87 IROC "build" thread
04-18-2014, 11:24 PM
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
87 IROC "build" thread
Hey guys,
On one hand I kind of don't feel worthy posting in here because unfortunately by "build" I mean pay my mechanic to do it. But on the other hand who better than you guys to share this with? I wish I had the skills and tools to do it myself, but that is not my bag. I sit hear and drool over the work some of you do, wishing I could do the same, that I had 1/10th the knowledge of engines that some of you do, or the skill to fabricate and create truly gorgeous cars. Give me a computer to fix, no problem. Rockwell tester acting up? I can fix that. I'm pretty decent in the kitchen too. Cars? Eh, not so much. Please don't flame me, I have the love and passion for cars, just not the ability to fix them!!
For those of you who haven't written me off as some poser, here's my story. Way back in 93 or 94 I was 18 or 19 and looking for a new ride to replace my Fiero. I came across an add for a "Chevy, 1987" in the paper. Camaro wasn't mentioned first and foremost as it should have been. I went with my Dad to check it out and there was this beautiful 87 IROC with only 14k miles. This car was loaded, almost every option was purchased. He was asking 10, but my Dad and I got him down to 8,500. Alright, mostly my Dad. Ok fine, it was all my Dad. I remember walking away from the car so mad at him because he wouldn't let me pay 10 for it. I was buying the car, it was my money, not his! He said, don't worry, he'll call. Next day no call. I said Dad, please call him! Nope. Well as usual the old man was right, just please, don't tell him. The guy called the next day and accepted our offer!! Sweet!! Now this might be a little strange to some of you, but in our family we have a history of naming cars. There was Mrs Murphy the station wagon, Daisy the little Omni, Rosy the Le Baron convertible, etc etc. My Dad joked in passing that the Camaro had a little peanut motor (being the L98) and thus Peanut was born.
I drove Peanut everyday. I loved it/him. He was my daily driver, even in winter. Heck, I even took it to Vermont to go skiing more times than I can count. Up to four of us and skis to boot! I have fond memories of doing donuts in empty snow covered parking lots. Or cruising down the Berlin Turnpike on a Friday night with my friends. Or one time before my wife and I were married, on our way home from some date somewhere and she kind of turned in the seat to face me and wrapped her arm around mine, I knew then I was hooked, I'd found the one (just to be clear I'm talking about the girl!!). Lots of great memories in Peanut. I'm not sure my life would be my life without him.
Fast forward to summer of 2000. With about 112K on the car, my tranny let go. We had just gotten married and didn't have a lot of cash. Not being car savvy I wasn't about to attempt to fix it myself, so I brought it to what I thought was a reputable transmission shop. They have been in business since the 1940's, must be doing something right I figured. I had them rebuild my 700R4. Paid somewhere around 1,200 or 1,400. Drove it for a few months, started slipping so I went back. They rebuilt again under warranty, no cost to me. Few months later, same thing. Rebuild. Rebuild again. And again. And yet again. One made it literally 1.5 miles before it let go. They honored the warranty every time, I only paid that first time. I'm sure they took a beating on it financially, but they did the work anyway. Finally, after literally the 8th time, I just broke down and bought a new car. I had a real job now, I was becoming an adult and needed something reliable. Peanut would just have to wait.
Shortly after the world changed in 2001, my wife and I decided to move to southern CA to be closer to her family. 80 degrees in January, sign me up!! Of course, Peanut was family to me so naturally I had him shipped out to CA. A year or so later my wife decided she wanted to move back to CT!! Wait, what??? Who knows, she's a woman, they are all a little crazy if you ask me. But you know what they say, happy wife, happy life, so we moved back. Peanut hit the road again, albeit on the back of a tractor trailer.
When we bought a house in 2004 I was so excited because my Peanut finally had a place to rest out of the elements!! A garage all to himself!! Oh, the things I was going to do, fix him up and get out on the road again. Unfortunately, you all know how that goes. Life happens and nothing happened to poor Peanut beside neglect. And dust, lots of dust. Saw dust, drywall dust, dirt dust, grass dust. You name it, he's got it.
Sure every now and then I would think about getting him road worthy again. Usually when I see a nice third gen on the road, or maybe on that perfect summer day when all I want to do is take the ttops out, go for a cruise and feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and hear the faint rumble from the exhaust. I'd add up all the costs in my head and say, that's a lot, maybe next year. No, not this year, we need a new driveway, but next year for sure. Always next year. There was always something else. Next year rolled into the next, and the next and the next. Before I knew it ten years had gone by. TEN!! All those perfect summer days gone, all my memories another year further into the past, all the new memories never made.
Peanut needs some TLC, no doubt. And I know it will be expensive since I can't do most it myself, which is why it's taken so long. Tranny, complete exhaust including headers, tires & wheels and a good tune up for starters, not to mention interior stuff like headliner, dash pad, shift ****, maybe a stereo, maybe a center console. I could go on but then I see the numbers rolling through my head and that little voice starts saying next year, next year, just wait one more year. Well I got news for you, I'm through listening to that little voice. Time waits for no man, it just keeps marching by. Next year is now, this year. The landscaping can have it's turn waiting for next year. I've waited long enough, wasted too much time already.
