hartsmike

Looking at purchasing an 86 with the standard 305 5 speed. It is the quadrajet not TPI but it is badged with IROC on the doors and on the passanger side dash. Can a quadrajet be an IROC?

If so, in another 20 years, if it is still in good condition, will it be as valuable as say an IROC with the TPI A4? What do ya'll think?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Sure. LG4 (vin H). Check for the RPO B4Z to verify that the car's an IROC.

Jason E

Its going to be more valuable than an automatic LG4, but not more than a TPI automatic, in my opinion. Personally I'd much rather a TPI/AT than an LG4 stick even though I prefer sticks in general.

hartsmike

With everyone taking the 3rd gens and pulling the 305's and putting 350's in them, will it be more valuable in say 20 years with the factory 305? What would you guys think?

I've been watching the Barrett Jackson Auctions the past few years and have noticed that the closer to original the car the more it goes for with the exception of the fully customized cars!

SolarGoldRaptor

I think the "good" original 305s will be valuable in a few years (ie : L69s, CFIs, TPIs). Not like Ram Air IVs and SD455s of course.
But the basic 305 like LG4s, TBIs and such won't bring that much money. It's still more interesting to see a base car that has kept its original motor.

okfoz

The L69 also had the Q-jet... if it has the HO, then it would definately be worth more than the LG4, however I would think a nice 87+ (TPI)LB9/M5 would be better for value in the long run... but if you like the car and the price is right... why not?

Iroctopless

avilla20

pay not attention to berrett-jackson........

Iroctopless

Barrett Jackson or not, I'd agree with that. There's the odd car that breaks all the rules, but in general I'd say that's true.
The Barrett Jackson issue is often it's not a truly accurate reflection of the marketplace in general. Either way, while I'd be pleased to see the value of our 3rd gens go up, I wouldn't make it part of my retirement portfolio.

jharrison5

I had an 85' IROC with the L69 and a 5-speed back in the late 90's and didn't realize what I had because it was represented as a Z28 when I bought it. I had to sell it for scrap after being rear ended and figured out what I had six years later when doing some research for a friends camaro. Needless to say I was super peeved and wanted to go find the guy that hit me and beat him severely, but he died after passing out drunk behind the wheel and hit a tree three years after hitting me.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I wouldn't mind owning an L69/T5 IROC, but I'm not really thinking the value of the LG4 car's is likely to go up anytime soon; Compared to the TPI/L69 cars that is.

okfoz

Facts are Facts, if you have the base V8 for any given year or Lesser (IE V6, I4) then it will probably have little or no future for value.

Here is where I stand when looking at a 3rd Gen.
Most to Least desired
Firehawks and TTA's
L98/A4
LB9/M5
LB9/A4 (85, 90-92)
L69/M5
LB9/A4 (86-89 W/3.27 or 3.23 Gear)
LB9/A4 (W/2.77 or 2.73 Gear)
L69/A4 (1984 only)
CFI/A4
Everything else is just a car LG4, L03, LB8, and below... I might even pass on the L69's and CFI cars, From what I have heard, the CFI was potentially problematic from the get-go, and they are not regarded as being reliable. Spoken to people that actually removed the CFI when new and replaced it with a Q-Jet.

Sorry...

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I'd mostly agree with John, but there are a few things I'd re-arrange.

Firehawks and TTA's
L98/A4
LB9/M5
L69/M5
LB9/A4
L69/A4 (1984 only)
LG4/5spd
LG4/4spd manual
LG4/auto
CFI/A4

The LB9 auto cars with highway gears are really really really slow. The 190hp L69 with a 5spd and 3.73 gears is a lot more fun to drive then the 210hp LB9 auto. I'd say from a simple driveability standpoint, that the LG4 auto feels stronger and isn't as disgusting as the CFI cars. The late 3.1L V6 cars feel a lot better then the CFI cars I've driven. The only thing saving the collector value of some CFI cars is that they were the top of the line car for that year, think 1982 Z28 with or without the Pace Car option, or the 82 Trans Am. Where applicable, the 4spd 140hp 4bbl 305 is a viable substitute in my opinion. But then I really like LG4's when they run right. True they're slow, but at least they have potential.

okfoz

Fine!,
I changed my LB9 to include the perf gear!



For the most part, if it does not have the L98 or the LB9/M5, then I pretty much avoid it... The Firehawk and TTA are too unusual for poor boys like me to afford, so I am not going there.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

What years/models could you get a LB9/auto with good gears? I know it was available in 86, but the ones I've driven were still terribly slow even with 3.23 gears. It looks from the tech data that better gears were only offered on the 305 TPI auto from 85-88. Wouldn't all of those be peanut cam'd cars?

I know how you feel... TPI is pretty much a pre-requisite for me after 1985, but I also tend to really favor late production and L98's since they're just better equipped.

okfoz

I want to think that 85 - 88 sounds about right, The peanut cam cars from 86 - 89 were slower... 1990-1992 they all used the same cam for the TPI cars, at least they all have the same part number...

WHATEVER! I will change my answer ONCE AGAIN...

Drew

iTrader: (58)

LOL Don't let me rail road you too much.

nascar2496

iTrader: (2)

my car had that motor setup when i got it. it didnt run but the vin matches and its a 5spd. I still have a 305 in it but i did the TPI swap. I did beef up the 305 a little, it does need to be tuned but for a smaller motor, untuned tpi running on a modified motor, and crap street tires it ran 14.8 (also my first time at the track). Keeping the 305 isnt a bad idea but im not sure on resale value, i would imagine TPI is in more demand but having an original motor to the car is definitely cool.