Third generation

1982

The 1982 model introduced the first Camaros with factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmissions (three-speed on the earlier models), five-speed manual transmissions (four-speed manual transmissions in 1982, and some 1983 to 1984 models), 14 or 15 in (356 or 381mm) rims, a hatchback body style, and even a four-cylinder engine (due to concerns over fuel economy in the wake of the 1979 energy crisis). The Camaro Z28 was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1982. 3 Models were available this year Sport Coupe, Berlinetta, and Z28.

The Sport Coupe came standard with the LQ9 four cylinder. The LC1 V-6 and LG4 V-8 were optional. *Dog dish* hub caps were standard; wheel covers were optional as were 14x7 steel 5 spoke body-colored rally wheels.

The Berlinetta came standard with the LC1 V-6 or optional LG4 V-8 . The Berlinetta came standard with its own unique 14x7 finned aluminum wheel with gold accenting and `Berlinetta' center cap, its own lower body pinstriping, gold "Berlinetta" badging, headlamp pockets were painted in an accent color and tail lights got a gold and black horizontal divider bar. The interior came standard with custom cloth interior, rear storage well cover and additional carpeting on rear wheelhouses. It also came standard with additional body insulation, full instrumentation and its own unique steering wheel with `Berlinetta' badge.

The Z28 came standard with the LG4 4bbl V-8 or optional LU5 twin TBI `Cross Fire Injection' 5.0 liter. All Z28's came with lightweight SMC (Fiberglass) hoods with functional hood air induction flaps on RPO LU5 cars. The Z28 had a different nose, 3 piece rear spoiler and front, side, and rear lower body valances in silver or gold. Just above the valance was a two-color lower body stripe that encircled the car. Headlamp pockets on the Z28 were black. Standard were new 15x7 cast aluminum 5 spoke wheel accented with either silver or gold. Z28 badges appeared on the right rear bumper, and on the side valances.

The Camaro Z28 paced the Indianapolis 500 in 1982 and over 6000 replicas were sold through Chevy dealers. The pace car edition featured special two-tone silver/blue paint and special striping, orange pin-striping on 15 in Z28 wheels, and a silver/blue interior with 6-way Lear-Seigler manual adjustable seating. Engine choices in the pace cars were the same as the regular Z28.

1984

Dashboard design changes to a smaller, sharper design because of complaints about the design quality and look. In the Berlinetta the design gets replaced with electronic instrumentation. Including bar-graph tach, digital speedometer, a pod-mounted AM-FM cassette deck, fingertip steering wheel side pod mounted controls; for turn signal, HVAC, Wiper & Headlight controls cruise control in steering wheel, and an overhead console.

Drivetrain changes include discontinuation of the 305 Cross Fire V-8, hydraulic clutch linkage on manual cars, and 700R4 automatic (overdrive) transmission (3 speed auto dropped).

L69 H.O. Z28 motor now available with automatic transmission.

Road & Track selects the 84 Camaro (and Firebird) as 1 of 12 best cars in the world and the Best Sports GT category in the $11,000 to $14,000 range. Car and Driver picked the 84 Camaro Z28 as the best handling car built in the United States.
[edit]

1985

In 1985 Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro model — the famous IROC-Z, named after the popular competition International Race of Champions. The Camaro IROC-Z featured an upgraded suspension, a special decal package and a Tuned Port Injection system taken from the Corvette. Third generation Camaros also had a suspension system that was more capable in corners than the previous generation. The Camaro IROC-Z was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. The 305 was the only engine to receive Tuned Port Injection considering the L98 350 was not available until 1987. Also new for 1985 cars were refreshened noses for all Camaros and new, deeper valances and front spoiler for the Z28 and the newly introduced IROC-Z28
[edit]

1986

A newly required CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Light) was installed on the Camaro. 1986 was the only year to see this attached to the hatchback glass on Z28s and IROC-Zs; in following years it was implemented in the rear decklid spoiler.
[edit]

1987

The Berlinetta model was replaced with the new 'LT' option for the Sport Coupe, incorporating most of the Berinetta's options except the electronic instrumentation

Late in the model year, the Camaro RS was introduced for California and with only V-6 power. RS had Z28 style valances that were painted body color (like IROC) and had no lower body stripes. The RS got the 15 inch 5 spoke aluminum Z28 wheel which were painted to match body color. 1

A Camaro convertible was introduced for the first time since 1969 as a regular production option. Available on the Sport Coupe, Sport Coupe LT, Z28, and IROC-Z, the conversion was performed on t-top equipped (t-top models have extra bracing) Camaros by ASC. Only 1,007 were produced in the first year of production. 1987 marked the 20th anniversary of the Camaro and the convertibles were considered the anniversary editions and were signified by a special dash badge that read `20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition'.

