CHEVROLET CAMARO - ALL YEARS
Classic Performance Products offers Camaro parts designed to help classic Chevy Camaro owners upgrade the way their car stops, steers, handles, and drives. Whether you are restoring a first-gen Camaro, building a Pro-Touring street car, upgrading a second-gen F-body, or improving an older brake and suspension system, CPP has the components and complete kits to help you build with confidence.
327 small-block V8
350 small-block V8
396 big-block V8
302 small-block V8 in the Z/28
Special-order 427 big-block engines through COPO programs
Why They’re Popular Today
Model Years
Early Second Gen 1970–1973 Small bumpers, split-bumper RS option, strong muscle-era engines
Mid Second Gen 1974–1977 Larger federal bumpers, changing emissions-era performance
Late Second Gen 1978–1981 Restyled nose and tail, very popular Z28 appearance and handling package
Popular Models and Trims
RS / Rally Sport - Mostly an appearance package. The early split-bumper RS cars are some of the most recognizable and desirable second-gen Camaros.
SS / Super Sport - Available early in the generation, focused on performance.
Z28 - The performance handling model. The Z28 is one of the most important versions of the second-gen Camaro, especially the early 1970–73 cars and the revived 1977–81 models.
Berlinetta - A more luxury-oriented Camaro introduced later in the generation.
Engine Options
Second-gen Camaros came with a wide range of engines over the years, including:
Inline-six engines for base models
Small-block Chevy V8s, including 307, 350, and later 305 options
Big-block 396/402 engines in the early years
Performance-focused Z28 small-blocks
The early 1970–73 cars were the strongest from a muscle-car standpoint. As emissions rules, fuel economy concerns, and insurance costs increased, horsepower dropped through the mid and late 1970s. Even so, the Camaro stayed popular because of its styling, handling, and aftermarket potential.
Why Enthusiasts Like Them
Second-gen Camaros are popular because they combine muscle-car attitude with better road manners than many earlier cars. They have a wide track, long hood, short deck look, and a chassis that responds well to suspension, steering, and brake upgrades.
They are also great cars for restomod builds. Common upgrades include:
LS engine swaps
Four-wheel disc brake conversions
Tubular control arms
Improved sway bars
Performance steering boxes
Coilover or lowered suspension setups
Bigger wheels and tires
Subframe connectors
Most Desirable Years
The 1970–1973 Camaros are usually considered the most collectible because they have the cleanest body style, smaller bumpers, and the strongest muscle-era engine options. The 1978–1981 Z28s are also very popular because of their aggressive styling, stripes, spoilers, and late-’70s street-machine look.
Quick Take
The second-gen Camaro is one of Chevrolet’s best-looking F-body designs. It started as a true muscle car, survived the emissions era, and became one of the most popular platforms for modern pro-touring and restomod builds. For classic Chevy performance, it is a strong foundation for better brakes, sharper steering, upgraded suspension, and modern drivetrain swaps.
Model Years
1982 Camaro
Popular Packages:
Sport Coupe - The base model Camaro.
Berlinetta - The more luxury-focused trim with upgraded interior features.
Z28 - The performance model with sport suspension, aggressive styling, and V8 engine options.
1985–1990 Camaro IROC-Z - One of the most famous third-gen Camaros is the IROC-Z, introduced for 1985. Named after the International Race of Champions, the IROC-Z became the signature performance Camaro of the era. It featured a lowered suspension, performance shocks, larger sway bars, special graphics, unique wheels, and available Tuned Port Injection V8 power.
1991–1992 Camaro
The final third-gen years received updated ground effects, revised styling, and a more aggressive appearance. These late cars helped bridge the gap between the 1980s Camaro look and the fourth-generation Camaro that arrived for 1993.
Popular Packages
Z28 - The Z28 remained the main performance Camaro. It offered V8 power, sport suspension, spoilers, graphics, and a more aggressive look than the base models.
