StreetRoc85 350

I have owned 3 of these cars, and they all had their sqeaks, rattles and groans but they have been good to me. My Iroc has 114k on orig. motor and it has NEVER let me down. Honestly its the best car ive ever owned. Shes always there and fires right up when i need her. So how reliable is your thirdgen?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Same story. It's never failed to start, except when the starter wouldn't kick in when hot - solved with new gel cell battery and remote mount solenoid. Even then it would start when the starter terminals were shorted.

Only time it quit on me was on the way home one day - just shut off. Opened hood, removed and installed the distributor power wire, started right back up.

That's it, though.

V8Rumble

iTrader: (2)

'bout the same. Aside from the occasional brain-fart that I've done (removing the A/C, then not plugging the holes created beside the radiator, allowing it to overheat), or wear-&-tear type stuff, it's been pretty good to me.

And wow - I've owned it for like 10 years now...

Alphius

iTrader: (6)

144000 on stock tranny and engine, never failed to start right up. Had a few problems when I first got it, mostly cooling system related as it sat for 6 months with straight water in it...

I've always been impressed with my camaro's ability to just keep on ticking.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

Reliablilty kind of runs along the lines of how well you take care of your car.

If something goes out on either of my cars, I fix it immediately or replace the part or uprgrade the part. I don't try to duct tape stuff like the red green show.

My V6 car has been solid though and I really haven't done anything to it. All I've really had to replace over the past 5 years is tires, a clutch, and an O2 sensor.

My V8 car had a lot of problems in the past but since I've done a lot of upgrades to it, its been really good to me.

Gramps

iTrader: (1)

although my car never breaks down, there are minor electrical problems so i get poor fuel economy. but she's a champion none the less.

i give her the usual oil changes when due, and wash/wax to please the pesants, but i really dont need to work on anything else, no tranny/drivetrain failures. only thing is that it eats tires in no time, but i cant blame the car for that

Rayvan

I've had mine since new in 1989. Yeah, it's needed a few parts here and there, but it's only stranded me once in 104,000 miles (Fortunately it was only an mile away from home). At 80,000 miles the original alternator decided to throw molten pieces of copper all over the engine compartment. It then sucked the battery dry. Charged the battery, replaced alternator and it's been great ever since. Other than that it has always made it's destination, and as always started.

xgtharo86x

iTrader: (1)

same here starts right up everytime...never borke down or had a problem..knock on wood

7.0 camaro

i constantly have problems. breaking driveshafts. transmissions and rocker arm studs. of course everytime i start it up it's WOT. shifting at 7200rpm. thats going to happen.

zee28

86 iroc.145000,same engine/trans.has gotten all the normal stuff over time,water pump,starter,etc,but never stranded,ever.I can fix almost anything on it for less then an estimate on our newer gm van.Wish it seated 7

84z28350

The ol beast has never left me stranded!

EvilCartman

iTrader: (1)

Ummm heh, haven't had much luck with mine. The motor was worn out when I bought it, 4 flat lobes on the cam. Got it back together and drove it for a year or two and the smog check came up. The computer wasn't being recognized for some reason but finally got it to pass. Torque converter split open, bearings in the rear end were bad, swapped in a different rear and trans, (at this point I was starting to get rid of stock stuff) the trans burnt up 3 times. Swapped in a different trans, swapped in a 350, stock ignition went out twice and left me stranded, power trax locker broke but got home, starter issues.... bunch of other stuff. The whole drivetrain is different than stock now, the driveshaft is mostly stock except for the TH400 slip yoke.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

I've had mine for a year now and the only thing that has messed up that wasn't due to me screwing around was a faulty CTS wire. Left me on the side of the road filling up my TBI bores with fuel quicker than it could drain through the motor. I tinkered for an hour and it started up, drove it to work and back, replaced the CTS and its been all gravy. 173,000 miles though some work has been done (350, tranny...)

Gallileo60

God, I beat my poor car, and it still does good 141,000 miles.........pretty too........

sqzbox

I just fliped over 160K on my 88 formula! It quit on me once when a dist. module puked. Besides the usual stuff (alt. water pump, battery) it's been good to me. I drive it 82 mi. a day, 5 days a week to work, that's 410 mi. a week in rain, snow, and heat year around. I change the oil; every 3000 or as close as I can within 400 mi. of that and I believe that, is what keeps it purring on the hwy. at 2000 rpm getting 20-22 mpg. It will still pass 120 on the speedo as the speed limiter for some reason, quit working around 150K.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

The previous owner of my car mentioned (right before I brought it home, I'd already paid for it...) that it had NEVER let him down or stranded him... It seems like I discover a new minor quirk on it every week, but it's got 183,000 miles... Still running pretty strong.

slackett1

Have owned my 89 T/A all its life, only one i've ever needed.

