1980 Camaro Specifications
The 1980 Camaro was the year Chevrolet decided the 4.4 L V8 would now only be offered on the ‘standard/base’ model Camaro, the Rally Sport and Berlinetta.
The good news was that the Z28 Camaro hood now included a rear-pointing raised scoop and coupled with a flap that allowed for cool air to enter the engine bay.
EPA Fuel Economy was a big theme in 1980. In an effort to save weight the venerable but porky 250 was axed in favor of the V6. 49 states got the Chevy (odd-fire) 229 CID, while Californians got the Buick (even-fire) 231 CID. Both were 90 degree V6s, the Chevy was a “3/4 V8”.
Good news on the Z28 front. Styling changes made the car seriously sinister. It had some extra poke under the hood too.
The Berlinetta got spiffy wire wheel covers which replaced the poly-cast wheels and the paint scheme for the RS model was modified.
Ahoy – there was a recession looming on the horizon and sales plummeted to 1/2 of the previous year’s record-setting level.
The 1980 Camaro saw the following additional changes implemented:
- 267 CID V8 debuted (not available in California)
- 250 CID L6 eliminated, replaced with V6
- New tight mesh grille
- To save gas – speedometer reads to 85 MPH max, down from 130 MPH
- Vinyl roof cover eliminated
1980 Camaro OEM Brochure
1980 Camaro Model Options
Engine Options:
- 4.1 L 229 cubic inch V6
- 3.8 L 231 cubic inch V6 (California models)
- 4.4 L 267 cubic inch V8
- 5.0 L 305 cubic inch V8
- 5.7 L 350 cubic inch V8
1980 Camaro Production:
- 51,104 V6
- 100,901 V8
- 152,005 total
Dealer Introduction: 10/11/79
Vehicle Identification Example: 1P87LAN547484
- First digit is GM Division: 1 = Chevrolet
- Second digit is model: P = Sport, Rally Sport, Z28, S = Berlinetta
- Digits 3 & 4 are body type: 87 = 2dr. Coupe
- Fifth digit is engine code:
- A = 231ci V6
- H = 305ci V8
- J = 267ci V8
- K = 229ci V6
- L = 350ci V8
- Sixth digit is model year: A = 1980
- Seventh digit is N for Norwood assembly, L for Van Nuys
- Last six digits increased one with each Car built at each plant
Dimensions:
- Length: 197.6″
- Height: 49.2″
- Width: 74.5″
- Wheelbase: 108.0″
Curb Weight: (in pounds)
- 1FQ87 (V6) – 3328
- 1FS87 (V6) – 3371
1980 Camaro Ending VIN by Month
- Norwood:
- Aug I – 501418
- Sep – 508576
- Oct – 519065
- Nov – 536599
- Dec – 531443
- Jan – 536538
- Feb – 542592
- Mar – 549449
- Apr – 555470
- May – 560002
- Jun – 563913
- Jul – 567303
- Aug II – 584718
- Van Nuys:
- Aug I – 503632
- Sep – 512868
- Oct – 524554
- Nov – 532545
- Dec – 540805
- Jan – 547000
- Feb – 552895
- Mar – 558801
- Apr – 565156
- May – 570644
- Jun – 577390
- Jul – 584401
- Aug II – N.A.
1980 Camaro Model Option Breakouts
Z21 Style Trim
Includes body colored insert on door handles; bright roof drip, lock pillar, upper fender, hood panel and belt moldings plus bright accented parking lights.
Z28 Special Performance Package
Graphics revised to 3-bar, 3-hue design. 3-piece front spoiler continued along with rear wheel flairs. Functional, raised hood scoop with solenoid actuated door that opened on full throttle to draw cooler air in from the base of the windshield. Non-louvered functional air outlets on front fenders. New Alloy (N90) wheels available in silver, gold, and black, keyed to body colors. Headlight bezels and window trim were black ABS plastic, not chrome. Rear tail lights now had a black accent through the center of the lens. Specific grille with vertical slats & Z28 emblems. Simulated “rope” wrapped steering wheel which was a Z28 only feature.
Total Production:
- 45,137
Engine:
LM-1 350 upped to 190 bhp, most powerful since 1974. 5000 RPM Redline. Unavailable in California. California-only Z28 engine was the 165 bhp LG4 (305 CID). Heavy duty radiator, dual exhaust resonators.
Click here to see the specific LM-1 Engine Components.
Transmission:
New four-speed for non-California Z’s had 3.42:1 low. California Z28 transmission was the TH350 automatic only (no manual).
Clutch:
10.34-inch, down from previous 11-inches.
Rear Axle:
Ratios were 3.42 (including California) for Turbo Hydra-Matic and 3.08 for 4-speed; no options
Brakes:
11-inch, vented, cast-iron front discs with vacuum assist standard. Rear 9.5-inch drums. (unchanged since 1970)
Steering:
- Overall ratio 13:1 (stock 15.03:1 to 10.61:1 variable).
- 2.61 turns lock to lock (stock: 2.41)
- Turning radius – 38.5 feet.
