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I have an 87 with the third brakelight on the glass. Also has hood scoop which I was told only came on Formula.
Did you buy it new? It is possible that the "turbo hood" was an option for non-Formulas or someone put it on after it was purchased.... :shrug:
Wait, the 3rd brake light is on the glass? The big "cow pie" looking one on the outside of the glass? That is either an '86 or a VERY early model year 87 that still had some 86 attributes....which could also account for the hood......
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
1988 and up TPI cars had serpentine belts. 87 and before had V belt configuration.
1987/88 T/A's and GTA's had an optional Digital Dash assy w/pushbutton HVAC controls.
1988/89 T/A's and GTA's had Stereo Steering Wheel Controls (first gen of controls). These controls were used in the 86-89 Pontiac 6000 STE's, 88-89 Bonneville SSE's and some SE's. These were only offered w/stereo/cassette player. Not CD at this point in time
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
I read on a prior posting that you could look at the tail lights DOT # and it would have the correct year of the car on it. After looking at my cars tail lights I noticed that my 1985 Iroc coupe has a Dot# and the year is 1985 on it, but its the same year on my 1988 Iroc convertible and my 1989 Iroc covertible and they are all stock. I then looked at the front turn signal lights and they all have the same DOT# and the year is 1985 on all three. After that I looked at the side indicator lights and found that they all had a DOT# but the year was 1982 on all three. All I can figure out is that as long as they used the same part on different years they all used the plastic mold with the first production date on them. If a light changed its design yearly it got that new date yearly. Since they used the same side indicator light for 10 years as Camaros did it got the first years date, that being 1982 on all of them. The tail lights on all my Camaros got the 1985 date because that was the first year of that particular Iroc tail light design and it was also used on my 1988 and 1989. I guess what I found out was that you can't tell what year a car is just by the date on its lights. That only shows the year that particular style was first molded and used.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
ok,i just purchased my first third gen camaro.
i have a question.
the car is a 1992 rs and the ground fx front spoiler is missing.
i am wondering what models of front spoiler fx will fit other than 1992?
or is 92 the only year that will fit?
the nose is there,but the spoiler is missing and i need one,but if any will fit it does not matter to me if is the correct.
just as long as it will bolt up to my front end.
thanks for any help,
jd
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
anything from 90 to 92 will work if you want the same look... you may be able to get away with the Iroc years.. like 85 and up but definately not 82-84...
__________________ I need a new hobby... procrastination isn't getting it done anymore...
I know it's bringing back an old thread but....(I always figure if I am reading it, someone else probably is too....)
Anyways I've got an '85 SC with a 3 piece spoiler on it, and as far as I know the car has nothing aftermarket in/on it. It did have a berlinetta license plate holder on the front though, so who knows....
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by My86TransAm
Yeah, my 86 T/A has a factory 140 MPH Speedo as well.
My 1985 TRANS AM has a 160MPH speedometer. I haven't seen too many pre-1987 cars, but that's the only car I've ever seen with a 160MPH speedo in the third generation.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
87 birds had door panels that were 87-only. Also, I believe the exterior striping changed from year to year, as well as badge locations. IE, the IROC-Z logo was at the front of the door 85-87, and to the rear of the door for 88-90, and I believe the striping reversed itself, with the top color switching to the bottom and vice versa.
Also, I know at least on 86 and 87 (maybe 85 too), base model birds came with the old pontiac rallye II wheels. They changed in 88 to the 25-slot flat wheels.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by TPImoneypit
87 birds had door panels that were 87-only. Also, I believe the exterior striping changed from year to year, as well as badge locations. IE, the IROC-Z logo was at the front of the door 85-87, and to the rear of the door for 88-90, and I believe the striping reversed itself, with the top color switching to the bottom and vice versa.
Also, I know at least on 86 and 87 (maybe 85 too), base model birds came with the old pontiac rallye II wheels. They changed in 88 to the 25-slot flat wheels.