I was so excited this morning. I had the day off today, it wasn't bad weather wise so I thought I'd jump start his heart and give him a good cleaning before he goes off to surgery, get all that dust off. I bought a battery this morning and somehow I thought it would just start. I mean I drove it around the block like a couple of weeks or was it months, or maybe years ago, it should be fine, right? Time has a way of messing with you when you aren't staring at the clock and according to the date on the old battery I pulled, my couple of weeks or months or years ago was back in 05. I installed the battery and I was suspect from the start when Peanut didn't whirl with anticipation like he used to, almost as if he was saying, alright another adventure, let's go! Something was amiss, I just knew it. Sure enough, I was right. He tried to turn over but there was no roaring to life. And I do mean roaring, since the exhaust rusted away right before the cat. It sounded phenomenal the last time it ran. As a bonus you came away with this amazing smell of exhaust and raw fuel since I think it was running a bit rich. It was intoxicating, or maybe it was just the carbon monoxide making me lightheaded? Either way, it was awesome and I was disappointed not to smell it again.
With my limited car knowledge, I think the fuel pump is the culprit. I don't hear it priming like I used to when I would turn the key. Whether the pump is not getting juice or it's just shot, I'm not sure. I checked all the fuses including the one by the battery (found that one thanks to searching this board) and took a gamble on the fuel pump relay since sadly that's about all I'm capable of replacing and it was only $13.81 with tax. Still no love. So now he just sits in the garage as he has for over a decade now, patiently waiting for his time to come.
Once my new tires and wheels come in, hopefully by early May, I'll have it towed down to my mechanic and hope that it is just the fuel pump and nothing more. If you've made it this far you deserve a couple of pics. The shiny clean one is from when we lived in CA. It never saw use out there, but I would wash & wax it just because. The dirty picture is as it sits today. Under all that dirt lies pretty much the same car, faithfully waiting to hit the open road once more. I turn 40 in July and hope to celebrate with a nice cruise. If I close my eyes I can feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and hear that exhaust rumble. How sweet it will be.
On one hand I kind of don't feel worthy posting in here because unfortunately by "build" I mean pay my mechanic to do it. But on the other hand who better than you guys to share this with? I wish I had the skills and tools to do it myself, but that is not my bag. I sit hear and drool over the work some of you do, wishing I could do the same, that I had 1/10th the knowledge of engines that some of you do, or the skill to fabricate and create truly gorgeous cars. Give me a computer to fix, no problem. Rockwell tester acting up? I can fix that. I'm pretty decent in the kitchen too. Cars? Eh, not so much. Please don't flame me, I have the love and passion for cars, just not the ability to fix them!!
For those of you who haven't written me off as some poser, here's my story. Way back in 93 or 94 I was 18 or 19 and looking for a new ride to replace my Fiero. I came across an add for a "Chevy, 1987" in the paper. Camaro wasn't mentioned first and foremost as it should have been. I went with my Dad to check it out and there was this beautiful 87 IROC with only 14k miles. This car was loaded, almost every option was purchased. He was asking 10, but my Dad and I got him down to 8,500. Alright, mostly my Dad. Ok fine, it was all my Dad. I remember walking away from the car so mad at him because he wouldn't let me pay 10 for it. I was buying the car, it was my money, not his! He said, don't worry, he'll call. Next day no call. I said Dad, please call him! Nope. Well as usual the old man was right, just please, don't tell him. The guy called the next day and accepted our offer!! Sweet!! Now this might be a little strange to some of you, but in our family we have a history of naming cars. There was Mrs Murphy the station wagon, Daisy the little Omni, Rosy the Le Baron convertible, etc etc. My Dad joked in passing that the Camaro had a little peanut motor (being the L98) and thus Peanut was born.
I drove Peanut everyday. I loved it/him. He was my daily driver, even in winter. Heck, I even took it to Vermont to go skiing more times than I can count. Up to four of us and skis to boot! I have fond memories of doing donuts in empty snow covered parking lots. Or cruising down the Berlin Turnpike on a Friday night with my friends. Or one time before my wife and I were married, on our way home from some date somewhere and she kind of turned in the seat to face me and wrapped her arm around mine, I knew then I was hooked, I'd found the one (just to be clear I'm talking about the girl!!). Lots of great memories in Peanut. I'm not sure my life would be my life without him.
Fast forward to summer of 2000. With about 112K on the car, my tranny let go. We had just gotten married and didn't have a lot of cash. Not being car savvy I wasn't about to attempt to fix it myself, so I brought it to what I thought was a reputable transmission shop. They have been in business since the 1940's, must be doing something right I figured. I had them rebuild my 700R4. Paid somewhere around 1,200 or 1,400. Drove it for a few months, started slipping so I went back. They rebuilt again under warranty, no cost to me. Few months later, same thing. Rebuild. Rebuild again. And again. And yet again. One made it literally 1.5 miles before it let go. They honored the warranty every time, I only paid that first time. I'm sure they took a beating on it financially, but they did the work anyway. Finally, after literally the 8th time, I just broke down and bought a new car. I had a real job now, I was becoming an adult and needed something reliable. Peanut would just have to wait.
Shortly after the world changed in 2001, my wife and I decided to move to southern CA to be closer to her family. 80 degrees in January, sign me up!! Of course, Peanut was family to me so naturally I had him shipped out to CA. A year or so later my wife decided she wanted to move back to CT!! Wait, what??? Who knows, she's a woman, they are all a little crazy if you ask me. But you know what they say, happy wife, happy life, so we moved back. Peanut hit the road again, albeit on the back of a tractor trailer.
When we bought a house in 2004 I was so excited because my Peanut finally had a place to rest out of the elements!! A garage all to himself!! Oh, the things I was going to do, fix him up and get out on the road again. Unfortunately, you all know how that goes. Life happens and nothing happened to poor Peanut beside neglect. And dust, lots of dust. Saw dust, drywall dust, dirt dust, grass dust. You name it, he's got it.