The odometer stopped working at 240,000 in 1999. Remained my daily driver until 2005 then went into the garage (we had twins...to add to the 2 children we already have).

Started faithfully every weekend until about a month ago...fuel pump finally died.

Original 305/TPI/700R4...all stock.

Besides faithful oil changes, tune-ups, a few starters and tires, the only other thing I had to replace was the ignition switch...the tumblers simply wore out.

New fuel pump going in this summer...gonna keep driving it.

matt_p

I've only had my fuelpump wires melt on me. But I have also only owned my car for one year.

StreetRoc85 350

well it seems that GM built these cars pretty solid (except the interior of course! )

My old 'bird had 155k on it when i bought it. I put another 30k on it before the motor finally let go (cam lobe flattened out)

my 85 iroc gave me no end of headaches although it wasnt really the cars fault. i bought it with a bad motor, and bit off a lot more than i could chew for a first car. it also had a 15yr old mechanic (me) doing the restoration. actually, that car stood up pretty well to my ignorant abuse

DartByU

Almost 200,000 on my car now, bought it new in 92, still has most original parts, except for the A/C compressor and radiator, even the clutch is original, I've rebuilt the starter and alt. and put brakes on it, never failed to start or left me stranded.

fire350tpi

Well, Overall it has absolutely NEVER Let me down besides one when it had a faulty alternator.

Besides that..It has been extremely faithful through the beatings i give it

and i mean.. thats nothing compared to how the previous owner treated her either

88-I.R.O.C.

iTrader: (3)

180k on mine, just normal stuff, a few back tires here and there......
Still can put nice stripes down on the road, completely unmodified engine/trans
I'll be going through a lot more tires when the new engine is in.

25th327RS

iTrader: (2)

mines not origional, got it as a V6/auto shell and built to what i wanted, with stock smallblock/Fbody parts....extremely reliable. i've had alot of cars, all but 3 have left me stranded at some point in time, all of those 3 were chevys. broken vacuum line to the modulator on the 350TH trans that used to be in there was all that gave me issues on the road, easy roadside fix.
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mines not origional, got it as a V6/auto shell and built to what i wanted, with stock smallblock/Fbody parts....extremely reliable. i've had alot of cars, all but 3 have left me stranded at some point in time, all of those 3 were chevys. broken vacuum line to the modulator on the 350TH trans that used to be in there was all that gave me issues on the road, easy roadside fix.

Grim'91Z

Owned for 15 months, 120k miles, the following has need changed since I got it:

Upper radiator hose -had me smoking home a half mile
Alternator - left me stranded down the street from my house
Front brake pads
All four end links
Battery - left me dead in front of my house
Starter - left me dead in front of my house
Radiator cap - had the wrong pressure
And of course that battery drain - left me dead at work

Upcoming within 2 weeks:
Steering, struts, springs
Fan switch and t-stat


Other than all this it runs strong and has never let me down. And who can forget about our orchestrated interior?

SpitotRs305

had 91RS for a few years now its got 260k on the original motor and t5 it has only not started once... through no fault of its own starter gear had frozen to the shaft and wouldnt move but the starter still spun..little heat gun action and it was all set

bahsarie

ive had two and i keep running into bad vats though nothing else.

CBR1000RR

iTrader: (1)

I've owned two. Never had any major problem. First one had 180k miles when I sold it. Just rolled over 160k on my 91 z28. Great cars.

wannafbody

iTrader: (1)

im on my second one now also, never had any mechanial problems. never been starnded, But i cannot stand how crappy the HVAC blower motors are. i can barly fell air coming in my present 3rd gen and my pased one. I want it to blow my hair!!

Pat Hall

iTrader: (31)

233K on the original 305/700r4 in my 89 RS, and still going strong. Been stranded 3 times that I can recall. Twice it was due to the retarded VATS system messing up. I finally bypassed that garbage, so that's no longer a problem. The other time was the ignition module went bad, and that didn't happen until about 228K. I've never been able to fathom it when people tell me they used to own a thirdgen, and it was the worst car they ever had. I've had mine since 95, and I've never had to do any major repair, just the usual stuff. Several alternators, couple of starters, one radiator, water pump, fuel pump, heater core twice (that kinda sucked!). Had to put a new cat-back exhaust on when the original rusted out. I've just done the regular oil changes, tune-ups (spark plugs, cap, rotor, etc.), grease the chassis, brake jobs, and service the trans about every 50,000 (fluid and filter). I have added 1LE brakes, 3.23 posi/disc rear, subframe connectors, tubular LCA's, and all poly bushings, but only as upgrades, not because the originals were shot. The way I look at it, all this stuff is way cheaper than the monthly payments and insurance for some new POS!

