FAQ BoardThis board is where some of the most informative and helpful Frequently Asked Questions we get here at ThirdGen.Org are put for easier reference. This IS NOT a general question board.
Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!
assuming all emblems and decals are off, what are the easy ways of identifying the year of third gen camaros and firebirds. maybe quick ways of narrowing it down like 86 and up had third eyes.
This ad is not displayed to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on ThirdGen!
__________________ 86 T/A 305 LG4 5-sp Warner
14" open air eliment
Holley 600 milled off choke
Edelbrock Performer intake
Accel HEI vacuum advance distributor
Comp Cams Extreme Energy 256 cam
Comp Cams 1.6 roller tip rockers
3:27 possi
smog delete, EGR delete
SLP single cat Headers
Hyperflow 3" cat
3" edelbrock cat-back
Hotchkis subframe connectors
Sponsored Links
Registered users do not see this ad. Click here to register for free!
Well, if they have stock tail lights, go around and look on the tail lights and it should say something like D.O.T. 87 and then some other stuff....the 87 would mean 1987.
My friends dad (former cop) also showed me on a newer camaro that i was wondering what year it was (looked absoloutly sick!) that on the vin plate.....
like the middle number between two letters is the last digit of the year or something like that but i have looked at other cars and either the number hasnt been there or its been a few years off from what i know it is....
the only year that stands out on it's own is the 86, it is the only year that came with the third brake light mounted on the outside of the glass up high near the roof, also the 86 is the first year that had the third brake light, so anything that doesn't have one is before that.
UNLESS SOMEONE HAS MODDED IT, which we all know doesn't happen to these cars
1985 Tans-Am
LT-1 with a Holley 750 and HEI
TH-350 race built manual valve body
TCI 3000 rpm stall converter
B/W 9 bolt w/3.23 gears and posi
1.75" long tube headers
Holley "red" fuel pump
Hoosier 26x9x15 slicks
lightened bracket car
fuel cell
91-92 Camaro specific GFX
91-92 Firebird specific GFX
91-92 T/A specific Tails
1988 Mini-highrise camaro wing
1984 only Trans Am GFX
1982-1984 firebird specific Tails
1982-1984 Trans Am/ SE specific tails
I'm sure there are many many more. Guess your best bet would be to look under the hood at the emissions sticker. Should give you a good indication.
The vin id is nice to have, but I was hoping for more "on the move identify" like the 86 third brake light. how about paint? were some colors only around for some of the years?
If you can look under the hood there are some giveaways. Serpentine belt 87 and up. TPI 85 and up. MAP instead of MAF 90 and up.
Spoilers are somewhat a giveaway. Flat TA spoiler any year firebird. Aerowing 85-90. Aerowing with brake light 87-90. Aerowing no brake light 85 and 86.
There are ways if you really no your F-body options.
82-84 camaro has different fornt bumper cover and has slots in the front ground effect...
on the camaros you can look at the hoods too... if it has 2 scoop things in it that have no louvers and a more curved shape, its an 82-84 z28
if it has a more squared shape scoop things with louvers, its 85-90 iroc (i think 90) if it has blisters/scoops that stick on top of the hood and are solid its a 91-92 z28...
also the spoilers on camaros... if it has the high rise one, 91-92 z28
then the GFX... 82-84 are more squared on the bottom and not as tall,.... 85-90 are taller, and rouded on the bottom more... 91-92 have little scoops buy the back bottom of the door, and also in front of the front wheel....
fog lights = 85+ camaro
if its a convertible its 87 and up
wheels are another way to identify it, but youd have to get pictures...82-87 z28, then the RS's used the same with body color paint i think... 85-87 iroc had the same wheels 5 spoke with one groove down the center... then 88-90 iroc had the same wheels... 5 sppoke with 2 small grooves (lugnuts visible) and then 91 and 92 z28 had 2 grooves with the lug nuts covered by a little plate thing... i think those were also used on some of the rs's....
thats most of what i can tell you from what i know and have observed... all that is for camaros... i dont know my firebirds very good...
Well, if they have stock tail lights, go around and look on the tail lights and it should say something like D.O.T. 87 and then some other stuff....the 87 would mean 1987.
This is true. However, if a subsequent year's tail lights are identical to the previous year, that yearly "number" remains the same. Example. My '87 Z28 convertible's third tail light displays "86". It turns out that this lamp was used on pre-production 1986 Camaro convertibles!
__________________ Willie
1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible
305 TPI / 5-speed
Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998
Originally posted by speedingpenguin Well, if they have stock tail lights, go around and look on the tail lights and it should say something like D.O.T. 87 and then some other stuff....the 87 would mean 1987.
My friends dad (former cop) also showed me on a newer camaro that i was wondering what year it was (looked absoloutly sick!) that on the vin plate.....
like the middle number between two letters is the last digit of the year or something like that but i have looked at other cars and either the number hasnt been there or its been a few years off from what i know it is....
Usually with the tailights and other lights the year ie the 87 indicates the first model year that the lights were produced.