Sure every now and then I would think about getting him road worthy again. Usually when I see a nice third gen on the road, or maybe on that perfect summer day when all I want to do is take the ttops out, go for a cruise and feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and hear the faint rumble from the exhaust. I'd add up all the costs in my head and say, that's a lot, maybe next year. No, not this year, we need a new driveway, but next year for sure. Always next year. There was always something else. Next year rolled into the next, and the next and the next. Before I knew it ten years had gone by. TEN!! All those perfect summer days gone, all my memories another year further into the past, all the new memories never made.
Peanut needs some TLC, no doubt. And I know it will be expensive since I can't do most it myself, which is why it's taken so long. Tranny, complete exhaust including headers, tires & wheels and a good tune up for starters, not to mention interior stuff like headliner, dash pad, shift ****, maybe a stereo, maybe a center console. I could go on but then I see the numbers rolling through my head and that little voice starts saying next year, next year, just wait one more year. Well I got news for you, I'm through listening to that little voice. Time waits for no man, it just keeps marching by. Next year is now, this year. The landscaping can have it's turn waiting for next year. I've waited long enough, wasted too much time already.
I was so excited this morning. I had the day off today, it wasn't bad weather wise so I thought I'd jump start his heart and give him a good cleaning before he goes off to surgery, get all that dust off. I bought a battery this morning and somehow I thought it would just start. I mean I drove it around the block like a couple of weeks or was it months, or maybe years ago, it should be fine, right? Time has a way of messing with you when you aren't staring at the clock and according to the date on the old battery I pulled, my couple of weeks or months or years ago was back in 05. I installed the battery and I was suspect from the start when Peanut didn't whirl with anticipation like he used to, almost as if he was saying, alright another adventure, let's go! Something was amiss, I just knew it. Sure enough, I was right. He tried to turn over but there was no roaring to life. And I do mean roaring, since the exhaust rusted away right before the cat. It sounded phenomenal the last time it ran. As a bonus you came away with this amazing smell of exhaust and raw fuel since I think it was running a bit rich. It was intoxicating, or maybe it was just the carbon monoxide making me lightheaded? Either way, it was awesome and I was disappointed not to smell it again.
With my limited car knowledge, I think the fuel pump is the culprit. I don't hear it priming like I used to when I would turn the key. Whether the pump is not getting juice or it's just shot, I'm not sure. I checked all the fuses including the one by the battery (found that one thanks to searching this board) and took a gamble on the fuel pump relay since sadly that's about all I'm capable of replacing and it was only $13.81 with tax. Still no love. So now he just sits in the garage as he has for over a decade now, patiently waiting for his time to come.
Once my new tires and wheels come in, hopefully by early May, I'll have it towed down to my mechanic and hope that it is just the fuel pump and nothing more. If you've made it this far you deserve a couple of pics. The shiny clean one is from when we lived in CA. It never saw use out there, but I would wash & wax it just because. The dirty picture is as it sits today. Under all that dirt lies pretty much the same car, faithfully waiting to hit the open road once more. I turn 40 in July and hope to celebrate with a nice cruise. If I close my eyes I can feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and hear that exhaust rumble. How sweet it will be.
04-19-2014, 12:24 AM
#2
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Car: 1992 Camaro (Z28 Clone)
Engine: LB9|TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Very interesting story, cant wait to see more that Red is very nice.
Dont beat yourself up to much about not doing the work yourself. Your not the only one.
I personally just can bring myself to letting someone else touch my car. If anyone is going to break something on it than its going to be me lol
The only time I take my car to a shop of some sort is when its something I dont have the tools for. Such as welding an exhaust or mounting some new tires on it.
Anyways besides getting it running again what are you plans for it?
Dont beat yourself up to much about not doing the work yourself. Your not the only one.
I personally just can bring myself to letting someone else touch my car. If anyone is going to break something on it than its going to be me lol
The only time I take my car to a shop of some sort is when its something I dont have the tools for. Such as welding an exhaust or mounting some new tires on it.
Anyways besides getting it running again what are you plans for it?
04-19-2014, 09:21 PM
#3
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
It's funny, you don't want anyone else touching your car. I'm kind of the same way. I've been going to the same mechanic since I was 16. He's the only one that's ever worked on any of my cars besides some oil changes when I live in CA. I just wish he did transmissions, then I probably wouldn't be in this position!! I don't know what I'm going to do when he retires.
I'm not sure yet to be honest. Of course I would like to have more power. There's just so many ways to go about that. I've been reading on here about converting it to a 383 stroker. Sounds like that would be able put me in the ballpark. But since I'm paying someone to do all that work, it will probably be just as much as a crate engine.
I'm getting a level 2 transmission from bowtie overdrive, it's rated for up to 450 hp, so hopefully I won't have to replace that when I get around to the engine. Honestly for now I just want to be able to drive it and enjoy it again like I used to. And while it's certainly not a fast car by today's standards, it will blow the doors off my current daily driver. I'm almost afraid to say it here, a Pr**s!!
I'm not sure yet to be honest. Of course I would like to have more power. There's just so many ways to go about that. I've been reading on here about converting it to a 383 stroker. Sounds like that would be able put me in the ballpark. But since I'm paying someone to do all that work, it will probably be just as much as a crate engine.
I'm getting a level 2 transmission from bowtie overdrive, it's rated for up to 450 hp, so hopefully I won't have to replace that when I get around to the engine. Honestly for now I just want to be able to drive it and enjoy it again like I used to. And while it's certainly not a fast car by today's standards, it will blow the doors off my current daily driver. I'm almost afraid to say it here, a Pr**s!!
