So Why Did They Only Make...

[RallyRed701/2]

3rd gen camaros with 350s with the automatic trannys? Ive always wondered what the actual reason for them doing that was... Any insight?

[crackerjack]

No.

[dagwood]

Originally posted by RallyRed701/2
3rd gen camaros with 350s with the automatic trannys? Ive always wondered what the actual reason for them doing that was... Any insight?

Because the T-5 couldn't even handle the 305. :story:

[SehlraC]

I remember someone telling me something about it would twist the frame on a t-top car or something...:dunno:

[SloWaSS84Z]

Originally posted by crackerjack
No.


Something about the 5 speed not being strong enough for the 350?


:shrug: i could be wrong

[dagwood]

Originally posted by Kodachrome
I remember someone telling me something about it would twist the frame on a t-top car or something...:dunno:

Myth. The TPI 5.7 had what........225hp at the crank? You could be safe with that engine in a go-cart and not twist the frame.:D

[PMD Power]

durabilty...the older t-5's would not hold up.. the later "World Class" T-5 was stronger but even was still questionable to GM if it would hold up

[ill deuce]

Originally posted by dagwood
Myth. The TPI 5.7 had what........225hp at the crank? You could be safe with that engine in a go-cart and not twist the frame.:D up to 245hp

but with 345tq


too much powah

[BLURR]

It was cause the T-5 couldnt handle the torque and it would break the tranny and eat clutches like they were nothing.

Any 3rd gen car 305 or 350 with T-Tops can and will twist the roof and bubble the t-tops if driven hard awhole lot.


I had an 88 Trans Am that came stock with a 305 TPI with a 5 speed.

Someone had taken and installed a 350 TPI in it and left the stock 5 speed tranny in it.

The 4 months I had that car its spent 2 of them in and out of the Transmission shop from eating clutches and breaking the tranny.

They recommended I go buy a 6 speed tranny and put in it. I couldnt afford one from being broke from trying to keep up the 5 speed tranny so I sold the car.

[PMD Power]

Originally posted by dagwood
Myth. The TPI 5.7 had what........225hp at the crank? You could be safe with that engine in a go-cart and not twist the frame.:D


You might want to check the trouqe.. that is what woudl cause that.. I think it was near 300 lb-ft in the later L98's

[DrEvyl]

Originally posted by Kodachrome
I remember someone telling me something about it would twist the frame on a t-top car or something...:dunno:

That supposedly was an issue with the early cars.

You could not get a first year L98 car with a stick and t-tops.

You could get a L98 car with a stick, though. I drove a brand new one in 1989.

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by dagwood
Myth. The TPI 5.7 had what........225hp at the crank? You could be safe with that engine in a go-cart and not twist the frame.:D

But GOBS of low end torque with the TPI motor...345TQ...

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
That supposedly was an issue with the early cars.

You could not get a first year L98 car with a stick and t-tops.

You could get a L98 car with a stick, though. I drove a brand new one in 1989.

Being a long time member of thirdgen.org, there are VERY FEW guys who has 350TPI and T-tops from the FACTORY...

As far as I know, there are NO factory L98/5 speeds...

[PMD Power]

Originally posted by BLURR
It was cause the T-5 couldnt handle the torque and it would break the tranny and eat clutches like they were nothing.

Any 3rd gen car 305 or 350 with T-Tops can and will twist the roof and bubble the t-tops if driven hard awhole lot.


I had an 88 Trans Am that came stock with a 305 TPI with a 5 speed.

Someone had taken and installed a 350 TPI in it and left the stock 5 speed tranny in it.

The 4 months I had that car its spent 2 of them in and out of the Transmission shop from eating clutches and breaking the tranny.

They recommended I go buy a 6 speed tranny and put in it. I couldnt afford one from being broke from trying to keep up the 5 speed tranny so I sold the car.


:werd:

look at pretty much any hard top 3rdgen and you will see the stress cracks pretty clear ( provided it had no SFC's)

[BLURR]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
That supposedly was an issue with the early cars.

You could not get a first year L98 car with a stick and t-tops.

You could get a L98 car with a stick, though. I drove a brand new one in 1989.

You could not get an L98 350 Car with a stick at all.

Was not an option due to durability.

1987-1990 you could get T-Tops with the 350. In 1991 and 1992 they stopped offering T-Tops with the 350.

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
You could get a L98 car with a stick, though. I drove a brand new one in 1989.

Also, those who say they have driven a L98 5speed, was probably driving a 305TPI...

the 305TPI combo was just about as fast as the 350TPI/700R4 combo...

