1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372

Рет қаралды 9,372

3 жыл бұрын

We're Hiring! v8speedshop.com/online-job-ap...
www.v8speedshop.com/contact
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372
1984 was a memorable year for a lot of things, and in many ways it signaled the start of the return of performance in American muscle cars. We still reference George Orwell’s concept of “Big Brother” from his book entitled 1984, and it was also the year of the launch of the Macintosh computer. But for American performance car enthusiasts, ‘84 marked the launch of the high-tech C4 Corvette, and today, we’re taking a peek at its little brother - a 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 time capsule with 24,000 miles on the dial.
Now before we scoff at the concept of a less-than-200 horsepower 1980s Camaro being a muscle car, we’re applying the term to what was available at the time. The mid 1980s were all about smaller cars, front wheel drive, and tightening emissions and fuel economy standards, so enthusiasts were happy just to have a choice with any V8, rear-drive sporty car offerings. The 1984 Z28 made hungry performance car customers happy, to the tune of over 100,000 sold! Apparently the now-cheesy full-on 80s commercials worked!
The 84 Z featured very aerodynamic styling, as Chevrolet tried to eek out all the tricks they could to help fuel economy ratings. This particular car is wearing the popular black color scheme with red and orange stripes and silver lower accents, and rolls on iconic cast aluminum 15 inch wheels. A non-functional NACA-type scoop breaks up the expansive flat hood, and a small ducktail spoiler sits at the base of the hatchback rear glass and over the large tail lights. This one even has t-tops. These third-generation Camaros are good looking cars.
Inside, the 1980s are on full display, with forward looking elements only hindered by a lack of technology to back them up. We dug the dual-needle speedo that points to metric and MPH on opposite sides, and a 7000 RPM tach for an engine that wheezes out at 5500 RPM. Plastic is everywhere, and the design is edgy and stark at the same time. An overhead console houses two interesting gadgets… a fully analog reminder center that consisted of various-topic thumbwheels you turned to remind yourself of important items like “financial”,“celebration”, and “recreation”. Behind that hangs the removable flashlight, a good idea that didn’t seem to catch on. Probably because it got lost after the second or third usage.
But the Z28 name means performance, right? The optional L69 5.0 HO V8 cranked out a relatively underwhelming 190 HP and 240 lb. ft. of torque from 305 cubic inches, but those were pretty big numbers for the time. Standard LG4 305 was only 150 HP. It utilized an electronic feedback rochester Quadrajet carburetor, iron heads with a 9.5:1 compression ratio, but was choked out with restrictive exhaust and a catalytic converter. This one is tied to a 4-speed automatic overdrive 700R4 transmission backed with a 10-bolt rear end loaded with limited slip differential and 3.73 gears. A 5-speed Tremec T5 manual was also available.
Where the 84 Z did perform was in the turns. After all, emissions compliance had nothing to do with suspension compliance. The 3rd gen Z is a full unibody design, so no more twisty subframe holding the engine and front suspension. These cars utilized a front strut design and coil springs at all 4 corners. Front and rear sway bars helped them corner, and a torque-arm ran from the transmission crossmember to the rear axle housing for better traction. 4-wheel disc brakes were the best ever on a Camaro. The stiff body and tuned suspension earned these cars high praise as the best handling American cars by the automotive press.
So although they weren’t that fast, with ¼ mile times in the mid 16s, their precise handling and clean styling made them fun cars to drive. So much so that 1984 marks the 3rd highest sales year in Camaro history, and a number not achieved since then.
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372
#Camaro #Z28 #MuscleCar
SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/RIkdDS
www.musclecaroftheweek.com
Subscribe to the V8 Radio Podcast on your favorite Podcast source!
Alexa: "Play V8 Radio Podcast"
Amazon Music: amzn.to/3kx9twI
Stitcher: bit.ly/V8RStitcher
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/V8RApple
Google Podcasts: bit.ly/V8RGoogle
Spotify: bit.ly/V8RSpotify
Player.fm: bit.ly/V8RPlayer
Podchaser: bit.ly/V8RPodchaser
Podbean: bit.ly/V8RPodbean
iHeart Radio: ihr.fm/2wkR81E
TuneIn: bit.ly/V8RTuneIn
V8 Radio Website: www.v8radio.com
V8 Radio Facebook Page: / v8radioshow
V8 shirts, hats, and more:
v8speedshop.com/shop/

Пікірлер: 77

@joeymccullough2716 3 жыл бұрын

Really brings back memories. I had the Pontiac brother by a different mother, 1984 Trans Am, charcoal gray/silver, with t-tops. Oh, and a mullet-business in the front, party in the back, ya’ll! Glad ya showcased this one, Kevin-thanks!

