What does it mean for the camaro to be High output? Whats so different?

 

The cam, intake, exhaust were different from the "non-HO" LG4. The HO engines made 190hp IIRC. There isn't really anything special about them. They weren't TBI cars but instead carb.

 

IMO, the HO cars, the L69's, were the first kick-*** cars of the 80's--138 mph top end and 'Vette stompers. Along with motor mods, electric fans, and a dual snorkel (at least on the Camaros), they were equipped with 3.73's. Do a search for more info.

JamesC

 

CAN ANY OF THE ENGINE PARTS FROM THAT MODLE FIT OTHER TBI OR TPI? Also, wouldent the TPI and TBI units have more output as far as HP than the z28 H.O.?

 

They could fit, but with even better aftermarket parts available, there's no reason to do it.

Computer carb will make more power with proper modifications (read: aftermarket parts) than TPI or TBI. You might get more low RPM torque with TPI than with carb, but that won't get you far down the track before you're seeing nothing but taillights.

 

They weren't available at the same time as the L69.

 

Well, crossfire was TBI, and the LB9 came out in '85, so, you could say that they were available at the same time.

 

The LU5 didn't have the performance of the L69, and the LB9 couldn't really be called H.O. when the label was already taken by the L69 in 1985 I guess.

 

So of the only difference of an LG4 and an L69 is the intake exhaust, and cam. Then since I changed all of those, is my engine still considered an LG4? Or something else?

 

Not exactly. The differences were in the air cleaner, cam, exhaust, PROM tuning, and carb jetting (recently learned that LG4 & L69 have different primary jetting, as well as the better-known secondary rods & hanger). The AC lines were also routed differently, and the radiator overflow tank was different.

Contrary to popular perception, TPI was never called "HO" by the factory.

 

Then you'd have an LG4 with upgraded exhaust and cam.

The RPO engine codes only reflect the engine as it was delivered from the factory. As soon as you change anything they're more or less meaningless.

I have a bone-stock LG4, except for the carb, intake, heads, exhaust, cam, lifters, valvesprings, rockers, pistons, rod, crank and block.

 

JamesC

 

The LG4 also had 8.5:1 compression until 1985. The L69 always had 9.5:1 from 1983 to 1986. Id rather have an L69 305 over an LB9 or an L98 anyday.

 

LB9 also went from 9.5:1 in '85-'86 to 9.3:1 in '87-up. Slight dish along with the valve reliefs vs. only valve reliefs.

 

I think that misperception came from the fact that many many dealerships advertised the LB9 cars as HO cars on their window stickers. Most of the original stickers i see for early LB9s were termed "High-Output" cars. Not that it really matters.