04-19-2014, 09:45 PM
#4
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Car: 1992 Camaro (Z28 Clone)
Engine: LB9|TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Stroking it to a 383 is not necessary unless you want to make a crazy amount of power.
I would recommend starting with a full exhaust. How much you want to spend of course dictates how much of a performance increase you will see. The best headers available for our cars are the Dyno Don's they are made by a fellow TGO member and are the only headers you can get in 1-3/4. Those will run you about $600
If thats a little to much for you than Hooker also makes some quality headers and they are much cheaper. I would recommend checking out the 2460.
And of course you have plenty of options when it comes to a new catback. Flowmaster, magnaflow, hooker, borla ETC.
There are also some "free" mods you can do to wake it up a little bit such as the Ram Air
https://www.thirdgen.org/ramair
If you want a big time increase in power look into an intake swap. Their is a good amount of options available. Check out this sub board https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/alte...t-efi-intakes/
Dont be afraid to get dirty and work on your car, for me thats the funnest part. Get your self the basic tools and go crazy. If something breaks we're always here to help you fix it, and of course laugh at you for breaking it.
I would recommend starting with a full exhaust. How much you want to spend of course dictates how much of a performance increase you will see. The best headers available for our cars are the Dyno Don's they are made by a fellow TGO member and are the only headers you can get in 1-3/4. Those will run you about $600
If thats a little to much for you than Hooker also makes some quality headers and they are much cheaper. I would recommend checking out the 2460.
And of course you have plenty of options when it comes to a new catback. Flowmaster, magnaflow, hooker, borla ETC.
There are also some "free" mods you can do to wake it up a little bit such as the Ram Air
https://www.thirdgen.org/ramair
If you want a big time increase in power look into an intake swap. Their is a good amount of options available. Check out this sub board https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/alte...t-efi-intakes/
Dont be afraid to get dirty and work on your car, for me thats the funnest part. Get your self the basic tools and go crazy. If something breaks we're always here to help you fix it, and of course laugh at you for breaking it.
Last edited by Lmancha96; 04-19-2014 at 09:51 PM.
04-22-2014, 05:56 AM
#5
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Thanks for the encouraging words! I might try that air box mod, that seems pretty simple. As far as the rest of it goes, my mechanic is really reluctant to put the headers on, so I stopped by a local speed shop. They can do everything there, install tranny, exhaust, tune up, etc, so I might go that route instead of one shop for each. I'm waiting to hear back on pricing. And here I thought this would be a pretty simple project since I am not doing any of the work! Ha!
04-23-2014, 10:19 PM
#6
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Car: 1990 Iroc-Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
I too can't do a lot of work on my car except for basic maintenance. But I am determined to learn. I have a lot of plans for my car, slowly but surely.
Anyways, I wish you luck and hope to see your completed car in the future!
Anyways, I wish you luck and hope to see your completed car in the future!
04-23-2014, 10:43 PM
#7
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
What's important is that you have the car and it's going to be fixed up and driven. Don't give up, don't look back, just keep going forward!
You've got a good car to start out with and work things out from there. Figure out what your goals for the car are and build it up to those specs. In the end you'll be more happy with the car since it will be inline with the goals you select.
You've got a good car to start out with and work things out from there. Figure out what your goals for the car are and build it up to those specs. In the end you'll be more happy with the car since it will be inline with the goals you select.
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04-24-2014, 01:13 PM
#9
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Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Good story. After reading that, I want you to get that back on the road asap! I'm sure it'll polish up and look like new again. That feeling you describe never goes away.
04-24-2014, 02:54 PM
#10
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Car: 1987 Camaro Z28, 1989 TTA #922
Engine: lb9, 3.8L turbo
Transmission: 700r4, 2004R
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Interesting story! Youll be thrilled when shes up and running again!
04-24-2014, 03:13 PM
#11
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Car: 86 IROC
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700-R-4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 open
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Hey guys,
On one hand I kind of don't feel worthy posting in here because unfortunately by "build" I mean pay my mechanic to do it. But on the other hand who better than you guys to share this with? I wish I had the skills and tools to do it myself, but that is not my bag. I sit hear and drool over the work some of you do, wishing I could do the same, that I had 1/10th the knowledge of engines that some of you do, or the skill to fabricate and create truly gorgeous cars. Give me a computer to fix, no problem. Rockwell tester acting up? I can fix that. I'm pretty decent in the kitchen too. Cars? Eh, not so much. Please don't flame me, I have the love and passion for cars, just not the ability to fix them!!
For those of you who haven't written me off as some poser, here's my story. Way back in 93 or 94 I was 18 or 19 and looking for a new ride to replace my Fiero. I came across an add for a "Chevy, 1987" in the paper. Camaro wasn't mentioned first and foremost as it should have been. I went with my Dad to check it out and there was this beautiful 87 IROC with only 14k miles. This car was loaded, almost every option was purchased. He was asking 10, but my Dad and I got him down to 8,500. Alright, mostly my Dad. Ok fine, it was all my Dad. I remember walking away from the car so mad at him because he wouldn't let me pay 10 for it. I was buying the car, it was my money, not his! He said, don't worry, he'll call. Next day no call. I said Dad, please call him! Nope. Well as usual the old man was right, just please, don't tell him. The guy called the next day and accepted our offer!! Sweet!! Now this might be a little strange to some of you, but in our family we have a history of naming cars. There was Mrs Murphy the station wagon, Daisy the little Omni, Rosy the Le Baron convertible, etc etc. My Dad joked in passing that the Camaro had a little peanut motor (being the L98) and thus Peanut was born.