IROC-Z - The IROC-Z is the most iconic third-gen package. It was built around improved handling and performance, making it one of the most desirable 1980s Camaros today.
Berlinetta - The Berlinetta was the comfort and style trim, aimed at buyers who wanted a more upscale Camaro with added interior features.
RS — Rally Sport - The RS returned later in the generation as an appearance-oriented model and became a popular entry-level V8 Camaro.
Engines and Performance
Third-gen Camaros came with a variety of engines, including four-cylinder, V6, and V8 options. Early cars were affected by emissions-era performance limits, but power improved as the generation progressed.
Common engines included:
Engine Notes
2.5L inline-four Base engine in early cars
2.8L V6 Common base/mid-level engine
3.1L V6 Used in later third-gen models
5.0L 305 V8 Popular V8 option
5.0L Tuned Port Injection V8 Stronger performance option
5.7L 350 TPI V8 Top performance engine in many late third-gen Camaros
Why Third-Gen Camaros Are Popular
Third-gen Camaros are popular because they combine 1980s styling with strong modification potential. They are affordable compared to earlier Camaros, have a large aftermarket, and can be built into great street, drag, autocross, or restomod cars.
They are popular for:
IROC-Z restorations
Street machine builds
LS swaps
Suspension upgrades
Big brake upgrades
Pro-touring builds
Drag racing projects
1980s nostalgia builds
Bottom Line
The third-generation Camaro brought the car into the modern performance era. It traded the long, heavy muscle car look of the 1970s for a sharper, lower, more aerodynamic design. The IROC-Z became the standout model, while the Z28, RS, and later 350 TPI cars helped make the 1982–1992 Camaro one of the most recognizable American performance cars of the 1980s and early 1990s.
What Camaro parts does CPP offer?
CPP offers Camaro brake, steering, and suspension parts for classic Chevy Camaro applications, including disc brake kits, brake lines, steering linkage, suspension rebuild kits, Pro-Touring kits, HydraStop hydraulic assist kits, shackles, spindles, and complete performance packages.
Does CPP make parts for first-generation Camaros?
Yes. CPP offers parts for 1967–1969 Chevy Camaro applications, including brake line conversion kits, steering linkage kits, complete front suspension rebuild kits, and Camaro/Firebird-compatible suspension components.
Does CPP make parts for second-generation Camaros?
Yes. CPP offers parts for 1970–1981 Camaro applications, including HydraStop hydraulic assist kits, disc brake components, suspension parts, Pro-Touring kits, and complete performance packages.
What is the best CPP upgrade for a Camaro?
The best CPP Camaro upgrade depends on the build. For better stopping power, start with disc brakes or HydraStop. For improved handling, look at suspension rebuild kits, tubular control arms, sway bars, or Pro-Touring kits. For better road feel and control, steering linkage and power steering upgrades are a strong place to start.
CPP offers a wide range of Camaro brake upgrades for builders who want better stopping power, improved safety, and a cleaner performance look. The Camaro brake lineup covers disc brake conversions, big brake kits, rear disc brake kits, power brake booster kits, brake line kits, rotors, calipers, hoses, valves, and related installation components.
Camaro Disc Brake Conversion Kits; CPP’s Camaro disc brake conversion kits are designed to replace outdated drum brake systems with modern disc brake performance. A typical CPP conversion setup may include rotors, calipers, brackets, hoses, bearings, seals, hardware, and related installation parts depending on the kit. CPP’s own disc brake conversion guide notes that complete conversion kits commonly include rotors, calipers, mounting hardware, hoses, and other key components needed for the upgrade.
These kits are a strong choice for classic Camaro owners who want improved brake response, better heat control, and more confidence during normal street driving or performance use.
Camaro Big Brake Kits; For higher-performance builds, CPP sells Camaro big brake kits that upgrade the car with larger rotors and stronger caliper packages. CPP’s big brake category describes front kits with 13-inch cross-drilled, gas-slotted, zinc-washed rotors, billet aluminum hubs, custom caliper brackets, and twin-piston calipers designed to increase stopping power over typical brake setups.