Memorize the tech database. That'll get you going in the right direction. There are some flaws but they're pretty minor. Anything can be changed, but when you know in general what to look for you can tell a clone from the real deal.
Knowing what was available what years can help quite a bit in spotting a fake... ie 86 & earlier 350's, etc.
I assume you mean visually as they are driving past. these are some visual cues that you can quickly use.
82-84 Z- no real visual differences. Angular sharp lines on front end, Ground effects, silver or gold.
82-84 Coupe- no real visual differences, angular, sharp lines on front end. No ground effects. Had the 3 nostrils between the headlights.
85-87 Z/ IROC- "grid" taillights, the softer. more rounded nose. 85 no 3rd light, 86 3rd light was on the back glass, 87 3rd light was in the spoiler. Z's had the silver or gold ground effects.
85-87 Coupe- same as the Z, but no ground effects. Front nose still had those 3 nostrils between the headlights.
88 Coupe- some had the rear midrise spoiler (early models, switched to the 3 piece late model). All had Silver ground effects with "camaro" emblem.
88 Z/ IROC- grid taillights, 3rd light in spoiler. Z's had silver ground effects (i think).
89-90 Coupe- Body color ground effects, 3rd light in spoiler. (90 interior changed)
89-90 IROC- Grid taillights, IROC emblem on ground effects, bumper. 3rd light in spoiler (90 interior changed)
91-92 Coupe- Grid taillights, the air scoops in the ground effects
91-92 Z28- Grid taillights, high rise spoiler, hood blisters, air scoops in ground effects.
__________________ 1989 RS, L03 305 +.030", 700R4, 16" '91 Z28 Rims, Dynomax cat and cat back exhaust, Hedman TEMS, Wonder bar, IROC stabilizer bar and steering box, Accel 8mm wires, injector pod spacer, 45k Volt coil, New Maui Blue Metallic paint. Soon to come: 3.23s, shift kit
A lot of what I would have said is already posted, albeit I did notice some errors I'm too lazy to address.
One thing that was ommited that most people don't realize I'd like to point out. 1987 Sport Coupes that didn't come with the rear spoiler used the same 3rd brake light as the 1986 models. I've had people argue with me that they didn't, but think about it. If the car didn't have a spoiler then where was the light. There was a federal law that said it had to be on the car. Also I have seen it with my own eyes on a verified 87 model, so I know it to be true. The car was a 1987 LT (this model only offered in 1987 besides second gens which were Type LTs). It had no spoiler as it was a 1SA car, and the third brake light was clearly on the glass up top on the outside just like an 86. So don't assume a Sport Coupe with the outside third brake light is an 86 unless it also has a spoiler. It just might be an 87, which you can identify by the seat material if you know your seat fabric years.
Anyway after that long winded comment you can see why I'm too lazy to point out any other errors, lol. Oh and I'm not trying to sound cocky, just trying to help.
There's a red Z28 locally for sale with the factory sales sticker in the window...however it is a 305 stick and not too fancy. Not my cup of tea.
It is a 1983 though....
If you see an RS with 85-90 gfx, it is most likely an 89 through process of elimination. 87 and 88 RS's were only available in certain locations, and 90 was a half year production.
As was already mentioned, there are a number of ways to tell. With the number of models available and the differences on each model, the combination of changes is too many for one post.
Originally posted by Mikes86SC If you see an RS with 85-90 gfx, it is most likely an 89 through process of elimination. 87 and 88 RS's were only available in certain locations, and 90 was a half year production.
Close!
In 87 RS's were avaible in Cali and IIRC only with a V6, in 88 I'm 99.9% sure that what would be consider and RS, actually ahd badging that said "Camaro" and not RS. Then in 89 the rear shoulder belts were introduced, then in 90 the outside looked identical to the 89 but with the major differeance being the dash. With it being more rounded and having an air bag in the steering wheel.
I have to add I think you can tell just from the love of the cars. I can literally, on camaro's, tell what year they are when driving by them. Now maybe its subconsciously knowing the differences, but I bet my girlfriend I knew each year. So while driving we have pulled up to an 82, 85, 92 and an 87. The only time so far, knock on wood, that I have been incorrect is calling a 90 an 89... But heck that doesnt count there wasnt enough 1990's
Might have been addressed already, but I browsed through the thread and didn't see it...
1990 Camaro's are really easy to pick out if you walk up to one. If it has the NON-SCOOPED GFX and an AIR BAG, you know it's a 90! 1990 was first year for the air bag, and last year for the flat gfx. Also, it was the first year for the new guage display...
Bruce (90RS305)
__________________ "The INFAMOUS Bruce" Gun-Metal Grey 1990 Camaro RS L03' 305 TBI 5 speed One Of Only 2,787 Produced!!
Only mods Flomaster 40series muffler... --1/4mile = 15.3 @ 87.00mph-- See Her In All Her Beauty Here!!