5678TA

had alot of problems.. now she runs pretty good.. its only been 600 miles on the motor too.. haha

never had the opportunity to run it stock.. my dad drove it home cause i just turned 15.. cant get a permit till youre 15.5.. and my dad is strict like that.. then the construction began as soon as it got home.. air filter came off.. since then, car caught on fire from paint stripper, 2 cams gone, 1 rotating assembly for 383(threw 2 rods), 2 rebuilds of the new 385, shattered spider gears, over heated couple times, 2 speedo cables baked from headers, broken wheel stud, clutch problems, idle problems, tuning, etc, etc, etc...

and the worst one of all... i keep breaking them tires loose.. even the drag radials

intex1982

iTrader: (2)

ok my car aint done so well but i have gave it alot of hell over the years its had 2 305 and 4 350 in it since i have had it and the one 700r 4 and one 3 5 speed and its back to and good ol 350 th its fun to take the car for and oil change after it been 5 speed they say ur clutch dont work haha and its had i think 3 3.73 rear ends and one 2.73 two 3.23 one 2.93 and its got 4.10 posi now

CamaroHawke

I've got a '90 RS I've had for about 3 1/2 years as a 'daily driver'...presently has around 185,000 miles on it. The engine's not 'perfect', but it's been extremely reliable, outside of 1.) fuel pump dying, but that happens to any car eventually and 2.) fuel filter was clogged full of crap (may have been intentional, I have trashy neighbors who would do that sort of thing for 'fun'). I used to have problems with it dying at stoplights if it had to sit too long, which turned out to just be a dirty EGR solenoid. I've had no further problems since cleaning the EGR.

Other than that, no major problems from my car. I'd never sell it, nor do I regret buying it. I'd rather invest several thousand in restoring and upgrading a good-looking old car than buy something new.

backgammon7

ive got a 86 sport coupe and the fuel pump gone bad and ive lost my manual. where's the fuel pump? (it sat for 8 yrs and every things goin bad at once) it was given to me by my aunt and was running like a dream then the pump quit.

88-I.R.O.C.

iTrader: (3)

Fuel pump is in the tank. You can cut a access hole in the car so you don't have to drop out the tank to replace it.

You're my new best friend.....3rd Gens ROCK!

csreid

If you drove it the same amount every year, it would have had 384,000 miles on it when you garaged it. Just thought that was pretty interesting.

VonKaiser

I've got a '90 RS 305 TBI with currently 237,812 on the original motor. I had to replace the transmission only because I got stuck in mud and didn't know that you could burn out the transmission by shifting from reverse to drive and vice versa to try and get unstuck. The "new" transmission has about 100k miles on it and still shifts very strong. I was young and stupid.

At about 135k miles I took out ALL of the interior minus driver's seat, console, and dash. I was planning on making it a drag car--but because of a few situations I ended up selling the car to my brother for $300 with about 165k miles on it. He put an additional 60k on it and then he bought 2 '85 MR2s (which we fixed one up and sold the other) and he sold me back the Camaro for $100 and now I've got it with its current 237,812 reading. It runs very strong, has blow-by but that is to be expected of an engine this old. It smokes a little when you start it up cold--again normal for an engine this age. The only time it ever stranded me for non flat tire issues was when the water pump and thermostat went out for the first time at around 150k miles. I've replaced 1 battery, 1 radiator (the day I bought it @ 117k miles), 1 alternator, 2 water pumps+thermostats, 1 distributor cap (just did that 100 miles ago), spark plug wires (also done 100 miles ago), and I've replaced about my 10th PCV valve just now today. It may be slow and old but its more reliable than anything you can buy today. Infact I bet if I baby it I can outlast a new Chevy Cobalt for its lifetime. I'm almost tempted to get her to 300,000 miles...

