im looking at picking up a 91-92 z28 as a roller how can i tell if it is a real z28? it should tell you in the vin if it is a real z28 but idk what numbers i would be looking for or anything so i figured i would ask you guys

 

i diddnt think the vin could tell you if it was a z28 or not (could be wrong) id say check the spid for "z28"

 

what engine is in it.

 

when someone says roller i usually assume theres no engine

 

The vin, the engine, the ground effects, the hood, the rearend, the brakes and the suspension.

 

look for a F or an 8 in the eight spot in the vin only z28's got tpi so that should be a dead giveaway. If it has a E it's an RS

 

i know the F or 8 would tell me the engine. is there really no real way of telling if a car is a "true" z28?

i am buying the car as a roller with no motor or transmission. the guy has a bbc and a 700r4 in it now, but i will be putting a tpi setup and a 5-speed in it. it has the rear spoiler and it has the aero ground effects, it has a cowl hood on it though. but i can put that stuff on any 3rd gen pretty easy i just want to be sure it is a true z28 thats why i am buying it

 

Your vin and your rpo codes (in the rear glove box) will answer a lot of your questions. If it left the factory a z 28 then it is a true z28 and can be put back to it's original state if you choose to.

A 92 Z visually should look like these here...

 

As stated, if the engine code is an F or an 8, then it is a true Z28, any other engine code will make it an RS.

 

if you are still uncertain, maybe you think someone faked the rpo code sticker, or dropped in a tpi in place of tbi, run the vin on the windshield through edmunds, and they will tell you what the car is.

 

i know what they look like thats why im wanting to buy one. ive been wanting one for a long while but havent found a decent one untill now. i just want to be sure it is a real z28, the only reason im paying this kind of money for a roller is b/c it is a z28.. these cars are soo cheap i just to be sure someone didnt slap a rear spoiler on it and called it a z28 which i doubt they did i just figured there would be a little more clues to tell me it is a z28 instead of cosmetic.

i will check out the vin but what rpo codes should i be looking for?

by the way that fourth car in your pics is an iroc not a z28.. its a guys on this forum i just cant remember his screen name

 

If the VIN has a F or a 8, IT IS A Z28. Simple as that in 99% of cases. If not is a B4C RS which is more rare and maybe worth more then a Z28.

 

I think.... Awwe nothing

 

One more Time...

 

Honestly if it's just a roller and has all the z28 stuff what difference does it make? It's not like it's going to be a numbers matching pristine car. Basically that roller is really no different than an RS except for the spoiler and hood.

 

not really, the z28 has better suspension, bigger sway bars, quick ratio steering box,... but really it dont matter if you plan on replacing everything.

 

As has been mentioned... Check the SPID sticker. Look for Z28 in the listed codes... Note that the VIN will be on the sticker.. Compare it with the car's VIN to make sure it's the correct sticker for the car.

The SPID should be in the rear hatch in the little storage box on the driver's side. If it's not there, it might be in the glove compartment. (The picture below shows what a GM SPID sticker looks like).

If the sticker is missing, then you'll have to go by the 8th digit in the VIN.

 

If the original motor is gone then you won't have a numbers matching car and should not pay top dollar for it. And I thought a roller meant there was no motor in the car? How is it a roller any other way? I would just wait for a complete car instead of messing around with a car that has the wrong motor in it - if I was concerned about it being a "true z28".

I know about the 4th pic, I just like it and it does have the proper look which can be duplicated on almost any year third gen.

 

True but it's almost a 20 yr old car and things like springs and shocks/stuts will need to be replaced anyway. That leaves sway bars and possibly the steering box (I don't think all z28's got the quick ratio). A quick trip the junkyard and you could have sway bars so really the differences aren't significant enough to put so much research into whether is it's a true Z28 or not IMHO.

 

100%

 

How does the f41 suspension come into play here? I know my rs has this which I believe is standard in 92, and before.

 

i dont care if it has the original motor i just care that it is a real z28, i dont want an rs.

thanks for your help guys now i will know what to look for when i go pick it up.