The 350 TPI and 5 Speed 305 TPI combinations were finally available on the IROC-Z28 after alot of testing although the 350 was only available in the IROC-Z and only with an automatic transmission. The TPI 350 motor was not visually distinguishable from the TPI 305. Automatic 305 TPI's still got the weaker cam and 190hp rating. All 5 spd 305 TPI Camaros came with the better cam (25hp advantage) until 1990 when G92 HAD to be specified to get the better cam in the 5 spd 305 TPI. Roller lifters and new valve cover/head design on V-8 Camaros. Valve covers featured new sealing and mounting through center of cover. Heads featured new raised lip for improved valve cover sealing.G92 and L98(B2L) cars finally got the Borg-Warner HD 7.75 inch four pinion rear end, produced by GM Holden's Limited of Australia (Firebird WS6 cars went to this unit in 1986). These units can be identified by their 9 bolt (rather than 10) differential cover that has a rubber plug. The Borg-Warner logo is also cast into the bottom of the differential case. This rear axle came with tapered rather than straight roller bearings and a cone-clutch rather than disc-clutch limited slip unit. These units came painted black from the factory while most others were bare metal.

G92 (performance axle ratio) available only on IROC-Z with 5.0 TPI (LB9). G92 was available on IROC-Z convertible in 1987. All 1987 350 TPI (B2L) IROC-Z's came standard with the 3.27 BW rear end and everything that was included with G92 but did not have the G92 RPO code because it was mandatory; this changed in 1988 however when a 2.77 BW rear was standard and G92 had to be specified to get the 3.27's. All 1987 350 TPI (B2L) IROC-Z's required J65 rear disc brakes, G80 limited slip differential, and KC4 engine oil cooler


1990

1990 was the year with the lowest production to date (35,048), due to preparations for the facelift the Camaro would get for the 1991 model year. 1990 also marked the final year for the IROC-Z. Chevrolet had decided not to renew their contract with the International Race of Champions, which was later renewed by Chrysler's Dodge Daytona. This year was the first year for an airbag to be offered in any F-body. The 2.8 L V6 was upgraded to the 3.1 L V6. In 1987, There were 1007 Iroc prodeuced. 23 were gold series, 984 were silver. The gold edition iroc values up to $42,000 today.

1991

A big change occurred in 1991, as all Camaros received a facelift in the form of a ground effects package for both the RS and Z28 models, while the IROC-Z was no longer offered. The Z28 also featured a high rise spoiler and non-functional hood louvers. This was the first year that the B4C "Special Service" option was made available to law enforcement, the government, and military agencies. The B4C amounted to little more than a Z28 powertrain and suspension in the RS. (Car Craft Magazine refers to the B4C as a 1LE equipped with air conditioning.) Around just under 600 B4C Camaros were sold this year.

1992

1992 was the final year of the third generation Camaro. A "25th Anniversary Heritage Edition" option had been planned with Corvette aluminum cylinder heads, tubular exhaust headers, and 6-speed manual transmission, but this was scrapped in favor of an option which amounted to nothing more than a graphics package of badges and rally stripes. The Camaro B4C got the addition of 1LE brakes and suspension, making it one of the best performing third generation Camaros. Just under 500 B4Cs were sold. The B4C option was also deemed popular enough to be carried on to the next model.

Engines

* 1982-1986: 2.5 L (151 in³) Iron Duke I4
* 1982-1984: 2.8 L (173 in³) LC1 V6
* 1985-1989: 2.8 L (173 in³) LB8 V6
* 1990-1992: 3.1 L (191 in³) 60° Gen II V6
* 1982-1983: 5.0 L (305 in³) LU5 Small-Block V8
* 1982-1987: 5.0 L (305 in³) LG4 Small-Block V8
* 1983-1986: 5.0 L (305 in³) L69 Small-Block V8
* 1988-1992: 5.0 L (305 in³) LO3 Small-Block V8
* 1985-1992: 5.0 L (305 in³) LB9 Small-Block V8
* 1987-1992: 5.7 L (350 in³) L98 Small-Block V8