I am looking into an '86 TA t-top car auto w/a 350 TPI. Now I was wondering how these cars were. How was the L98 for this year? Did they completely suck compared to the '87-'90 350 TPI's? Wasnt this the first year for the 350?...or was it '85...Im not to sure. Please let me know thanks.

James

 

87 was the first year for the 350. That 86 either has a non-stock motor, or more likely a 305 and an owner that either doesn't know the difference, or is trying to scam you. If it's a TPI car, the 8th digit in the VIN is probably an F. If it was an L98, the 8th digit would be an 8.

 

I thought I have read that there was 50 late 350 camaros made in 1986?

John

 

The 50 L98 Camaros for 1986 are another rumor thats been perpetuated for years... If GM built 50 L98 Camaro's they were all test mules that didn't have to pass emissions and were likely scrapped rather than sold to the public. Besides, that was 1986, 16 years ago... so say 50 L98's were sold to the public, cars without a/c, no options, etc... test mules... Who'd have bought them? Probably the same people that buy them now... kids... So how many do you suppose are left? Few enough that none of us is ever goign to run into one on a used car lot.

I'm with Jimbo, its a 305 or an engine swap. Either way if you want a 350 I'd pass.

 

Thanks...I appreciate it. Thats why I posted..b/c I was unsure after reading up on the 50 L98's made. It is adult owned with a new black paint job. The car has about 68k original miles on the car. So even if it is a 305 for 2300 I dont think I can beat the price. It is everything I want in a car...black on black, t-tops, TPI motor...the only thing is that it isnt a 350. I would take a 305 5 speed...and just maybe an auto 305...but that isnt what I really want...I guess I will give it some thought...maybe make the guy feel dumb bout his claim...and try to get him down due to his false advertisement.

James

 

It might be true for 86 as it was for 87, that the 305 + 5 speed TPI cars actually got the better cam, same one as the 350, the TPI 305 + Automatic got the lesser weak old "peanut" Actually the same cam as the LG4 that year...

The funny thing is, there was an 85 T/A that this guy claimed was a 350. It was subposedly owned by some GM exec, and it was installed. Well the badging on the car even said 5.7 Liter down by the Emblems.

I did not have the heart to tell him that it was only a 305...

My point is this, your guy could very well believe what he is selling is a 350, it didn't come from the factory that way, but he might believe it...

John

 

There is no such thing as an 86 with a good cam, they are all peanut cams. Theres also no such thing as an 86 TPI F-body with a stick.

At least not from the factory.

 

I guess I will emhasize the MIGHT in that statement...

Not into 86's since there was no Formula that year, it was just speculation...

John