@salesposito2290 3 жыл бұрын

5.0 HO had 190 hp and *240 lbs of tq, not 200. They were also capable of low 15s to high 14s, not mid 16s. 190 hp doesn’t sound like a lot, but these cars only weighed around 3400 lbs.

@camaro69green31 3 жыл бұрын

My First Camaro was a 1984 Z28 with the L69 5.0 H.O. 5 speed. I absolutely loved this car and drove it for 5 years starting when I was 19 years old. Never ever gave me a minutes problem either. It was an honest 15 second quarter and a 7 second 0-60. An underachiever in the day to say the least. I could Squawk the tires in third gear!! The dash had a squeak that was annoying so I just turned up the stereo. Loved that car.

@bellowsjeep3999 3 жыл бұрын

So glad you included these cars in the Muscle Car Of The Week. I totally agree they were way underpowered, but man are they cool to drive! I still have one, and love to get it out on the road! Every time I get out of it, I can’t get the smile off my face. I graduated from high school in 84, if I had one of these cars then...I can only imagine! Lol. Thanks for

@ruthylopez Ай бұрын

I'm the opposite. I graduated in 1984 also, but I had a beautiful red one back in high school and then through college. Man, the trouble we caused in that car. God I loved that car. I would give anything to step into one again today, so many years later.

@joequillun7790 3 жыл бұрын

"LOL" "Oh look, recreation time" I'll admit, the 3rd gens were an improvement over the late 70s F-body, as far as styling, and aerodynamics went, but such a whimpy drivetrain. Fortunately they were almost 500 lbs lighter, which helped, but they were still made of cheese. And that torque arm was such a prehistoric way of supporting the rear end. If you wanted the sporty style, and didn't care about acceleration, I guess they look good going down the road. But give me the 60s, or early 70s cars any day. And thanks for the video. :)

@bruceh92 3 жыл бұрын

I remember the launch of the '84 Z/28 and seeing the first one on the streets - in brown - and I was amazed. At the time I thought I had to have one! I had a '68 Camaro at the time but the '84 looked exotic in comparison and thoroughly modern. Nice video thanks guys ,- Starship Camaro lol.

@sabledriver 3 жыл бұрын

A 5-speed version would run a 15.55 @ 90mph (source Mortor Trend June'83), I seem to remember Popular Hot Rodding got about 15.0, don't remember the issue. I found a Car and Driver 1967 annual where a 350, 4-speed SS ran the 1/4 mile in 16.1 @ 86 mph. I realize MT and CD didn't always get the best times ( the same June 83 MT got only a 16.06 out of a 5 speed Mustang), but, I wouldn't call it a dog compared to a lot of the old small block muscle cars. That same old CD annual got a 13.6 @ 106 for the 67 GT 500, so, some of their drivers could get a car to move. I'm a Ford guy, BTW, but you have to give proper credit when it is due.

@jonathansparks7558 3 жыл бұрын

The background music sounds like something out of a John Hughes movie

@coreybell9525 3 жыл бұрын

my first car was an 84 z28 lg4 lol legit loved that car

@cemeteryhill 3 жыл бұрын

Very cool Camaro. My Uncle had a Red 85' IROC Z in the 90's & all the Nephews & Nieces thought it was a such slick ride. Great looking Gen.

@captaingti 3 жыл бұрын

My first car was a 1983 3rd generation Camaro. It was the same year I was born. I loved it!

@joedq 3 жыл бұрын

Had several 1980's Camaro's and a few Z 28's, My favorite was a white 1985 IROC Z, for it's time it was a Beast.

@lknanml 3 жыл бұрын

The first car I ever bought was a used 87 RS. Loved that sled. So much so that when I bought a 88 IROQ I kept both for a long while. Swapped interiors and sold the 88 a few years later and finally sold the RS when I bought my first new car in 2000. I still think about the RS more than the other cars. Aside from being the first bought car I just love the look.

