Well I just trailered this little creampuff in tonight It's not too bad I have had worse projects.Guy I bought it from says it's an 87 but VIN comes out as an 88 I will know for sure when I pick up the title tomorrow.The car is in a lot of pieces but pretty much everything is there.I know the purists will hang me but this thing is so hacked up already that a stock restore is out the window. It has a 30 over 350 and a T5 tranny that all needs hooked up and running, after that it will be the electrical rats nest.I will probably have lots of questions and hopefully be able to find answers with the search tool.Last Camaro I had was a 69 and lots have changed since then.My first question is an 88 vert always considered an Iroc? I am getting conflicting info at the few places I have read. Anyway here are some picks if they show up.

hey thats pretty nice for being a project. good luck with it all

You could get an 88 vert in Sport coupe trim or Iroc.

Welcome.

In '87 (VIN's tenth digit is an H) you could get the vert in a Sport Coupe or it's variant the Sport Coupe LT and the Z28 or it's variant the IrocZ.
In '88 (VIN's tenth digit is a J) they simplified things and you could get it in either a Sport Coupe or the IrocZ.

So in reference to your question, is an '88 vert always an IrocZ? No not always. It's either of the two models mentioned above. Since it's obvious that the engine has been changed (typically no stock 350 verts) and that badges, graphics, and emblems can be easily changed, how can you tell if it's an actual IrocZ?
A few ways to tell. Look back at the VIN. If the eighth digit is an F, then the car originally came with the LB9 305 TPI. It was only available on the IrocZ vert, not the SC vert. If the eigth digit is an E, then it originally had the LO3 305 TBI. That engine was available on both models so that would then be inconclusive.
Does your ride still have the original SPID sticker (it's VIN matches the one on the car) in the console or year storage compartment? Then in '87, if it has the RPO code B4Z, then it's an IrocZ. If it's an '88 it would have the RPO Z28 to be an IrocZ.

Good luck on the project. Keep us updated.

My eighth digit is an E thats why I couldn't find a straight answer.There really isn't anything on it original.The guy I bought it from found it in a field on blocks stripped.Interior completely gone except the rear interior side panels.All the drivetrain was gone,doors and hood too.Guy still had a clear title though.He gathered parts for a couple years, of course the parts are from many different years.I couldn't pass it up though, I have only seen maybe two vert 3RD Gen's.
I got the engine fired up today(sort of).The carb is shot,gas was coming out everywhere and way too much down the engine.I only have shorty headers on it and actually caught the garage floor on fire for a second from the raw fuel igniting out the headers. I have another carb to try tomorrow.Got tired of fighting with it today.

I'd put money on it that it's an '88. But is it an SC or IrocZ, that's a little more difficult to tell. Your right. It's doesn't have to much original on it. And what is is also hard to tell. Things that make it difficult to determine . . .
- The headlight pockets would normally be black on the IrocZ as well as the plate in the grill opening and body colour on the SC, but it looks like the whole nose cone isn't original.
- No stripes or door decals.
- Wheels are aftermarket. No clues there.
- Hood is louvered like an IrocZ but the tailights are single split like the SC.
- The rear bumber badge is Z28 like an '87. An '88 would say IrocZ.
- The ground effects are body colour like and IrocZ (the exception being the nose cone).

Looks like a fun project though.

Yea it will be an interesting project.The Jeep beside it in the pic was bought as a basket case two years ago.When I started driving it I wanted some sort of a street toy again.The nose and doors came off the same car.The guy had a choice between the SC tailights and a set of Irocs he chose the SC's.I told him he's an idiot.Hood is from an Iroc just not this car.I think he may have put the Z28 badge on the rear bumper just because he had one.Thanks for the input so far.I will probably always call it an Iroc just cause I like the name and it will never be an original anything.

Had a productive day today.Put a better carb on and straightened out 2 plugs wires I crossed.Fired up and sounds good.Pulled the rearend out and removed the support bars.Dropped the fuel tank and took out the electric fuel pump and made a pick up line in it's place then put the tank back on.Lowered the t5 down cut a hole in the floor for the shifter and put the crossmember back on properly.Kind of at a stand still now though,some genius cut the shock mounts off the rearend,cut the e-brake cables and cut and removed the brake lines off the rear housing.May just take the day off tomorrow and try to located these items and the clutch-brake pedal assembly.

