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87 Z 305HO

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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 02:57 PM
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87 Z 305HO

Does anyone know production numbers on a 87 305 HO?? Is it a rare car?? this car has no A/C, man air vents on it, LB9 code, rear disc brakes, perf exhaust, and quicker than a stock 87 5.7. I cannot find too much info on this car, except this option was dropped in 87, but some were produced in early 87 production run. nothing has been confirmed. please help.
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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 03:09 PM
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The LB9 was continued till 92. Your car may have an unusual set of options, but there isn't anything about it that really stands out.

BTW, none of the 5.0's offered ever had better performance stats than the equivelant 5.7's. While its possible that options could be selected to make the 5.7 perform lower and the 5.0 to perform higher, the 350 still was always a little ahead.
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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 03:37 PM
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From: Tucson, Arizona USA
Car: 1987 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 5-speed
Does anyone know production numbers on a 87 305 HO?? Is it a rare car??

Historically speaking, there is no such thing as an '87 305 H.O. Technically, the H.O. is the L69 carbed 305, produced from 1983 thru 1986 with only 74 in 1986.

Some databases list the 305 LB9 (1985 thru 1992) as an "H.O.", but they are all so. In other words, there is no such thing as a 305 LB9 "non-H.O.", even the peanut-cam equipped LB9's.

I cannot find too much info on this car, except this option was dropped in 87, but some were produced in early 87 production run. nothing has been confirmed.

Your LB9 is not unique in comparison to other LB9's. As Drew mentioned above, all performance options that were available on this engine were also available on the L98 350.



------------------
Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Former Paxton (6-psig) with 50-hp nitrous: 12.043 @ 112.86 mph.
ATI D1SC (10-psig): 12.056 @ 116.62 mph.
All stats are altitude corrected for 3,100 feet using NHRA's Altitude Correction Table.

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.
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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 03:52 PM
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Than kyou for your input. I agree on the listing or option combo on the 305 is nothing, huge. The 350 is a better motor, hands down. I just cannot understand this whole gray area of this option of "HO" non L69. All I could find in some Z28 books is the fact HO was produced in a TPI for the 87 run, but then was replaced with the 350. A few got out with the TPI HO option in early 87. Just amazing on how some of these options are hard to track down.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Willie:
Does anyone know production numbers on a 87 305 HO?? Is it a rare car??

Historically speaking, there is no such thing as an '87 305 H.O. Technically, the H.O. is the L69 carbed 305, produced from 1983 thru 1986 with only 74 in 1986.

Some databases list the 305 LB9 (1985 thru 1992) as an "H.O.", but they are all so. In other words, there is no such thing as a 305 LB9 "non-H.O.", even the peanut-cam equipped LB9's.

I cannot find too much info on this car, except this option was dropped in 87, but some were produced in early 87 production run. nothing has been confirmed.

Your LB9 is not unique in comparison to other LB9's. As Drew mentioned above, all performance options that were available on this engine were also available on the L98 350.

</font>
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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 03:54 PM
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On the subject of the "HO" thing, the engine typically referred to as the 305 HO, is the carburated L69. However its funny that GM lists the LB9, L98, and even the LHO (3.1L V6) as being H.O.(High Output), engines. Did GM just get on a kick of calling all the engines HO's? I've never seen the LG4, L03, or LU5 listed as HO's however. What about the 2.8's and 2.5's?
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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 06:50 PM
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some early 2.8's were listed as H.O. because they got a power increase somewhere along the line before they got FI.
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Old Nov 9, 2001 | 08:57 PM
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Last edited by 82RECAROTA; Apr 10, 2002 at 07:56 PM.
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Old Nov 10, 2001 | 08:19 AM
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From: Uppsala Sweden
Car: 1989 Corvette
Engine: 350 Tpi
Transmission: ZF 6 speed
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 3,33
I have a 305 ho tpi in my 1988 iroc-z28.
do you know anything about that one?
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Old Nov 10, 2001 | 11:59 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 82RECAROTA:
The 2.8 HO was used in the Firebird SE only for third gen f-body. Same engine used in the Citation.</font>
really?

that sounds fishy to me though. then it shoulda been in the berlinetta.

and scania, that doesn't sound right. that last HO motors were last used in carbed applications in '86. There were no HO TPI cars, and one more thing, Drew I never heard of the 3.1 being HO. though it's RPO is LHO, I think the HO is just a coincidence.