 

Again what difference does it really make, it's just a badge. The underlying car, sheetmetal, etc. is all exactly the same.

 

it matters b/c i want a z28, i dont want a base camaro or a rs that i made look like a z28

 

If the guy wants a z28 let him be. I would do the same before buying a car. even if it was just a roller.

 

is the F or 8 in the eighth place of vin also go for an 84 Z28? if different what would those be?.. just wasnt sure if that was just for the 91-92..

 

That does not apply to 1984 Z28s.

 

Neither the "F" or the "8" were available engines in 1984 so that rule doesn't work. These engines were only available from 85-92 for the "F" and 87-92 for the "8".

 

Take the VIN to a GM dealer and go to the parts dept. They can give you a print out of all the RPO codes. Or you can PM me and I can do this.

 

The cowl tag (whatever it is called) should say "Z28" on it. I know on the early models it didn't, but my 83 clearly does, assuming your car still has this riveted on in the front.

like this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=cowl...hp%3B266%3B158

 

not trying to change the subject but I feel like this goes along with it. my rs tbi 5.0 second owner "me" never has been wrecked or shows signs of body work car records check a ok but I have a z bow tie on the front and a z hood power everything the paint is faded and the clear is gone it appears to be the original paint but dint know if maybe you could order the car with these parts in 91 not trying steal the subject just always wondered

 

By 92 the cowl tags were gone


No, those are Z28 only options. However, it doesn't mean the a dealer didn't add them even before the original owner bought the car.

 

thinks for the reply and also forgot to say that emissions sticker under the "z" hood says 5.0 etc etc pretty cool if you ask me just wish there was a way to find a record of how those parts got there ive lost the the number to the first owner and didn't know to much about z28 and rs differences at the time I bought it I just thought 1800 bucks and 63000 miles was a great deal

 

What do you mean the early models didn't have the tag, but the '83 did? 1983 was an early year and they had them. There was no cowl tag on the 3rd gens in the later years.


Mikegolz, you might want to try using some punctuation and proper sentence structure. It makes it easier to read and will provide more answers for you. Many people on TGO will give up on reading posts like this and won't answer your questions or work with you. Just an FYI

 

I meant that the early models(such as first gens) didn't have 'Z28' stamped on the cowl tag, you had to have the matching x-code. I know they had cowl tags.

 

I believe you misread my post.

 

Gotcha. You are correct about "those" early models. I thought you were talking about the 3rd gens only. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

thanx

 

This is a good pointers thread for anyone looking to ID the '91 '92 Z.

Glove Box will usually say the RPO Codes Z28
The Vin itself gives it away, take mine for example.
I know the previous owner because he's a friend of mine and rode with him in the car a few times but... Never the less.

It's obviously a Real '92 Z28 5.7 TPI when

The Vin numbers itself id's the car as an engine code 8 = 5.7

N = meaning model year 1992

If your vin has an M = it Means 1991 model year. It'll be the 10th Digit in the Vin sequence.

It's got 3.23 Posi, Factory Dual cats, factory 16x8 Wheels, 4 wheel disc, Z28 25th Anniversary badge on the passenger side dash.

Now, can someone clone this car out of a 91-92 RS? Sure cosmetically. It's the easiest thing to do. Mechanically it gets more involved, someone would need to have the money & serious determination to perfectly clone the TPI Swap & Z28 145 MPH speedo & if its a 92 source a yellow Z28 badge for the pass side dash.

And a Z28 Fog lamp switch, instead of some flimsy aftermarket jet fighter pilot switch.


The z28 rocker panel & rear bumper stickers, Tall Rear Wing, the 5.7 Tuned Port Injection rear bumper emblem, the Power Blister Hood, the Fog Lights & Z28 Grill with red chevy Bowtie, the 16x8" wheels.

But you still can't get away with it if anybody checks the vin And finds out, hey, this car is 5.0 TBI or V6 meaning RS.

Removing vins & replacing with a totaled Z28 vin is illegal, wonder what would happen if one got caught.