Did they make 5.7 verts?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: MA, USA
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Did they make 5.7 verts?
1988 Chevy Camaro Z 28 Convertible
88 Camaro Iroc-Z
350
Convertible
63000 miles
$5500!!!!!!!
I'm really considering this one... but I was just wondering if it really has a 350 before I make the ride out there! Did they make verts with the 5.7?
88 Camaro Iroc-Z
350
Convertible
63000 miles
$5500!!!!!!!
I'm really considering this one... but I was just wondering if it really has a 350 before I make the ride out there! Did they make verts with the 5.7?
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From: Old Bridge, NJ
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 383 SuperRam
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3:23 Posi
As far as I remember they only came with a 305 or a v6 from the factory. There could of been custom ones made with 350's or just someone did a swap or is trying to sell a 305 car as a 350. Check the 8th digit on the vin.
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From: Ct
Car: 1989 Iroc, 1987and 1989 formula 350
Engine: 305tpi,350tpi,ls1
Transmission: 700r4,t-56
Axle/Gears: 3:08,3:27,3:23
From what I have found...you could not order a 5.7 in a convertable from G.M. but asc did convert some for customers so they are around...you would have to check the vin#....6th didgit-3 factory orderd convertable....6th didit-2 coupe so convetion would be after car purchacedSo if it is a true 5.7 Iroc it is not a factory ordered convertable...hope that helps
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Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Or, it's a 305 car that somebody put a 350 in.
Most likely though, it's a 305 car, with the 305 still in it; you'll get a bunch of typical used-car-salesman rip-off drivel about "runs too good to be a 305", "Vette motor", etc. etc. etc. Basically, a bunch of half-truths at best, and outright lies at worst, designed to separate the unsuspecting and unprepared potential buyer with stars in his eyes, from more of his money than they could by telling the truth.
Look at the block casting # if it really matters to you. All of the runny-mouth from the seller and the debates about who made what, are about useless; the parts will speak for themselves. They are what they are, and all the rest of that blabbermouth stuff is just a waste of oxygen.
Most likely though, it's a 305 car, with the 305 still in it; you'll get a bunch of typical used-car-salesman rip-off drivel about "runs too good to be a 305", "Vette motor", etc. etc. etc. Basically, a bunch of half-truths at best, and outright lies at worst, designed to separate the unsuspecting and unprepared potential buyer with stars in his eyes, from more of his money than they could by telling the truth.
Look at the block casting # if it really matters to you. All of the runny-mouth from the seller and the debates about who made what, are about useless; the parts will speak for themselves. They are what they are, and all the rest of that blabbermouth stuff is just a waste of oxygen.
Last edited by sofakingdom; Jul 7, 2006 at 09:36 AM.
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Its probably a 305, but get the VIN. If the VIN has an 8 for the engine, it wont have a 3 for the convertible.
The 350 ASC converted cars, from what I know, were not customers cars for the most part. Many of them were ordered through dealer channels. The one I drove in 89 off the dealer lot on a test drive was a dealer ordered car, some of them were ordering a few cars and selling them with the rest of the inventory rather than waiting for someone to come order it.
The 350 ASC converted cars, from what I know, were not customers cars for the most part. Many of them were ordered through dealer channels. The one I drove in 89 off the dealer lot on a test drive was a dealer ordered car, some of them were ordering a few cars and selling them with the rest of the inventory rather than waiting for someone to come order it.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Central California Coast SM
Car: 91 Z28 24th Anniversary
Engine: L98
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Posi 3.23
Yes, it could be a 350, as seen by others sig's (example: 5.7 T-5 trans, 355, 383, etc..).
No, it wouldn't be factory with a convertable.
The best thing is to do, if you're not able to spot non factory items easily, is to take someone with you who is when you go to look at it. Buying sight unseen is your risk when relying on others to give the info.
No, it wouldn't be factory with a convertable.
The best thing is to do, if you're not able to spot non factory items easily, is to take someone with you who is when you go to look at it. Buying sight unseen is your risk when relying on others to give the info.
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I think you need to be careful with 'factory' and 'convertible' and '350' and 'no' in the same sentence. There's plenty of ASC converted (they're the ones that did the 'factory' GM thirdgen verts) 350 TPI cars around that did not have a motor swapped in and were not convertiblized (new word 
) in someone's backyard. It'll have an 8 to reflect a factory 350 TPI car, but it wont have a 3 in the 6th digit to say that its a convertible even though ASC cut the roof off.