I think you are referring to the molded door panels often referred to (incorrectly) as "GTA door panels." I could swear they were offered for more model years than just 1987. I can tell you a few things about those door panels that are certain.
1.) They suck
2.) They do not hold up well as the years go by.
3.) They were offered only as an option. Firebirds didn't come with them. I have seen them on Formula Firebird, TRANS AM, and GTA cars. I can not recall if I've seen any of the afore mentioned car models that didn't come with them in 1987.
4.) These door panels use a different armrest than standard door panels do.
5.) These door panels also use a different arm rest mounting bracket which is incompatible with the standard arm rests.
6.) There are no reproductions of these door panels available. To get new door panels in your car, you will have to switch to the other style. Points 4 and 5 become a problem as a result.
7.) Those door panels suck.
8.) They do look great when they are in like new condition.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SLZ
1988 and up TPI cars had serpentine belts. 87 and before had V belt configuration.
1987/88 T/A's and GTA's had an optional Digital Dash assy w/pushbutton HVAC controls.
1988/89 T/A's and GTA's had Stereo Steering Wheel Controls (first gen of controls). These controls were used in the 86-89 Pontiac 6000 STE's, 88-89 Bonneville SSE's and some SE's. These were only offered w/stereo/cassette player. Not CD at this point in time
Also 1990-1992 cars have a different dash bolster on the drivers side, switch panels under the dash bezel are different. I believe that is also the year when they switched to shoulder belts for the back seats. In 1990 they relocated the third brake light under the rear hatch glass at the top. Right under where it was located in 1986. Decals also changed in certain periods. 1985-1986 had one stlye, 1987 to 1990, and 1991-1992 cars had their own style. Cars in 1988 had a different steering wheel than 1987 cars did. There are a bunch of other differences as well. Certain interior colors were only offered in specific years, etc.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by 87WS6
I think you are referring to the molded door panels often referred to (incorrectly) as "GTA door panels." I could swear they were offered for more model years than just 1987. I can tell you a few things about those door panels that are certain.
1.) They suck
2.) They do not hold up well as the years go by.
3.) They were offered only as an option. Firebirds didn't come with them. I have seen them on Formula Firebird, TRANS AM, and GTA cars. I can not recall if I've seen any of the afore mentioned car models that didn't come with them in 1987.
4.) These door panels use a different armrest than standard door panels do.
5.) These door panels also use a different arm rest mounting bracket which is incompatible with the standard arm rests.
6.) There are no reproductions of these door panels available. To get new door panels in your car, you will have to switch to the other style. Points 4 and 5 become a problem as a result.
7.) Those door panels suck.
8.) They do look great when they are in like new condition.
I had an '87 base model bird, and it had them. They were definetely stock. I tried posting pics of the car but I had already posted them in a thread from when I tried to sell it, and it wouldn't let me reattatch them. The only thing on that car that wasn't stock was the driver's seat, I think it was from a Cutlass or something.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by TPImoneypit
I had an '87 base model bird, and it had them. They were definetely stock. I tried posting pics of the car but I had already posted them in a thread from when I tried to sell it, and it wouldn't let me reattatch them. The only thing on that car that wasn't stock was the driver's seat, I think it was from a Cutlass or something.
They were definitely available, but they weren't installed on all 1987 Firebirds. A friend of mine has a 1987 base model Firebird that has the other style of door panel. (The flat kind.)
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Oh I know they werent standard. I looked up a couple pics and alot of them have it but some still don't. I didn't see any other years with them though. So chances are if a car has them, it's an 87.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by TPImoneypit
Oh I know they werent standard. I looked up a couple pics and alot of them have it but some still don't. I didn't see any other years with them though. So chances are if a car has them, it's an 87.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
i just bought a 91 v6 bird with the styling gfx. What parts are interchangable with this body style? for example, could i put the nose of a 90 on a 91? Could i put taillights from an 89 gta on this car?
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by LWCS561
i just bought a 91 v6 bird with the styling gfx. What parts are interchangable with this body style? for example, could i put the nose of a 90 on a 91? Could i put taillights from an 89 gta on this car?
