Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Which power rating is right for my car?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:02 PM
  #1  
Soon2beBad91Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Florence, MT
Which power rating is right for my car?

I have a 1991 Camaro Z28 305 TPI. It's stock and I can't figure out which power rating is the right one. I read that one was 205 hp and one was 230. So which one is the right one for my car?

Thanks for your help!
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:04 PM
  #2  
ghost91's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

230
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:07 PM
  #3  
Soon2beBad91Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Florence, MT
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

Thanks, I just can't figure out why they would have two ratings listed for the same motor.
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:11 PM
  #4  
ghost91's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

not sure either, all the 91 z28's came stock 230 though
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:17 PM
  #5  
Soon2beBad91Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Florence, MT
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

Yea I looked it up and some 305's came with "peanut cams" that dropped the horsepower so I'm pretty sure its not one of those lol
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:20 PM
  #6  
ghost91's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

haha yea i never heard about those. pretty sure you have a normal 305
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:22 PM
  #7  
AlkyIROC's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,262
Likes: 168
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

It could be something like a different cam grind or even different programming in the ECM.

By the time the fourth gen f-bodies came out, the GM engines were basically the same but the Corvette engine was listed as making more power than the Camaro however if both cars were put on a dyno, you could see they made the same power or the Camaro could possibly make more. The Corvette is simply listed as a higher number because that's GM's performance machine and can't be outpowered by a Camaro.

According to the TGO database, in 91 the Z28 with a 305 had 2 HP ratings of 205 and 230 however the 230 version didn't come with an automatic transmission and only came with 3.42 gears in the diff. The 205 HP version could have been an automatic or standard transmission with 3.08 gears for the standard and 2.73 with the automatic.

Providing everything is original, you can narrow down the engine rating solely based on the diff gears.
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:25 PM
  #8  
ghost91's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

thats the only other thing that would make a difference. but ive never heard of that before. learn something new every day
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:55 PM
  #9  
Soon2beBad91Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Florence, MT
Re: Which power rating is right for my car?

I did some research and looked up my VIN number and I do have the 230 hp motor, but my rear end gears are 2.77s lol someone must've swapped the rearend out at one point.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
customblackbird
Suspension and Chassis
4
Aug 15, 2021 10:16 PM
Azrael91966669
DIY PROM
25
Jun 20, 2017 04:04 AM
Brcharrelson
TPI
15
Aug 26, 2015 07:47 PM
novaderrik
Transmissions and Drivetrain
3
Aug 10, 2015 12:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:31 PM.