1992 Chevrolet Camaro

1992 was the final year of the Third Generation Camaro, produced from 1981 (for the 1982 model year), and were the first Camaros to offer a standard overhead-valve four-cylinder engine, modern factory fuel injection, a five-speed manual transmission, Turbo-Hydra-Matic 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission, and hatchback bodies. Compared to the second generation bodies, the 3rd Gen bodies (still using the G.M. F-Body platform) were approximately 500 pounds lighter.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 1992, a '25th Anniversary Heritage Edition' was planned but materialized, instead, customers were able to order the 'Heritage Package' (option RPO Z03). Plans for the 25th Edition option included Corvette aluminum cylinder heads, tubular exhaust headers, and 6-speed manual transmission. Instead of performance, the 'Heritage Package' was essentially a graphics package of rally stripes and badges. All 1992 Chevrolet Camaros wore a '25th Anniversary' badge on the dashboard and a standard 191 cubic-inch V6 engine with overhead valves, a cast-iron block and head, an 8.8:1 compression ratio, and delivered 140 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission, recirculating ball steering, and front disc and rear drum brakes were standard. Body styles included a two-door coupe priced at just over $12,000 and a convertible at $18,000. The coupe proved more popular with 66,191 examples built compared to 3,816 of the convertible.

The Camaro Z28 came standard with an overhead valve V8 with a 305 cubic-inch displacement, 9.3:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, a cast-iron block and head, Port fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters, and developed 230 horsepower and approximately 285 ft-lb of torque. An optional 5.7-liter V8 with Port fuel injection produced 245 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque.

The 1992 Chevy Camaro had a wheelbase of 101 inches, an overall length of 192.6-inches, a height of 50.4-inches, and a width of 72.4-inches. The tires on the Camaro RS were P215/65R15 and the Camaro Z28 used P235/55R16 tires.

The Chevy Camaro RS Z28 B4C (Special Service Package) was a special service package for police use only, and 589 examples were built in 1992. Of those, 102 examples were fitted with the Borg-Warner 5-speed manual transmission. Notable features include four-wheel (1LE) disc brakes with Corvette-style front calipers and 12-inch rotors, 16-inch alloy wheels, 145 mph speedometer, 105 amp alternator, dual hi-flow catalytic converters, external engine oil cooler, special 1LE suspension, aluminum driveshaft, 1.4-inch hollow front sway bar and larger rear bar, and 3.23:1 limited-slip differential. RPO B4C was restricted to RS Coupes.

Chevy built 705 Camaro Z/28 models with the 1LE Performance package (the highest production year of the third generation Camaro) with performance-ratio, 3.42 limited-slip, and without air conditioning. The 1LE brakes were included in the B4C total in 1992, accounting for 589 of the 705 examples built. Thus, just 116 examples were non-Special Service Package 1LE cars.

The 1LE cars were intended for performance and thus were devoid of non-essential accessories and items, where additional weight is a disadvantage. Most of the 1LE Camaros received the base interior, without floor mats, cruise control, or power options. 201 examples were built with the 'radio delete' option in 1992.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021