No thirdgen convertibles are technically factory. The closest to factory you get is a VIN code that correctly reflects the missing roof with a 3 in the 6th digit of the VIN. Those cars will not have an 8 for the engine code.
) in someone's backyard. It'll have an 8 to reflect a factory 350 TPI car, but it wont have a 3 in the 6th digit to say that its a convertible even though ASC cut the roof off.No thirdgen convertibles are technically factory. The closest to factory you get is a VIN code that correctly reflects the missing roof with a 3 in the 6th digit of the VIN. Those cars will not have an 8 for the engine code.
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
The following is from a previous post from another site that I made: in this case it was about a 1990 Firebird Convertible.
All in All the following should hold true in the future for values:
87-92 ASC Camaro Converts with 3 for 6th digit *****
87-92 ASC Camaro Converts with 2 for 6th Digit ****1/2
T-top Camaro ****
Hard Top Camaro ***
87-90 ASC Firebird Converts *****
91-92 ASC Firebird Converts *****
T-top Firebird ****
Hard Top Firebird ***
The ONLY reason why I would give 1/2 les stars to a non-factory Convertible is the VIN for the Camaro, SINCE all Firebird Convertibles from 87-90 started as a (2) Coupe the case is not the same it does not illigitimize them in any way.
ORIGINAL V6 Turbo - ******
ORIGINAL L98 350 - *****
LB9/M5 - ****1/2
LB9/A4 - ****
LG4 or LO3 - ***
V6 2.8 or 3.1 - **
I4 - *
If you were to place 2 Camaros side by side, one ordered through the factory shipped to ASC and the other ordered by a dealer where it was drop shipped to ASC to be converted they would be IDENTICAL in each and every way, the only difference is the 6th digit is a 3 or a 2.
I do not believe that ASC was doing conversions for non-dealer orderd cars, some sources say that they would not do it for a customer off the street it had to a be a NEW, non-Titled Vehicle.
John
It really depends on how you look at being "Factory"
Look at the drivers side Door jamb, if there is a decal that has "ASC" then it was done for Pontiac or Chevrolet.
From my recent understanding (correct me if I am wrong ) ASC made the Camaro Convertibles from 1987 - 1992 and the Firebird Verts in 91 & 92. From 1987 - 1990 On the side you could order a Firebird Convertible, they came with a 100% factory Warranty from Pontiac, the big difference is the paperwork path.
When you ordered an 87-92 Camaro or 91-92 Firebird Convertible you would go to the dealer and order a Convertible, the order sheet was even different than a non-Convertible car. The car was Assembled in Van Nuys, CA- 87-92 or Norwood 87 Only and then shipped to ASC. ASC would cut the top off of the car and install the convertible provisions.
When you ordered an 87-90 Firebird, the dealership you purchased the car from would have the car Drop Shipped to Pioneer Pontiac in Southgate Michigan. (Pioneer Pontiac was owned by ASC apparently). The Firebird would go through the Convertible process which was IDENTICAL to the Camaros of the day. The Firebird would then be delivered to the Dealership you ordered the car through.
GM/Pontiac knew that this was going on, apparently it was not discouraged. GM/Pontiac and ASC had some sort of agreement... It would make sense that After 1987 There would be no more converted Camaros, you could only order a Camaro Convertible through a Chevrolet dealership and the 6th digit of the VIN would be a 3. All Firebird Convertibles from 1987 - 1990 have the 6th digit of the vin of a 2 which is a coupe. In 1991 when Pontiac decided that there was a big enough market for a convertible they decided to have them produced by ASC along side their Camaro cousins.
In all essence of the word "Factory" there were NO FACTORY CONVERTIBLES MADE FROM 1970 - 1993 for the Camaro or Firebird. The Authorized Convertibles were converted by ASC. After 1987 there does not seem to be the number different convertible companies making them like 1986 & prior. From 1983 - 1986 There were several companies making Convertible Firebirds and Camaros, to name a few - Autoform - A roadster like conversion, Matrix3 - 1984 Camaros, McLaren made a few ( Might be a part of ASC ) - Choo Choo Customs made some in 1986.
Of all of the convertibles I would think the ASC ones will hold their value the best. My estimation is that because you can still buy tops and parts for the ASC cars by several places it shows that they are well accepted. The ASC Firebirds were almost identical to the Camaro of the day, the differences are obvious, the spears down the sides, the rear spoiler and the deck mounted stop lamp, otherwise they appear to be the same.