What do you mean by interchange?
For the nose from a 90 you need bumper supports, turn signals, headlight parts, wiring, etc, etc, etc. Will it fit without a sledgehammer, yes.
Taillights need a different wiring harness or modifications to yours, but they fit.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
For the Camaros...
82-84 is somewhat hard to tell exact:
- All 82-84 SCs had the larger, more pronounced turn signals and 'snout vents'.
- All 82-84 Z28s had the shorter (when compared to the 85+) ground effects (tail lights were single line, not a grid style))
- 82 was the only year to have the fully functional induction fiberglass hood (Z28)
- 83 and 84 got the same style hood, but w/o functional vents
- 82 was the only year that the 4 speed was used
- 82-87 Camaros got the "squared" or "blocky" door bumper guards on them
- 85 was the first year of the "new" ground effects (85-90) and did NOT have a 3rd brake light.
- 85-86 ONLY TPI cars got the engine ID badging on the rear bumper
- 85-87 SCs got the revised front bumper
- 85-86 TPI Z28/IROCs were ALL 700R4
- 85-86 you could get a 5spd only with LG4 and L69 V8s
- 85-87 IROCs got the single line wheels, forward mounted door stickers
- 86 ALL Fbodies got the ugly exterior 3rd brake light.
- 87-92 ONLY TPI cars (5.0 and 5.7) cars got engine badging on the rear bumper
- 87-89 the Camaro went back to a spoiler mounted 3rd brake light
- 87 5speed finally available with LB9 TPI 305
- 87 last year for LG4 and L69 already dropped
- 87 First year for 3rdgen 350 V8
- 1988 SC finally got ground effects and the "lowrise" Z28 style wing (now just referred to as "Camaro"
- 1988 L03 replaced LG4
- 88-92 side molding door guards were now more rounded and pointed at the ends
- 88-90 all Z28s were IROC-Zs
- 1988-1990 IROC got redesigned "deluxe" cloth interior option
- 1988-90 new style double line IROC wheels and rear biased IROC door sticker
- 1989 First year for 3rdgen "RS" model (the way I tell if its an 89 or 90 is simply by the dash)
- 1989 SC dropped in favor of RS
- 1989 got the 3 point rear seat belts
- 1989 Last year for 2.8 V6 (for most of GMs lines)
- 1990 3.1 V6 replaced 2.8
- 1990 Revised dash in all Camaros
- 1990 only IROC or RS available (no "Z28" model; yes the IROC was a Z28)
- 1990 was the only year for the IROC-Z to have the new dash
- 1991 3rd brake light moved to upper inside of hatch and therefore the 3pc spoiler was solid
- 1991-1992 RS and Z28 are only options
- 1991-1992 RS was only avail with L03 and 3.1 V6 (excld B4C cars)
- 1991-1992 got revised "aero" ground effects and ALL had grid tail lights
- 1991-1992 RS _NEVER_ offered a "305 HO" option. ALL 305 91-92 RS models (Excl B4C cars) are ALL L03 305 models. I really hate it when people advertise the L03 as an "HO" motor.
- 1991-1992 Z28s offered in two flavors, with or w/o performance package
- 1991-1992 Z28s with performance package usually came with 305/5spd or 350 auto combos, 140mph gauges, rear disc, etc
- ALL 1990-1992 T-Top equipped Camaro Z28s were 305 powered.
Those are some things I look for when spotting thirdgens and trying to narrow down the years. I'm sure I've missed some stuff, but I believe most, if not all, of the above is correct information.
Basically, as far as the Camaros go, I automatically identify whether its an 82-84, 85-87, 88-90, or 91-92 and then the other above mentioned differences can help determine what year it is exactly.
Last edited by Dante93GTZ; 10-09-2010 at 04:48 PM.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dante93GTZ
For the Camaros...
