murukalo

hey im looking at an 88 camaro thats supposedly an rs but i want to know how to tell, i mean its not gonna make a difference to me im still gonna buy it but just mark me down as curious

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

an rs should have a tbi unit on it with an old style air cleaner.

Mudskunk

not much into camaros here is what i found:
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/faq/chev...ro-faq-RS.shtm

im sure someone that knows more than me will have a better answer

DJP87Z28

If it is not IROC it is a RS. It is as simple as that.

Iroctopless

I thought of the few thousand (~7,000) RS's made in '88, that they were all the LB8 V6 MFI?
But since the SC also got that engine, you couldn't then just use the VIN to identify the RS.

murukalo

I should have put that nothing, powertrain wise is stock, but originally it was a V6 car

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

88rs was offered with a lo3 tbi engine.

hardon85

No the 88 RS was only offered with a v6 and was only available in California, Texas, and Florida and there was only 7,038 made. There was also the sport coupe in 1988 which was the same except for having different color (usually silver) ground effects and with that car you could get the LO3 but not in an RS which was all one color.

Anyway back to the original poster I don't know that there is a way to tell I imagine you would have to check RPO codes.

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

no you are wrong.

The Camaro line was greatly simplified this year, starting with discontinuing the slow-selling one-year-wonder LT model, and dropping the base Z28. All that was left was the base coupe and the IROC-Z, although the IROC-Z was magnified this year to compensate for the loss of the base Z28 - for example, the previously standard aluminum 16" 5-spoke wheels were now an option - "base" IROCs now got the old Z28's aluminum 15" 5-spoke wheels(which also became standard on the base coupes) and P215/65-15 tires. Also the old Z28's ground effects and spoilers were now standard issue on the base coupes. Base models got a new raised spoiler for the first half production year. All engines were fuel-injected this year; the 2.8(173) running 135 HP @ 4900 and 160@3900, the 5.0 L 305 cid V8 gained throttle-body injection, bringing net horsepower to 170; the 305 manual transmission models were rated at 220 HP @ 4400 and 290 @ 3200, Automatic at 195 HP @ 4000 and 295 @ 2800 and the 350 TPI got a small boost to 230 HP @ 4400 and 330 @ 3200. G92 (performance axle ratio) available only on IROC-Z with 5.0 TPI (LB9). All 1987 350 TPI (B2L) IROC-Z's came standard with the 3.27 BW rear end and everything that was included with G92 but did not have the G92 RPO code because it wasn't mandatory; this changed in 1988 however when a 2.77 rear was standard and G92 had to be specified to get the 3.27's. The optional 16" aluminum wheels were redesigned with two lines instead of one large line in each spoke. Despite the Z28 leaving the lineup, dash badges on the IROC still read "Z28" on top and "IROC-Z" below.

and for what it is worth there are people aropund here with 88's that have the tbi v8.

hardon85

According to your information there was no 88 RS. and you said in an earlier post "one92rs 88rs was offered with a lo3 tbi engine."

According to the Camaro tech data from 1988 on this website it says this


Chevy Camaro LT option dropped. Chevrolet Camaro Z28 model dropped and replaced by the 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28. (although interior dash badge still read `Z28 IROC-Z', rather than just `IROC-Z' as on exterior badges) Automatic gearshift plate changes with smaller letters, an orange indicator, and a flat lined slide pattern instead of the all white, larger lettered, smooth and rounded slider of previous years. The 16 inch wheels that had been standard equipment on the '88 Camaro IROC were restyled and now became an extra cost option for the IROC. The standard IROC wheel was the old 15x7 inch aluminum 5 spoke Z28 wheel and this wheel was also now standard on the Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe. In 1988 only, this wheel rather than having only the recessed areas painted gold or silver, was completely painted gold or silver (for that `double-dunked' in paint look).

The IROC-Z door decals were moved from the front of the doors to the rear. Z28 exterior badges were replaced with IROC-Z badges. The lower-body stripe was reversed changing from black on bottom with trim color above, to black on top with trim color below, now with a gap (of body color) between the two stripes. Newly available 1988 Chevrolet Camaro DX3 stripe delete option eliminated IROC-Z decals and stripes altogether.Sport Coupe took on the appearance of the defunct regular Z28 except for: `CAMARO' rather than `Z28' exterior badges; body colored headlight pockets rather than black; and gold or silver wheel center caps rather than black; the regular hood rather than the louvered hood; and the 1985-1987 IROC two tone lower body stripe rather than the four-color Z28 body stripe. This was the last year for the '88 Camaro Sport Coupe and was the only year for this particular appearance. Early in the year, 1988 Chevy Camaro -Sport Coupes came with a `shorty' rear wing rather than a spoiler. This ungainly addition was discontinued and replaced with the standard spoiler midyear. RS available in California, Texas, and Florida and with V-6 power only.Serpentine belt now on Camaro V-8's. Long-lived LG4 carbureted 305 replaced by the new LO3 throttle body injection 305. All Camaro TPI motors bumped up 5 hp due to slightly higher lift/longer duration cam profiles, additional valve seat angle, exhaust port/exhaust manifold changes.G92 (performance axle ratio) still available on IROC-Z convertible in 1988. G92 code was now available on the 350 (B2L) IROC-Z and now had to be specified to get 3.27 rear end (was standard in 1987) as a 2.77 rear was now standard on the 5.7 TPI. J65 rear disc brakes, G80 limited slip differential, and KC4 engine oil cooler were still required on all 5.7 and G92 cars.