@jafo321 10 ай бұрын

Drove a brand new off the showroom '83 Z-28 with crossfire fuel injection system with functioning cowl induction hood. Same paint scheme as this one but the interior was red, orange and "Camaro" inlaid print in the seat covers. The door panels were the same. It had a wood grain dash overlay as well. No T-tops. There was another Z-28 brother to the one I drove that had a brown color Scheme. I think I remember the dealer calling it a "California Custom" package or something like that. Unfortunately, my dad traded it off for a new truck in '87. Still eats at me that I never got the chance to buy it off my parents. There were only two of these cars that I know of and who knows where it is now.

@extremedrivr Жыл бұрын

One of my favorite body styles of Camaro!!

@houstoncowdog 3 жыл бұрын

I had an 84 Z-28 when I was I was in high school in the early nineties. It was a cream/gold T-top car with the 305 H.O. and I think it had about 30-40k miles on it when I got it and I probably put less than 10k miles on it in the two years I owned it. The car actually ran pretty decent for what it was but nothing like the 87 350 IROC my buddy owned.

@tbnobs 6 ай бұрын

Had one of those then a few years later got a IROC camaro

@nedaCFilms 3 жыл бұрын

The 1984 Camaro Z28 with the 5.0 liter L69 H.O was a damn good runner. They could be ordered from the factory with G92 option 3.73 gears only in the 5-speed manual and they shocked many 5.0 Mustangs in the mid '80s. 14 second 1/4 miles were very respectable in those days.

@ruthylopez Ай бұрын

I had this exact car. I don't know why more people don't focus on the transmission!. The 5 speed manual made ALL the difference. The 5.0 mustang was supposed to be a tick faster on paper, but in dozens of races, I NEVER lost to a 5.0 mustang (or to other Z28s who had the automatic transmission).

@nedaCFilms Ай бұрын

@@ruthylopez 5.0 Mustang and 5.0 Camaro all came down to particular options and model. Usually the Mustang would win against the “run of the mill” model Camaros, but someone that knew their way around the order sheet and how to special order their Camaro, could order a low optioned 5-speed stripper L69 / G92 model or LB9 / G92 model, could outperform the Mustang. Unfortunately the majority of the 3rd Gen F-bodies running the streets were LG4 or L03 or even L69 or LB9 automatic equipped examples and didn’t perform as well as the earlier mentioned.

@nedaCFilms Ай бұрын

@@ruthylopez also what a lot of folks didn’t know is that the 5-speed LB9 and L69 cars were equipped with a more aggressive camshaft from the factory, compared to the automatic examples.

@vernhoke7730 11 ай бұрын

I had one of these, ordered it in late September 1983 and it came in about a week before my birthday in November. Didn't like what the dealer had so I built it up to what I wanted. Charcoal gray metallic, gray interior, 5.0 H.O., 5 speed, posi rear and 4 wheel disc brakes. And then 1985 rolled around and the IROC-Z was born. Ordered that in February 1985 and it finally came in that July. Bright Blue metallic, T-Tops, 5.0 Tuned Port Injection 4 speed auto, posi abd 4 wheel disc brakes.

@ericdebisz9458 3 жыл бұрын

I really dig this color scheme. So much so that I rather take it on a 87 fox body GT with red interior! So 80'zzz

@mistered9435 3 жыл бұрын

I had an ‘84 Z28 that had no A/C, no power windows/locks, no cruise, no t-tops, am/fm radio, 5 speed, L69 5.0 H.O. It was as it came from the assembly line until i put a stereo in it. That car was FUN to drive and always beat the 5.0 ‘stangs if they were stock. My best race was against a local guy with a modified 1986 mustang gt. That one was always a driver’s race.

@briankelly9347 2 ай бұрын

That's a lie they had all that stuff bro

@briankelly9347 2 ай бұрын

It was 1984 not 1954 lol

@drm9979 3 жыл бұрын

my first new car was a 1985 Camaro and back then you could buy the V8 as an option in the regular Camaro, it was NOT a Z28. I always preferred the styling without the body clad around the bottom (I forget what they call it). anyway, still my favorite gen Camaro appearance-wise and my second favorite car I have owned to my 2006 GTO which I bought new and hope to always have. Great video!

@darrellfxdwg 3 жыл бұрын

Kudos for finally featuring something that most everybody can afford. Now may I suggest a Dakota 5.9 RT.

@redgreen6436 3 жыл бұрын

I read somewhere that the '85 iroc was the best high performance version of these but i can't remember why.These were really good looking cars but they could have used a few hundred more horsepower.

@paulallison6689 3 жыл бұрын

Even with just another 100-150 HP they woulda been a respectable & legit street muscle car for that point in time.

