Son Of Camaro Comparo 

In 1992 I bought a 92' 5.0 5-speed RS Camaro with the intention of making into a Z-28 clone purely because the difference in one year of full coverage insurance between RS and Z-28 was enough to afford the parts to make the difference. 3.73's and a locker, Hurst shifter, Hooker shorty's with 3" intermediate and FlowBlaster out back. Underdrive pullies plus a full redo of the intake tract, Edelbrock single plane, Turbo City throttle body, full effort Hypertech ignition and a Crane Cam's camshaft with custom cut chip from Hypertech in Memphis, Tn. Eventually added a NOS 150 shot. The car wasn't super fast, but it would outrun my friends stock 92' 5.7 Z-28 automatic every time-off bottle-, and it was glorious. And of course I added the necessary body parts, I was lucky that my best friend had a body shop not far from my parents house so the wing, emblems and hood scoops happened quickly....I still have the car today and my boy just turned 16 and, I guess he's gonna take it over....I'm having a mid-life crisis while driving a new Vette, so I guess that makes it okay. Wanted to document and tell this story for posterity's sake, I'm sure I'm not the only one who did this....!!shout out to all the the third gen fanatics of the world!!.

The louvered hood was NEVER available on the RS. Somebody put that on there, and that car also has the wrong grill insert. It is out of a Z/28, which had the openings for fog lamps. The RS had a full louvered grill.

All 89 and up RS came with smooth hood. Someone swapped hoods on that sneaky big block.

Always look forward to a beer and watchin this minty chit!

Steve, I am a second generation restoration and custom paint tec, I wanted to stop and say thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Much of what we know is disappearing, and the only way to hand it down, is going to be works like this. Ive been watching you my whole life, and will continue to do so. Thank you my friend, i Hope to get to shake your hand one day.

I had an 86 mustang 5.0 back in the mid 90’s and was driving north on I5 across the grapevine and saw a white 3rd gen Camaro in my rear view coming up behind me fast. I just kept my speed steady and let him pass in the fast lane. Once next to me I saw it said “California Highway Patrol” on the door. Lol. I had no idea CHP used 3rd gen camaro’s in Southern California but obviously they did. I bet that’s a rare car to find but I’d like to have one.

Am I the only one who would have plucked out that big block without a second thought even if it wasn't needed for anything? Everyone should have one in their garage, or carport, or living room or wherever.

Sept 1981. My buddy Juan and i finished our shift and went to the Pontiac dealership in Santa Fe where the 1st thrird gens were coming off the truck. They wouldn't let us drive the loaded midnight blue trans am but it was shockingly beautiful, bowling ball wheels and all. Sticker was around 14.5k. Instead, they let us test a gold base model firebird with manual 4speed and iron puke 4 cyl. A slow car thar impessed us with slot car handling. These things were revolutionary in 81.

I bought a 82 Z28 new in 1982. Ordered it in dark blue with a silver cloth interior, 4 speed , positraction and AC. I received it in June of 1982, Got married in July. I sold it to buy a suburban when the kids would'nt fit the back seat. When my oldest son was 15 we found him a 87 Firebird formula with a tuneport 305. He still has it. When my second son was 16 we found a 85 IROC Z that we stripped to bare metal and painted red with black heritage stripes. We converted it from an auto to a 5 speed and built a 400 hp 406cuin smallblock for it. He still has this car. In 2000 I bought a 1992 Z28 convertible. It only had 2,000 miles on it when I bought it. It was red with black heritage stripe package and red leather interior. Sold it to buy a cabin in 2016. I still have a 1988 IROC Z that I plan to do an LS swap. I guess I kind of like the 3rd gen's HA HA!

breaks my heart to see those two in a junk yard. always adored them.

That 83-84 base model looks clean ! I'm sure with minimal work it's back on the road.

The way those doors creak is almost iconic.