Secret showroom stock racing 1LE option (option level 0 IROC-Z) first available. Only 4 produced.

1988 Chevrolet Camaro Drivetrain List
Yr Model Trans Engine
code/type CR Displ. HP Torque Induc-
tion Manual
std. Manual
opt.
(G92) Auto
std. Auto
opt.
(G92) 88 Sport Coupe
RS* M5,A4 LB8 V6 8.9:1 2.8 (173) 135@4900 160@3900 MFI 3.42 ---- 3.42 ---- 88 Sport Coupe M5,A4 LO3 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 170@4000 255@2400 TBI 3.08 ---- 2.73 ---- 88 IROC-Z M5,A4 LO3 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 170@4000 255@2400 TBI 3.08 ---- 2.73 ---- 88 IROC-Z A4 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 195@4000 295@2800 TPI ---- ---- 2.73 3.23 88 IROC-Z M5 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 220@4400 290@3200 TPI 3.08 3.45* ---- ---- 88 IROC-Z A4 L98 V8 9.3:1 5.7 (350) 230@4400 330@3200 TPI ---- ---- 2.77* 3.27* *Borg-Warner rear axle *RS available in California, Texas, and Florida only
1988 Chevrolet Camaro Production Numbers
Year Total Production Z28 IROC-Z28 Z28 & IROC-Z Convertible 1LE B4C RS RS Convertible Berlinetta Sport Coupe Sport Coupe Convertible 1988 96,275
24,050 3,761 4
7,038 limited availablity

66,605 1,859
This is according to Thirdgen.org and here's a link if you think I made it up https://www.thirdgen.org/1988-chevy-camaro and the LO3 was available in the IROC and base sport coupe. So my information is correct according to this site. Most of the info you have is right but they just forgot the RS part.

Iroctopless

I thought my post near the top put it about as simple and clear as possible.
1988 offered the IrocZ, RS (in limited numbers) and the SC.
Also, there was no need for all the IrocZ info, as murukalon stated way above, the car originally had a V6. IrocZ's never had a V6.

Since the car in qustion had a V6, there's a very good chance it could be an RS because that's the only engine you could get in it. But, the problem is the SC's base engine was the same thing.

I also agree with what hardon85 wrote above.
Wonder if the paint colour is the only way to tell the difference between an '88 RS & SC? That's easy to change and would not be proof. I wonder if there's anything else that helps seperate the models?

yo soy el warg

The upper body color and lower body color on the RPO would tell you if it is a sport coupe or RS in 1988. The RS had the same color designated by a "U??" and a "L??" that was the same color code number, if the lower color is silver "L??" or gold "L??" it is a sport coupe in 1988.
L is for the lower color on the ground effects.
U is for the upper color on the the car.

hardon85

I thought you answered it pretty simply and correctly too. My only question would be if running the vin would tell you if it was a sport coupe or RS, the only reason I wonder is if you run the vin on a Trans am it won't tell you if it's a regular trans am or a GTA and since the RS and sport coupe are so similar I wonder if it would show up in the vin

Good info I never knew that, it seems to me like I read that in 88 the RS was only available in either red, white or black but I'm not sure if that was that or something else

Iroctopless

Good question. I think the only thing the VIN would give you regarding model type would be found in the 4th and 5th digits. And only three are mentioned. Those are . . .
FP = Camaro Sport Coupe
FS = Firebird
FW = Trans Am

Interesting info on the colours.

theNMBR27

write down the vin and go to compnine.com. use the pro decoder and it will tell you all the options the car had and specifically if it was an RS, Z28, IROC.

yo soy el warg

I just remembered that the 1988 RS also came with the same steering wheel as the IROCs and the sport coupe didn't.

Iroctopless

compnine.com works pretty well with Canadian units, but I believe the one murukalo is looking at is in the Chicago area so it might not work.

theNMBR27

compnine tells you the production plant too. there should be no issue using it.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

Compnine only had data for US cars for 90-92, being it's a 88, it probably won't be in there.

murukalo

cool ill give a look to the RPO's when I get home from Kentucky

scottmoyer

guys, please research a little before spouting off "facts". Compnine only has the US database starting at 1990. It has the Canadian database running back to older vehicles because the Canadians kept better records of what was being imported.

