Need Opinions 87 Z28 - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

String · 05-07-2009, 10:49 PM

I know third gens get a bad rap but I was looking at selling my 89 RS 305 700r4 and buying an 87 Z28 that I found. My Car has a rebuilt 305 in it 3 years ago along with rebuilt trans. Also has 3.73 rear. Not much done to it other than exhaust. However it needs paint and a bit of body work including floor pans. What I know so far about the 87 Z28 is 5 speed, assuming 305 unless it was swapped out, and the paint is in great condition. Plans would be to put a 350 in it eventually. Is it worth it? I think it would be cheaper to fix the 87 than do everything to my 89.

procamaroz28 · 05-08-2009, 12:03 AM

id get it if i liked 3rd gen its win win ur even up-grading to a m5

Whiplash Performance · 05-08-2009, 09:49 AM

What kind of price difference are we talking about between the two?

jims69camaro · 05-08-2009, 12:01 PM

on the one hand, you are taking a step backward from an '89 to an '87. on the other hand, you are upgrading to a Z28. if it was an even swap, i would probably do it. otherwise, i would have to think long and hard about it, if he wanted money on top of the deal. if you are selling your car outright, then you should be able to buy his car with the proceeds. if the guy is interested in a swap...

String · 05-08-2009, 02:58 PM

It's not a swap. It would be me buying his car and me selling my car to somebody else. Im going over in a few to take it for a spin and give it a good look. That should help me decide. But I'll probably get it so long as miles are ok and doesn't need floor pans. Haha.
Thanks!

HeadlessNorseman · 05-08-2009, 03:08 PM

I would get it just cause its a 5 speed and a z28. That would make it worth it to me. If you just want it to mod and drive fast, i would stick with the auto. Otherwise your going to have a fun time swapping t5s out lol. My 84 z28 was the most fun car ive owned so far. l69 5 speed with a few bolt ons. They come stock with 3.73 gears and are a ton of fun to drive. So i go for it if thats what you are after, just a fun car to drive

String · 05-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isphius

I would get it just cause its a 5 speed and a z28. That would make it worth it to me. If you just want it to mod and drive fast, i would stick with the auto. Otherwise your going to have a fun time swapping t5s out lol. My 84 z28 was the most fun car ive owned so far. l69 5 speed with a few bolt ons. They come stock with 3.73 gears and are a ton of fun to drive. So i go for it if thats what you are after, just a fun car to drive

Don't think you can mod and drive fast a 5speed?

String · 05-09-2009, 10:27 PM

Anyway got the Z28. Its nice and clean. However needs exhaust, (Too bad I tossed that muffler haha) and the choke light and engine light come on and off ever so often. O and it doesn't always like to shut off when you turn the key off. Here's a photo, Ill get more up soon.

maroman88 · 05-10-2009, 07:28 AM

wow that looks really nice

NastyEllEssWon · 05-10-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by String

Don't think you can mod and drive fast a 5speed?

well he was just mentioning that if your plans were to put a 350 in it the t5 isnt gonna last long behind that motor

nice car though

BigAls87Z28 · 05-10-2009, 08:34 AM

Well, looks like I showed up late.
While I have a thing for 87 Z28's....I would have stuck with your 89.
If you were gunna drop a larger engine in any car, I would have stuck with the auto car. T-5's in third gens arent known for thier outstanding strength.

But is your car an L69 or an LG4? Congrats on it, 87 is a great year...

sweetbmxrider · 05-10-2009, 09:03 AM

the year i was born

great looking car, can't wait to see it

procamaroz28 · 05-10-2009, 09:23 AM

nice lookin car! good choice

String · 05-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

well he was just mentioning that if your plans were to put a 350 in it the t5 isnt gonna last long behind that motor

nice car though

Thats what I figured. Figured there was a reason they only put the 350 in the 87 Iroc-z Auto.

String · 05-10-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Well, looks like I showed up late.
While I have a thing for 87 Z28's....I would have stuck with your 89.
If you were gunna drop a larger engine in any car, I would have stuck with the auto car. T-5's in third gens arent known for thier outstanding strength.