I drove Peanut everyday. I loved it/him. He was my daily driver, even in winter. Heck, I even took it to Vermont to go skiing more times than I can count. Up to four of us and skis to boot! I have fond memories of doing donuts in empty snow covered parking lots. Or cruising down the Berlin Turnpike on a Friday night with my friends. Or one time before my wife and I were married, on our way home from some date somewhere and she kind of turned in the seat to face me and wrapped her arm around mine, I knew then I was hooked, I'd found the one (just to be clear I'm talking about the girl!!). Lots of great memories in Peanut. I'm not sure my life would be my life without him.
Fast forward to summer of 2000. With about 112K on the car, my tranny let go. We had just gotten married and didn't have a lot of cash. Not being car savvy I wasn't about to attempt to fix it myself, so I brought it to what I thought was a reputable transmission shop. They have been in business since the 1940's, must be doing something right I figured. I had them rebuild my 700R4. Paid somewhere around 1,200 or 1,400. Drove it for a few months, started slipping so I went back. They rebuilt again under warranty, no cost to me. Few months later, same thing. Rebuild. Rebuild again. And again. And yet again. One made it literally 1.5 miles before it let go. They honored the warranty every time, I only paid that first time. I'm sure they took a beating on it financially, but they did the work anyway. Finally, after literally the 8th time, I just broke down and bought a new car. I had a real job now, I was becoming an adult and needed something reliable. Peanut would just have to wait.
Shortly after the world changed in 2001, my wife and I decided to move to southern CA to be closer to her family. 80 degrees in January, sign me up!! Of course, Peanut was family to me so naturally I had him shipped out to CA. A year or so later my wife decided she wanted to move back to CT!! Wait, what??? Who knows, she's a woman, they are all a little crazy if you ask me. But you know what they say, happy wife, happy life, so we moved back. Peanut hit the road again, albeit on the back of a tractor trailer.
When we bought a house in 2004 I was so excited because my Peanut finally had a place to rest out of the elements!! A garage all to himself!! Oh, the things I was going to do, fix him up and get out on the road again. Unfortunately, you all know how that goes. Life happens and nothing happened to poor Peanut beside neglect. And dust, lots of dust. Saw dust, drywall dust, dirt dust, grass dust. You name it, he's got it.
Sure every now and then I would think about getting him road worthy again. Usually when I see a nice third gen on the road, or maybe on that perfect summer day when all I want to do is take the ttops out, go for a cruise and feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and hear the faint rumble from the exhaust. I'd add up all the costs in my head and say, that's a lot, maybe next year. No, not this year, we need a new driveway, but next year for sure. Always next year. There was always something else. Next year rolled into the next, and the next and the next. Before I knew it ten years had gone by. TEN!! All those perfect summer days gone, all my memories another year further into the past, all the new memories never made.
Peanut needs some TLC, no doubt. And I know it will be expensive since I can't do most it myself, which is why it's taken so long. Tranny, complete exhaust including headers, tires & wheels and a good tune up for starters, not to mention interior stuff like headliner, dash pad, shift ****, maybe a stereo, maybe a center console. I could go on but then I see the numbers rolling through my head and that little voice starts saying next year, next year, just wait one more year. Well I got news for you, I'm through listening to that little voice. Time waits for no man, it just keeps marching by. Next year is now, this year. The landscaping can have it's turn waiting for next year. I've waited long enough, wasted too much time already.
I was so excited this morning. I had the day off today, it wasn't bad weather wise so I thought I'd jump start his heart and give him a good cleaning before he goes off to surgery, get all that dust off. I bought a battery this morning and somehow I thought it would just start. I mean I drove it around the block like a couple of weeks or was it months, or maybe years ago, it should be fine, right? Time has a way of messing with you when you aren't staring at the clock and according to the date on the old battery I pulled, my couple of weeks or months or years ago was back in 05. I installed the battery and I was suspect from the start when Peanut didn't whirl with anticipation like he used to, almost as if he was saying, alright another adventure, let's go! Something was amiss, I just knew it. Sure enough, I was right. He tried to turn over but there was no roaring to life. And I do mean roaring, since the exhaust rusted away right before the cat. It sounded phenomenal the last time it ran. As a bonus you came away with this amazing smell of exhaust and raw fuel since I think it was running a bit rich. It was intoxicating, or maybe it was just the carbon monoxide making me lightheaded? Either way, it was awesome and I was disappointed not to smell it again.
With my limited car knowledge, I think the fuel pump is the culprit. I don't hear it priming like I used to when I would turn the key. Whether the pump is not getting juice or it's just shot, I'm not sure. I checked all the fuses including the one by the battery (found that one thanks to searching this board) and took a gamble on the fuel pump relay since sadly that's about all I'm capable of replacing and it was only $13.81 with tax. Still no love. So now he just sits in the garage as he has for over a decade now, patiently waiting for his time to come.
Once my new tires and wheels come in, hopefully by early May, I'll have it towed down to my mechanic and hope that it is just the fuel pump and nothing more. If you've made it this far you deserve a couple of pics. The shiny clean one is from when we lived in CA. It never saw use out there, but I would wash & wax it just because. The dirty picture is as it sits today. Under all that dirt lies pretty much the same car, faithfully waiting to hit the open road once more. I turn 40 in July and hope to celebrate with a nice cruise. If I close my eyes I can feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and hear that exhaust rumble. How sweet it will be.