I love to see a once-was-magnificent camaro restored to her former beauty and made better than stock.

Kudos to you for saving her.

Make us proud!

Looks good! Thats about where mine was when i got it.

I think thats in better shape than mine when I picked it up. At least your interior looks useable

Good luck with it!

-jason

Keep us posted on the rebuild.. That is awsome that you have the skills to do that.
If you are going to turf the rims.. PM me I would be interested in a set I can refinish.

I will be keeping the rims for a little while.That will be the last thing done.Pretty sure a guy I work with wants them for his S10.I am starting at the rear and working forward.Past few days I took the rear end out and cleaned it up and painted it,as well as the under side around the gas tank and rearend cavity.Got the fenderwells and support bars as well.Put some Lakewood control arms on and a 1inch sway bar.Also put some KYB shocks on.Oh yea bent some brake lines for the axle too.That was a first,hope they don't leak.If I can ever get the parts monkeys to get the correct park brake cables in,that would have gone on tonight as well.I will try and get some pics tomorrow of the progress.Thanks to all for the interest shown on this old beater.

If you need some drum brake parking brake cables, I have a set sitting beside my house from my disc brake swap. All you need to pay is shipping.

Good luck with it

-jason

Thanks Jason for the offer.I put a 9bolt unit with disk brakes in it.Thats what is throwing the parts guys off.If it's not listed specifically in their computer most time they can't get it or figure it out.I looked online last night at Napa.One cable has the correct end.According to what I read it looks like the same part number works on both sides.Their in store system didn't say anything about that.

Well this is what it looks like so far.I have heard it gets worse before it gets better.

Got the torque arm reattached had to makeshift a mount out of two auto tranny mounts.

Not sure about the swaybar,may have to use the longer factory links.A blurry shot of the fabbed up shock mounts that someone cut off!

Overall not bad so far.

Work is going to slow down now I need to gather parts for the T5 swap since the car was originally an auto.Starting on the electrical gremlins now as all wires were unhooked everywhere.Got the engine started with the ignition switch after bypassing the auto shifter stuff.That made the day worthwhile.(It's the little things that make you feel like your acomplishing something)Anyway thats where I'm at so far I fugure most of the wiring will be leaving just need to find an ignition source for the HEI and most other stuff can go.

Hopefully you're replacing the pan hard bar. That is nicely bent!

Other than that, it looks good so far.

Very nice car bro!! Let me know how that wiring thing goes. I need to do it on my car but I think I will rip it all out and buy a painless wire kit.

It's on the list of things to find.Most I have seen look similar.It mounted up easily so I used it for now.Will probably just go aftermarket eventually.
I am going to do what I can with the wiring but if it seems the least bit like it's going to go up in smoke then it's outa there.

Thats is a really clean project. My projects never start that clean. Nice job in finding that.

Thanks.A few people have said this.I just about passed up this car but for $600 I figured I couldn't go wrong.It looks worse in person.The interior pics won't come out very good it's really bad.All the loose engine parts and various other parts were piled inside.I located some good parts cars yesterday,no verts,but they have a lot of the little stuff I will need.What I want to know is if this a real good base to start with,what nightmares have you guys started with?

The only real nightmares I have had with my camaro is wiring. I traded the stock engine with a crate 350 not fuel injected. So alot of extra wires zip tied everywhere. I live in a condo and they are about done with wrenching on hot rods and big muddy trucks. So that nightmare gets to wait. I heard rust is a big trouble with some people. If you want to sell that right now I will give you 600 cash within an hour. Just sayin. Carpet and interior is pretty easy. plus when you rip all that out wire the whole back of your car with everything you need. Wanna sell the Jeep. I need a new wheeler.

Trey

I got mine from a field too, it almost went to the crusher but i loved the car and the desire to wake up the dead and that I did. Yours is in better shape than mine was and looks like a good find good luck with the build

Uh no,on both.The Jeep was last years project.It was a lot of fun to build,they are such simple vehicles,at least the old ones are.Two weeks after I finished it an old woman pulled out in front of me and basically totalled it.Spent another month or so fixing it back up. I never get rid of anything the Toyota truck in the first pictures has had the hood up for three years.Needs an engine and those are hard to find in these parts,a good one anyway.Even have a 280Z from about ten years ago,just lost interest in it.

