1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Could someone clarify this for me ....according to the NHRA guide all 1983 Camaro’s are coupes or Berlinettas ....meaning there ARE no Ground Effects on these cars ...no IROCs, no Z 28,s......Any help or insight is appreciated....

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

If the guide says there were no Z-28's, it is dead wrong. As an ex
Chevrolet Dealer, I can tell you it was my number 1 selling vehicle
in 1983. I sold over 300 Camaro's that year, over half were Z-28's.
J.R. Haddad.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

I race a 1983 camaro z28, have the title to show it. Even has the special fiberglass hood with the functional hood flaps that was only available in 1983.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

when I used to race my Camaro in Pure Stock, I claimed it as an '83 with the 200 horse 305. At the time it was a sport coupe which never came with that motor but since the classification guide was that way, no one ever said a thing. I've since put the ground effects on it though.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

J.R. Is correct, Z/28 was available in 1983, also here was the regular coupe and the Berlinetta. V8 engines combo was 305/150 (carb) or 305/200 (crossfire). I don’t think the H.O. 305/180 was available until 1984 up.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

AFIK, the Z-28 option was available on every Gen 4 model year starting with the '82 model:

http://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/201...660b624cfb.jpg

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

For what its worth the STD engine in the 1983 Z-28 was the LG4 150 HP-- over 67000 sold-----the LU5 175 HP was an Optional Engine in the Z-28 --over 20000 sold---the L69 190HP was also an Optional Engine in the Z-28 they sold over 3200 vehicles-- do not know what NHRA has in THEIR classification guide but that's what GM said they did---FED 387

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

The classification guide lists the flat top motor as 200 hp from factory with a factor of 261 for the manual and 263 for auto. It lists the cross-fire as 165 hp with a factor a 230. The dish motor is listed as 150 hp. Wasn't the H O motor a stick only? I ran mine as an automatic and later a stick, but I was thinking they only came factory with the 5 speed.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

OK guys, then they made them but,.......why does the 83 classification guide not include them OR am I mistaken ??

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

MJ, it's a mistake, just like listing that non-z28's and iroc's had Tune-port injection in them..i was on the line at a Chevy dealer.....GM NEVER made them.....your guess is is good as mine. PS still lovin my Derby City ft cover...Regards, jeff

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

The tech guys would probably use the berlinetta shipping wt if you have a Z28. Not everything is in the book guys, everyone knows they made Z28's in 83 , there just isn't a separate shipping wt/ factor for it.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

1983 Camaro Shipping weights per GM

Base Camaro Coupe V-8---3035

Berlinetta V-8--3056

Z-28 LG4 engine 3061 either manual or auto trans avail add 101 pounds for auto trans

Z-28 LU5 engine 3107 AUTO TRANS ONLY

Z-28 L69 engine 3107 MANUAL TRANS ONLY

In addition Berlinettas had different grilles/front fascia/interiors /dash gauges etc. than Z-28----All Z--28 had front spoiler/rear trunk spoiler/ground effects rocker mouldings

Not sure what/how NHRA is looking at these cars but a base/berlinetta looks entirely different than a Z-28 parked side by side

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Thanks for the reply Dave, don’t understand how you could use Berlinnetta specs for a car running ground effects ?? Don’t understand how you can race a car that is not in the books, that I know was made....??

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Thanks Jeff for the kind words, I knew I had one satisfied customer out there.....SOMEWHERE. .....MJ

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

While we are talking about these cars when new does anybody remember if the 82'-83' Camaros came with a 3-speed auto trans?

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Yup, they were all TH-200s.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

1982--- thm200c
1983----700r4

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

I talked to NHRA in Ca. over the winter asking why 83 z28 was not on the list, after a long run around said never got specs so if its not in there you will have to take ground effects off and run as base or find a different year that has Z28 in list.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

purchased my wife . a new 83 Z/28 ,came with a turbo 200 regardless of what anyone has to say . Rick.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

I wondered because I bought my 83' that we built the stocker out of used and it had a TH-200, Didn't look like anything had been changed on the car, 305 LG4.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

I believe the early ones got the th200 then they started putting 700r4's in later.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

I have never encountered an original Tuned Port Fuel Injected Chevy older than 1985.
There was a fuel injection system on '84, (maybe some '83, not sure about that) consisting of dual TBI units on a cross ram-style manifold. Sorry, poor performing set up.
Slower than the carbureted cars.

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

85 first production year for TPI in Corvette,Camaro,Firebird/Transam--

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Very interesting. Do you remember who you talked to AND was it on the phone or electronic communication ? Thanks.....

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Never mind the ground effects
What’s the deal with Bogus 1983 front bumper
Change bumper loose 10 HP. Wtf. Explain you experts

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

If the manufacturer didn't send the specifications to NHRA for a particular model then it will not be in the classification guide. What you need to do is get in touch with the people at GM/Chevrolet and ask them to submit spec's for it. Another good example of this is the 98 Firebird that could be had with an LS1 but it is still not included in the classification guide so you have to run your factory 98 as a 99 if you want to keep your LS1. In other words it's not NHRA's fault but the manufacturer.

Jackie McCracken
former D4 tech

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

I forgot about the '98 LT1 cars. LOL

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Yes, the early ones still got the same 200 the '82s used. The 700R4 was new in '83 and replaced the 200 early in production. I have an original '83 Z/28 built in May with the 700R4. They have a unique tail housing with bosses for the torque arm bracket. '83 was the first year for the HO but was stick only. Hard to believe Chevrolet wouldn't have submitted specs on one of the most popular cars of it's time but it happens I guess, As someone mentioned earlier the the biggest blunder with the third gen cars is the legality of non Z/28 tuned port cars (never came off the assembly line).

Re: 1983 Camaro classification guide help....
 

Just an update, the 83 Camaro z 28 has been added to the classification guide. Thank You Ryck Campbell for your effort.