Hello Gentleman, I am new recipient of an 85 Camaro. I do not know anything about it and I am very curious. I can not find a manufacture date, RPO sticker, Engine info or anything. I am a Third Gen virgin and I am not finding these stickers in the "usual" places. I only have a VIN number and the title. I have own nothing but chevrolets and thought I new everything about them. I am once again proved wrong. I know it has a 305 with a cracked block. But before I carry on with my plan of building it up, I would like to know what came on the car factory so I can adjust fire as far as the build process goes. I got the car for free from my friend leaving to afghanistan. Can anyone tell me where the RPO, or any kind of info stickers could be on this car. Thank you and hope to see you on the road later.

 

The 85 should have an RPO SPID label on the inside side wall of the center console. If you find it in there, verify the VIN matches the car, as consoles get swapped a lot. That could also be the reason that a SPID label is missing.

The 85 model had a couple 305 V8 options. There was the LG4, carb'd engine, the LB9 TPI and the L69 HO. If the engine is still complete and original, the LG4 looks like a regular carbed car with a single snorkle intake. The LB9, TPI, has an aluminum intake with runners and the L69 HO is again a carb'd engine but with a dual snorkel setup. The 8th digit of the VIN will denote the original engine.
F-LB9 215hp
G-L69 190hp
H-LG4 155hp

 

Thanks Scott, the vin code is H so I got and LG4. I got the car with the entire top end completely disassembled and no heads. A guy that I work with has an LT1 with a T-56 Combo for $1000 and I was thinking that would be a good platform to start with. I would also like to know how you got the production sequence for you 03 SS pace car. I can't find the one for my 01. I know there were 1300 made, I just can't find out what # it was.

 

When I bought the car, I received a Letter of Authenticity from GM. I photoshopped the number across the certificate, but the VIN and number are at the bottom of the cert.

 

Start here if you haven't already...
https://www.thirdgen.org/1985-chevy-camaro

Actually if you really want to get the tech data as it was written, start with 1982 and read up to the year you're wondering about. Each year sorta stacks onto the previous year, so if you don't read the previous year it doesn't always make sense.

RPO codes are nice, they tell you what the car had originally, but this far down the line it's not uncommon for the parts where they were stuck, to have been removed. Or to have someone remove the sticker before you got the car. If you're planning on changing the drivetrain anyway, just visually verify what you're working with and don't worry about what was stock.

 

Also when you find your list of RPO's look them up here...
http://www.iroczone.com/2009/10/1985...pecifications/

 

Welcome to the 3rd Gen forum. Good luck with the build, I think the LT1 T56 combo is a great place to start with. I was curious what color your 85 is?

 

It is solid black inside and out. I did check the floor pans under the carpet. So it was either black from factory, or someone really wanted an authentic black car. hehehe

 

Thanks for the advice Drew, I was only really looking for a rear end ration and to see whether or not the 700R4 in it was stock or not. You do bring up a very valid point though because I am going to probably redo the entire thing by the time every thing is said and done. I am still torn though as to whether or not go with the t-56 or keep the 700R4 and put in a reverse manual valve body to make it a lazy man's manual tranny. If I did that though it would probably a lot easier and less expensive to teach my wife how to drive a "manual" LOL hahahaha

 

I was curious to know if anyone on here might have some info on a 1990 RS Vert V8 5.0??? I know only 729 was built that year, but I was curious to know if anyone knows how many are actually in existance today??? If so what would be the price on one of these V8 RS Verts? I have not found many RS online that are actually V8, but I know the 1990 Iroc's are very expensive, bc it was the last year, and the Iroc and RS for 1990 was the only year model to come out with the new interior. Also when rebuilding the 305 engine, what would be the best way to get the best performance?

 

T56 it and never look back... 700R4's are junk and disproportionately expensive to rebuild.

Based on the White Book numbers, the 90 RS convertible was produced in smaller numbers then the hardtop RS, hardtop Irocz, and convertible Irocz. But then ask anyone off the street if they'd rather have an RS or an Irocz. Most in the know would say the Irocz and that's were production numbers start to not really matter. That's why the Irocz are in greater demand and more expensive.

The interior difference doesn't really apply to the RS. The 1990 Irocz was the only Irocz to get the late interior, but the RS was around another two years.

The best way to get more performance out of a rebuild with a 305 is to junk the 305 and get a 350. You'll spend more money rebuilding a 305 then a 350 and the 350 will make more power. Even then it's hard to justify building a Gen-I V8 when you can probably build a Gen-III V8 that will make more power and probably cost less money in the long run.

 

Thanks Drew,
So if I was to put a 350 in it, what would be the best things to do to it to keep it where I can actually drive it without filling up every hour? What are you thoughts on a 350 stroker? How much horsepower do you think I could get out of the 350?

Interior: Since it doesn't seem to effect the value of the RS and they are not in high demand, would it be best to go ahead and replace all the seats with some nice leather?

Rims: any suggestions?

How much do you think it will be worth after fixing it up to Grade A status? I know im probably putting more money in it than what its worth, but i'm cool with that.