So how much for the 280Z? I will have that on a semi on the way back to Washington if the money is right!!!! I am the same way but I end up gettin things just tits and sellin them for a loss..

I actually have some local guys interested in the 280Z.Priced it for $400 but it's in pretty bad shape.Some of the front subframe is rusted and floorboards are in bad shape too.I have an 1983 turbo engine in the garage I was going to put in it.They aren't getting it for that price.I think you would be disapointed after unloading it from a cross country trip,it wouldn't be worth it to buy and ship.It's one of those projects that would have to be seen to be sure it's worth it.

Looks like a good project, if only I could put my time in to something like that instead of Counterstrike, and the girlfriend...

Well thank you for being honest at least. 400 is cheap though. I might have to look at buying my next project car out there. I was looking at a rust bucket no interior blown engine 280 around here for 1500.00

I wish my latest project looked that good. Click here for pics of the turd I'm working on.

Most anything around here sells high also,old muscle cars are ridiculously priced.Most people under 30 don't even know what the 280Z is,you never see one anymore.
Sleepinshed, you got a good deal on your ride there,that car would fetch an easy $2500 to $3500 around here going by the picture. Seriously I fell into the deal on this one.I was lucky, I was thinking of a new project and just happened to have cash on me.I took it before he could change his mind.

Kick @$$ deal Sleepinshed. I paid 1700 for my Camaro. I mean it ran and drove and the cleanest interior I have seen in a Camaro of it's age under 300 so I can't complain much. The engine compartment needs ALOT of attention. After summer I will pull the engine and redo the whole thing. WVA what about 4x4's you find good deals on them ever?

No never! They make 4x4's outa gold around here.They don't even show up in junkyards.You might find a 2wd S10 or Ranger but I can't remember last time I seen a 4x4 in a junkyard.With gas prices rising car lots won't hardly take a full size truck in trade now,they can't move em. Ten year old Z71's are starting to pop up for mid $5,000's or so with high miles two years ago $10,000 might get a decent one.Jeeps like mine and newer are bringing top dollar cause people think they are decent on gas.

Well I started tearing into the dash tonight.I found a perfect dash and cover today.Little steep on the price but they look new.I was needing to straighten out the rats nest of wiring.Also with the dash off it will make it much easier to install the pedals and master cylinder for the standard tranny swap.I should be able to clear out some wiring too while in there.Wonder if I should go ahead and replace the heater core while in this deep,car has sat for many years?

Definitely replace the heater core now. Those things are a pain in the @$$ to replace. Let me know how that wiring thing goes. I still have the old wiring harness and need to get that crap outta there.

Gotta check on getting the heater core,forgot about it actually.I put the old car on a copper diet last night.There's nothing left on the right side anymore.Probably only a dozen or so wires left under the hood.I will have to run wires for an electric fan if I go that route and figure out a harness for the wiper motor.I didn't cut it out it's just not there.Guy gave me an electric trunk pull down unit yesterday.Found a harness for it at a junkyard today.Also got a console,heater control,brackets for the headlight and nose cone plastics,radiator top mount,hydraulic parts for T5 swap,Iroc taillights,good condition complete dash panel and pad.Yesterday I got a new Goodmark cowl induction hood for half the new price,guy decided to go with the 4" cowl.Oh yea and the standard brake and clutch pedals.I think I got enough to stay busy a little while.

Can I put an electric pull down on my 83??

Well like I been told before,anything is possible with skills or pockets full of money
I would say you could,Cadillacs and Lincolns have been using them for years.My dads 77 Caddy had one.

I am not so much looking forward to ripping my dash out now that I have seen what it looks like. I wanna toggle switch all my accessories. What is behind that panel right above the heater control I was thinking about putting the switches in 2 rows there?

Trey

I am pretty sure you would have room there.I didn't have a complete console in mine to start with so I am not for sure what goes where in that area.I know the main lower frame of the dash is in that area but you could probably go above it.How about making something inside the ashtray compartment.If I add any extra switches that is probably where I will stash em.Also the dash I just bought was out of a car with a rear defroster so now I have an extra switch for something,it's in the little panel under the cigarette lighter.

My rear defroster is burnt out so for now I took that switch out and mounted the switch for the fog lights I just installed. After some grinding and super glueing it came together nice. It looks stock. Ashtray is a good idea but I plan to mount a CB in that area. If I can figure a way to fab it that is.

