1987 Chevy Camaro

1987 Chevrolet Camaro

The 1987 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe got restyled rally wheels (unique to this year), new lower body stripes, and argent headlamp pockets. The dropped Berlinetta model was replaced with the new 'LT' option for the '87 Camaro Sport Coupe. The 1987 Camaro LT option incorporated most of the Berlinetta's equipment except the electronic instrumentation. Late in the model year, the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro RS was introduced as a test for California and with only V-6 power. It 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. The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro RS came only in red, white, or black. It also had the same steering wheel used in Z28's and IROC-Z's.

Delco-Bose sound systems and leather interior were available for the first time and were available on all Camaro models. Automatic gearshift knob is switched from round to square in all models.The CHMSL moved to the spoiler (which was slightly increased in size) on all cars equipped with a spoiler (all Z28's, IROC-Z's, spoiler optional on LT and Sport Coupe). Lower body stripes on Z28 still numbered 4, but gap between the top three stripes was removed.

The Camaro convertible was introduced for the first time since 1969 as a regular production option. The convertible was available on the 1987 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe, Sport Coupe LT, Z28, and IROC-Z. The new 350 TPI motor was not available in the convertible however, and never would be during the Third Gen. The convertible conversion was performed on t-top equipped (t-top models have extra bracing) Camaros by ASC. Only 1,007 convertibles were produced this first year of production. 1987 was 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'. Also specific to the 87 convertibles were the one year only third brake light and fairings extending a few inches onto the top edge of the doors. G92 performance axle ratio and J65 four wheel disc brakes were available this year on the IROC-Z convertible.

1987 was the last year for Camaros to be produced at the Norwood Ohio plant, the original Camaro Plant. After much testing the year before, the 350 TPI and 5 Speed 305 TPI combinations were finally available on the IROC-Z28. The 350 was only available in the IROC-Z and only with an automatic transmission. The exterior differed in appearance only by `5.7 Tuned Port Injection' badges rather than `Tuned Port Injection' badges. The TPI 350 motor was not visually distinguishable from the TPI 305. A few things can be used to disinguish a 350 TPI from a 305 TPI though. (other than the badges, which are often changed to sell a 305 TPI as a 350 TPI). All TPI 350 IROC-Z's (1987-1990) and all TPI 350 Z28's (1991-1992) had automatic transmissions and most had rear disc brakes. The eighth digit of the VIN is an `8' for 350 TPI's and an `F' for 305 TPI's. The service parts identification list in the center console glovebox will list the code B2L and L98 for a 350 TPI, LB9 for a 305 TPI. The under hood sticker should list the motor as a 5.7 liter rather than a 5.0 liter. All TPI 350 (1987-1992) Camaros had a tach with yellow at 5000 and red at 5500. They also all came with the Borg Warner 9 Bolt and 3.27's in 87 only, other years it was optional. In 1987, the 215hp 305 TPI motor returned on the newly available 5 spd / 305 TPI combination only. Torque was rated now at 295, up from 275 in 1985. Automatic 305 TPI's still got the weaker cam and 190hp rating. All 5 spd 305 TPI '87 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 V8 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 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 for 1987 required the following options:

• 5.0 TPI (LB9) Limited slip differential (G80) Rear disc brakes (J65)
• Engine oil cooler (KC4)

Yr

Model

Trans

Engine code/type

CR

Displ.

HP

Torque

Induc- tion

Manual std.

Manual opt. (G92)

Auto std.

Auto opt. (G92)

87

Sport Coupe LT RS*

M5,A4

LB8 V6

8.9:1

2.8 (173)

135@4900

160@3900

MFI

3.42

—-

3.42

—-

87

LT

A4

LG4 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

165@4400

245@2800

4bbl

—-

—-

2.73

—-

87

Z28

M5,A4

LG4 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

170@4400

250@2800

4bbl

3.23

—-

2.73

—-

87

Z28

A4

LB9 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

190@4000

295@3200

TPI

—-

—-

2.73

—-

87

Z28

M5

LB9 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

215@4400

295@3200

TPI

3.08

—-

—-

—-

87

IROC-Z

A4

LB9 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

190@4000

295@3200

TPI

—-

—-

2.73

3.23

87

IROC-Z

M5,A4

LG4 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

170@4400

250@2800

4bbl

3.23

—-

2.73

—-

87

IROC-Z

M5

LB9 V8

9.3:1

5.0 (305)

215@4400

295@3200

TPI

3.08

3.45*

—-

—-

87

IROC-Z

A4

L98 V8

9.3:1

5.7 (350)

225@4400

330@2800

TPI

—-

—-

3.27*

—-

*Borg-Warner rear axle *RS available in only California

Year	Total Production	Z28	IROC-Z28	Z28 & IROC-Z Convertible	RS	Sport Coupe	Sport Coupe Convertible
1987	137,760	52,863	38,889	744	6,618 limited availability	83,890 LT: 794	263