Look at the drivers side Door jamb, if there is a decal that has "ASC" then it was done for Pontiac or Chevrolet.
From my recent understanding (correct me if I am wrong ) ASC made the Camaro Convertibles from 1987 - 1992 and the Firebird Verts in 91 & 92. From 1987 - 1990 On the side you could order a Firebird Convertible, they came with a 100% factory Warranty from Pontiac, the big difference is the paperwork path.
When you ordered an 87-92 Camaro or 91-92 Firebird Convertible you would go to the dealer and order a Convertible, the order sheet was even different than a non-Convertible car. The car was Assembled in Van Nuys, CA- 87-92 or Norwood 87 Only and then shipped to ASC. ASC would cut the top off of the car and install the convertible provisions.
When you ordered an 87-90 Firebird, the dealership you purchased the car from would have the car Drop Shipped to Pioneer Pontiac in Southgate Michigan. (Pioneer Pontiac was owned by ASC apparently). The Firebird would go through the Convertible process which was IDENTICAL to the Camaros of the day. The Firebird would then be delivered to the Dealership you ordered the car through.
GM/Pontiac knew that this was going on, apparently it was not discouraged. GM/Pontiac and ASC had some sort of agreement... It would make sense that After 1987 There would be no more converted Camaros, you could only order a Camaro Convertible through a Chevrolet dealership and the 6th digit of the VIN would be a 3. All Firebird Convertibles from 1987 - 1990 have the 6th digit of the vin of a 2 which is a coupe. In 1991 when Pontiac decided that there was a big enough market for a convertible they decided to have them produced by ASC along side their Camaro cousins.
In all essence of the word "Factory" there were NO FACTORY CONVERTIBLES MADE FROM 1970 - 1993 for the Camaro or Firebird. The Authorized Convertibles were converted by ASC. After 1987 there does not seem to be the number different convertible companies making them like 1986 & prior. From 1983 - 1986 There were several companies making Convertible Firebirds and Camaros, to name a few - Autoform - A roadster like conversion, Matrix3 - 1984 Camaros, McLaren made a few ( Might be a part of ASC ) - Choo Choo Customs made some in 1986.
Of all of the convertibles I would think the ASC ones will hold their value the best. My estimation is that because you can still buy tops and parts for the ASC cars by several places it shows that they are well accepted. The ASC Firebirds were almost identical to the Camaro of the day, the differences are obvious, the spears down the sides, the rear spoiler and the deck mounted stop lamp, otherwise they appear to be the same.
87-92 ASC Camaro Converts with 3 for 6th digit *****
87-92 ASC Camaro Converts with 2 for 6th Digit ****1/2
T-top Camaro ****
Hard Top Camaro ***
87-90 ASC Firebird Converts *****
91-92 ASC Firebird Converts *****
T-top Firebird ****
Hard Top Firebird ***
The ONLY reason why I would give 1/2 les stars to a non-factory Convertible is the VIN for the Camaro, SINCE all Firebird Convertibles from 87-90 started as a (2) Coupe the case is not the same it does not illigitimize them in any way.
ORIGINAL V6 Turbo - ******
ORIGINAL L98 350 - *****
LB9/M5 - ****1/2
LB9/A4 - ****
LG4 or LO3 - ***
V6 2.8 or 3.1 - **
I4 - *
If you were to place 2 Camaros side by side, one ordered through the factory shipped to ASC and the other ordered by a dealer where it was drop shipped to ASC to be converted they would be IDENTICAL in each and every way, the only difference is the 6th digit is a 3 or a 2.
I do not believe that ASC was doing conversions for non-dealer orderd cars, some sources say that they would not do it for a customer off the street it had to a be a NEW, non-Titled Vehicle.
John
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 5
From: Tucson, Arizona USA
Car: 1987 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 5-speed
Everything that's been said so far is true and most likely scenarios. But there's another interesting story I know of. Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas did a rather extensive "conversion" and sold these as 350 IROC-Z convertibles. They took original (VIN = 3) convertibles with 305 carb (LG4) / automatic transmissions and swapped in a 350 TPI. This meant a new engine wiring harness, ECM, fuel pump, etc. They installed a limited slip differential as they were not an option on LG4 equipped Z28's in 1987. They badged the exterior with the familiar "5.7 TUNED PORT INJECTION" decals/emblems. They also replaced the 85-mph speedo / 5000 rpm redline tach with a 145-mph speedo and 5500 rpm tach, which is what 350 TPIs came with. Visually, everything was done to make it look like an original 350 convertible. They charged a whopping $8,000 for this conversion. I know of this from someone who owned one of these and had dealership documentation. Apparently, only two of these conversions were sold by Fairway, both on 1987 model year Camaros. We believe that Fairway offered this conversion in 1988 also but no one knows if any were built. (Considering the price, I doubt any were.)