------------------
1988 Camaro SC - Red
2.8, TCI 3200 Stall TC, B&M Transkit, Flowmaster Exhaust, 4th Gen Tips
'83 Z/28 Hood, '89 IROC Foglamps, '87 IROC Wheels
Z/28 Grille, "Heritage" Style Stripes, White Face Gauges, Homemade DRLs

1966 Impala 2Dr. Hardtop - Black
283, 3 on the tree, dealer AC, F41, Vette Wheels
98% Stock - stock besides the obvious
73,425 original miles - Slowly being restored
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Old Nov 10, 2001 | 02:54 PM
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I just doublechecked the information I have on hand and I don't see the reference I had that listed the LHO as an HO. It could have been any of the 1991 Camaro or Firebird brochures, or the press release info.
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Old Nov 11, 2001 | 06:37 AM
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From: Uppsala Sweden
Car: 1989 Corvette
Engine: 350 Tpi
Transmission: ZF 6 speed
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 3,33
Strange if it doesnt exist because when i look at the rpo code its says 305 ho tpi.
Maybe the guys who decoded the rpo codes on thirdgen was wrong i dont know.
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Old Nov 12, 2001 | 09:06 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Scania:
Strange if it doesnt exist because when i look at the rpo code its says 305 ho tpi.
Maybe the guys who decoded the rpo codes on thirdgen was wrong i dont know.
</font>
Well I the Z28 I have is a 305 5.0 TPI. I was special ordered in sept 86 and completed in Dec 86. I saw in a some books overthe weekend that a few of these were produced. But now I am lookinig for anything that can truly ID this car as being a true HO. Any ideas on were to look forthis, as I do not trut the decals on the car mentioning and stating 5.0 L HO. This car is a show car, with no flaws. Now I hope its a true HO.
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Old Nov 12, 2001 | 10:37 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Scania:
Strange if it doesnt exist because when i look at the rpo code its says 305 ho tpi.
Maybe the guys who decoded the rpo codes on thirdgen was wrong i dont know.
</font>
Well, I did see on the Z28 write up for 87, that the HO option was dropped. That what makes my car so grey, as other reports advised some got throught that year's production before the option was dropped. But on a 88, I would think its not a real HO, but who is to say.

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Old Nov 12, 2001 | 11:40 AM
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All LB9's (305TPI) are considered High Output engines by GM. For that reason GM literature will list them as being an H.O. However, when someone talks about a 305HO, they're typically refering to the L69. The L69 is the first High Output engine. The reason HO (when dealing with thirdgens) indicates the L69, is because it differentiates the LG4 from the L69. No one says HO refering to the LB9 because all of the LB9's were HO's.
The HO that was discontinued is the L69. The LB9 remained an HO and remained available until 1993 when the Fbody was revamped and the LT1 was introduced.

As for determining if your car is correct, its hard to say. The aftermarket decal companies frequently seem to only make the HO badges. Also you've got people that wanted the HO logo on thier cars, etc.
To the best of my knowledge, a LB9 87 Camaro or IROC should have the Tuned Port Injection badge on the rear bumper, and the Tuned Port Injection decals under the Z28 badge, and the Z28 or Z28 with IROCZ below it on the dash. The L69 cars for the same year would say 5.0 Liter H.O. below the Z28 badges, and the rear bumper would again list something about the HO engine, as would the dash badge.
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Old Nov 12, 2001 | 03:15 PM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Drew:
All LB9's (305TPI) are considered High Output engines by GM. For that reason GM literature will list them as being an H.O. However, when someone talks about a 305HO, they're typically refering to the L69. The L69 is the first High Output engine. The reason HO (when dealing with thirdgens) indicates the L69, is because it differentiates the LG4 from the L69. No one says HO refering to the LB9 because all of the LB9's were HO's.
The HO that was discontinued is the L69. The LB9 remained an HO and remained available until 1993 when the Fbody was revamped and the LT1 was introduced.

As for determining if your car is correct, its hard to say. The aftermarket decal companies frequently seem to only make the HO badges. Also you've got people that wanted the HO logo on thier cars, etc.
To the best of my knowledge, a LB9 87 Camaro or IROC should have the Tuned Port Injection badge on the rear bumper, and the Tuned Port Injection decals under the Z28 badge, and the Z28 or Z28 with IROCZ below it on the dash. The L69 cars for the same year would say 5.0 Liter H.O. below the Z28 badges, and the rear bumper would again list something about the HO engine, as would the dash badge.
</font>

Very good insights and points on my car. The decals are under the Z28 on each side, but not inside of the car on dash area/ passenger side. All is there is Z28 Tuned Port, as on the bumber nothing except Z28 and Tuned Port. I wonder what's deal on this car, as this car has no options, including no A/C.
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Old Nov 12, 2001 | 03:19 PM
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You don't have a H.O. They were the L69s, nuf said. Anything else wasn't.

------------------
1984 L69 5-speed Z28, T-tops, Polished Irocs, Dynomax headers, Flowmaster exhaust, 14.87 in the quarter. Currently 50,370 original miles.
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Old Nov 12, 2001 | 04:23 PM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by matwaz:
You don't have a H.O. They were the L69s, nuf said. Anything else wasn't.

</font>

well, there are some books out there beg to differ on this topic. very grey area, that requires further research, and that is why I am researching this. This would not have no options on it to be just a plain Z28 305 TPI. Makes no sense. Why would the orginal owner special order a non HO and not drive it and sell it with 1200 orgianl miles?? It does not add up. The very least, this car is special, its just a matter on what level. I thought it was a ILE at first, but after further reseach years ago, I have ruled that out.
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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 12:01 AM
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Dude, if it isn't a L69, then it isn't a friggin HO. Get over it. Sure it may have 205hp or so, but it still isn't considered a H.O. The L69s were the H.O.'s, no others.
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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 07:20 AM
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Car: 1987 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 5-speed
Once again, I'm going to spell it out as clear as can be. I have a copy of the "Manufacturers Motor Vehicle Specifications for 1987 Passenger Cars (Chevrolet Motor Division) that will back up what I state. There is only one LB9 (305 TPI) -- they are all the same except the cam. The LB9 with automatic got the "peanut" cam. The LB9 with 5-speed got the better cam.