CPP also offers complete front and rear big disc brake kits for specific Camaro applications, such as the 1968–1969 Camaro Front and Rear Big Disc Brake Kit with black calipers, which includes rotors, calipers, hoses, bearings, seals, brackets, and more.
Rear Disc Brake Kits; CPP sells rear disc brake kits for Camaro owners looking to complete a four-wheel disc brake upgrade. These kits are available for different rear-end and year applications.
Power Brake Booster Kits; CPP also offers Camaro power brake booster kits for builders upgrading from manual brakes or replacing older factory components. For first-gen Camaros, CPP lists an OEM-style complete power brake booster kit for 1967–1969 Camaro, including an 11-inch Delco-style booster, stamped master cylinder, hold-off valve, and distribution block for front disc/rear drum applications.
For second-gen Camaro and Firebird applications, CPP’s Midnite Series power brake booster kit fits 1970–1979 models and includes an 11-inch black booster, flat-top master cylinder, and adjustable proportioning valve for 2-wheel or 4-wheel disc brake systems.
Brake Line Kits; CPP sells Camaro brake line kits to support disc brake conversions and full brake system upgrades. These include original-material and stainless-steel options for 1967–1969 Camaro front disc brake conversions. CPP also offers rear disc brake axle line kits for 1967–1969 Camaro and related Nova applications, including stock rear-end line kits.
Brake line kits are important because a disc brake upgrade is not just about adding calipers and rotors. The hydraulic system needs the right lines, fittings, hoses, and routing to support proper brake function.
Calipers, Rotors & Performance Components; CPP’s Camaro brake offerings include performance-style components such as drilled and slotted rotors, zinc-coated rotors, single-piston calipers, black powder-coated calipers, Wilwood caliper options, stainless brake hoses, brackets, and installation hardware.
CPP Performance Brake Series; CPP also offers higher-end brake series for performance-focused builds. The CPP Pro Series features 14-inch brake kits with 6-piston calipers, stainless steel pistons, drilled and gas-slotted two-piece rotors, and DOT-focused design details. The CPP SS Series includes 13-inch 4-piston rear brake kits with billet calipers, drilled and slotted rotors, and internal drum-in-hat parking brakes.
CPP offers a wide range of Camaro steering upgrades, replacement parts, and complete steering kits for classic Camaro applications, especially 1967–1981 Chevy Camaro models.
The lineup covers everything from complete power steering conversions to individual linkage components, steering boxes, steering columns, rack-and-pinion kits, and front-end steering rebuild parts.
Steering Boxes & Accessories; CPP’s steering box category includes 400 Series and 500 Series steering boxes, steering box accessories, and power steering conversion components. The Camaro-specific 500 Series kits are positioned as sport-ratio upgrades for improved steering response over worn or outdated factory-style systems.
Rack-and-Pinion Kits; CPP also carries rack-and-pinion steering kits for 1967–1969 Camaro / 1968–1974 Nova applications. These are described as direct bolt-in kits with the necessary installation items included, with steering shaft kits sold separately.
Steering Columns & Steering Wheels; CPP’s steering category also includes steering columns and steering wheels. CPP offers universal premium steering columns in different lengths, including floor-shift and column-shift options, along with chrome or satin black finishes.
There are also Camaro-specific aftermarket column options listed, such as ididit retrofit steering columns for 1970–1981 Camaro.
Front-End Steering Rebuild Kits; CPP also sells front-end rebuild kits that include steering-related components. For example, the 1967 Camaro front-end rebuild kit includes items such as inner tie rods, outer tie rods, tie rod sleeves, idler arm, ball joints, bushings, and bump stops.