Tripper511

I like to beat on my car and have paid for it. I have an 82 TA. I've gone through two engines, including the original 305 and a preformance 350. I have replaced every accessory on the engine except for the carb (which is next). I've had to have my 4 speed manual rebuilt. I have a custom exhaust put in the replace to worn out one. And I just learn to live with all the little problems that happen with it. Ive had the car for almost 2 years and because everything that makes the car stop and go has broken on me at one time, I can now say I know how to fix almost anything on a third gen.

WhiteHawk

My engine and trans fell out....WTF?!

I think the only problem with the car are the door's hinges.

RacerXXX

My 82 T/A was great, wish I still had it, even with the Cross-Fire Injection.
The Recaro seats were great too. Only problem I had with that was a rich run condition. although when I sold it the dealer called me back and told me three days after the motor locked up. Weird.
My 87 2.8L Camaro sucked, didn't even have 70k on it and the top end went south, fixed it and sold it.
My current 91 Firebird has only had minor problems with the Vats system and
thats about it, other than maintence items. With 145k on the odometer I expect stuff to go south. Matter of fact I somehow broke shocks and springs this winter. Damn Pittsburgh roads...

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Wow that is weird, almost like someone at the dealership got started changing the oil near the end of the day....



My 92 RS just hit 185,000, and the starter took a dump on me. Other than that, we're still in business!

StreetRoc85 350

i phucking hate VATS!!! on my 90' bird it would give me no end of trouble! once in a while it wouldnt crank it would just flash the "security" light. let it sit for 15min and she fired right up. thank god my 88 roc doesnt have it. it has the keypad on the console, never had a problem with it!

Overcast32

I just bought mine - so little to no direct comments...

But let's say it has 209K on the odometer... The engine still hums and it's most certainly still pretty tight overall.

It needs every single possible routine maintenance done to it. I got most of the vac lines done this weekend, but I think I need a char canister - still running WAY to rich and idles rough, particularly when it's cold. Other than maybe the flow master exhaust, it needs emission control devices galore, the vac lines were literally falling apart in some instances, dry rotted BAD.

It also has that 'challenged' feel to it - like an old V8, that needs some attention. My wife said it's just like a neglected female in need of some attention.


I think she's about right too. It rides worse than some 45 foot box trucks I've driven. The guy I bought it from was a bit shifty and lied about half the issues the car had. I've always had a knack with cars, I can really test drive it for a bit and look it over and tell you about 90% of what it's gonna need. I only missed one thing... NO FREAKIN' BRAKELIGHTS!! But, I could tell there were some 'questionable' electronic issues - simply by seeing an old alarm wire fuse end just lying right next to the battery, with a half-*** piece of electrical tape on it. (Yeah, it's the little clues that give it ALL away, isn't it?)

I guess... it's possible... he didn't notice the car had no brakelights, he lived in a very rural community, maybe just never had gotten pulled over. Or maybe something got fried on that hack job where the radio used to be. He knocked off 100 because he sold the radio to his uncle or something. Fine with me, that's the last detail I worry about. I wanna hear that engine talk for a long while before it's time to add other noisy stuff~

Maybe, but you know - this T/A was going to be a project car from day one, I just wanted a solid body, and a motor with potential.

After running it for a bit on the interstate on the way home I stopped at the first light, it just acted like it didn't want to stop - I mean, the brakes are fine but it was telling me 'more, more, more'... hehe

Here's a pic of it. At least for now..
It has a few fades on the paint and a couple small rust spots, but overall it's pretty clean.

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3074/88tagn4.jpg

186irocz

104,000 miles, never rebuilt. Trans was only done because i am going to drive the car very long distance. Only problem it has now is sometimes its hard starting. Going to put and adj fuel reg to fix that. Best car i ever owned.

ResurrectingZ

216,000 miles and still running stronger than ever, especially for a 305. Still, a little smoke on startup (valve stem seals) and currently chasing a sneaky starting issue (possible bad ignition switch), a breakdown a time or two, or three (overheating hot enough to melt sensor and switch off both heads, fuel pump died twice), but still very reliable (unlike my buddies 240 Z next to me, dont work on those or a 96 Caddy Concours, especially alternators in EITHER). The 87 hasn't left me stranded yet either, its still on the jackstands.

