Not much was new for 1986. The Berlinetta was canceled midway through the '86 model year, with only 4,479 units produced. This was the lowest production for any Berlinetta. The cancellation was due to the fact that the public never warmed to the digital instrument panels and interior gizmos the way GM did. Also, when the Berlinetta was upgraded in '84, the sticker price balooned to the same base price as the Z28. In an era where performance was once again king, the Berlinetta just couldn't attract the buyers the sportier Z28 could.
'86 Sport Coupes saw upgrades that included standard 15 inch ralley wheels with P215/65R15 all season tires (up from the standard 14 inch rims offered from '82-'85). Other enhancements for '86 SCs included standard sport suspension (formerly RPO F41), re-tuned exhaust with dual tail pipes, sport mirrors, power steering, brakes and an AM radio. Also, there was revised lower body accent stripes with the lower body painted an accent color. Even though the 88hp 2.5 litre four was officially offered as the base engine, none were produced.
Standard, Sport Coupe: LQ9 2.5 litre EFI four, 88hp (none produced)
Optional Sport Coupe, Standard Berlinetta: LB8 2.8 litre MPI V6, 135hp (77,478 produced)
Optional Sport Coupe, Berlinetta, Standard Z28: LG4 305 4bbl V8, 155hp (68,293 produced)
Optional, Z28 and IROC: LB9 305 TPI V8, 190hp (46,374 produced)
Optional, Z28 and IROC: L69 305 H.O. 4bbl V8, 190hp (74 produced)
The 305 TPI V8 dropped from 215hp in '85 to 190hp in '86. No reason has ever been given, but it is known the cam specs were degraded for '86. I would assume this was to either help the engine get better gas mileage to get a better EPA rating, or the cam was to radical to meet tightening emissions standards. This engine was the lowest powered factory TPI ever. A little-known rarity in the '86 lineup was the availability of the 190hp 305 H.O. 4bbl V8. Only 74 of these were made!!
Other changes for '86 included the new federally-mandated CHMSL (center high-mounted stoplamp), and clear-coat paint was finally added.