@joequillun7790 3 жыл бұрын

@@paulallison6689 If they had another 100 HP, and you dropped the hammer, either the TH700, T-5, or the 10 bolt, would've splattered guts all over the road. Maybe not the 1st, or 2nd time, but in short time, you'ld need to up-grade the blown out parts. But I do like the looks, even tho I'm a Pontiac/Trans/ Am fan. (Have an 84 still...needing work.)

@joequillun7790 3 жыл бұрын

Red Green, (Loved the show)...I think the TPI 350 , w/ a WC T-5, and 3.73s would be the caveat, in my book. P.S. Where is Steve Smith these days? :D

@redgreen6436 3 жыл бұрын

@@joequillun7790 Yep, I remember the TH700 being weak, supposedly there were some aftermarket versions able to handle more power, i remember some ads for those.

@johnnytorino9455 3 жыл бұрын

I had the 84 H.O. and then the 85 IROC 5spd manual. Both were a lot of fun for the times. Early 90s it was all about mustangs and camaros from Philly to Atlatic city, and every where else i would imagine. I miss those days.

@kevinjackson6568 Күн бұрын

Got one 83/Z like this one Brought new, Still a head turner at gas pumps. It's a cruiser NOTa fast car with a 305.😅

@dukek4045 9 ай бұрын

idk why but i find myself really drawn to this car. makes me wanna save.

@jasonmaiden5026 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Had one just like this minus the t-tops & overhead console. Loved it!

@xXcashXx3 3 жыл бұрын

Finally a car i can afford

@kareemrichards8635 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, that is nice. Would love to see the Trans am of that year. Thanks for the video.

@elijahbethune4298 3 жыл бұрын

I own a 3rd gen myself. 1992 Chevy camaro. 3rd gen is the best!!

@timothythomson719 3 ай бұрын

I love my old 80s Z28, the power is not amazing but it's pretty decent. It's a 5 litre V8, but how can I tell exactly which engine it is, is it in the serial number?

@garywells1294 3 жыл бұрын

How fast did they have to get that Z going in reverse before putting in drive to get it to spin the tires like that!! LMBO

@paulchristie4904 4 күн бұрын

Had a black n gold one 5 speed and of course had the local car thief’s grab me a set of gold iroc rims 😂 fun times

@raphaelhernandez4088 3 жыл бұрын

Good to see these cars get there time in the spotlight.

@V8AmericanMuscleCar 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!! ❤️

@edgecityfilms 10 ай бұрын

I got a red one for HS graduation! Freaking loved that car!!

@earli3693 3 жыл бұрын

While driving my Javilin with it's high compression V8 and having some young person pull up and challenge the old man and his old car with one of those newer models; all that good handling was good for is tucking your tail and turning off the street !

@plymouthdie-castreplicas 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video, guys. Cool piece;-)

@edstransitscott9186 3 жыл бұрын

Good presentation, Kevin

@K-Effect 2 жыл бұрын

T-Top's for the win!

@Drive4YourLifeAZ 3 жыл бұрын

They were alot better than mustangs and chargers.🐎🛳

@salesposito2290 3 жыл бұрын

That’s subjective. The 5.0 Mustangs at the time we’re pretty on par

@anthonylaudano9435 4 ай бұрын

WAY BACK IN 92 MY Z28 WAS JUST AS FAST AS MY 87 MUSTANG GT BUT MY Z28 HANDLED A LOT BETTER.

@mexicant407 11 ай бұрын

I was looking at one for $600.00 of they sold lots I wouldn't buy it then thx

@VideoPresence2020 4 ай бұрын

Thinking could do for a remake of this video as it allows most of the time to bashing instead of highlighting positives. Unless there are absolutely no positives. But majority negative is a bit much. Thanks.

@AnnatarTheMaia 3 жыл бұрын

The '80's and the '90's of the 20th century were a dark age for pony car performance, while muscle cars went all but extinct during that era.

@garyv2196 3 жыл бұрын

where yall been?

@tonyflorio3269 3 жыл бұрын

These were a big deal when new. IIRC, the five-speed was tested and managed 60 in the high 6 second range (I think C&D got 6.7) and a quarter in the low 15s. That was decent for the time and about the same as the 400 ci, four speed Trans Am from 1979. What people forget is these cars were light. The Camaro was about 3300 lbs and the Fox Mustang was awfully close to 3000. That means they made the most out of their relatively low power motors and skinny tires. Still a great looking car!