84Z28406

My 84 Z28 has 160 000 miles on the chassis, 56 000 on the 350 thats in it now. The T-5 is original and just now dropped first gear. The car has never left me stranded, though due to the non existant maintenance the previous owner gave it, I dropped 3 cylinders due to various reasons and removed about 15 pounds worth of various electrical wire going from, and to, nothing. Aside from that, awesome cars, I've never had a major problem beside the trans, and thats my fault for brakestanding a stock T-5 with a 350.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

84 Trans AM here. Third owner. First was a guy who defaulted on the loan. Second was my cousin. She babied it. I picked it up in 2002 with 93k miles on it. I put it in storage for 3 years (it had already been in storage for 6 more before that) while I was stationed in Germany. In 2005 I pulled it out when I was reassigned to the states. Had a week to get it road worthy. Changed all the fluids, new plugs, wires, distributer, bled the brakes, recharged the AC, installed a new battery and made sure all the electronics worked. Yeah, I thought I could just pull it out of storage and throw it on a 1400 mile road trip! What was i thinking!!???

My wifes (Girlfriend at the time) first knowledge of the car was me having it in three different shops and dropping several thousand dollars to fix everything. Ask her what the money pit in our family is and it's sure not her weekly trips to the salon... lol

Lets see...the Transmissing pump started leaking about the day I got to New Mexcio (1400 mile road trip after coming out of sitting for basically 10 years). If it sat for more than 10 hours it would dump all my tranny fluid everywhere. Had that rebuilt at 102k miles. Added a B&M Trans Kit for good measure. The rear end started howling on the trip down but I got another 6k miles out of it before it finally let go. GOt that fixed at a place called "Farnsworth Transmissions" in Amarillo They did my tranny work also. Great people, good work, outstanding prices. The last thing (I did myself) was to replace the fuel pump. By my increase in gas mileage I was losing about 2 gallons over a tank out of the bottom of the pump. It's a wonder the car never blew up on me. Other than that...I got no complaints. She rattles a bit and the windows squeal going up and down (man I'd kill to know how to fix that) and my wife hates it because "Your always working on it and spending money on it"...blah blah blah. LOL She'll never understand. I've since added poly bushings all the way around, wonder bar, SFC's, new "BeCool" radiator, new sway bars and springs from Hotchkis. Still some way to go to be where I want it but it'll get there.


116k miles on the original 305 now. Leaks 1.5qt's of oil every 3k miles but not on my drive way...LOL It eats oil! I LOVE IT! muahahahah Hopefully I'll be able to put a 350 in it one of these days or at least rebuild the 305 and hang on to some oil.

Ok..my ramblings are done. Just finished a 16 hour shift at work and I'm tired. Fun post though.

Bigwavedave

Bought my 91 1LE in 1992 New (can you believe it sat on the lot ? - I had my pick of three - the other two had the 5.0, I took the 5.7)

Went through a couple of starter solenoids - no stranding.

Lost the altenerator at about 36K, no stranding. Cheap Autozone alternator left me stranded when the pulley snapped.

After 120K and around 13 years
Had temp sensor go out on the road - waited for engine to cool, drove to Radio Shack and jumpered the fan relay to get home. Semi stranded.

VATS issues/Code 42 Distributor issues - Towed three or four times before mechanic figured it out and completely fixed the problem.

Running great ever since.

I feel comfortable driving it with 140K+ miles and 16 years as a daily driver. I would not go on a cross country trip in it (did that already in my youger years when the coolness factor exceeded the comfort factor).

I dod keep maintenance up on it, oil changes etc. on time and fix every problem as it comes up.

I have replaced the water pump, starter (2x), alternator (3x), battery, p/s pump, O2 sensor, catalytic convertor, intake manifold gasket (2x), temp sensor, VATS, distributor, coil, radiator, and normal wear items like tires/brakes, etc.
Have not replaced (knock on wood) fuel pump, muffler, calipers, trans, engine, egr, master cylinder/power booster, steering rack, differnetial.
For all the wear items, I have the right tool/sizes for wrenches, and pretty much am familiar with the work. I only grab one combo wrench to change oil, and it is always the right one.

Never used that weird spare tire either (although not really due to the car).

GhostTransAm

I just drove for 5 hours today and covering slightly over 200 miles and my car has 170k miles on it. If you treat them right and keep up maintence these cars seem to last forever.

nebulous

Replaced the engine at 60k the transmission at 65k fuel pump at 72k and countless catalytic converters. The car breaks constantly and over the 8 years that I've owned it I would say has been in legal driving shape maybe 3.

It also has a bigger engine, supercharger, non-stock everything, and constantly driven like it was being stolen.

86irocu

iTrader: (3)

I never had anything major go wrong with mine. I have 120,000 miles orig motor and tranny. I put a new clutch in it last fall along with a new radiator. All in all it runs strong. Planning on putting a motor in it to get rid of this ol 305...