On one hand I kind of don't feel worthy posting in here because unfortunately by "build" I mean pay my mechanic to do it. But on the other hand who better than you guys to share this with? I wish I had the skills and tools to do it myself, but that is not my bag. I sit hear and drool over the work some of you do, wishing I could do the same, that I had 1/10th the knowledge of engines that some of you do, or the skill to fabricate and create truly gorgeous cars. Give me a computer to fix, no problem. Rockwell tester acting up? I can fix that. I'm pretty decent in the kitchen too. Cars? Eh, not so much. Please don't flame me, I have the love and passion for cars, just not the ability to fix them!!
For those of you who haven't written me off as some poser, here's my story. Way back in 93 or 94 I was 18 or 19 and looking for a new ride to replace my Fiero. I came across an add for a "Chevy, 1987" in the paper. Camaro wasn't mentioned first and foremost as it should have been. I went with my Dad to check it out and there was this beautiful 87 IROC with only 14k miles. This car was loaded, almost every option was purchased. He was asking 10, but my Dad and I got him down to 8,500. Alright, mostly my Dad. Ok fine, it was all my Dad. I remember walking away from the car so mad at him because he wouldn't let me pay 10 for it. I was buying the car, it was my money, not his! He said, don't worry, he'll call. Next day no call. I said Dad, please call him! Nope. Well as usual the old man was right, just please, don't tell him. The guy called the next day and accepted our offer!! Sweet!! Now this might be a little strange to some of you, but in our family we have a history of naming cars. There was Mrs Murphy the station wagon, Daisy the little Omni, Rosy the Le Baron convertible, etc etc. My Dad joked in passing that the Camaro had a little peanut motor (being the L98) and thus Peanut was born.
I drove Peanut everyday. I loved it/him. He was my daily driver, even in winter. Heck, I even took it to Vermont to go skiing more times than I can count. Up to four of us and skis to boot! I have fond memories of doing donuts in empty snow covered parking lots. Or cruising down the Berlin Turnpike on a Friday night with my friends. Or one time before my wife and I were married, on our way home from some date somewhere and she kind of turned in the seat to face me and wrapped her arm around mine, I knew then I was hooked, I'd found the one (just to be clear I'm talking about the girl!!). Lots of great memories in Peanut. I'm not sure my life would be my life without him.
Fast forward to summer of 2000. With about 112K on the car, my tranny let go. We had just gotten married and didn't have a lot of cash. Not being car savvy I wasn't about to attempt to fix it myself, so I brought it to what I thought was a reputable transmission shop. They have been in business since the 1940's, must be doing something right I figured. I had them rebuild my 700R4. Paid somewhere around 1,200 or 1,400. Drove it for a few months, started slipping so I went back. They rebuilt again under warranty, no cost to me. Few months later, same thing. Rebuild. Rebuild again. And again. And yet again. One made it literally 1.5 miles before it let go. They honored the warranty every time, I only paid that first time. I'm sure they took a beating on it financially, but they did the work anyway. Finally, after literally the 8th time, I just broke down and bought a new car. I had a real job now, I was becoming an adult and needed something reliable. Peanut would just have to wait.
Shortly after the world changed in 2001, my wife and I decided to move to southern CA to be closer to her family. 80 degrees in January, sign me up!! Of course, Peanut was family to me so naturally I had him shipped out to CA. A year or so later my wife decided she wanted to move back to CT!! Wait, what??? Who knows, she's a woman, they are all a little crazy if you ask me. But you know what they say, happy wife, happy life, so we moved back. Peanut hit the road again, albeit on the back of a tractor trailer.
When we bought a house in 2004 I was so excited because my Peanut finally had a place to rest out of the elements!! A garage all to himself!! Oh, the things I was going to do, fix him up and get out on the road again. Unfortunately, you all know how that goes. Life happens and nothing happened to poor Peanut beside neglect. And dust, lots of dust. Saw dust, drywall dust, dirt dust, grass dust. You name it, he's got it.
Sure every now and then I would think about getting him road worthy again. Usually when I see a nice third gen on the road, or maybe on that perfect summer day when all I want to do is take the ttops out, go for a cruise and feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and hear the faint rumble from the exhaust. I'd add up all the costs in my head and say, that's a lot, maybe next year. No, not this year, we need a new driveway, but next year for sure. Always next year. There was always something else. Next year rolled into the next, and the next and the next. Before I knew it ten years had gone by. TEN!! All those perfect summer days gone, all my memories another year further into the past, all the new memories never made.
Peanut needs some TLC, no doubt. And I know it will be expensive since I can't do most it myself, which is why it's taken so long. Tranny, complete exhaust including headers, tires & wheels and a good tune up for starters, not to mention interior stuff like headliner, dash pad, shift ****, maybe a stereo, maybe a center console. I could go on but then I see the numbers rolling through my head and that little voice starts saying next year, next year, just wait one more year. Well I got news for you, I'm through listening to that little voice. Time waits for no man, it just keeps marching by. Next year is now, this year. The landscaping can have it's turn waiting for next year. I've waited long enough, wasted too much time already.
