I just picked up my 1st f-body and have a few Q's it is a 305 TBI and that is all I know before I tear into it and build what I want I would like to know what I have. How can I tell what motor it has or was there only 1 305 tbi motor? also it has a few z-28 iroc decals but I thought all 1988 irocs came with TPI? the vin is 1G1FP21EXJL165526 Please help!! Keith

 

Vin decoder Here are the results for your query on: 1G1FP21EXJL166526
Made in: United States
Manufacturer: General Motors
Make: Chevrolet
Carline Code: F-Body
Carline Series: Camaro (all models)
Body Type: 2 door coupe (hatchback)
Restraint System: Manual belts
Engine Code: 305 ci V8 L03 (1988-1992)
X is the CHECK DIGIT
Model Year: 1988
Assembly Plant: Van Nuys
Production Sequence: 166526


If you have any problems, questions or suggestions about this program, please email webmaster@thirdgen.org.


Oh...and welcome to the board

 

OK so what does L03 mean? And how do I determine if this is an IROC, Z-28,RS,or Base model?

 

L03 is the engine code- 305 tbi

like LT1 or LS1

some caprices (92-?)came with an L05-350 tbi

there is no badges on the car?

i think there were a few tbi z28's

but the majority of L03 cars were RS's

and i would bet sum cash money thats what ya got

cuz i like the odds

 

That is what I figuerd. It has the RS ground effects and a serious lack of power but WTF I'm only into it for $600 no rust and T-Tops. Keith

 

yeah dude and you should also check your RPO codes...they can be found in the lockbox in the rear left of your trunk. check 'em with the RPO decoder on the main thirdgen site. they'll tell you whether you have a Z, IROC, or RS.

 

Before I bought my first Camaro I looked at an 88 IROC that had the LO3 tbi and 15" IROC wheels. It was a nice looking car but not one I would consider as worthy of IROC status in stock form. I wound up buying an 86 IROC with the lb9 305 tpi. Not as fast as a 350 but much better than a stock tbi. For the last two years I have been driving my 91RS. Though not as fast as my IROC the ride is not comparable between the two. The RS is much nicer to drive daily. As soon as I get my garage built I will be installing a 350 vortec with an LT4 hot cam, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap,454 tbi and headman shorty headers with a 3" exshaust to a Hooker Aerochamber muffler.

Steve

 

How is it a better ride?? Just curious as to what your criteria is for that statement? I would sacrifice my first born for a 350 tpi j/k.....

I have a 91 RS as well, and I'm just working on the suspension, the drivetrain and the exhaust, but I'm going to leave the engine alone w/ the hope of putting in a Ram Jet 350 in a couple of years. That's my goal anyways.

 

i dont understand the thinking of buying those 3k crate motors

when u have a tbi ride and converting obver to multi port or sfi?

u can buy the 350 ho vortec motor for what?2k?

car craft swaped in a lt1 hot cam and 1.6 rockers and got 400+ hp
and torque from it


this is my buildup plan

the vortec motor with factory TPI on top of it only made 350 hp

i know i should buy a 670 TB and intake mani(carb of course)

but its still like 1k less than the FI crates

i saw that the quarter times for that modded motor in a 3600+ lb car and it was very low 13's

with nitrous shot(75-100) thats vette beating power
and for bout a 10th of the cost


600 bux for a lo3 rs?, NICE

i am actually scope out a 90 formula just for the body so i can have a TOY to put my 350 vortec block plan into
cuz my only ride is the bird

 

I have a 305 tpi setup sitting here in the garage how hard yould it be to swap it into my tbi car? Keith

 

Swapping in TPI isn't too hard, but it will kill you after 5k rpm. Get yourself an LT1 intake and modify it to work (www.sethirdgen.org), or pay John Millican to do it for you. I have modded my 305 TBI a bit and it has responded pretty well. I am not going to keep the 305 forever though.

Clint

 

Gunny, after living with the IROC for four years then you get in the RS and drive you'll see what I mean. I personaly think, even with the softer suspension, that it handles as well as my IROC. Now thats not saying the the IROC is in perfect tune suspension wise but last year I won the F/Stock class in my regions SCCA solo II auto-x. I like the way may RS handles and rides. I remember back in the 70's when the Trans Am and Z28 were the best handling f-bodys up to that time. It always seemed that the T/A's handled better than the Z28's and rode softer to boot. So unless your going full tilt slotcar racing you don't really need the bone jaring ride that you get from lower stiffer springs. Thats just my .02 worth.

Steve

 

Iwas also wondering if the 305 TBI electronics could handle the 327 High compression engine that I have? It would be very easy for me to install it just wonder if the fuel system will handel it or will I max out the injector's PW? Keith

 

i saw some irocs with tbi's... not many though. if u look undder ur dash pad theres also a sticker/sheet of papaer that has the slip from the factory that says engine type and everything....found it changing my heater core.

 

"serious lack of power but WTF I'm only into it for $600 no rust and T-Tops"

Heck ya man! I almost wish I woulda done that sometimes, and then sunk the rest of the $$ I had into a nice motor. But I really like my car, no regrets, just wish it was faster. And its been drivable all but 2 days in the entire year and 3 months I've had it.