Junk or not I still cringed a little when he opened the doors by the windows 🤣🤣

My first car was a base 1984 Camaro. From the factory the only options it had were the V6,5 speed,rear defrost,full gauge package, and cloth seats. It was a radio delete car. And had steel wheels with police style poverty hub caps it had close to 300,000 miles. I got it for $300.

LOL. How far we’ve come! My 2022 Camaro LT1 has a 160 MPH speedo and 455 HP, can go 0-60 in 4 seconds and will get better fuel mileage than the old ones shown here.

A friend of mine had an '82 Berlinetta with the 305. Not a bad car but it certainly was plain Jane in appearance. Later on after we graduated, another friend bought a black '87 IROC with the 5.7 which, even for this professed Mustang guy, was a really sharp car. Some of the stuff that Ross and Coletti from Ford came up back then with was truly badass.

I really need the hatch off of that '89, but at the same time it'd be awesome to see somebody save it and put a stick behind that big block again.

Steve you're killing me... 145mph speedo came in 1987 with the 350ci option. The RS never received the Z28 hood or that terrible hood decal. And you missed a chance to inject some cool history. In 91 and 92 the RS actually did get the tuned port engine in the B4C police package cars. Roughly 1100 of these units were built.

These third gen Camaros are what made me fall in love with camaros. I was 10 years old and my uncle owned a 1982 z28 at the time I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. At 16 my first car was an 86 Iroc. These cars are my childhood. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much for all these videos and for sharing your knowledge.

The interior of the Sport Coupe is so familiar even though I haven't been in one in 30+ years. I worked for a car rental agency back in the early 80's and we had loads of those. The crazy thing was that they arrived straight off the car carrier and hadn't been PDI'd by any dealer. They still had all the plastic on the floors, seats and door panels.

Glad to hear that 3rd gen Fbodies are "heating up rapidly". I bought my 91' 1LE /R7U in 93' and still have it. Looking forward to taking it out of the garage in a few weeks when the snow is finaly gone. My dad also had an 86' Iroc so I know the RS has the wrong hood and grill insert. Seeing these junkyard Camaros just put it into persective for me how old these are getting, hence how old I'm getting.

Thanks Steve, I had a 84 Z 5.0 H.O. with 5-speed, loved that car!

I had a '92 RS, 5.0L LO3/T-5 equipped. Fast she wasn't by any measure, but she was a lot of fun. Wish I had her back.

Hey Steve. Great video. Love all of your knowledge and videos. RS Camaro came with smooth hoods. Always the quick way to tell the RS from a Z28.

Love the 80's cars reviews. So much more relatable to anyone not nearing retirement.

Really liked these year Camaros. As you mentioned, I used to see these all over the place back in the 80's and now they're non existant.

Z/28. When the 305 was the big guy (optional 350 - thanks guys). Oh, I remember the day. I have a 2015 Z/28, unmolested and low mileage. Quite a different level of performance. Love your stories Steve.

Sorry Steve. As the original owner of an 1988 Iroc convertible, and previous original owner of two RS Camaros (89 & 91) that were my wife's I can tell you the louvered hood was only available on Z/28 & the Iroc. I also delivered these cars new as a car carrier driver (Anchor Motor Freight) and never saw a base or RS with a louvered hood.

Great review video ! I remember these back in the 80s. My friend owned a 1985 Camaro Berlinetta which I thought was a luxury version of the Camaro's .

The sport coupe got the body kit in 1988. It had Camaro badging that was replaced by the RS badging in 1989.

Technically an RS camaro could be had with tuned port injection.All B4C special service package camaros in 91-92 were RS trim with Z28 components.Also I think the Berlinetta models had a digital dash.

I owned a 86 formula Firebird with the TPI 5.0 and 700R4 disk brake posi out back. Got it with a blown motor because the 4in air dam got knocked off and the engine was overheated to meltdown mode. I built a healthy 5.7 with a bit of a cam. That car was a blast!

I remember when these were all over the place. Now you only see then at car shows and events. I have always, and still like the style these cars have.

