History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!
Another inside pic and last photo. Sorry for the quality of some. I wanted to see what the Iron Duke looked like with the Z28 rims. Took a few pics of it and swapped the Cragars back on.
I owned a iron duke(4speed) about 4 years ago. that is one engine you can not hurt. I added power door locks and a ram hood that worked. It had 500,000+ miles on it before I had to replace it with a rebuilt unit. That was a great engine if GM would have just put a balance shaft in it so the thing would not shack so much.
I tried almost everything I could think of on mine. If you take the intake off of the car you will see were prvisions were made for the balance shaft but looked like a serious headach to install one. I use to work on cad/olds for a few years and GM did finally install one in the 2.5L which took care of the vibration for the most part. So it might be possible to fab one into the engine but would it really be worth it? I did not think so myself.
Okay, I think I've made up my mind on what I want to do with my Iron Duke.
Now I KNOW it will be a whole lot easier and cheaper to build up a 350 but I want to be different and somewhat unique.....
I want to install a turbo system. I was talking to a guy at a car show I attended who had a turbo setup installed on his car. I asked him about it and he mentioned that with any turbo set up there is almost always a full custom install required.
He mentioned a list of all the parts required for a turbo and just finding someone that is skilled enough in fabricating all the piping.
Any suggestions or helpful hints that I should keep in mind to make this project a reality?
What about the motor, do I need to strengthen the internals or bottom end. I don't want to run a huge amount of boost. Just something that can help out the ol duke.
I believe you'll need a stronger block (90-92 S10 block) with forged interals to handle a SC (just to be on the safe side). Our engines, as is, are not made to handle very much. Check out S10.com for other ideas.
This guy you met at the show, what was he driving?
well...he was driving a civic hatch with a 98 (i believe) integra vtec motor. it was stock on the outside including the 13 inch steel wheels. Working on the go(relative terms) before show.
Originally posted by philoldsmobile as much as it pains me to admit it, some of the civic / integra guys are getting pretty good numbers for such small engines....
Sadly, the 151 is more of a pain to extract that kind of power out of. Good engine building skills and $ are required. Wish I had the $ for a complete SD engine. I am really anxious to know how someone could construct a turbo for a 151.
It's neat to see a rare car, but a four cylinder in a Camaro is kinda depressing (not trying to be mean or anything). I dunno, but when I think about the name "Camaro", I picture V8 power, muscle car, sports car, etc....
__________________ 1991 Z-28 (Black - Hardtop) 355ci TPI/SLP, Ported Vortec heads, Comp XR276HR-12, Hooker 2210 Longtubes / custom 3" Y-pipe with 3 1/2" mufflex cat-back, Borg Warner T-56, PROM tuned by me!, 3.73's, Hotchkis suspension, custom high-flow lid and ram-air, ALL the bolt-ons, custom Boyd Coddington "1bad91Z" Billet Wheels.
In the process of installing the tilt column from my 83 parts car into the 84. Does anyone know if any 4-cyl 3rd gens came with cruise? Have lots of nice features in the 83.
According to my book the 4 banger was always a tb engine and never used a carb setup. and as far as the c/c is concerned the PHS packet I have for my 83 T/A list the c/c as a option on all the firebirds but I have yet to see or even hear of one. I came close to installing a c/c unit to my old 4 banger but found it was not going to be that easy with all the wiring,switches,ect...$$$$$
Was out in my neighbors junkyard today he is crushing all his cars. There is a 4cyl camaro out there not sure what year but still has the motor and trans. Body isnt very good no hood and interior is shot to hell. Just thought I would let you in on the death of this iron duke. Scheduled to be executed on Tuesday July 22, In the year of our lord 2003.
Lets say a prayer for the car and the pygmies in the bush.
Originally posted by 1bad91Z It's neat to see a rare car, but a four cylinder in a Camaro is kinda depressing (not trying to be mean or anything). I dunno, but when I think about the name "Camaro", I picture V8 power, muscle car, sports car, etc....
OK, work with me on this, but......
You should be very proud of the 4 cylinder Camaro. its a testimony (and i have said this before) that the Domestic manufacturers were capable of producing a car (and, of course a name) with so much passion and desirability, that people would buy a 4 cyl Camaro, simply because the lure of a Camaro or Firebird was so strong, ANYTHING that ment they could have one would do.
No one would ever care if Jaguar made a 4 cyl XJ-S, people simply dont get as passionate about them.
Finally got a video of my 4 cylinder firebird. Its a small video and the sound quality is not the best. My wife shot this with our digital camera. Doesn't do great on videos but takes a great still shot!
