I just got an 1984 camaro z28 H.O. with an l69 motor in it are is this a good model i dont reall know myself i got it for free and it says limited edition on the door handle on the outside.

 

Yes, L69s are really good engines. They are the High Output 305 4BBLs.

 

I don't think the "Limited Edition" thing is factory. Those were real popular stickers a few years back, that you could buy for any GM car's door handles since they were all about the same back then. Somebody just liked the words and bought the $1.99 stickers and stuck them there.

The L69 cars were the best of their day, especially the 5-speed ones. As far as "restoring", that's hard to say; I guess it depends on what you're looking to end up with. But, in the long run, the top-of-the-line models (which the HO cars were) are always the best ones to put money into. On the other hand, they didn't really excite the buying public very much at the time to where people have fond memories of them and lust after them, like they do the 57 Bel Air or the GTO; so there's no financial payoff in doing that. If you just want a nice car for yourself that's got the best of everything for the year it was made, a fully optioned L69 cars would be the right one to start out with.

My 83 L69 Z28 is a good example of how they could be equipped. It came with every available option I know of, with one exception: T-tops; velour interior, power windows, seats, mirrors, antenna, door locks, and hatch release; both the locking and the pull-out cargo covers; the better stereo; the better steering gear; the extra chassis braces; the better suspension; and so on. The one thing it didn't come with was rear disk brakes.

That motor was "rated" at 190 HP, which was by far the most powerful 305 ever made up until then. A 5-speed one could easily smoke a CFI 350 Vette, as mine regularly did. Because of the gearing (3.73 was the standard gear) and the motor's RPM potential, the 305 TPI auto cars were no match for it either, and it ran about even with the TPI 305 5-speed cars and the 350 TPI auto cars up until about 110 mph or so. They were quite fast. The HP "ratings" don't always tell the whole story.

 

I'll agree that the L69 was a fast motor for its day, but C'MON! An L69 5spd car is probably faster than anything up to and including a peanut cam TPI automatic, but NOTHING beyond that. And especially not the LB9 SD 5spd cars. 230 hp vs. 190...and the real kicker..300 lbs of torque vs. 240. The 3.73 gears dont make up that much of a difference versus the 3.42's(or3.45's).

Maybe an L69 5spd will run about the same as an 85 TPI auto, or a little faster if the guy is powershifting like a madman. But it cant touch a 5.7 TPI auto in good running condition.

here's a rough magazine comparison:
L69 5spd....15.2-15.5
L69 auto....15.4-15.7
LB9 5spd....14.6-15.0
LB9 auto....15.0-15.4
(non peanut cam)

 

The L69 cars are faster than that... whoever ran those mid-high 15's can't drive. They are mid-high 14 second cars at least.

And even if it isn't as fast as the TPI 350 cars, so what? IMO, the L69 motor is more fun than the TPI engines because you can rev the **** outta them, and they still want more

And none of the TPI cars ever came with 3.73 gears AND a 5 speed from the factory. 5 speed, yes. 3.73 gears, NO!

That HO car you got is a good one to restore IMO... the L69 is the best 3rdgen V8 next to only, maybe, the L98. I like high winding engines myself, so I'd have to say the L69 is the best V8 you could get in one of these cars.

 

Not this debate again.

305 H.O.'s made their peak HP only 400 RPM higher than an L98, TQ was @ the same. L98 Auto G92 or LB9 T5 G92 = L69 Auto or Manual loses and that's pretty much it, especially if it's against an L98. (all being mechanically equal of course) Let's not get this guys post locked as he asked a legit question.

 

Those times are an average of what most car magazines at the time were quoting for the HO motor in 83-84.(motor trend..car and driver..etc..) and I have no problem revving the **** out of my TPI 5 spd.

Also, I never said the TPI 5spds had 3.73's. I said that the fact that the HO cars had them, doesn't make up the difference for the torque advantage that the TPI 5spd with 3.42's has.

 

Never said you said that (about the 3.73 gears) I was just making sure that he knew that.

I know you can wind up a TPI engine, but it doesn't do you much good past 5000 rpm. An L69 can make more usable power all the way to 6000, maybe higher.

And the drivers that work for those magazines very rarely are good enough to do the car (any car) justice on the strip. Anyone who knows how to drag race can put it into the mid 14s without breaking a sweat.

 

Well, in my case I have larger runners, a ported upper plenum, and headers so I have power well above 5000 RPM..I usually shift around 5800. And its not just where the powerband is, its how much peak hp its making. I believe the L69 puts out its advertised 190 hp. After all, back in the early 80's when the HO was available in California in the Vette, it was rated at the same 190 hp. And a 45 hp increase over the LG4 sounds reasonable. Plus TPI's have low end torque....thats way more valuable than a few hundred higher RPM powerband to me.

The bottom line is that the numbers dont lie. While occasionally there may be a magazine time that is off by a few tenths. You can usually get an overall idea of how fast a car is by sampling several sources. And mid 14's just aint it.