I was so excited this morning. I had the day off today, it wasn't bad weather wise so I thought I'd jump start his heart and give him a good cleaning before he goes off to surgery, get all that dust off. I bought a battery this morning and somehow I thought it would just start. I mean I drove it around the block like a couple of weeks or was it months, or maybe years ago, it should be fine, right? Time has a way of messing with you when you aren't staring at the clock and according to the date on the old battery I pulled, my couple of weeks or months or years ago was back in 05. I installed the battery and I was suspect from the start when Peanut didn't whirl with anticipation like he used to, almost as if he was saying, alright another adventure, let's go! Something was amiss, I just knew it. Sure enough, I was right. He tried to turn over but there was no roaring to life. And I do mean roaring, since the exhaust rusted away right before the cat. It sounded phenomenal the last time it ran. As a bonus you came away with this amazing smell of exhaust and raw fuel since I think it was running a bit rich. It was intoxicating, or maybe it was just the carbon monoxide making me lightheaded? Either way, it was awesome and I was disappointed not to smell it again.
With my limited car knowledge, I think the fuel pump is the culprit. I don't hear it priming like I used to when I would turn the key. Whether the pump is not getting juice or it's just shot, I'm not sure. I checked all the fuses including the one by the battery (found that one thanks to searching this board) and took a gamble on the fuel pump relay since sadly that's about all I'm capable of replacing and it was only $13.81 with tax. Still no love. So now he just sits in the garage as he has for over a decade now, patiently waiting for his time to come.
Once my new tires and wheels come in, hopefully by early May, I'll have it towed down to my mechanic and hope that it is just the fuel pump and nothing more. If you've made it this far you deserve a couple of pics. The shiny clean one is from when we lived in CA. It never saw use out there, but I would wash & wax it just because. The dirty picture is as it sits today. Under all that dirt lies pretty much the same car, faithfully waiting to hit the open road once more. I turn 40 in July and hope to celebrate with a nice cruise. If I close my eyes I can feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and hear that exhaust rumble. How sweet it will be.
05-14-2014, 07:24 PM
#12
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Thanks for all the positive feedback guys. I might have a big update this weekend, potentially huge in fact, but for now all I can say is I just ordered my wheels! Fingers crossed for exciting news come Friday!!
05-29-2014, 06:25 AM
#13
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
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Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Hello again everyone. Today's update is both good and I don't want to say bad, so lets just say "oh well". First, the "oh well" part. As I mentioned, I can't really do much of anything to the car myself but I am able to do other things that some might not able to. I was really hoping to barter my computer skills into a labor discount at the place that is doing my work, but the gentleman there is hesitant. It's 2014 and he doesn't have a website, something that I could rectify. How a business doesn't see a website as an absolute necessity these days is beyond me. There's still a slight chance something might happen there, so all hope is not lost.
On to the good news. Actually great news. My wheels and tires came in! Just for giggles I put them in front of my DD. You know you have an awesome set of wheels when they look good on a Prius! I also put down a deposit on the work to be done, so now I am just waiting on the transmission to be built. Once that is done I'll have it towed to the shop and, fingers crossed, I'll be driving by July!!
On to the good news. Actually great news. My wheels and tires came in! Just for giggles I put them in front of my DD. You know you have an awesome set of wheels when they look good on a Prius! I also put down a deposit on the work to be done, so now I am just waiting on the transmission to be built. Once that is done I'll have it towed to the shop and, fingers crossed, I'll be driving by July!!
06-22-2014, 06:33 PM
#14
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Another update for anyone still watching this "build". I had AAA come tow Peanut out of the garage so I could clean him up. I tried pushing it out, but unfortunately one of the tires is totally flat and won't hold air. No way I could push with a flat. Anyway, spent about an hour washing up the outside and another 5 on the inside. It's amazing how dirty it got inside from just sitting. There was a strong mildew/mold odor which is strange since it was in a garage. Anyway, wiped everything down with vinegar, then two different cleaners, then sprayed with febreeze for cars. Hopefully tomorrow it doesn't smell (as bad!).
I think a big part of the smell was from the headliner as the ttops leak a bit. The fabric had separated in a few places and it just didn't look good. So, with the help of this forum, I took it out! Not only did I take it out, but I didn't break anything in the process and even more amazing than that is there were no f bombs dropped! I'm not sure when I'll replace it, all available budget is for mechanical at this point, so I just put everything back where it was, minus headliner and sail panels.
The only bit of interior cleaning I didn't get to do was shampoo the carpet. I really want to take the seats out to do that properly, but I just ran out of time today. I vacuumed it up, came out pretty good.
Why did I spend a beautiful day cleaning a car that doesn't run you ask? Well it's because my transmission is finally done! It's going in tomorrow or Tuesday for install and fingers crossed they don't find anything else too major. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I suspect there is now an issue with the rear end as when it was towed out of the garage there was basically an oil slick where the rear end was. Maybe it's just a seal??
Anyway, we are in it for the long haul now, whatever it needs it needs. Here's a pic of Peanut all cleaned up. As far as I can tell, it only picked up two noticeable scratches in over ten years in the garage. Not too bad considering that it is a small one car garage and no car cover!
Hope you all had an awesome weekend!
I think a big part of the smell was from the headliner as the ttops leak a bit. The fabric had separated in a few places and it just didn't look good. So, with the help of this forum, I took it out! Not only did I take it out, but I didn't break anything in the process and even more amazing than that is there were no f bombs dropped! I'm not sure when I'll replace it, all available budget is for mechanical at this point, so I just put everything back where it was, minus headliner and sail panels.
The only bit of interior cleaning I didn't get to do was shampoo the carpet. I really want to take the seats out to do that properly, but I just ran out of time today. I vacuumed it up, came out pretty good.
Why did I spend a beautiful day cleaning a car that doesn't run you ask? Well it's because my transmission is finally done! It's going in tomorrow or Tuesday for install and fingers crossed they don't find anything else too major. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I suspect there is now an issue with the rear end as when it was towed out of the garage there was basically an oil slick where the rear end was. Maybe it's just a seal??