I could be wrong though, it has been a fat minute since I've been on thirdgen.org...

But I'm pretty sure :dunno:

[DrEvyl]

Originally posted by KlayBuRn
Being a long time member of thirdgen.org, there are VERY FEW guys who has 350TPI and T-tops from the FACTORY...

As far as I know, there are NO factory L98/5 speeds...

Well... what was the first year of the L98? I drove a brand new 5-speed Trans Am with a 350 in '88 or '89, almost traded my '72 Firebird off on it until I saw that the insurance would have been more than the payments on the car. It was a black 5-speed with a hardtop. The saleman told me I couldn't get a 350 car with t-tops.

[BLURR]

Originally posted by PMD Power
:werd:

look at pretty much any hard top 3rdgen and you will see the stress cracks pretty clear ( provided it had no SFC's)

:yup: Both my 91 T/A and 91 Z has stress cracks in the hardtop roofs.

[PMD Power]

Originally posted by KlayBuRn
Also, those who say they have driven a L98 5speed, was probably driving a 305TPI...

the 305TPI combo was just about as fast as the 350TPI/700R4 combo...

I could be wrong though, it has been a fat minute since I've been on thirdgen.org...

But I'm pretty sure :dunno:

the 91 LB9 t-5 cars are some of the fastest stock V8 powered 3rd gens

[BLURR]

Originally posted by PMD Power
You might want to check the trouqe.. that is what woudl cause that.. I think it was near 300 lb-ft in the later L98's

350 TPI cars were some torque monsters for sure. :cool:

[jr. gong]

Originally posted by BLURR
You could not get an L98 350 Car with a stick at all.

Was not an option due to durability.

1987-1990 you could get T-Tops with the 350. In 1991 and 1992 they stopped offering T-Tops with the 350.

1989 was the last year you could get T-tops with the L98. It was a 90-92 L98's that could not be ordered with the T-Tops.

[PMD Power]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
Well... what was the first year of the L98? I drove a brand new 5-speed Trans Am with a 350 in '88 or '89, almost traded my '72 Firebird off on it until I saw that the insurance would have been more than the payments on the car. It was a black 5-speed with a hardtop. The saleman told me I couldn't get a 350 car with t-tops.


I think it was 86 or 87 was the first year... I don't know what the dealer would of told you that though...of course no one is going to believe you unless you go back in time and take pictures of yourself driving it and posing with the RPO sticker :D

[BLURR]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
Well... what was the first year of the L98? I drove a brand new 5-speed Trans Am with a 350 in '88 or '89, almost traded my '72 Firebird off on it until I saw that the insurance would have been more than the payments on the car. It was a black 5-speed with a hardtop. The saleman told me I couldn't get a 350 car with t-tops.

The first year the L98 350 was offered was 1987 and it was a dual belt drive motor. I hear alot of people say you dont want an 87 350 car. In 1988 they changed to the serpinteen belts.

That salesman didnt know shit then. Cause up till 1990 you could get T-Tops with the 350 but not a 5 speed tranny.

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
Well... what was the first year of the L98? I drove a brand new 5-speed Trans Am with a 350 in '88 or '89, almost traded my '72 Firebird off on it until I saw that the insurance would have been more than the payments on the car. It was a black 5-speed with a hardtop. The saleman told me I couldn't get a 350 car with t-tops.

I wanna say 86 but I think they only made like 50 with it then...

87 was probably the more common year...

I dont wanna call BS, but you wasnt driving a 350TPI/5-speeder from the factory

:sorry:

The motors look identical, you probably had a retarded salesman :story:

[DrEvyl]

Originally posted by PMD Power
I think it was 86 or 87 was the first year... I don't know what the dealer would of told you that though...of course no one is going to believe you unless you go back in time and take pictures of yourself driving it and posing with the RPO sticker :D

I really don't give a shit if anyone believes me, to be honest, because I know that it was a 350 car, and I know that it had a 5-speed in it. I really don't see what incentive I would have to make that shit up.

I was considering ordered a '89 Formula 350, and test drove the T/A to see if I liked it. I wasn't sure if I would like a stick in the car or not, so I wanted to drive it before I ordered.

It was most definitely a 5-speed 350 car.

[BLURR]

Originally posted by DrewSG3
1989 was the last year you could get T-tops with the L98. It was a 90-92 L98's that could not be ordered with the T-Tops.

:nono:

T-Tops were deleted from the 350 cars in 1991.

