performance
buyers went for the L69 5.7 engine. A new four-speed automatic (the "700R4") was now
available and the Berlinetta featured a funky digital instrumentation panel and
overhead console. Hopefully, the digital instruments were more entertaining than the V6
that most Berlinettas had.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.5 I4 90 bhp.
2.8 V6 112 bhp.
5.0 V8 145 bhp.
L69 5.7 H.O. V8 190 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1985 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: Camaro made a big step forward in performance with the addition of a new model,
the IROC-Z, which was named after the International Race of Champions, which pitted drivers
all driving identical vehicles - in this case the Camaro. The IROC-Z featured big 16"
five-spoke wheels and unique graphics. Carbureted versions of the 5.0 were still available,
but the big news was the addition of a Tuned Port Injection (TPI) version of the 5.7 for
Z28 and IROC-Z models which was rated at a respectable 215bhp. Unfortunately, the TPI
5.7 was only available with the four speed automatic transmission. The Base Sport Coupe
and Berlinetta had to make due with a new fuel injected version of the 2.8 V6 which
was rated at 135bhp.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.5 I4 90 bhp.
2.8 V6 135 bhp.
5.0 V8 145 bhp.
L69 5.7 H.O. V8 190 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1986 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: 1986 Camaros received a funky blister atop their rear hatches to
accomidate the new federally mandated center high-mounted stop light (CHMSL).
There was also a new exhaust system for non-Z28 cars and a new basecoat/clearcoat
two-stage paint system.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.5 I4 90 bhp.
2.8 V6 135 bhp.
5.0 V8 145 bhp.
L69 5.7 H.O. V8 190 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: Performance returned in a big way for 1987 with the return of the 5.7 (350 cid)
as an option on the IROC-Z. Using the TPI system, the 5.7 was rated at 225bhp, the most
horsepower in a Camaro in 13 years, and had much better driveability. While the TPI 5.7
was only available with an automatic transmission, the TPI 5.0 was now available with
a five-speed manual transmission. 1987 also saw the return of the convertible body style
and the demise of the four cylinder engine. The High Output 5.0 engine was dropped
and a new 5.0 V8 rated at 165bhp became the standard Z28 engine. The Berlinetta model
was also dropped and was replaced by an "LT" option package. Camaros fitted with a
rear spoiler had their CHMSL built into the spoiler, instead of on an ugly housing on the
glass.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.8 V6 135 bhp.
5.0 V8 165 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
IROC: 5.7 TPI V8 225 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1988 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: Chevrolet decided to simplify things in 1988 and made the spoiler standard on
all Camaros. As the IROC name was firmly established, Chevy again dropped the Z28
model, and all high performance Camaros were now IROCs. Base Camaros received the
old 15" five-spoke wheels from the Z28 as well the Z28's lower body skirting. The
Z28's 5.0 V8 was now optional on the sport coupe, and it gained a throttle-body
fuel-injection system to make 170bhp. IROCs could be ordered with the rare
1LE road racing package which included oversize disc brakes, an aluminum
driveshaft and a tweaked suspension.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.8 V6 135 bhp.
5.0 V8 170 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
IROC: 5.7 TPI V8 225 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1989 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: The Rally Sport returned for 1989, but was renamed the "RS." The "RS" trim
was basically a trim package atop the base sports coupe and featured either V6 or 5.0 V8
power. The IROC's 5.7 TPI V8 was now rated at 240bhp, but the only visual difference between the
1989 IROC and previous years was the use of a "Pass Key" theft deterent resistor in the
ignition key.
Production: ?
Engines:
2.8 V6 135 bhp.
5.0 V8 170 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
IROC: 5.7 TPI V8 240 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1990 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: The IROC was dropped after the short 1990 model year, as Dodge picked up
sponsorship of the series. The base V6 was enlarged to 3.1 liters (and gained
5 bhp) and driver side air bags were added to all models.
Production: ?
Engines:
3.1 V6 140 bhp.
5.0 V8 170 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
IROC: 5.7 TPI V8 240 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1991 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: Chevy brought back the Z28 model in the Spring of 1990 which pretty
much picked up where the old IROC left off. The Z28 came with a new tall rear wing,
new lower body cladding, new phony hood scoops, and new five-spoke wheels, but was
basically last year's IROC model. The top 5.7 TPI engine now put out 245bhp.
Lesser Camaros were pretty much unchanged from 1990, except for the addition of fake
air inlets. A rare option was the Camaro B4C pursuit vehicle, which was available
only to Law Enforcement agencies. The B4C was basically a Z28, badged as a RS, with
some of the goodies of the 1LE race package. Very few were built.
Production: ?
Engines:
3.1 V6 140 bhp.
5.0 V8 170 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
IROC: 5.7 TPI V8 245 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1992 Chevrolet Camaro
Comments: The Camaro received few changes for 1992, the last year of its third generation.
All Camaros sported a "25th anniversary" badge on their instrument panels. Furthermore,
a $175 "Heritage Package" of stripes was offered on any Camaro.
Production: ?
Engines:
3.1 V6 140 bhp.
5.0 V8 170 bhp.
5.0 TPI V8 215 bhp.
IROC: 5.7 TPI V8 245 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
