Why Do I Only Have 205 Horses?!?!?!?
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, Ky
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 10 Bolt
Why Do I Only Have 205 Horses?!?!?!?
in 1991 there were two different 205's offered. one with 230 hp and one with 205. this measley 205 just isnt cutting it and until i can get an lt1 im stuck with it. i ran my codes and it came out that i have a 3.08 rear which is the 205 hp engine. does anyone know what the differences is the two engines are an why im making 25 hp less???? i would like those back if i could get them cheap.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: North Huntingdon,PA
Car: No F-Body Currently :(
Engine: none
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: still...none...(ugh)
If you do indeed have the 205 HP motor, you do not have the G92 performance package, which included dual catalytic converters. This accounts for 10hp, according to GM.
If you were to look in the tech data section of the site, you would also find that you have the 'peanut' camshaft as it is called. The G92 cars came with a different camshaft. Here are the specs.
1990-1992
305 5spd / 305 AT 10088155* .350 .384 179 194 109.0
305 G92 5spd / 350 AT 10111773* .413 .428 202 207 114.5 (116/-116)
You could get the rest of the horsepower back by installing an LT1 camshaft, or finding a camshaft from a G92 305 engine or from a 350 TPI engine, or get an aftermarket cam. I am going to install a used LT1 cam I bought for $30 shipped. According to my research on these boards, I will go from 190 horse to 225+ with this swap.
The used LT1 cam is cheap, but is significant work to install, and you will also need to replace valve springs and might as well replace valve seals while you are at it.
I'm not sure how hard and expensive it is to find the dual cat setup for your car, or how much work it is or what other pieces would be required.
Hope this helps.
If you were to look in the tech data section of the site, you would also find that you have the 'peanut' camshaft as it is called. The G92 cars came with a different camshaft. Here are the specs.
1990-1992
305 5spd / 305 AT 10088155* .350 .384 179 194 109.0
305 G92 5spd / 350 AT 10111773* .413 .428 202 207 114.5 (116/-116)
You could get the rest of the horsepower back by installing an LT1 camshaft, or finding a camshaft from a G92 305 engine or from a 350 TPI engine, or get an aftermarket cam. I am going to install a used LT1 cam I bought for $30 shipped. According to my research on these boards, I will go from 190 horse to 225+ with this swap.
The used LT1 cam is cheap, but is significant work to install, and you will also need to replace valve springs and might as well replace valve seals while you are at it.
I'm not sure how hard and expensive it is to find the dual cat setup for your car, or how much work it is or what other pieces would be required.
Hope this helps.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 18,457
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From: Loveland, OH, US
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
It would be pointlessly stupid, like moving $100 bills out of the way to pick up dimes, to just put the factory dual cat system on there without doing anything else.
The thing to do would be to put headers on it, and a high-flow single cat, and a good cat-back exhaust. Get SLPs if you can afford them.
The thing to do would be to put headers on it, and a high-flow single cat, and a good cat-back exhaust. Get SLPs if you can afford them.
Supreme Member

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 5
From: Pitman, NJ
Car: '89 IROC-Z
Engine: Canfield 195 headed 358ci
Transmission: TH350, Art Carr 9.5"
Axle/Gears: 3.92 Dana 44
Originally posted by dj haf
get yourself long tube headers and a custom y pipe... then get yourself a catback exhaust and you should notice a BIG difference.
get yourself long tube headers and a custom y pipe... then get yourself a catback exhaust and you should notice a BIG difference.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Stoneville, N.C.
Car: '88 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700r4/OD
Originally posted by RB83L69
It would be pointlessly stupid, like moving $100 bills out of the way to pick up dimes, to just put the factory dual cat system on there without doing anything else.
The thing to do would be to put headers on it, and a high-flow single cat, and a good cat-back exhaust. Get SLPs if you can afford them.
It would be pointlessly stupid, like moving $100 bills out of the way to pick up dimes, to just put the factory dual cat system on there without doing anything else.
The thing to do would be to put headers on it, and a high-flow single cat, and a good cat-back exhaust. Get SLPs if you can afford them.
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iTrader: (5)
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 5
From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
Re: Why Do I Only Have 205 Horses?!?!?!?
Originally posted by CamarosRUS
in 1991 there were two different 205's offered. one with 230 hp and one with 205. this measley 205 just isnt cutting it and until i can get an lt1 im stuck with it. i ran my codes and it came out that i have a 3.08 rear which is the 205 hp engine. does anyone know what the differences is the two engines are an why im making 25 hp less???? i would like those back if i could get them cheap.
in 1991 there were two different 205's offered. one with 230 hp and one with 205. this measley 205 just isnt cutting it and until i can get an lt1 im stuck with it. i ran my codes and it came out that i have a 3.08 rear which is the 205 hp engine. does anyone know what the differences is the two engines are an why im making 25 hp less???? i would like those back if i could get them cheap.