As I stated in an earlier post, some reference books refer to the LB9 as "HO". That does not mean an LB9 "non-HO" exists. They are all the same. The MMVA (above) lists all engine specs and lists only one LB9. Try examining other reference material. You will not see any reference to a 305 TPI "HO". This just proves that reference material can be inaccurate. To make this point, I have a book that states the 1LE option was available as early as 1986!!! We all know they were first produced in 1988 (only four).

Also, I ordered a new 1987 Z28 back in late 1986. There was nothing in the ordering books that showed two LB9 options. I have a copy of the book too as proof.

I hope this settles this issue once and for all.

Willie
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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 08:27 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Willie:
Once again, I'm going to spell it out as clear as can be. I have a copy of the "Manufacturers Motor Vehicle Specifications for 1987 Passenger Cars (Chevrolet Motor Division) that will back up what I state. There is only one LB9 (305 TPI) -- they are all the same except the cam. The LB9 with automatic got the "peanut" cam. The LB9 with 5-speed got the better cam.

As I stated in an earlier post, some reference books refer to the LB9 as "HO". That does not mean an LB9 "non-HO" exists. They are all the same. The MMVA (above) lists all engine specs and lists only one LB9. Try examining other reference material. You will not see any reference to a 305 TPI "HO". This just proves that reference material can be inaccurate. To make this point, I have a book that states the 1LE option was available as early as 1986!!! We all know they were first produced in 1988 (only four).

Also, I ordered a new 1987 Z28 back in late 1986. There was nothing in the ordering books that showed two LB9 options. I have a copy of the book too as proof.

I hope this settles this issue once and for all.

Willie
</font>
Amazing, on the info out there is so off if you will. the facotyr must have had some old decals of HO from 86 production and threw them on in order to get rid them. the thing i can't understand, as the org owner i boughtthis car from back in 91, he ordered this car plain, no options at all. i guess this guy was tight on money and could not afford AC, power windows, power locks, T-Tops, perf rear end gear, better cam with stick, and tilt. Only option he did get was the limited slip, fake HO, and rear disc brakes. the owner is a crediatalbe source, and the chevy dealership told him this was an HO package. Iguess it was but minus the engine. oh well, the car currently has 15,327 org miles, mint, no rust, never seen snow, with a nice color option. Also, can i get a copy of that 1987 Z28 ordering book you mention?? I would like to add that to my records?? Please let me know. thanks

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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 08:30 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by matwaz:
Dude, if it isn't a L69, then it isn't a friggin HO. Get over it. Sure it may have 205hp or so, but it still isn't considered a H.O. The L69s were the H.O.'s, no others.</font>
Dude, I am over it. I am researching a car I have with 15,327 org friggin miles on it. The history on this car has always been a a huge mysetery. I think if you owned this car, you would further resaerch it as well. Hell, I still have the org tires on it from factory.

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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 08:33 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by matwaz:
Dude, if it isn't a L69, then it isn't a friggin HO. Get over it. Sure it may have 205hp or so, but it still isn't considered a H.O. The L69s were the H.O.'s, no others.</font>

if this is a reg LB9, as it appears to be, this car only has 190 hp. i wish it had 205hp. I wish this car had a little more pep, but its a nice driver with a nice sound to it as its all stock.
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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 11:02 AM
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Sorry I snapped at you dude. I quit smoking 10 days ago, and I have been really cranky. I have a low mileage H.O. that I have researched frontwards, backwards, sideways, and inside out, so I know a bit about them. The dealer probably put those decals there unscrupuously. Wanna hear something really strange, my Z28 is fully loaded with pretty much every option, but came without a radio!!! Wierd, huh. Oh well, post some pics of the car, I woul like to see it.
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Old Nov 13, 2001 | 11:48 AM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by matwaz:
Sorry I snapped at you dude. I quit smoking 10 days ago, and I have been really cranky. I have a low mileage H.O. that I have researched frontwards, backwards, sideways, and inside out, so I know a bit about them. The dealer probably put those decals there unscrupuously. Wanna hear something really strange, my Z28 is fully loaded with pretty much every option, but came without a radio!!! Wierd, huh. Oh well, post some pics of the car, I woul like to see it.</font>

No problem at all, I understand, trust me. This is way i came to this forum to review with people like yourself who have simialr experieinces and a great wealth of knowledge, feedback, and help, ect... Interesting on your car, with no radio. That's a good one. Mine came with the standard Delco 4 speaker AM/FM Cass. The car is mint with no options. The guy that bought was mis advised i feel by the dealership, but over all a very nice car. Once i get my digital cam back this weak. I was going to post photos, for everyone that helped me out tosee what we were all tlaking about, ect.. again, no problems and thanks for your help on clearing up this whole deal.
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