But is your car an L69 or an LG4? Congrats on it, 87 is a great year...

Believe it or not, haven't had much time to check it all out. But I am assuming its the LG4 being that its TBI. I just can't get away from the damn tbi.

I am assuming the rear is 2.73. Looks like thats all they put in the 87 z28. Would it be complicated to swap out with the 3.73 in my 89 or would it be the same as when I put the 3.73 in my 89. Not sure if being its a t-5 it would complicate things over a 700r4

FIcamaroRE92 · 05-10-2009, 03:26 PM

Nice find!
cool color too, just do away with the grill.

String · 05-10-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIcamaroRE92

Nice find!
cool color too, just do away with the grill.

Word. However that will be the last thing to replace if ever. Already cleaned out the bank buying the car. Need to fix the mechanical issues to make it reliable like my trusty 89! haha

BigAls87Z28 · 05-10-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by String

Believe it or not, haven't had much time to check it all out. But I am assuming its the LG4 being that its TBI. I just can't get away from the damn tbi.

I am assuming the rear is 2.73. Looks like thats all they put in the 87 z28. Would it be complicated to swap out with the 3.73 in my 89 or would it be the same as when I put the 3.73 in my 89. Not sure if being its a t-5 it would complicate things over a 700r4

Rear is a direct swap. I would deffinatly swap the two rears before you sell it. It will be an advantage giving the 89 better gas milage!!!

LG4 is the low-power carbed 305. L69 is the hi-po carbed 305.
Neither are TBI. TBI didnt show up till 88 or 89..my third gen knowlage is fading...

//<86TA>\\ · 05-10-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by String

Believe it or not, haven't had much time to check it all out. But I am assuming its the LG4 being that its TBI. I just can't get away from the damn tbi.

I am assuming the rear is 2.73. Looks like thats all they put in the 87 z28. Would it be complicated to swap out with the 3.73 in my 89 or would it be the same as when I put the 3.73 in my 89. Not sure if being its a t-5 it would complicate things over a 700r4

if its tbi, its the lo3, the lg4 is a carbed motor, so is the l69
last year fo rthe l69 was 86 and only a handful were built

NastyEllEssWon · 05-10-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Rear is a direct swap. I would deffinatly swap the two rears before you sell it. It will be an advantage giving the 89 better gas milage!!!

LG4 is the low-power carbed 305. L69 is the hi-po carbed 305.
Neither are TBI. TBI didnt show up till 88 or 89..my third gen knowlage is fading...

tbi showed up in 89. most kids confuse tbi and carbs. silly kids

String · 05-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

tbi showed up in 89. most kids confuse tbi and carbs. silly kids

Yea, my 89 is TBI. I know the difference if I looked at it. However I haven't looked at it. Im going to take a peek now to figure out whats going on under the hood.

String · 05-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Rear is a direct swap. I would deffinatly swap the two rears before you sell it. It will be an advantage giving the 89 better gas milage!!!

LG4 is the low-power carbed 305. L69 is the hi-po carbed 305.
Neither are TBI. TBI didnt show up till 88 or 89..my third gen knowlage is fading...

BEAN! Were swapping the rears just so you know! Don't make me do it out in the street again in the cold cold middle of winter. I want to swap the engine too haha, but that will be a pain.

I always get the slow cars haha.

NastyEllEssWon · 05-10-2009, 04:57 PM

stock 305 5 speeds will hold their weight once its all said and done and most of the turd gens are in the trash

HeadlessNorseman · 05-10-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

stock 305 5 speeds will hold their weight once its all said and done and most of the turd gens are in the trash

My z28 was a good bit faster than my formula, but thats not saying a lot. The sucky part is the small bore 305, weak trans, then the rear holding you back. makes me want a third gen again though!

NastyEllEssWon · 05-10-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isphius

My z28 was a good bit faster than my formula, but thats not saying a lot. The sucky part is the small bore 305, weak trans, then the rear holding you back. makes me want a third gen again though!

i meant in the value dept. 5 speed v8 third gens (stock) are getting harder to come along