Be glad you've got a damn manual tranny and a newer Z28. Most would kill for what you've got.
Boo hoo.
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Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, Ky
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 10 Bolt
well im am thankful that i got a 1991 5 speed car but i looked for months and months for the perfect car and had to drive 2 1/2 hours one way to pick her up. i wasent gonna settle for something i would slightly regret. but i dont think asking for 25 horses the factory owes me is too much
why would GM do that anyway? give them all 230 and be done with it!!!!! :lala:
why would GM do that anyway? give them all 230 and be done with it!!!!! :lala:
Supreme Member

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,974
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From: Pueblo Co
Car: 1989 C4
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 307
My car came with 140HP 305 so dont feel too bad. Of course if one were to mod an 82 carbed 140hp engine induction wouldent be a restriction. I'd suggest headers and high flow exh system and some gears.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Stoneville, N.C.
Car: '88 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700r4/OD
Originally posted by CamarosRUS
well im am thankful that i got a 1991 5 speed car but i looked for months and months for the perfect car and had to drive 2 1/2 hours one way to pick her up. i wasent gonna settle for something i would slightly regret. but i dont think asking for 25 horses the factory owes me is too much
why would GM do that anyway? give them all 230 and be done with it!!!!! :lala:
well im am thankful that i got a 1991 5 speed car but i looked for months and months for the perfect car and had to drive 2 1/2 hours one way to pick her up. i wasent gonna settle for something i would slightly regret. but i dont think asking for 25 horses the factory owes me is too much
why would GM do that anyway? give them all 230 and be done with it!!!!! :lala:
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 694
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From: Glasgow Kentucky
Car: 04 Vette
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Originally posted by 88IROC350TPI
a BIG difference in the lack of money in his wallet, yeah
a BIG difference in the lack of money in his wallet, yeah
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: MA
Car: 1981 Chevy Malibu, 1987 Formula 350
Engine: 229 V6, L98 TPI 350
Transmission: TH350, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt ???, 9 bolt 3.27 posi
Originally posted by jmd88iroc-z
A couple of years ago, I also was looking for "the perfect car". I wanted a third gen. I had about $4,000 to blow (which is very rare), and looked a couple of months. I ran across this '88 iroc in the auto trader that was 10 miles from me that had a 305 (which I swore I wouldn't settle for less than a 350). It was original (no mods) and for sale by original owner. The body was in good shape, but the paint sucked. I bought it. Found alot better deals later ( of course). Have spent alot of money trying to beef this motor. Still not satisfied. Can't get it to run 1000mph! I should've saved and waited for something already "beefed".
A couple of years ago, I also was looking for "the perfect car". I wanted a third gen. I had about $4,000 to blow (which is very rare), and looked a couple of months. I ran across this '88 iroc in the auto trader that was 10 miles from me that had a 305 (which I swore I wouldn't settle for less than a 350). It was original (no mods) and for sale by original owner. The body was in good shape, but the paint sucked. I bought it. Found alot better deals later ( of course). Have spent alot of money trying to beef this motor. Still not satisfied. Can't get it to run 1000mph! I should've saved and waited for something already "beefed".
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Stoneville, N.C.
Car: '88 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700r4/OD
Nah, it just seems that's (1000mph) is what everyone shoots for
because they never are satisfied with the performance of they're cars. Seriously though, hind sight's 20/20.
because they never are satisfied with the performance of they're cars. Seriously though, hind sight's 20/20.
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 955
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From: MA
Car: 1981 Chevy Malibu, 1987 Formula 350
Engine: 229 V6, L98 TPI 350
Transmission: TH350, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt ???, 9 bolt 3.27 posi
meh...i'd be satisfied if i could go 130....or even if i could only go like 120...but only if i could get there realllly fast :-)
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Stoneville, N.C.
Car: '88 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700r4/OD
Originally posted by speedingpenguin
meh...i'd be satisfied if i could go 130....or even if i could only go like 120...but only if i could get there realllly fast :-)
meh...i'd be satisfied if i could go 130....or even if i could only go like 120...but only if i could get there realllly fast :-)
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Ames, IA
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: Vortec 350
Transmission: Built 700R4
If you are looking at building a 350 for it, I wouldn't dump any money into parts that you don't want for the new motor. Save your money for the right parts.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Stoneville, N.C.
Car: '88 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700r4/OD
Originally posted by fast89RS
If you are looking at building a 350 for it, I wouldn't dump any money into parts that you don't want for the new motor. Save your money for the right parts.
If you are looking at building a 350 for it, I wouldn't dump any money into parts that you don't want for the new motor. Save your money for the right parts.
Sorry for taking over someones thread. Feel free to kick me off!
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