1985 Chevy Camaro

1985 Chevrolet Camaro History

The 1985 Camaros brought on a slight redesign and a new era of performance in the Camaro world. They would all get new front bumpers, but the Z28 and the newly introduced Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28 also had extended and redesigned ground effects, a new hood, new taillights, and a new rear bumper to accomodate the valances. The NACA style hood ducts were replaced by simulated hood louvers. The taillights got a new “grid” pattern. The number of lower body stripes grew from 2 to 4 on the Z28 with a body colored gap between the top 3 stripes. The gauges changed slightly and the double pointer speedometer was dropped and replaced with a single pointer unit.

Berlinetta aluminum wheels became an extra cost option and it now came standard with its own unique wheel covers that were styled to look like the optional aluminum wheel. The Berlinetta aluminum wheel also became an option on the Sport Coupe but with argent accenting rather than gold and a “Camaro” center cap rather than “Berlinetta” one. Lower body pinstiping on the Berlinetta was revised by an additional stripe.

The new IROC-Z28 appearance and handling option was available on the Z28. It would honor the Camaro being chosen as the car of the “IROC” or International Race of Champions competition. It came with new 16×8 inch aluminum “IROC-Z” rims, P245/50VR-16 Z Rated Goodyear Gatorback tires, fog lights, new grill with CAMARO on front the license plate panel, .5 inch lowered ride height, body colored body extensions, (ground effects) Delco-Bilstein rear gas shocks, special front struts, increased spring rates, special jounce bumpers, 5 degrees of added caster in the front wheel alignment, (up from 3.5 on Z28) ‘WonderBar’ front frame rail stiffener, special valving in the steering box for increased steering effort, larger rear stabilizer bar with stiffer bushings, IROC-Z exterior decals and interior “Z28 IROC-Z” dash emblem, and a thinner two-color lower body stripe.

Tuned Port Injection (TPI) engines were introduced. The Corvette got a 350 version (L98) and the Camaro got a 305 version (LB9) available in the Z28 or IROC-Z. LB9 was available with automatic only. L69 H.O. 305 was only available in the IROC and only with 5 speed manual. L69 production was restricted half-way (April 26, 1985) through the model year.

The IROC-Z28 was capable of .88-.92g’s on the skidpad and 63.3 MPH slaloms all-stock on 245/50/16 inch rims and 80s tire tech. It would go on to be a popular sales success and recieve an “Icon of the 80s” status.

The MPFI V-6 LB8 engine was introduced to replace the carbureted LC1 V-6. It had a similar port injection as the LB9 TPI V-8. All manual transmissions were now 5 Speeds. The 7.5 inch rear end was dropped and replaced with a new 7.625 (7 5/8) inch rear end for all Camaros. The G92 (performance axle ratio) was only available on IROC-Z.

Yr	Model	Trans	Engine code/type	CR	Displ.	HP	Torque	Induc- tion	Manual std.	Manual opt. (G92)	Auto std.	Auto opt. (G92)
85	Sport Coupe	M5,A4	LQ9 L4	9.0:1	2.5 (151)	88@4400	132@2800	TBI	3.73	—-	3.73	—-
85	Sport Coupe Berlinetta	M5,A4	LB8 V6	8.9:1	2.8 (173)	135@5100	165@3900	MFI	3.42	—-	3.42	—-
85	Sport Coupe	A4	LG4 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	155@4200	245@2000	4bbl	—-	—-	3.08	—-
85	Berlinetta	A4	LG4 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	155@4200	245@2000	4bbl	—-	—-	3.08	—-
85	Z28	M5,A4	LG4 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	155@4200	245@2000	4bbl	3.23	—-	3.08	—-
85	Z28	A4	LB9 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	215@4400	275@3200	TPI	—-	—-	3.23	—-
85	IROC-Z	M5,A4	LG4 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	155@4200	245@2000	4bbl	3.23	—-	3.23	—-
85	IROC-Z	M5	L69 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	190@4800	240@3200	4bbl HO	3.73	—-	—-	—-
85	IROC-Z	A4	LB9 V8	9.5:1	5.0 (305)	215@4400	275@3200	TPI	—-	—-	3.23	3.42

Year	Total Production	Z28	IROC-Z28	Berlinetta	Sport Coupe
1985	180,018	68,403	21,177	13,649	97,966

Lift		Duration		Lobe	Rocker
Engine	GM P/N	Int.	Exh.	Int.	Exh.	Separation	Arm Ratio
1985 (L69 and LB9)
305 AT	14088843	.403	.415	202	206	114.5	(115/-114)
1986 (LB9)
305 AT	14094097	.350	.385	178	194	109.0	(106/-112)
1987
305 AT (LB9	10088155*	.350	.384	179	194	109.0	(108/-112)
305 5spd / 350 AT (LB9/ L98)	14093643*	.404	.415	202	207	114.5	(115/-114)
305 (LM1 Police Pack.)	14093640*	.383	.404	291	202	112	(108/-116)
1988-1989
305 AT	10088155*	.350	.384	179	194	109.0	(108/-112)
305 5spd / 350 AT	10066049*	.415	.430	207	213	117.0	(116/-118)
1990-1992
305 5spd / 305 AT	10088155*	.350	.384	179	194	109.0
305 G92 5spd / 350 AT	10111773*	.413	.428	202	207	114.5	(116/-116)

Year	Camaro
85	IROC-Z28: .34 Cd