I have two others too (engine shot and another drive by), but can't get them on my website or send via email due to file size limitations. Oh well.
Im no expert in any of this but I do know that I use Quicktime to view it.
__________________ I NEED HELP...I'm missing 4 cylinders! billsfirebird 1984 Firebird - 2.5L IRON DUKE - 5 speed manual
WS6 sway bar and rims - 94 Firebird buckets seats My Cardomain Site!
John 3:16
Did you already post this find? If not, here's a creampuff of an Iron Duke Bird. There's also another one on Ebay. It hasn't had the same life as the one below. It sits in an impound yard. Check it out!
i just bought a 1983 firebird with an iron duke and a five speed.and yes it has t tops.and a/c .when i saw this car on auto trader i had to have it,how could i pass up honda mileage and american style?
and to all they people with a tired v8 i say have fun gettin gas.ill spend my money on parts you waste it on gas.
im going to build a knightrider car out of it ,its already black.
Originally posted by mars22 i just bought a 1983 firebird with an iron duke and a five speed.and yes it has t tops.and a/c .when i saw this car on auto trader i had to have it,how could i pass up honda mileage and american style?
and to all they people with a tired v8 i say have fun gettin gas.ill spend my money on parts you waste it on gas.
im going to build a knightrider car out of it ,its already black.
I haven't seen a four banger with ttops. All the iron duke fbodies i've seen have been hard top and stripped. Mine has a A/C (doesn't work now), rear cargo screen, am/fm radio. I would guess mine is a "mid range" optioned iron duke bird.
cool find. If you can post any pics of your car that would be awsome.
does any one have detailed production numbers for an 83?
im trying to find out how many acually came with a duke and t tops.and ill post some pics as soon as i get it running better.
it needs a new clutch and alot of rubber hoses replaced.
I just purchased an 1985 Pontiac Firebird with a 2.5L Iron Duke, 5 speed.
I got it from the original owner who bought it new back in early 85.
It has some rust spots on various parts of the body, the driver door is rusted out at the bottom, and the pass door is just starting to rust through.
I am using it as a daily driver, as I do over 100 miles a day, round trip. Its fun to drive, and decent on the gas.
I do not plan on doing much to it. I want to get it tuned up properly and fix a few electrical issues (old stereo was torn out and a bunch of wires pulled with it, yet they decided to leave it behind when they noticed it was an old "push button" AM/FM only head).
Once the engine and tranny are running how I would like them too, I am thinking of sanding out the rust bubbles, painting over the rust with "Rust Bullet" then go from there. I need a less abused driver seat, and a complete headliner. As I mentioned I will do this after it is all running correctly.
AWSOME! Unless I missed someone, I think you may have the only 85 Iron Duke here. I have yet to see an 86 duke anywhere.
Welcome to the club, if you get the chance please post some pictures of your car, inside and out.
Were picture crazy here.
-bill
__________________ I NEED HELP...I'm missing 4 cylinders! billsfirebird 1984 Firebird - 2.5L IRON DUKE - 5 speed manual
WS6 sway bar and rims - 94 Firebird buckets seats My Cardomain Site!
John 3:16
I just came across a 4 cyl camaro at a local junkyard a week ago. It is red with silver vinyl graphics down the sides. Kind of a cool car in its own sad, rusted way.
Originally posted by LimaBravoNiner I found an Iron Duke Firebird in a local yard last week also. Looked like the engine and manual tranny were still pretty much complete.
the iron duke fbodies are a good place to find some neat parts. Good place to find the A/C delete heater boxes and some interesting dashes with little pull knobs for vents, and even rear passenger panels without the holes cut for speakers. (I've found a set from an old camaro). Most of these cars were stripped econo cars.
Bringing back from the dead. I just got a 1984 firebird Iron Duke from this site. Going to bring it back to stock. Will use for the kids car or for the wife to drive. Here's some pictures as it is now.
I purchased a 1984 trans am off ebay in Dec to part out when the weather breaks so that is what made this car a good deal for me. I part out at least three a year and have a shop full of parts. Its cheaper to just purchase a complete car then to try and purchase parts be them self. I will start a build tread when the weather breaks and give more info on the car. Whe I went to pick it up South Bend,IN was getting hit with a punch of snow and it was all I could do to get the car home. It drives and seems to run fine but I really haven't looked it over good. As for the insides being gone that was kind of a plus as I got good floor board pictures sent to me with no rust.
haha i got an iron duke! 84' Ive put like 1thousand dollars into the car!..I bought it for 350Bucks!..145xx mile and Runs reat when it is running!..
Here it is!
i will be back in the States this year, but not untill October 