Front Suspension:
Spring rates 365 lb./in. Identical to and unchanged from 1977
(stock: 300 lb./in.)
Stabilizer bar 1.125″ (down from 1.2″)
Stock bar: 0.938, F41: 1.0″
Rear Suspension:
Spring rate 130 lb./in. (stock: 92-99 lb./in.)
Rear Stabilizer bar 0.594 inch. (stock: none, F41: 0.5625)
Wheels & Tires:
Standard Z28 tires were P225/70R-15 on 15 x 7″ wheels.
Click here to see the specific 1980 Z28 Chassis Specifications.
Z28 Performance Test Data
Source: Car & Driver – 4/80. Test Vehicles: 1980 Z28, 4 speed 3.08:1, curb weight 3660 lbs.
Review: Car & Driver, 4/80 – “Chevrolet Camaro Z28: A medieval warrior on the path to a rocking chair”
Standing 1/4 mile: 16.4 sec. @ 86 MPH
Standing 1/4 mile: 16.09 sec. @ 84.6 MPH w/ 3.42 & A/T
Top Speed: 120 MPH
70 – 0 mph: 196 ft. (0.85G)
Fuel Mileage: 14 MPG
Interior sound level:
- 57 dBA @ Idle
- 76 dBA @ 70 MPH Cruise
- 85 dBA @ Full Throttle
Z54 Interior Decor / Quiet Sound
Includes glove compartment light and additional instrument cluster lighting; simulated leather accents on instrument cluster; special engine compartment, hood and interior insulation (Standard with Berlinetta).
Rally Sport Model
Two-tone paint scheme, includes “upper color” hood, header panel, grille, headlamp bezels, top of the fenders, the front part of the roof, the upper portion of doors, rear end panel and license plate opening. Tri-color decal separates the upper color from the body color. Tri-color rally sport decals on fenders and deck lid. Includes D80 rear spoiler. Rally Wheels (std), or PE1 custom styled wheels or N90 color-keyed aluminum wheels.
Not combinable with Z28 or Berlinetta model.
Available lower body color choices were: Lt. Blue, Beige, Red, Silver, White & Bright Yellow.
Berlinetta
Included Custom Interior, bright upper and lower grille, bright windshield and rear window moldings, dual pinstripe treatment, body-color sport mirrors (D35), argent applique on the rear panel, specific trim and either wire wheel covers (standard) or color-keyed aluminum wheels (N90, 14 x 7″) (optional). Amber-lite insulation blankets included in doors, rear quarters, roof/sail panels, behind rear seat, under package tray and under carpeting (RPO Z54 interior decor/quiet sound). Option U05 dual horns and U14 Special Instrumentation were also standard equipment.
1980 Camaro Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
*Only available in California.
6-Cylinder Engine Codes
8-Cylinder Engine Codes
Engine Code Example: V0427CHA
(350ci – Assembled in Flint assembly plant on April 27)
1980 Camaro Transmission Codes
Transmission Code Example: Y0D27D
(1980 TH350, 3 speed A/T, assembled Day shift, April 27)
Type Code:
SF = 3 speed manual (V6).
FN = 4 speed manual (V8)
7CK = TH200 (V6), 7JJ = TH350 (V8)
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1980 Camaro 3-Speed & 4-Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
1980 Camaro Turbo Hydramatic Transmission Ratios
* = 3.42 for California emissions 305 automatic w/Z28
1980 Camaro Rear Axle Codes
Rear Axle Code Example: PYG100DE
(Chevy sourced 3.42 posi, Assembled on day shift of 100th day of the year w/eaton posi)
1980 Camaro Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
1980 Camaro Cowl Tag Info
1980 Camaro Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown
The Cowl Trim Tag, located on the cowl area identifies significant information about your car.
Line 1: Year, Build Date, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number
Line 2: Interior Trim, Paint Code, Norwood Stripe Code, Wheel Color Code, Paint Type
Line 3/4: Seat Type, Roof Type, Power Windows, Accessory Codes, Dash & Steering Column Color, Internal Plant/Batch Codes
1980 Camaro Paint Codes
Exterior Color Codes
Abbreviations: B = Blue, Bk = Black, C = Carmine, O = Oyster, T = Tan
Interior Trim Codes
Interior Trim / Seat Type order code, availability & cost
V**2 = vinyl Bucket Seats, (N/A Berlinetta), no charge.
C**2 = Cloth Bucket Seats, (N/A Berlinetta), $25.
Custom Interior: Includes glove compartment light and additional instrument cluster lighting, special insulation, “Berlinetta” type seats, seat trim and door trim. Requires D35 sport mirrors.
X**2 = Custom vinyl Bucket, (no charge w/ Berlinetta), $328.
F**2 = Custom Cloth Bucket, ($25 w/Berlinetta), $354
** : BB = Black, DD = Blue, CC = Camel, RR = Carmine, WW = Oyster.
Example: FRR2 = Order code for Carmine red Custom Cloth Bucket seat interior.