82-84 is somewhat hard to tell exact:
- All 82-84 Z28s had the shorter (when compared to the 85+) ground effects (tail lights were single line, not a grid style))
- 82 was the only year to have the fully functional induction fiberglass hood (Z28)
- 83 and 84 got the same style hood, but w/o functional vents
- 82 was the only year that the 4 speed was used
Not true. In 82, the functional cowl induction hood was only on cars with cross fire injection (LU5). They were not functional on the carb'd 305 (LG4). And are you talking about the manual or auto 4 speed?
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Not true. In 82, the functional cowl induction hood was only on cars with cross fire injection (LU5). They were not functional on the carb'd 305 (LG4). And are you talking about the manual or auto 4 speed?
Oh yes, I forgot on the LU5s... and yes, I meant manual.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by fst64_v8pwr
Interesting facts!
Commit them to memory and amaze your friends! hehehehe That amazement has kind of been lost on my wife over the years... she used to think it was cool - anymore... not so much...
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dante93GTZ
For the Camaros...
82-84 is somewhat hard to tell exact:
- All 82-84 SCs had the larger, more pronounced turn signals and 'snout vents'.
- All 82-84 Z28s had the shorter (when compared to the 85+) ground effects (tail lights were single line, not a grid style))
- 82 was the only year to have the fully functional induction fiberglass hood (Z28)
- 83 and 84 got the same style hood, but w/o functional vents
- 82 was the only year that the 4 speed was used
- 82-87 Camaros got the "squared" or "blocky" door bumper guards on them
- 85 was the first year of the "new" ground effects (85-90) and did NOT have a 3rd brake light.
- 85-86 ONLY TPI cars got the engine ID badging on the rear bumper
- 85-87 SCs got the revised front bumper
- 85-86 TPI Z28/IROCs were ALL 700R4
- 85-86 you could get a 5spd only with LG4 and L69 V8s
- 85-87 IROCs got the single line wheels, forward mounted door stickers
- 86 ALL Fbodies got the ugly exterior 3rd brake light.
- 87-92 ONLY TPI cars (5.0 and 5.7) cars got engine badging on the rear bumper
- 87-89 the Camaro went back to a spoiler mounted 3rd brake light
- 87 5speed finally available with LB9 TPI 305
- 87 last year for LG4 and L69 already dropped
- 87 First year for 3rdgen 350 V8
- 1988 SC finally got ground effects and the "lowrise" Z28 style wing (now just referred to as "Camaro"
- 1988 L03 replaced LG4
- 88-92 side molding door guards were now more rounded and pointed at the ends
- 88-90 all Z28s were IROC-Zs
- 1988-1990 IROC got redesigned "deluxe" cloth interior option
- 1988-90 new style double line IROC wheels and rear biased IROC door sticker
- 1989 First year for 3rdgen "RS" model (the way I tell if its an 89 or 90 is simply by the dash)
- 1989 SC dropped in favor of RS
- 1989 got the 3 point rear seat belts
- 1989 Last year for 2.8 V6 (for most of GMs lines)
- 1990 3.1 V6 replaced 2.8
- 1990 Revised dash in all Camaros
- 1990 only IROC or RS available (no "Z28" model; yes the IROC was a Z28)
- 1990 was the only year for the IROC-Z to have the new dash
- 1991 3rd brake light moved to upper inside of hatch and therefore the 3pc spoiler was solid
- 1991-1992 RS and Z28 are only options
- 1991-1992 RS was only avail with L03 and 3.1 V6 (excld B4C cars)
- 1991-1992 got revised "aero" ground effects and ALL had grid tail lights
- 1991-1992 RS _NEVER_ offered a "305 HO" option. ALL 305 91-92 RS models (Excl B4C cars) are ALL L03 305 models. I really hate it when people advertise the L03 as an "HO" motor.
- 1991-1992 Z28s offered in two flavors, with or w/o performance package
- 1991-1992 Z28s with performance package usually came with 305/5spd or 350 auto combos, 140mph gauges, rear disc, etc
- ALL 1990-1992 T-Top equipped Camaro Z28s were 305 powered.