As much as I like the HO motor, the SD 305 TPI 5spd is the top of the 5.0 F-Body food chain.

 

Thanks for the info I will definetly bring the 84 z28 back to life along with hooking up my iroc.

 

I had a 84 Z28 with the HO engine... I loved that car! So, restore it!

One thing I do remember though.... it was kinda slow! I too had the 3:73 rear.

 

hey guys i am sure we all agree that no engine compares to the power output of an L-98,torque monster. .To answer our freinds question:restore it as long as the body is worthy,check the frame by the steering box,make sure it is not cracked/split,as far as i am concerned about the f-bods if the shell is good its worth restoring,especially the types that you do not see often such as the car in question L-69h.o.for a 305 it ran hard the key was in the larger valved heads,3.73 gears after all these bodies are one of a kind if it can be saved do it!

 

Aside from all the claims that a HO car can beat on a 350 TPI - I've owned a couple 350's (not TPI though), and I can honestly say I was impressed when I got my L69 running. Most people that ride in my car think it's a 350, and when I tell them it's just a lowly 305 HO - they're impressed too!!

I'm pretty certain the HO I have now would outrun either of the 350's I've had in the 1/4 mile. At the very least, it'd be close.

These engines were never built with the intention of competing with a 350 in the first place.

They were made to try and compete with Mustang 302's of the era, which they did well. After that, the 302's got fuel injection etc..that upped the bar a notch. Then came the 350 F-bodys. Sure - They can take a 302 - but not easily -and 48 more cubes.

I thought my L69 was worth rebuilding. But I now want more power since this isn't my everyday car. 406 coming up!!!

I kinda hate to pull a great running L69, with less than 15,000 since the rebuild.

I may leave it on a stand for awhile or sell it, since I know a couple of people that would like to buy it...of course I would never come close to getting back what I have in it.

Just 2 cents from someone that owns one...

 

Thought I would chime in here too. I own a 84, 5 spd L69 and
I'll give the little mouse it's due.

I have a full 3 in exhaust with a Flowmaster, MSD coil, modified
carb ( rods ) and a larger air filter ( raised ) with factory ram air
set-up.

This little baby gets down the road. It pulls hard at 6000-6300,
gets great mileage, and is glued to the road.

There are two reasons I won't be getting rid of mine -

(1) great car to drive

(2) I am a restorer/wholesaler and I work all of the big
auctions. These f-bodies cars are the current rage. Why ?
because they make an excellent platform for a V-8. What
other choices does a builder have when looking for an affordable
frame to drop a crate motor in ? Beside a S-10, there aren't many
unless you go to a 60's or early 70's car.

Drag racing, road racing, and even street racing, these
cars can do it all. Hold on to your cars fellows, they have
increased in value over the last two years.



John B.

 

I have to agree the L69 is a great engine, there is one in my 15th anniversary Trans am. Its 20 years old and it still cranks over. When cold it takes a little cranking to start up but everytime after that she turns right over with the flip of the key. And it moves well too, stomp the gas and it will throw you back in the seat. And it runs this well even though it needs a rebuild. It has 120,000+ miles on it.

 

I own a 83 L69, and while this car may be a flat 15, high 14 second car, it isn't as fast as my moms 90 5.0. But thats because the 5.0 has 40 lb more torque, so it puts you in the seat. But a lot of guys underestimate this little 305, it's got some kicks (especially with 3.73's out back) but it sure don't get great gas mileage (I'm running rich right now though, maybe it does get decent gas, we'll see.) But this cars pretty quick, and responsive. I really love the car. If it were me, I'd restore it.

 

If I got the chance to own an older 3rd gen, I'd like to own a Trans Am, carburated just so I can get my hands dirty trying to tune it, probably an '84 or so. I've seen a few older ones around here, NICE cars, but pretty rare, being nice, usually they're in the junker yard or beaterz in need of TLC.

Take care of it, clean it up, drive with manners, and turn some heads!

 

I don't think so. You'd be doing good to get a mid-15 out of an l69. I have never seen a stock l69 run anywhere in the 14s here, let alone a mid 14. Do you think that yours was a 14s car?

Either way...the car and the engine are a pretty good choice for restoration. Good luck with the project!

 

I own a 91 RS with the L03 & 700r4, and consistently get my **** kicked on the local SCCA autocross! To help with your question, I think any third gen f-car would be a nice project. To argue which 305 was the best is really splitting hairs, most were solid, reliable, and relatively efficient, but they just didn't pack the punch they needed to get the heavy Fbody moving. I will soon be restoring my RS, and will be replacing the entire drivetrain with 4th gen hardware while retaining the classic 3rd gen appearance with a few enhancements. Some may disagree, but few third gen cars will be a good investment (excepting low mileage, high optioned cream puffs, and of course the turbo T/A) so restore one just for the enjoyment of it, and then drive the hell out it!