CPP sells a wide range of Camaro suspension upgrades for classic F-body cars, including front suspension rebuild kits, tubular control arm packages, coilover kits, Pro-Touring suspension kits, sway bars, shocks, drop springs, leaf springs, and complete performance packages. These parts are aimed at improving stance, handling, ride quality, steering response, and overall driving confidence on 1967–1981 Camaro models.
Complete Camaro Suspension Kits; CPP offers complete suspension packages for Camaros that combine multiple upgrades into one matched system. These kits are useful for builders who want a full front-end refresh, a lowered stance, or a Pro-Touring-style upgrade without piecing parts together one item at a time. For 1967–1969 Camaro, CPP offers a Complete Front Suspension Rebuild Kit that includes a choice of spring, steering linkage, spindles, fully assembled control arms, shocks, and bump stops for power steering cars.
Camaro Pro-Touring Kits; CPP also offers Pro-Touring Kits for first-gen Camaros, including Stage 1 through Stage 4 style packages. These can include tubular arms, front drop springs or coilovers, front and rear sway bars, rear drop leaf springs, adjustable shocks, and in higher stages, brake system upgrades. Depending on the stage and vehicle year, CPP Camaro Pro-Touring kits may include:
- Tubular upper and lower control arms
- Front coilovers or drop springs
- Rear adjustable shocks
- Front and rear sway bars
- 2-inch drop leaf springs
- Optional 4-wheel disc brake packages
- Optional big brake upgrades
For 1970–1981 Camaro and Firebird, CPP’s Stage 2 Pro-Touring Kit includes tubular arms, front double-adjustable coilovers, rear double-adjustable shocks, front and rear sway bars, and 2-inch drop leaf springs. CPP also offers higher-stage kits, such as Stage 3 packages for 1970–1978 Camaro and Firebird, which add braking upgrades along with the suspension system.
Front Suspension Rebuild Kits; For Camaro owners restoring worn factory suspension, CPP offers front suspension rebuild kits that are built to replace aging parts and tighten up the front end. These kits are ideal for cars with worn bushings, tired springs, loose steering linkage, or outdated original components. A typical CPP Camaro front suspension rebuild kit may include:
- Fully assembled control arms
- Front springs
- Shocks
- Steering linkage
- Spindles
- Bump stops
- Related hardware
Tubular Control Arms; CPP Camaro suspension systems often include tubular upper and lower control arms. These are popular upgrades because they can improve suspension geometry, strength, alignment capability, and front-end response compared to worn factory arms. Tubular arms are included in many CPP Camaro Pro-Touring packages and complete suspension kits, especially for first- and second-generation Camaro applications.
Coilovers, Shocks & Springs; CPP offers Camaro suspension components for both ride height and handling upgrades. Depending on the kit, CPP Camaro systems may include front double-adjustable coilovers, rear double-adjustable shocks, front drop springs, and rear drop leaf springs. The front coilover systems allow for more precise ride-height and handling tuning, while rear adjustable shocks and drop leaf springs help improve the stance and rear suspension control. CPP’s second-gen Camaro Pro-Touring Kit, for example, includes front double-adjustable coilovers with a spanner wrench and thrust bearing kit for tuning.
Sway Bars & Handling Components; CPP also sells front and rear sway bars and sway bar components for classic vehicles, including Camaro applications. Sway bars help reduce body roll, improve cornering stability, and make the car feel more controlled during aggressive driving or spirited street use. CPP describes its sway bar offerings as handling and stability upgrades for classic cars and trucks.
Rear Suspension Components; For Camaro rear suspension upgrades, CPP kits often include 2-inch drop multi-leaf springs, rear shocks, and rear sway bars. These components help improve stance, traction, and rear suspension control while matching the front suspension upgrades. CPP’s complete performance package for 1967–1969 Camaro and 1968–1974 Nova lists rear 2-inch dropped multi-leaf springs, rear sway bar, front sway bar, shocks, tubular control arms, front springs, and spindles as part of the package.