[dagwood]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
Well... what was the first year of the L98? I drove a brand new 5-speed Trans Am with a 350 in '88 or '89, almost traded my '72 Firebird off on it until I saw that the insurance would have been more than the payments on the car. It was a black 5-speed with a hardtop. The saleman told me I couldn't get a 350 car with t-tops.

The first year for the L98 in f-bodies was 1987......and that salesman told you wrong. You could NOT get an L98 with a 5 speed. But you COULD get the TPI 5.0 with the 5 speed. In 1990-1992 you couldn't get t-tops with the L98, but you could earlier. I'm 110% positive, that the Trans Am you looked at in '88 or '89 was in fact a 305 car. Of course, he wanted you to think the car he was selling you had the "big engine".

[jr. gong]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
I really don't give a shit if anyone believes me, to be honest, because I know that it was a 350 car, and I know that it had a 5-speed in it. I really don't see what incentive I would have to make that shit up.

I was considering ordered a '89 Formula 350, and test drove the T/A to see if I liked it. I wasn't sure if I would like a stick in the car or not, so I wanted to drive it before I ordered.

It was most definitely a 5-speed 350 car.

No 5 speeds came with the L98 out of the factory. GM made that clear in 1987 when the L98 was first widely available in the F-body. It was the 305 you drove..


Just trust us on this one. :)

[HybridZ28]

you could NOT get a 5 speed with the L98, no way no how. they only offered it in the 700R4 auto.

salesmen was lying to you, Zeke, i'd have checked the VIN number too, 7th digit should be an "8" i believe, that signifies the L98 motor....and it should be backed by the auto, otherwise it was an aftermarket install job.

http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

take that link, scroll down till you hit 1987 (first year of the L98 350), and keep looking and let me know when you see the (M5) option with it for transmission :D

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
I really don't give a shit if anyone believes me, to be honest, because I know that it was a 350 car, and I know that it had a 5-speed in it. I really don't see what incentive I would have to make that shit up.

I was considering ordered a '89 Formula 350, and test drove the T/A to see if I liked it. I wasn't sure if I would like a stick in the car or not, so I wanted to drive it before I ordered.

It was most definitely a 5-speed 350 car.

You was most definately mis-informed...

No 350/5-speed

:sorry:

[KlayBuRn]

Fuck yeah I rock!

350 in 86 baby! :D

God DAMN my thirdgen.org memory is still good :cool:

Records also show that 50 1986 350 (5.7) IROC's were built. These cars were built primarily for testing and were the ones we saw tested by the automotive press late in 1986. These 350 IROC's (being 1986's) had the externally mounted third brake light on the hatch glass and the pre-1987 head/edge mounted valve cover design. The 350 in the IROC-Z differed from the Corvette 350 TPI in that the IROC-Z 350 TPI had the regular Camaro valve covers, iron heads, and the IROC-Z exhaust manifolds. At the last minute it was decided that the 1986 350 IROC would not be available. Fortunately they decided to start production of the 350 IROC in 1987.

[dagwood]

If anyone cares........
about performance differences, I have had TONS of 3rd gens and have taken most of them down our local 1/8th mile drag strip. Here's how they came out for comparison...

1987 IROC-Z 5.7 auto...........9.72@66mph

1988 GTA TPI 5.0 auto..........10.18@65mph

1992 Z28 TPI 5.0, T-5...........9.26@72mph



You read it right, my Z28 with the TPI 305 and 5 speed combo was a half second quicker than the 5.7 auto IROC, and almost a full second quicker than a TPI 305, automatic GTA.

[jr. gong]

Originally posted by BLURR
:nono:

T-Tops were deleted from the 350 cars in 1991.

:nono:

You're wrong. 1989 was the last year you could get the L98 with T-Tops.

[HybridZ28]

Originally posted by DrewSG3
:nono:

You're wrong. 1989 was the last year you could get the L98 with T-Tops.

:werd:

[Rob Almighty]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
I really don't give a shit if anyone believes me, to be honest, because I know that it was a 350 car, and I know that it had a 5-speed in it. I really don't see what incentive I would have to make that shit up.

I was considering ordered a '89 Formula 350, and test drove the T/A to see if I liked it. I wasn't sure if I would like a stick in the car or not, so I wanted to drive it before I ordered.

It was most definitely a 5-speed 350 car.

So you drove a 1 of 1 thirdgen? The salesman misled you. They don't exist.

