ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
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This is from the aug/sept 1988 camaro corral. said to be the only 5.7 IROC-Z convertible. The official pace car of the IMSA Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship series. Did it meet the shredder?
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__________________ 1985 IROC G92 GU6 G80 J65 A4
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Unfortunately, it doesn't carry the 1 of 1 status that a regular production car would have because of the engine mods and other mods done. Anyone can buy a 305 convertible, replace the motor and trans, do other suspension upgrades and say that it's special. What this car probably doesn't have is a 3 in the VIN to designate convertible and an 8 to designate 350. If it does, then it's 1 of 1. More than likely, it's a 350 converted to a convertible by ASC which many people have done.
ASC converted a known 4 1987 IROC-Z's with the L98. I have the Sequence numbers for those for cars and verified they are indeed L98 cars.
All of these cars were originally T-top cars and made into a Convertible by ASC. Basically they are identical to a Factory Convertible, but due to fuel economy and emissions requirements GM could not do it direct so they were "Aftermarket" They ARE PRODUCTION CARS by definition as they were produced by ASC, but not officially produced by GM. Even though they are identical in every way to a Factory Authorized Convertible the VIN indicates a 2 (Hard top) instead of a 3 (Convertible)
What is really interesting is the car pictured has the 1986-1987 Door extensions. I do not think they used them on the 1988's. They were basically cosmetic pieces added to the door, they are approx 6" or so long and extend the caps on the rear quarters from where ASC cut the top off. I would bet that this car was not a 1988 or 1989 as the article suggests, but rather one of the four 1987 cars that I have the VIN to.
John
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
To recognize whether a 3rd-gen convertibles (sometimes referred to a "ragtop") is a "factory" or an aftermarket job, the best thing to do is to check VIN number. If the 6th digit is a number "2", that indicates a factory coupe and a later aftermarket conversion. If it was ordered as a convertible, the digit will be a number "3". Another clue is to look at the RPO code sticker that is located on the inside of the center console glove box (if the cover is original). Factory ragtops will have a code "CC1" (T-top coupe) as well as the code "Z08" ("Model Conversion, Convertible").
Note: There WERE Camaro IROC-Z Convertibles produced with the L98 350 engine (installed by ASC at time of coupe - Convertible conversion) however this was not a GM feature or option. As a result, you will NEVER find a 1988 Camaro IROC-Z Convertible with a "3" as the 6th digit (Convertible) AND "8" (L98 350-cid) as the 8th digit in the VIN number.
IROC-Z coupes could have a 350-cid and so the 6th digit would be "2". The customer could then have their coupe converted to a convertible which would mean it would have a 350-cid engine. However, only GM stamped the "3" on the VIN and so the 8th digit will NEVER be "8" and 6th digit a "3".
was just wandering how neone would know how u would know how to distinguish an asc installed 350 this says the did it my car is an 88 tpi har the f vin like a 305 but had the 5.7 emblem on bumper and it pulls too hard to be a 305 i think but it could just be a non roller 350 with newer heads or someone just put the emblem on there or both just wondering if there was a way i could see for sure what i have
Another clue is to look at the RPO code sticker that is located on the inside of the center console glove box (if the cover is original). Factory ragtops will have a code "CC1" (T-top coupe) as well as the code "Z08" ("Model Conversion, Convertible").
Does that apply to '89's? Mine SPID (correct for the car) doesn't have either . . .
The camaro source is wrong... CC1 with the convertibles should have been 1987 only. The Z08 code looks right. Not sure if the 1987's got both the CC1 and the Z08 or not. ALSO it should be noted as I have said it before, all third gen convertibles were converted by an outsourced company The Factory models were actually made by ASC. ASC also did Conversions for dealers, In many cases the conversion after the fact to "T-top Coupes" were to get options that were not otherwise available. The most notable were the 350 Vert. And no matter what anyone says, the L98 Verts will be the most sought after.
The camaro source is wrong... CC1 with the convertibles should have been 1987 only. The Z08 code looks right. Not sure if the 1987's got both the CC1 and the Z08 or not.
i figured it sounded i little fishy either way i still dunno how to find out what motor someone put in my car or even if its still a roller i know of the casting number that would tell me but it s impossible to read in the car
There are some websites you can use to see what is in there by the casting and stamping numbers. The easiest way would be to look behind the AC compressor on your car for the "Hog" where they stamp the sequence number of your VIN, the plant the Make either 2 for Pontiac or 1 for Chevrolet, the model year etc...