I sold Iroc's new back then. The reason you couldn't get a 5.7 with a 5 speed wasn't because the trans couldn't handle it. I was told by a factory rep that there would be too much body flex, especially with T-Tops, because of the un-body. We actually sold a 1987 Iroc convertible for $10k over sticker. They were rare and in demand.

Haha weren't ready for a 454 were ya mate ,

Love these, I have an 83 that is getting an 06 LS V8 as we speak.

The cars of my youth as well Steve. I was born in 1977 and got into cars watching the Dukes Of Hazzard. My first love will always be that ‘69 Charger but my eternal love will always be the Camaro. I currently own a 2019 2SS 6 speed and could probably sit down with you in front of these two Camaros with a cooler full of beer and discuss the nuances of the F-Body with you for hours.

My neighbors son came home from the marines in 87, bought himself a cherry red Z28 with T tops. Four days later he wrapped it around a tree on 'Snake road' (Ramona Avenue) in the Juniata park section of philly. He was fine physical but mentally distraught over the loss of his military trophy.

DANG !! So much knowledge . I appreciate you sharing bits with us .

when you bent that hood open i cried a little

All RS models came with the smooth hood. Also, there was an RS model that came from the factory with the TUNED PORT INJECTION engine. They were B4C code police cars. Someone also installed an IROC-Z grille in that RS. The 145mph speedometer made its debut in the later build 1986 model year

Oh wow. I had no idea about the early base Camaro. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I can remember dad bought a brand new 85 Z28 .. black with silver ground effects with dark maroon stripes ....cool looking car of the day... still like the body style....

Really enjoy these videos. I had a 2.8 camaro in high school it did have the spoiler and i swapped the 85mph dash for the z version with the tach and everything worked just fine.

I had a 1986 Camaro, 2.8L V6 w/ a 5spd manual transmission, a power deck-lid, with a spoiler and T-tops. Electric blue with a black border along the bottom. 🥰 I loved that car and I regret ever getting rid of that car. One of my biggest regrets in life. 😕

In 1987 I had both, an IROC and a Berlinetta. Talk about 2 TOTALLY different kinda cars. But man, do I miss them both.

I'd love to see you do a video on all the cars this channel helped save from the junk yards. A little exposé on the people who were inspired enough to go out and restore one of these...Well, one can be hopeful.

Hey Steve, I have a 1992 camaro RS with the 305 and 5 speed manual. Shes in amazing condition and runs really good. My profile picture has the car in it.

I own a 88 IROC Z28 with the TPI 350 love it fun to drive, when out and looked it has a 145 mph speedometer .great video

I always wondered how you know so much about cars, now I've seen this I understand. You made a career out of my teenage years*. I knew every single thing you said about this and could do it with the hated 5.0. When I was a teenager we would name cars by there headlights at dusk, we were way better than we should have been.

Excellent explanation video, Steve

I was a Foxbody guy. But, I did some work on someone's Camaro and got a trade car out of it. 86 Berlinetta Brown on Brown on Brown with every shade of brown. It was the worst! Drove the car less than a week and sold it.

Steve, I believe the 4 cylinder only had the 4 speed manual transmission available, not the 5 speed.

Awesome video, gotta go check up the first part. I used to own an 83 z28 with t tops. Really miss that beauty...

Living the show and the knowledge... All the way from Australia 🦘🙏

Brilliant stuff. This knowledge is priceless. Keep 'em comin'.

Talk about Holy shit when ya opened that hood! Lol

Close. The 2.8L V6 VIN code "S" engine was used from 1985-1989 and then in 1990 the 3.1 VIN code "T" RPO code "LH0" took over for base engine duties in the F body line and ran from 1990 to 1992. From 1982 to 1986, you could get a four, six or eight cylinder F body. Staring with 1987, you could only get a V6 or V8. Third generation cars were assembled in Norwood, OH (through August of 1987) or Van Nuys, CA. The Van Nuys plant closed in 1992 with the end of the third generation cars, and F body production was moved to St. Therese, Quebec Canada for the 4th gen cars (1993 to 2002).

