Test Drive of 1983 Z28 HO Built at GMAD Van Nuys

GMAD_Van Nuys · February 24, 2021, 04:35:45 PM

I got to take out one of the first production 1983 Z28 High-Output production Camaro that was built at the Van Nuys Plant. I was surprised on how well the 305 HO engine performed and although I did not abuse the car as it was to be delivered to a customer, the exhaust made quite a rumble when decelerating. The manual 5-speed was easy to shift and I thought the Z28 handled great. Unfortunately, I had just purchased a condo in nearby Arleta and couldn't afford to buy a new Z28. The photos were taken in the parking area below my condo unit. I sure enjoyed working at the Van Nuys Plant!

PURESS · February 24, 2021, 05:02:56 PM

I purchase a 84 z/28 black and gold with t-tops..5speed..has nice honeycomb(snowflake) gold rims on it...put a new crate gm performance 350 in it...300hp...the car is a blast to drive

PURESS · February 24, 2021, 05:04:27 PM

for my Son when he graduated from High school

crossboss · February 24, 2021, 05:28:38 PM

Mark,
When I did some stuff for Hot-Rod and Car Craft mags, we would pick up our Chevy/GM cars from The Vista Group. They were on the corner of Burbank and Sepulveda back in the 1980s. I remember the 305 HO 5 speed cars were a blast to drive. However, I was not impressed with the 350 powered automatic IROCs.

Z10Mike · February 24, 2021, 08:45:39 PM

Have to agree that the 5.0L H.O. cars were a blast to drive. My buddy and I bought new '84 H.O. 5-speed cars right out of college. Mine was a black 4 wheel disc/3.73 axle and Lear Siegler "Conteur" seating in red/orange. 23+ mpg on a road trip and could consistently pull away from my buddy's new '87(?) 5.7L TPI IROC automatic. In fact he still had his blue '84 H.O. 5-speed that he let his girlfriend drive when we were out cruising. After I smoked him, she raced him and beat him as well. Out came the 350 TPI and in went a 383 with a bunch of aftermarket components. I never beat him again, lol... Kept it until 1996 and sold it to a kid out of high school to buy a new '97 convertible pace car replica. Huge mistake. Really miss that car.

crossboss · February 25, 2021, 12:23:14 AM

Boys,
Those cars are now called the 'Mullet Camaros'. LOL
The interiors were a wild design, some friends called it a 'fighter jet cockpit'. Have to agree.
It was also cool to see the 80's Camaros and Mustangs battle it out when they were new for street dominance. Fun times.

crossboss · February 25, 2021, 12:32:44 AM

Quote from: Z10Mike on February 24, 2021, 08:45:39 PM
Have to agree that the 5.0L H.O. cars were a blast to drive. My buddy and I bought new '84 H.O. 5-speed cars right out of college. Mine was a black 4 wheel disc/3.73 axle and Lear Siegler "Conteur" seating in red/orange. 23+ mpg on a road trip and could consistently pull away from my buddy's new '87(?) 5.7L TPI IROC automatic. In fact he still had his blue '84 H.O. 5-speed that he let his girlfriend drive when we were out cruising. After I smoked him, she raced him and beat him as well. Out came the 350 TPI and in went a 383 with a bunch of aftermarket components. I never beat him again, lol... Kept it until 1996 and sold it to a kid out of high school to buy a new '97 convertible pace car replica. Huge mistake. Really miss that car.

That reminds me of a street race story from back then. I had two friends, one bought a brand spankin' new yellow 1987 350 IROC, and the other had a slightly modified 1985 SVO Mustang (remember those?). Anyways the two lined up and raced...twice. The friend with the IROC got spanked so bad, after the race he gets out of his car, slammed the door and threw his keys at the windshield. A few months later the IROC was all beat up and he eventually sold it. What a waste of a rare car.

GMAD_Van Nuys · February 25, 2021, 10:52:52 AM

GM developed the ZZ3 350 engine package that was emission-compliant, even in California, as a replacement for the 305 HO:

http://www.camarotech.com/engine-ZZ3.html

crossboss · February 26, 2021, 05:38:28 PM

Quote from: GMAD_Van Nuys on February 25, 2021, 10:52:52 AM
GM developed the ZZ3 350 engine package that was emission-compliant, even in California, as a replacement for the 305 HO:

http://www.camarotech.com/engine-ZZ3.html

Mark,
Another long time buddy did just that! He swapped out the 305 in his 1988 Firebird Trans-Am for the ZZ3 350 crate engine. It was a screamer.

BillOhio · February 27, 2021, 08:31:55 PM

I had a new 84 Trans am with the HO motor and 5 speed. That thing would not get out of its own way. Dark blue with the silver aero package. Looked good but that was about it lol.
For those of you that swapped motors, what did you do with the computer just get rid of it?

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Test Drive of 1983 Z28 HO Built at GMAD Van Nuys