Yes, the RS was available in limited test markets starting in 1987. It became a full blown production model in 1989 when it replaced the sport coupe as the base model. It was originally available in red, black and white and as a V6 only. Being that it's an 88, compnine won't have it. Especially since it was limited only to cetain US markets and not Canada.

As for the production plant, you don't need compnine for that. Look at the VIN. You see an L, it was Van Nuys, N it was Norwood.

Iroctopless

Thank's for reiterating and summarizing many of the points above. Sometimes it gets challenging to keep up with the misinformation.

Murukalo, let us know what you think of the car when you get home. Maybe a few pics.

murukalo

Thats a big 10-4 good buddy. the paint is the worst part but it has almost 500 tire shredding horsepower. went up my hill at 110 in second with a gear to go but you know these camaro speedos

hardon85

A couple other questions for you scott; do you know if running the vin will tell you if it's a RS or sport coupe? Also what is the RPO code for an RS? Ok one more question do you know if it's possible to take your vin into a GM dealership and get a list of the RPO codes?

Iroctopless

Regarding the VIN, see my post above. It won't tell you anything specific to differentiate between the '88 RS & SC. The only thing would be if the VIN's 8th digit is for a V8, then it can't be an RS. All '88 RS's had V6's.

Regarding an RPO code. One way to tell the difference between the '88 RS & SC is that most SC's (59,271 out of 66,605) got a unique rear wing with the specific RPO code of D81.
If you have an '88 with a V6 with the RPO code D81 then you know it can't be an RS and must be an SC.

Regarding the dealership extrapolating the RPO codes from the VIN, I know in Canada they did this until a few years ago. I did this for mine 10 years ago. In the US, I haven't heard of anyone that successfully doing this in many years. Hopefully Compnine might be able to do that soon with the older Camaros (<'90) but US record keeping wasn't very good and I'm not sure where they will source the data.

Those are some thoughts for you. I'd like to hear what Scottmoyer thinks as well.

yo soy el warg

Iroctopless, you are right about everything you have said. I've only seen that D81 spoiler on the sport coupes. Also, is there a specific rpo for the Iroc steering wheel which only RS had that year and the sport coupes didn't. The upper and lower colors on the RS have to be the same on the rpo codes.

Iroctopless

Great info. Looks like we might have put together enough clues to tell the difference between two similar Camaros.

hardon85

Ok cool sorry I didn't see your reply right away I do have one other question though, didn't the D81 short wing spoiler only run half a year? I thought I read that somewhere but now I can't find it, if that is true that wouldn't be a sure thing either. Also I completely agree with you too since we have pretty much said the same thing. This info doesn't concern me at all but I have to say it is really interesting.

murukalo

i dont have d81 but i do have D80

yo soy el warg

Do you have anything in the rpos starting with a Z5? any other letter of the alphabet after the "Z5?" because the 1987 RS has a Z5C in it's RPOs so you know it isn't a sport coupe. Does it have an Iroc steering wheel? 1988 RS did and sport coupe didn't.

murukalo

ill check the rpo for Z% tomm. and it has a Grant steering wheel

Iroctopless

You're right about that wing. It didn't run the whole model year (possible lack of parts forcing them to use the other ones). This shortage resulted in 89.8% of '88 Sport Coupes having that wing and RPO D81. Since the RS didn't get that wing at all, it would be a sure thing that if the car had RPO D81 then it couldn't be an RS.
Of coarse, if that ride happened to be one of the 10.2% that didn't get that wing and RPO D81, then yup, it wouldn't be a sure thing.
Sure way to tell the difference for most, but not quite all.
Same here. I'm kind'a wondering if someone might surprise us with another clue, like a unique interior option or lug nuts!

murukalo

yo soy el warg

The RPO list has the U8774 and L8774 at the bottom. This would indicate that it has the same upper and lower color making it a RS if the 10th letter of the Vin# is a J for 1988, it's blocked out in the picture so I can't see it. Also the fact that you have the D80 which the RS had in 1988 tells me that this car is a RS and not a sport coupe. It also had the S in the Vin # for V-6 which all RS had that year, you didn't get a choice.

murukalo

oh shoot i crossed off the J yes it is an 88 and it has a J

yo soy el warg

They only produced 7038 of these RS that year. Not too many of them around.

murukalo

well gentlemen i pulled the trigger and bought it, Im now the proud owner of an 88 camaro RS

DJP87Z28

Now are you sure it is a RS????????

yo soy el warg

I think that another way to tell it was an RS is the RPO NP5 which it has. This was for a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift ***.

murukalo

yes, thanks to every one here I am

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

sorry to bring old threads back, but, isnt an RS a Sport Coup?

DJP87Z28

NO ...... the Sportscoupe was the model before being changed to RS.