OK I NEED that base model Camaro!! And quick fact fix, there was no Z28 in 1988/89/90; Iroc-Z only.

This video brings back memories. A friend had an 84 base model when we were in college with the 2.8/auto. Despite all the abuse he gave it, the rods, pistons, valve train, etc always managed to stay in the same holes where the factory originally installed them. The R200 tranny could not handle the “incredible torque” from the mighty V-6, however….

My brother had a Camaro sport and a Z-28 at different times. His Z-28 looked the part, but it's 305 and high gearing made it kinda slow.

I had an 88 IROC Z that I bought used in 89 with about 30K miles. When I sold that car it had over 330K miles on it. Only thing I did to that car was normal maintenance (tune ups, batteries), a fuel pump, brake pads, water pump, alternator, and front struts. That car was still running strong when I sold it. Replaced it with a 93(?) Z28 which blew a trans at about 100K. I never did like the high dash on the 93. The 88 had some real mojo with the super low dash. Felt almost like sitting in a go-kart.

Steve is a walking and talking encyclopedia. I respect him a lot, he may not have the flash of Jay Leno, but I feel like he's right up there with knowledge on cars.

I built a 83 v6 camaro out of a junkyard would love to have it today.

Up to 1989 it was 2.8, 3.1 started in 1990

Great comparison Steve. I’ll never forget passing a storage lot in Burlington, NJ one day. The whole lot was filled with what I thought at first were Z/28s. But nope, they turned out to be the new RS Camaros. Wish I’d bought one. 🤔

My first car was a 1990 RS with the 305. I loved that car and I miss it to this day.

The 3rd generation RS was first sold only in California for late 1987 and while it had the IROC/Z/28 lower body extensions it had a goofy rear spoiler that didn’t flow over the quarter panels and only came with a 2.8 V6. I bought my 1989 Camaro RS new in 1989, it had the TBI 305/5 speed and kept it for 22 years.

i love the blue pine tree on the rearview mirror in the RS

I had a 90 RS TBI 305, black on black, it was a great ride! Plenty fast for a my work car at the time. My buds at the firehouse told me a couple of times that the sheriff's office had BOLO's out for my Camaro (distinctive license plate LOL) but they never got me.

I am the same age as you Steve. I remember loving these specifically the Z28.

Damn, that sport is clean as hell 👍

Surprised you didn't mention the Berlinetta. In '83 it came with a weird radio pod that was atop a gooseneck coming out of the center console, and push button turn signals on the dash, left of the speedo. Also, in NYC "IROC" stood for "Italian Retard, Out Cruising", lol. P.S. The cross-fire injection 305 had these cool flaps behind that hood scoop that popped open when you floored it.

My sister had an 85 Camaro sport coupe with a 305 high output with a Rochester quadrajet and 700R4. No spoiler and nothing else but A/C and an am/fm radio. It was a great car. So reliable

I was used to this in the trucks of the era without air conditioning but I don’t believe I’ve seen, or at least noticed this in many cars (was around trucks a lot more as a kid than I was cars lol) but the RS didn’t have left and right side dash vents, only center vents. Had to try and pause on a shot of the climate controls but yeah, it was a non A/C car. I’m curious if the Mustang was the same way, not giving dash vents unless ordered with A/C If someone could fill me in on that I’d great appreciate it! Steve not only do you give us a huge amount of knowledge, but even starting to pick up little pieces of knowledge from the video footage itself! I don’t think I could ever tire of watching your junkyard crawl! Absolutely love it (Maybe do a piece on that 80’s Ford Dually that was in the background of the Ford Econoline video, would love to see more on that old girl)

Buddy bought a new 82 berlinetta. V6. Looked ok. Sold it in 85 for $6k

Sounds like Steve is catching a cold...