[KlayBuRn]

L98

:drool:

http://www.bright.net/~tsi151/motor.jpg

[Harmon Rabb]

Originally posted by dagwood
If anyone cares........
about performance differences, I have had TONS of 3rd gens and have taken most of them down our local 1/8th mile drag strip. Here's how they came out for comparison...

1987 IROC-Z 5.7 auto...........9.72@66mph

1988 GTA TPI 5.0 auto..........10.18@65mph

1992 Z28 TPI 5.0, T-5...........9.26@72mph



You read it right, my Z28 with the TPI 305 and 5 speed combo was a half second quicker than the 5.7 auto IROC, and almost a full second quicker than a TPI 305, automatic GTA.

my buddy's stock 92 z28 (L98) went 14.1 @ 99 at Moroso. I saw the car run that with my own eyes. Did he have a factory freak or something?

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by Berman
my buddy's stock 92 z28 (L98) went 14.1 @ 99 at Moroso. I saw the car run that with my own eyes. Did he have a factory freak or something?

Nope, thats my best too...

[jr. gong]

Originally posted by Berman
my buddy's stock 92 z28 (L98) went 14.1 @ 99 at Moroso. I saw the car run that with my own eyes. Did he have a factory freak or something?

No.. That's my best... 14.1 @ 97. I've seen stock 90-92 L98's hit 14.0

[Newbomb Turk]

Originally posted by ill deuce
up to 245hp

but with 345tq


too much powah

:werd:

I owned a 92 5.7 Z28:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/NewbombTurk/Cars/Scan89.jpg

The story that I remember it was because of the T-5 not being able to deal with the torque (and I heard that the rear end not being able to hold up to a 5-speed and torque). The TPI (with its longer runner tubes) made for outstanding torque....but unfortunately the torque was all off idle to maybe 3000 rpm's then it would starve :(

But I'll tell you......I suprized MANY LT1 owners in the quarter with all that bottom end torque :yup:

[Newbomb Turk]

Oh and for the record.....I miss that car dearly :(

[Newbomb Turk]

Originally posted by DrewSG3
No.. That's my best... 14.1 @ 97. I've seen stock 90-92 L98's hit 14.0

I would run 14.3's in mine :cool:

[Newbomb Turk]

Originally posted by DrEvyl
I really don't give a shit if anyone believes me, to be honest, because I know that it was a 350 car, and I know that it had a 5-speed in it. I really don't see what incentive I would have to make that shit up.

I was considering ordered a '89 Formula 350, and test drove the T/A to see if I liked it. I wasn't sure if I would like a stick in the car or not, so I wanted to drive it before I ordered.

It was most definitely a 5-speed 350 car.

They didnt make them and you couldnt get one :sorry:

Even for the B4C police packages you couldnt get a 5-speed mated to a 350 :no:

My car was a B2L Camaro (Engine oil cooler, aluminum driveshaft and something else I cant remember :think: )

[Cody99TA]

I've seen a handful of 350/Manual 3rd Gens. They were all conversions though ;)

[Cody99TA]

Originally posted by Newbomb Turk
Oh and for the record.....I miss that car dearly :(

:werd:

My 1992 Formula L98 was very good to me.

[KlayBuRn]

Originally posted by Cody99TA
I've seen a handful of 350/Manual 3rd Gens. They were all conversions though ;)

http://www.bright.net/~tsi151/87iroc10.jpg

My buddy had a 383 stroker with the stock T-5 in it :eek:

Needless to say that didnt last now he has the 3.8L Turbo with a beefy Auto...

87 Iroc Hardtop...Factory 305TPI/5-speed...

Only thing factory on that car is the damn gas pedal...

[Iroc-Z89]

87 Iroc Hardtop...Factory 305TPI/5-speed...

Only thing factory on that car is the damn gas pedal...


I was about to say.....

Man it was a 305, the 1989 TPI 305's with a 5 spd. pushed the limits of the 305. It was just as fast as a 350. Nowadays most of them still run a decent 14.3-14.4 timeslip. Back then flat 14's. Advance your timing, put on longtubes, a full exhaust and a CAI and you can run a mid 13. The 1/8 mile times are about right, if not just slightly slow.

[350TPI]

You guys are wrong about not being able to get T-Tops and an L98 from the factory after 89.A few formulas came from the factory with that combo.Go to thirdgen.org and do a search.

[99PontTA]

Originally posted by dagwood
Myth. The TPI 5.7 had what........225hp at the crank? You could be safe with that engine in a go-cart and not twist the frame.:D hmmm wonder why both my 87 gta and 88 gta with 350/AT cracked the roof....