Originally posted by priorboy for 1982 firebird and trans am....white needles only on gauges....1983 and 84 were orange.
hey good point there yeah my 82 is white needles heh
lol
good thread here
__________________ 1982 Trans Am HT WS7
LG4/TH200C to TH350 w/2400 stall 2.73 drum open
code 21 light blue
level III blue PMD interior package
123,800 miles
2 1/4" full length pipes soon,
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ans%20am%20ws7 Will never be hacked into a KR wannabe or later model body Co-Founder of the Early Bird Club(82-84) Long ago... in a galaxy not far enough away.. If only ppl could say: "im sorry im not educated on or experienced with this subject so i cannot provide a useful reply"
I have LOTS of good used '82 83 84 and some '85-90 parts.. try me.. PM or email me!
Originally posted by speedingpenguin Well, if they have stock tail lights, go around and look on the tail lights and it should say something like D.O.T. 87 and then some other stuff....the 87 would mean 1987.
My friends dad (former cop) also showed me on a newer camaro that i was wondering what year it was (looked absoloutly sick!) that on the vin plate.....
like the middle number between two letters is the last digit of the year or something like that but i have looked at other cars and either the number hasnt been there or its been a few years off from what i know it is....
I dunno if this has been said already but that is not entirely true. Most manufacturers use that date stamp to show the first year that specific tail light was put on those models. My 1987 IROC was stamped 1985. My 1985 Berlinetta was stamped 1982, etc
Rottluver your'e right.Back when the companies changed light design every couple years you could use that but not anymore.My '83 Z28 tail lights are stamped DOT '82 and they continued to '84.
Nightcruzer that is an awesome post.Your example of the '82 - '84 looks like my car,except the color of the car appears white and mine is 59 beige - really close to white especially after 22 years.
__________________ '02 Envoy SLT 4DR 4WD 4.2/4L60E/4.10/G80,K&N,PCM4Less,HiPo cat,Dynomax catback
'83 Z/28 LU5 305 CFI/K&N/Factory Dual Electric Fans/MSD-Hypertech Coil/Performance Rebuilt 700R4/JG1/J65/G80/G92-3.23/Hollow 36mm front-24mm rear bar,TDS steering brace,16" single stripe IROC with Summitomo HTR-H4/T-tops/Pwr everything
'73 C-10 CST 454/TH400(Factory BB Truck)A/C,Tilt,12 Bolt Posi,Dynomax
Miss my '70 Monte Carlo SS454
I just bought a spoiler on E-bay for my 86 T/A which the guy said came off of an 86 T/A. Mine had a wrap around(shot) so I went with a cheaper and simpler wing. did they sell T/A's with the conventional looking wing also in 86? I realize I will have to fill the old bolt holes and drill new ones to fit the new spoiler(I hope it is that simple) Anyone know if it was a stock spoiler? It looks like the pics of the 82-84 and 85 spoiler
Last edited by pontiacsteve; 01-06-2006 at 10:12 PM.
Are the headlights and assemblies different in 91-92 Camaro?
Someone is listing some front end parts from a 91. They posted that the headlights and assemblies are different along with the front bumper?
I know the bottom gfx is different, but the other parts???? Nitro
__________________
Started IROC project in 2006 thinking to mimic a modern day stealth Mad Max's police Interceptor. Am attempting to maximize every possible cfm out of the TPI system. /Just replaced ENTIRE suspension with Spohn-Moog-UMI/ //Dying to learn PROM programing
Someone is listing some front end parts from a 91. They posted that the headlights and assemblies are different along with the front bumper?
I know the bottom gfx is different, but the other parts???? Nitro
Don't take this as Gospel, but as far as I can recall....after all, 1991 was a long time ago for some of us ( ) but I thought in 90 or 91 they just changed the front, rear and side ground effects as well as the tail lights/spoiler and left the hood/headlights alone. I know they "brought back" (IIRC) the bump/turbo hood on certain Firebirds with V8's for those years but no clue if they changed headlight asselmblies. Sorry I can't be more help amigo.
i know this might be stupidly obvious too, but you can tell an '82-'84 by the GFX alone. they not only are thinner, they also have the vents in the front chin piece...
sorry 83crossfire, didn't see you had already mentioned it...
Josh
Last edited by screaminformula; 01-06-2007 at 10:09 PM.
Reason: comment already mentioned above
some clarification on what ErikCamaro said...well, '88 was the ONLY year the Sport Coupe had GFX. so if you see a Camaro with GFX that simply says "Camaro" in the badge locations, it's an '88
the RS could also be had in limited numbers in 1987 and 1988 too...
Josh
Last edited by screaminformula; 01-07-2007 at 08:50 PM.
Reason: left out info
) but I thought in 90 or 91 they just changed the front, rear and side ground effects as well as the tail lights/spoiler and left the hood/headlights alone. I know they "brought back" (IIRC) the bump/turbo hood on certain Firebirds with V8's for those years but no clue if they changed headlight asselmblies. Sorry I can't be more help amigo. 