Been so fascinated by third gen Camaros since my dad's 86 camaro that's still in the garage need to be worked on

they better get those out of the elements before it to late

The 2.8 V6, while a dog from the factory as far as power goes was a great engine all around. They were fantastically reliable and had alot of factory and aftermarket support for performance parts. Possibly the best example is the 3.8 version that was run in Indy car, and later on were equipped with Roots style blowers and sold with Monte Carlos, Grand Prix, and Buick Regals. Probably the most popular use for them today is in a performance Fiero build

Ah ha! Redbull, so that’s what’s powering you!

The beauty of the 3rd Generation Camaro and Firebird it’s the era between 1982-92

That 83ish base model interior is amazingly nice 4 the junkyard

I had a 1984 Camaro sport coup that I bought new. Mine had the V6 without fuel injection. The car ran well but we a bit under powered for the weight. The biggest problem with the early gen 3 camaros was actually with the paint. My car was the 'cadet blue' or light blue. After a few years the primer broke down and all the paint started to peel off. The only cure was an expensive one. You had to bring the car down to bare metal and re-prime and repaint the car. GM knew they had a problem but never issued a recall on it. If you were very lucky some dealers would redo the paint in their body shop but that was very rare.

Really nice vid man. I have an 89 firebird with a 2.8

The guy who had the RS with the big block mated to the 5 spd is a man after my own heart. You gotta know that was a bucket of fun.. bet 2nd gear in the Borg Warner was trashed is why it's no longer there and on the road. Still really dig the car

Great work Sir thank you

I used always get those 5.0 Mustangs out of the hole with my 83 Z28 only to slowly watch them inch up closer and eventually catch me. It wasn't until the 4th gen came out that I wasn't losing to Mustangs anymore, my completely stock 1993 Z28 with an automatic ran a 14.2 in the 1/4 which at the time was pretty impressive.

great bit of history on these cars

No lie on those hatchback struts losing charge. That hatch was heavy as hell without a good set!

A couple months ago I bought a 1990 IrocZ that had been sitting in a quonset since 2010, only has 89,500 miles on it and absolutely zero rust! Bought it for $400…I know unreal but it’s true! But I had to replace fuel pump and lines, ecm, and a few other electrical things, also had to completely gut the interior to clean it, replaced the carpet while doing it. Not sure what I’m gonna do with it, I’m 45 and I’ve road dirt bikes since I was in third grade, my knees are shot so I gotta say getting in and out of it is more like falling in and rolling out!

Great cars I’ve had 17 of them all kinds base, rs, z28, belinetta, iroc love the cars. I always have one in reserve. Just as cool as Iron Maiden cassette and mullet and that is pretty cool.

Well this brought back some memories. After graduation from university in 1980, I was finally able to buy a new car in 1982, but not one that was too expensive. I fell in love with the '82 Camaros so I ordered a navy blue 4 speed with the iron duke. It cost $9,600 plus tax CDN . The car was beautiful and it had the identical interior to the one you showed. I confess the car was an utter piece of shit and I dumped it 3 years later. In retrospect I should have just ordered a V8 auto and avoided all the 4cyl manual transmission issues.

Man that Sport Coupe is so clean inside!

the sport coupe stopped in 1987. 1988 was one year only "Camaro" option. It had the ground affects and a different flat spoiler. "RS" started in 89. I think there was a california edition RS that was available in CA only in '88.

Though they were actually decent cars with endless potential, without question, these cars will forever be the official vehicle of Trailer Trash, White Trash and Red Necks. In that line, there was even an El Camino Conversion of sorts that replaced the back glass and back seat with a fiberglass insert that included a bed, bulkhead and a flange to cover the weather strip area. Though it only solidified a well deserved negative stereotype, it was a neat conversion.

Between the two I like that 83-84,it's still original and could easily be restored, can't believe people still junk classic cars.

The interior on that Sport Coupe is super-clean! I had an '84 Sport Coupe 2.8 auto, and the interior wasn't that nice when I junked it, that's for sure!

Excellent video thanks!