I don't know if they still make them or not but there used to be a CB that the main unit was hidden and all the controls were on the mic handle,or the main controls was a very small panel in the dash somewhere.

@wva Maybe I am NECK but I like the look of the CB. But I have entertained the idea of one of those. I know a buddy who has a Motorola Alpha? anyway it's a scanner/cd. Not legal by any means but you can mount it under the seat. Or maybe in the glove box.

Hi my name is Kristy and I have to ask you some questions about this Iroc. First of all please let me explain. I had a 1990 white Iroc Z Convertible. I stored it at a friend of mines house . I moved back to Cali. My friend unfortunatly passed away and his kids took over the property. Funny no one seems to know where my car went to. You say the person that you bought it from found it in a field. Hmm. there are nothing but fields where i origanally had it stored. The rear spoiler was gone like yours the left side where the door and corner panel meet i had been hit so there for the door would be replaced. also some *** whole hit me on the drivers side not bad just scraped the rear panel. It was origanally an automatic. I needed a new rag top and the front nose piece was not the original. When I bought the car it had been in an accident. and i had to replace that part. also you mentioned the drive line. well when it origanially got hit i do believe it bent the drive line.. My car had been sitting for 3 years at this persons house (in the field ) Look i've been looking for my car for a few years now. I recently came back to live here in the same town that i left my car in. I was told that my car would be safe and being 1200 miles away at the time i had to take these peoples word. apparently they didn't think i would ever return or move back for that matter. I can and will post pics of my iroc. Also you mentioned how bad the interior was. another coinsidence. Here are my ? for you. I promise you that if this is my car I will not press any charges on you. (I Promise) you have my word... I just want the truth about my car. will you please tell me where and what state you got this from. also what the mileage read when you got it. was the ignition busted where you couldn't use the key. was the title salvaged??????????? Was the car origanially from California? Registered owners name? Kristen or Kristy. I will tell you what the mileage was . I will tell you my last name. I will tell you what state the car was in. I can name everything that was wrong with this car. from front to back. I've been going crazy trying to find my car. If this is it. its not a 87 or 88 it's a 1990 Iroc z convertible with the 8th # in the vin being a F not an E . Please help me. You can keep the car if it is mine please i just want the truth. Also yes if you or anyone is wondering I did report it stolen but for some reason in this fricken little town it takes a act of God for anyone to do anything. Also like a dumb *** i do believe that the title was in the console of the car. I know I know. Never thought my dear friend was going to pass away and this was going to happen.My email address is kristycook33@hotmail.com if you would rather email me. Please get ahold of me. If you dont I will assume that you now know this car is mine. Again please I promise you no action will be taken against you I PROMISE. Sincerly Kristy
----------

That has got to be one of the craziest things I have ever heard!!!!

DUN DUN DUN gotta let us know how that plays out

No doubt. This should be great!!! This has the makings of a Judy Judy show!!!

I think everything is legit on my end.I sent her an email of the specifics on my car versus what she was asking.I know for a fact my car is two years older than the one she is looking for and has always been titled in Ohio,never Cali or Nebraska,where it disapeared from.I can't blame her for asking though it never hurts,and her situation would definately suck.I couldn't image coming to pick my stuff up and it mysteriously disapears without a trace.Do they have twisters in Nebraska, it may be in a tree in the next state.I know it sounds like a joke but I have seen on the news where people can't find a reminant of their house when those things go through.Anyway I wish her the best of luck in the search.

thats good.. Good luck with the rest of your build keep us updated i can't wait to see it all finished..

hmm.. now that i think about it.. that kinda looks like MY car..

Good grief,you guys are killing me!
I have been working on it some.I have all the wiring under the hood and dash removed that I don't need.There is only about a dozen wires left under the hood.Got all the lights working.Installed all new aftermarket gauges.Put in the new dash and dash pad and the console.Got the backup lights working off the T5,used a plug off the engine harness to plug into the tranny.Engine starts and shuts off with the key now instead of jumper wires.Even got the door buzzers working.Put in the Iroc tailights.Put the spoiler back on the trunk.Found a set of 4th gen seats at the junkyard,those go in last.Found some good interior trim pieces in black,most I find are grey or tan.I am in the process now trying to get the clutch to work,its kickin my ***.I found the camera again I'll snap some pics tonight.