This is my first post, and my first Chevy. I recently purchase a 1985 Camaro z-28.

I was wondering if you guys could give me any info on any common problems these cars come with.

It has a 350 with a auto trans, how do I know if the engine is an LG4 or a LB9.


Also, what does TPI mean. I am not familiar with these cars so you might have to explain things in detail.

Thanks for any info.

 

TPI stands for Tuned Port Injection. Its is you fuel injection system, IE those big *** aluminum runners on the top of your motor. TPI is good for low end torque but chokes itself at high RPM, it only makes power to about 4500rpm but is definitely a tire burner. Welcome to the awesome world of Third-Gens!

 

I'm pretty sure 350's were not available until 1987...

LG4 is a 305 carbed engine, 165hp.
LB9 is also a 305 TPI engine, 215hp.

So, unless it's been swapped, I doubt it's a 350. You'll have to get engine block ID #'s to verify.

 

90 percent of these that are allegedly 350s are just 305's.

TPI, as mentioned, was the top line fuel injection system from 85 until 92. It was used in the Corvettes also. By modern standards it's pretty crippled but you couldnt get TPI unless you bought a Z28/IROC.

As for common problems:

1. Cracks in the roof at the back corner of the side window.
2. Oil Pressure sending units failing giving you a false zero reading of oil pressure
3. Bad valve seals - you'll see a puff of blueish white smoke at startup after it sitting all night. Not anything to worry about.
4. fuel pumps failing - a pain in the *** to replace.
5. Rust
6. If you have rear disc brakes, the E-brake probably doesnt work.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I did a little bit of research about the car and found out it is a 1986 IROC-Z28 with the LB9 305 TPI engine I think. It is supposed to be legit from the B4Z code it has tagged on there. It also has the 3rd brake light I read about.

Everything looks original from the factory except the sterio, its old but pretty much looks unmodified.

The only problem is that is is leaking from the weep hole in the water pump, so its time for a new one. Other wise runs great here is a pic of it, its not much but its my project car.

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Any other info you guys could give me about these cars would be awesome.

 

You can cut out all the plastic behind your two air filters for some free horepower, and to try to get your TPI to flow a little better. She looks bad *** man, just needs a paint job.

 

Paint is rough, but it does look pretty straight. If the other side looks like that one you got a decent car. All it would take is a little body smoother and some paint and it'd look like a million bucks.

 

The 86 model year is the easiest one to spot. It was the only year that the third brake light was high mounted and on the outside of the back window. Glad they changed it in 87.

As mentioned above one of the things that needs to be checked is rust. Being a unibody car, rust is the #1 killer. Serious rust damage repair can cost more than the car is worth. Finding a relatively rust free car can fetch a premium price. When I bought mine back in 1999, there was no rust on it anywhere and I paid more than I wanted to but it was well worth it. Not that theres much left of the original car any more.

 

This sounds like a good mod is there another thread about it. Im about to change the water pump so I'm going to look around and get my self familiar with the car.

I looked around and the only rust I could find is on the passengers side at the very outside corner where the body meets the glass on the roof. About the size of a dime. Other than that the body is solid, I haven't found any bondo.

 

Outside rust is easy to spot. It's the hidden rust like under the carpet on the driver's side etc.

 

I found a whole lot of rust under my heater blower motor and AC box. I didn't see it until I gutted the car for drag racing. Its a bad place for wet sticks, dirt, and pine needles to sit, absorb, and hold moisture. Its a pretty hard place to keep clean, might be worth it to blow it out with some compressed air to be safe. Mine rusted all the way through the fire wall!

 

I'll have to take a look at that. My friend wrecked his 4th gen camaro a while back. He kept most of the interior to try and swap into his 4th gen trans am. He ended up redoing the TA interior. He said I could have the seats, Dash, and console which is all I could use.

The problem is that the color is gray so I will have to change the interior carpet. I will look for rust when I do this. If I find any what can I do to repair or treat it.