I reciently bought a '91 TPI camaro. I would like some help. They guy that I bought it from told me that it was a 350, but I looked up the vin and it says that its a 305. I felt the balancer and its solid, which usually means that its a true 350 and not a 305. But then I look on the hood and it says 5.0. So does anyone else know how I can tell weather its a 350 or a 305. Thanks

 

you could pull the casting number off the block to see if what the block is.

 

Yep. It's either measure the bore or get the casting number off the rear of the block.

 

Is there any other way of telling besides pulling the eingine and checking the number?

 

You could check the casting number on the heads. That isn't a definite though, since the previous owner might have just swapped the shortblock, but I'd say if they are 350 heads, there is a good chance it is a 350. You might also check the injectors, again that is even less of a definite, but then again, if they are 350 injectors with 350 heads, i'd be inclined to believe its a 350. Otherwise it still could be a 350, but you would have to get thenumber off the block.

 

Right idea, but won't always turn out the right way. I would agree that if most of the stuff, i.e. heads, injectors, and so on are basic 350 parts then its probably a 350. However way too many people do way too many "wrong" things to these cars that you might very well find a 305 w/ 350 heads and injectors.

If you can't get to or don't feel like looking for the casting number on the block, you can use the approach SloNlo350 suggested. I think you would better use your time and find out the cubes using the casting number. Keep you from checking various numbers and comparing them all to get an assumption.

 

Definately check the casting number on the block... You should be able to see it without too much trouble.. You can never underestimate how much people in general can tard up cars (especially f-bodies).

 

yes alot of people that sell v 8 camaros/TAs like to tell the buyer that its a 350 when most the time its just a 305. if its a t top car or it has a 5 speed in it and the engine is stock then it is def just a 305... thats one thing to remember. because they never put a 350 in a t top or a five speed... well a couple 350 five speeds got out but not to the public i guess.

 

Oh don't forget that every 350 F-body also came with the corvette L98.

 

Oh really... seems that I have a buddy w/ a factory 350 TPI car. Guess that car must be SUPER RARE!!!

 

I disagree with you Z28Monster, Yes they never made 5 speeds with 350s, But they have made 350TPIs with T tops 1987-1989. The 90-92 ones didnt tho. I think all Pontiacs with 350s could have Ttops in a ALL years.

Also just check the casting number off block

 

i thought i was pretty sure atleast about camaros that they never made any camaros atleast with 350s in a t top or a 5 speed... i know a couple got out to the public but thats it.. atleast thats what ive learned from this sight. sorry if i am wrong about this you learn something new every day

 

Was that an option to either have a 305 of a 350 back then?

 

Yes, But in 87-89 350 and T tops were an option that came out of the Factory, In the Speed Density L98s the (91-92 Z28s) they never had T tops, But some say that ppl got it from a Dealers Option ( still dont belive if it ,till i see it) But im not sure in 1990 if ttops could be made with 350s. Yes youre rite , THey was never ever no 5 speed 350, besides Test ones but they dont sell them to the public.

Also i herd that they didnt put Ttops in the 91-92 350TPI Z28s because the L98 had so much Torque that the body of the car would TWIST over a period time. That could be false info tho

 

Option For what?

 

option for a 350 or a 305 in a 91 camaro.

 

well you could get a 350 TPI L98 with a 4 speed auto in a 1991 Z28, Also coulda got a 305 TPI in a 1991 Z28 (5 speed or auto) In the 1991 RS you could either get a LO3 (305 TBI) or the V6 Lh0 (3.1 litre)


Heres tech data

91 RS
Firebird M5,A4 LH0 V6 8.5:1 3.1 (191) 140@4400 185@3600 MFI 3.42 ---- 3.23 ----
91 RS
Firebird M5,A4 LO3 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 170@4000 255@2400 TBI 3.08 ---- 2.73 ----
91 Z28
Formula
Trans Am
GTA M5,A4 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 205@4200 285@3200 TPI 3.08 ---- 2.73 ----
91 Z28
Formula
Trans Am
GTA M5 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 230@4200 300@3200 TPI ---- 3.42 ---- ----
91 Z28
Formula
Trans Am
GTA A4 L98 V8 9.3:1 5.7 (350) 245@4400 345@3200 TPI ---- ---- ---- 3.23

 

So you could of gotten a 350 TPI in a 1991 camaro? sorry but im getting a little confused here.

 

Yep it was either called a B2l or the L98

 

ok but my '91 camaro has t-tops. so does that ruin the whole chance of it being a 350?

 

instead of playing guessing games and arguing over 14 year old car history, check the casting numbers

 

your car having t-tops doesn't ruin the chance of you having a 305 anymore than the fact that your vin number said 305.

 

My 91' vert has a 5spd and I know my motor is a 305 b/c its slow as h*ll, LOL.

 

Just tell everyone it's a 350...they'll never know the difference.

 

No no no... Tell them its a corvette 350.

 

I know for sure that its at least a 305 but what I was trying to figure out is if it was a 350. Yea people how dont know anything about camaros will believe that it is a 350, lol.

 

What is the 8th digit in the VIN number?

 

Good Lord, reading this gave me a headache.

If you can't see the casting numbers on the back, go underneath the car, and there is 3 digits stamped on the side of the block. I believe those are the last 3 digits of the casting number. That's all you need. Then just search through the Mortech Website(I think that's the website). If you can't find the site, post the numbers here. I have it in "my favorites" at home

 

"F" is the 8th number digit in the vin number

 

Look on the block behind the a/c compressor. there is a pad above the w/p mount in front of the head. According to my suffix code book, the stamping should end with:CLJ, CLH, CLF, or CLW. IF it end with one of these suffixes then it is an original 1991 TPI 305.

As for the arguement on the 350 5-speed cars slipping out. There were two 350tpi cars that recieved manual transmissions. I believe that they were 6-speeds. GM made two, in 1992, painted white with black stripes. These were tested by magazines, then they were destroyed. (WHY?) I believe that they were both RS models. I do not remember the magazine, but somewhere in my one of my numerous boxes of old car magazines I have it. I remember the article talking about how awesome the cars were and how sad it was that they were to be destroyed.

 

If its an original motor, then going by the check digit in the VIN, then the car is a 305 car.

 

If it the original (305) motor, just look for the '5.0' cast in the rear of the block behind the drivers side head.

 

A few things to check.... I'm sure most of you know this, but here it is again. (Not all will tell whats necassarily in the car, but at least show if it was a factory 305 or 350)

-- First, check the vin. The 8th digit will be F or 8.
-- Second, check the RPO sheet. L98 or LB9.
-- Third, check the casting if you can see the stamp behind the head.
-- Fourth, get the 3 digit casting number on either side of the block. I usually do a google.com search afterwards and type in the 3 digit number followed by "block casting". Worked well on 3 of my 3rdgens.
-- Fifth, for Camaros, look for proper badging, ie (all 350 Camaros) 5.7 TPI badges, as oppsed to badges just saying Tuned Port Injection (which meant 305).
-- Sixth, check the sticker under the hood. Most will have it right under the hood with the belt routing. It will say 5.0 or 5.7.

Those guidelines have served me well. I was told that my wife's 1990 IROC was a 350 car, but all the badging, VIN and block identification said 305. I knew all that before I bought it, but it didn't stop me from getting a good deal.