@griffinmcmurray8727 3 жыл бұрын

Good to see these cars get there time in the spotlight.

@anthonylaudano9435 4 ай бұрын

ONE OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS MY 92 Z28 THAT HAD 235HP AND 300TQ WASN'T A FAST CAR BY TODAY'S STANDARD BUT IT CAN HANDLE BY SURPRISE VERY WELL AND IF I LOWERED MY Z28 IT WOULD BE GLUED TO THE STREET.

@jnc250 3 жыл бұрын

here

@jaybird1258 3 жыл бұрын

Get rid of those doopy looking mud flaps it's not a Kenworth

@MickeyBelanger-ve3rl 9 ай бұрын

305 junk motor ,Lucky to get 100,000

@7CFlo 7 ай бұрын

I bought one in 1995 when i was 18. It had 108k on it. I drove it to 169k in 3 years and i beat the snot out of it. Had no issues except i needed a clutch and carb. Then i sold it at 169 and it was still running strong

@anthonylaudano9435 4 ай бұрын

WELL MY 92 ANIVERSREY CAMARO Z28 IS THE 305TPI AND I LOVE THE CAR AND IT'S ALL ORIGINAL EXCEPT FOR EXHAUST AND MY 305TPI WAS RATED 235HP AND 300TQ VS 245HP AND 345TQ LOL SO TQ WAS THE BIG DIFFERENCE BUT ONLY 10HP MORE THAN MY 305TPI AND I WANTED T TOPS AND THE 350TPI BUT YOU COULDN'T GET THE 350TPI WITH T TOPS SO I WENT WITH THE 305TPI AND FOR WAY BACK IN 92 IT WAS A FAST CAR LOL HOW FAR TECHNOLOGY HAS COME AND MY Z28 MAY NOT PERFORM LIKE MY GT500 OR MY SUPER SNAKES BUT YOU CAN'T BEAT THE LOOKS OF MY 92 Z28.

@mattc9875 7 ай бұрын

I still don't understand the comment "the interiors are all plastic"...what do other cars feature? Wood? Steel? Glass? Other than some carbon fiber (assuming it's real) and fiberglass (which is also partly plastic-based), most materials in car interiors are all plastic...just diferent types of quality/appearance, with some leather-covered or folded into other stuff...but still plastic.

@V8TV 7 ай бұрын

Great point... cars have had plastic interior parts forever. I think the difference is that many 80s cars and lower-buck versions really didn't do much to disguise the plastic or make it look less like fresh-from-the-mold.... plastic, lol. 60s and 70s cars, and higher-line 80s cars, had lots of vinyl trim, dash covers, etc., that at least provided a variety of textures and appearances beyond the steel and plastic of the time. They also used wood grain (although plastic applique), chrome, polished steel / stainless trim, etc. Nothing wrong with plastic, but there are varying degrees of plastic quality in design, texture, color, etc. Just an observation. Thanks for the thoughts!

@mattc9875 7 ай бұрын

@@V8TV I totally agree and my comment referred to those who look down upon American cars (particularly GM) mentioning the "plasticky interiors". As you thoroughly explained, it is just more honest, cheap unrefined black plastic as opposed to other more elaborated derivative plastic...I am personally old school so not distracted/attracted by LED screens/lights and leathery stuff at all and would rather have a straight mean looking dashboard w/the essentials on display...the rest is all torque, sound and business.

@anthonylaudano9435 4 ай бұрын

BESIDES MY MEDIUM QUASAR METALIC BLUE 92 ANIVERSREY CAMARO Z28 THAT I ORDERED NEW BACK IN 92 AND STILL HAVE TODAY ALSO MY LATE BUDDY CHAD HAD A 86 BLACK AND GOLD CAMARO Z28 WITH SUPER LOW MILES AND THE PAINT WAS PERFECT AND I WISH I COULD FIND THE CAR AND BUY IT BUT MAN I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I SAW THE PRICES OF 3RD GEN CAMAROS CONSIDERING I BOUGHT MY 92 Z28 NEW WITH EVERY OPTION FOR 22 GRAND AND TODAY WITH 19 THOUSAND ORIGINAL MILES AND BEING THE ORIGINAL OWNER I GUESS MY 92 Z28 IS WORTH NORTH OF 60 GRAND MAYBE MORE AND MAYBE LESS BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER IAM NEVER SELLING IT.