Last edited by Willie; Jul 7, 2006 at 05:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,467
Likes: 7
From: MA, USA
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Got the VIN! 1G1FP31F3JL124427
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Central California Coast SM
Car: 91 Z28 24th Anniversary
Engine: L98
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: Posi 3.23
Originally Posted by madmax
I think you need to be careful with 'factory' and 'convertible' and '350' and 'no' in the same sentence. There's plenty of ASC converted (they're the ones that did the 'factory' GM thirdgen verts) 350 TPI cars around that did not have a motor swapped in and were not convertiblized (new word ) in someone's backyard. It'll have an 8 to reflect a factory 350 TPI car, but it wont have a 3 in the 6th digit to say that its a convertible even though ASC cut the roof off.
No thirdgen convertibles are technically factory. The closest to factory you get is a VIN code that correctly reflects the missing roof with a 3 in the 6th digit of the VIN. Those cars will not have an 8 for the engine code.
) in someone's backyard. It'll have an 8 to reflect a factory 350 TPI car, but it wont have a 3 in the 6th digit to say that its a convertible even though ASC cut the roof off.No thirdgen convertibles are technically factory. The closest to factory you get is a VIN code that correctly reflects the missing roof with a 3 in the 6th digit of the VIN. Those cars will not have an 8 for the engine code.
Does an ordered convertable say it's a T-Top converted to a convertable, or does it say convertable?
If it says convertable, could it say as the engine size 5.7L?
I've never actually studied a convertable window sticker but I'm sure it says convertable. Can anyone verify that?
I doubt you will see on an 87 to 92 Camaro convetable window sticker an engine size of 5.7
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,926
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From: Tucson, Arizona USA
Car: 1987 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 5-speed
Look again. GM always lists the standard equipment on the top of the window sticker, whether a specific item is available or not with other options. Nowhere on it does it list mandatory options.
Mine is the TPI/5-speed. The TPI is a mandatory option with the base 5-speed. That made G80 a mandatory option too because you had to get it with a TPI.... Furthermore, the black sidewall tires were a mandatory option (on the convertible) with TPI, so the $102 credit was "forced" with the TPI. Conversely, the raised white letter tires were mandatory with the LG4. These facts were true for the Z28 only. You'd have to go to the dealer order guide for specific listing of option combinations (which I have for 1987).
Note: The drivetrain combos you list are the only ones for the Z28. The LG4/5-speed was available on the Sport Coupe convertible.
Willie
Mine is the TPI/5-speed. The TPI is a mandatory option with the base 5-speed. That made G80 a mandatory option too because you had to get it with a TPI.... Furthermore, the black sidewall tires were a mandatory option (on the convertible) with TPI, so the $102 credit was "forced" with the TPI. Conversely, the raised white letter tires were mandatory with the LG4. These facts were true for the Z28 only. You'd have to go to the dealer order guide for specific listing of option combinations (which I have for 1987).
Note: The drivetrain combos you list are the only ones for the Z28. The LG4/5-speed was available on the Sport Coupe convertible.
Willie
Last edited by Willie; Jul 8, 2006 at 09:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,467
Likes: 7
From: MA, USA
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Well, that's why I asked. I had never seen a 5.7 vert, but this one had me fooled due to such low mileage and the 5.7 TPI emblem on the back. Yes, I know anyone can change that, but with such a rare low mileage car I didn't think they would!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 5
From: Tucson, Arizona USA
Car: 1987 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 5-speed
....did the conversion just cost 2241 $
i thought it cost around 5k
No. The "conversion" is included in the base price. The same car as a coupe has an MSRP of $12,819.00. The convertible listed at $17,218.00. The $2,241.00 is for the RPO 1SC option package. This is the top level package for the 1987 Z28.
Willie
i thought it cost around 5k
No. The "conversion" is included in the base price. The same car as a coupe has an MSRP of $12,819.00. The convertible listed at $17,218.00. The $2,241.00 is for the RPO 1SC option package. This is the top level package for the 1987 Z28.
Willie
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