Those are some things I look for when spotting thirdgens and trying to narrow down the years. I'm sure I've missed some stuff, but I believe most, if not all, of the above is correct information.
Basically, as far as the Camaros go, I automatically identify whether its an 82-84, 85-87, 88-90, or 91-92 and then the other above mentioned differences can help determine what year it is exactly.
Re: How to identify Camaros and Firebirds by year....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dante93GTZ
For the Camaros...
82-84 is somewhat hard to tell exact:
- All 82-84 SCs had the larger, more pronounced turn signals and 'snout vents'.
- All 82-84 Z28s had the shorter (when compared to the 85+) ground effects (tail lights were single line, not a grid style))
- 82 was the only year to have the fully functional induction fiberglass hood (Z28)
- 83 and 84 got the same style hood, but w/o functional vents
- 82 was the only year that the 4 speed was used
- 82-87 Camaros got the "squared" or "blocky" door bumper guards on them
- 85 was the first year of the "new" ground effects (85-90) and did NOT have a 3rd brake light.
- 85-86 ONLY TPI cars got the engine ID badging on the rear bumper
- 85-87 SCs got the revised front bumper
- 85-86 TPI Z28/IROCs were ALL 700R4
- 85-86 you could get a 5spd only with LG4 and L69 V8s
- 85-87 IROCs got the single line wheels, forward mounted door stickers
- 86 ALL Fbodies got the ugly exterior 3rd brake light.
- 87-92 ONLY TPI cars (5.0 and 5.7) cars got engine badging on the rear bumper
- 87-89 the Camaro went back to a spoiler mounted 3rd brake light
- 87 5speed finally available with LB9 TPI 305
- 87 last year for LG4 and L69 already dropped
- 87 First year for 3rdgen 350 V8
- 1988 SC finally got ground effects and the "lowrise" Z28 style wing (now just referred to as "Camaro"
- 1988 L03 replaced LG4
- 88-92 side molding door guards were now more rounded and pointed at the ends
- 88-90 all Z28s were IROC-Zs
- 1988-1990 IROC got redesigned "deluxe" cloth interior option
- 1988-90 new style double line IROC wheels and rear biased IROC door sticker
- 1989 First year for 3rdgen "RS" model (the way I tell if its an 89 or 90 is simply by the dash)
- 1989 SC dropped in favor of RS
- 1989 got the 3 point rear seat belts
- 1989 Last year for 2.8 V6 (for most of GMs lines)
- 1990 3.1 V6 replaced 2.8
- 1990 Revised dash in all Camaros
- 1990 only IROC or RS available (no "Z28" model; yes the IROC was a Z28)
- 1990 was the only year for the IROC-Z to have the new dash
- 1991 3rd brake light moved to upper inside of hatch and therefore the 3pc spoiler was solid
- 1991-1992 RS and Z28 are only options
- 1991-1992 RS was only avail with L03 and 3.1 V6 (excld B4C cars)
- 1991-1992 got revised "aero" ground effects and ALL had grid tail lights
- 1991-1992 RS _NEVER_ offered a "305 HO" option. ALL 305 91-92 RS models (Excl B4C cars) are ALL L03 305 models. I really hate it when people advertise the L03 as an "HO" motor.
- 1991-1992 Z28s offered in two flavors, with or w/o performance package
- 1991-1992 Z28s with performance package usually came with 305/5spd or 350 auto combos, 140mph gauges, rear disc, etc
- ALL 1990-1992 T-Top equipped Camaro Z28s were 305 powered.
Those are some things I look for when spotting thirdgens and trying to narrow down the years. I'm sure I've missed some stuff, but I believe most, if not all, of the above is correct information.
Basically, as far as the Camaros go, I automatically identify whether its an 82-84, 85-87, 88-90, or 91-92 and then the other above mentioned differences can help determine what year it is exactly.
Also on 82 Z28's there is no Chevy bowtie on the rear Z28 emblem
hehehehe That amazement has kind of been lost on my wife over the years... she used to think it was cool - anymore... not so much... 