Anyway, we are in it for the long haul now, whatever it needs it needs. Here's a pic of Peanut all cleaned up. As far as I can tell, it only picked up two noticeable scratches in over ten years in the garage. Not too bad considering that it is a small one car garage and no car cover!
Hope you all had an awesome weekend!
06-22-2014, 08:39 PM
#15
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Car: 86 IROC
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700-R-4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 open
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
excellent!!!!! glad to see that im not the only one foolish enough to love a car so thouroughly
07-03-2014, 09:40 PM
#16
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Big news guys! Peanut was taken to the shop Tuesday night! If all goes well, I'll be driving by the end of next week! I can't wait!
08-05-2014, 09:35 PM
#18
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
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Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
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Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Hey everyone! It's been a while since my last update and guess what I did Friday night??? Anyone? Anyone??? That's right, Peanut and I spent some quality time together cruising around town! It was kinda crappy here Friday weatherwise, so when I picked it up around 5 I didn't venture too far from home in case the rains came. I took the t-tops out at the shop and since the shocks in the back are shot, putting them back in is a two man job. I cruised all around with one eye towards the sky. Eventually I ended up on the highway and I have to say, it felt awesome. Suspension got a little iffy at about 100 (just couldn't help myself!!), but other than that, just awesome. Got lots of thumbs up and looks too. I don't have any pics to post yet, need to wash Peanut first. A month at the shop and boy is it dirty again! Here's a breakdown of what was done:
Rebuilt 700R4. In light of my past issues, it is a new to me core.
B&M Transmission cooler
B&M Tork Master Torque converter
New Aeromotive fuel pump
New gas tank (Turns out 15 year old gas is a bad thing for a tank!)
New sending unit
Some rear end work, changing fluid, painting cover
Bunch of misc clamps, fittings, etc.
And after all that, it's back in the shop again. Round two includes:
All new belts
New hoses
Plugs, wires, distributor, and rotor
Flush all coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid
And finally (I hope!) replace the temp sending unit so my temp gauge works
So all told I drove the car for about two glorious hours before I parked it in the garage again. The new converter has a much high stall speed and man does it pack a punch when you get on it. With a new "freer flowing" (wink wink) exhaust it sounds great. My old Dynomax cat back from ages ago is still in great shape so I ended up keeping that. The fuel pump, tank, sending unit and all the labor to do that took away from the possibility of more upgrades this year, but hey, I can drive it. Almost. It will be ready Thursday and after that Peanut is home for good!! Saturday is going to be gorgeous and I am going out for a looooonnnggg and much anticipated cruise.
I'll post some pics as soon as I shine it up!!
Rebuilt 700R4. In light of my past issues, it is a new to me core.
B&M Transmission cooler
B&M Tork Master Torque converter
New Aeromotive fuel pump
New gas tank (Turns out 15 year old gas is a bad thing for a tank!)
New sending unit
Some rear end work, changing fluid, painting cover
Bunch of misc clamps, fittings, etc.
And after all that, it's back in the shop again. Round two includes:
All new belts
New hoses
Plugs, wires, distributor, and rotor
Flush all coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid
And finally (I hope!) replace the temp sending unit so my temp gauge works
So all told I drove the car for about two glorious hours before I parked it in the garage again. The new converter has a much high stall speed and man does it pack a punch when you get on it. With a new "freer flowing" (wink wink) exhaust it sounds great. My old Dynomax cat back from ages ago is still in great shape so I ended up keeping that. The fuel pump, tank, sending unit and all the labor to do that took away from the possibility of more upgrades this year, but hey, I can drive it. Almost. It will be ready Thursday and after that Peanut is home for good!! Saturday is going to be gorgeous and I am going out for a looooonnnggg and much anticipated cruise.
I'll post some pics as soon as I shine it up!!
08-29-2014, 07:54 PM
#19
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Car: 1987 IROC Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Ok guys, as promised a couple of pics and I guess this thread is pretty much wrapped up for now. I hit a few more speed bumps along the way, but nothing major. I can't even tell you how awesome it feels to drive the car again. It's a solid 20/20 car for now, and honestly that's enough for me to enjoy it.
08-29-2014, 10:27 PM
#20
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Car: 1992 Camaro (Z28 Clone)
Engine: LB9|TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Looks great dude, glad you finally got it going.
I love that color.
I love that color.
08-31-2014, 11:26 PM
#22
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Car: '87 IROC-Z | '99 SS
Engine: LB9 | LS1
Transmission: 700R4 | T56
Re: 87 IROC "build" thread
Awesome story! I too am a CT native that has long since moved to a warmer climate. My car is almost the same as your's, except for the 350. I've always wanted one of these since my father had an '86 Firebird that was sold when I was about 14-15.
Anywho, after so many years, I gave up on the dream of owning an IROC-Z of my own, up until about (2) years ago. During the course of work, I came across an "abandoned" '86 IROC-Z.... Coupled with the fact that we had moved, and I had an area to keep a "project" car, the embers that lay deep in my heart for an IROC of my own were re-ignited. A few searches on CL, and I found the car (brother/sister) to yours that I have now.
Never let go of your dream. Don't be afraid to try to work on your car. It's the only way to learn, and it is super satisfying. Keep up posted with future updates!
Anywho, after so many years, I gave up on the dream of owning an IROC-Z of my own, up until about (2) years ago. During the course of work, I came across an "abandoned" '86 IROC-Z.... Coupled with the fact that we had moved, and I had an area to keep a "project" car, the embers that lay deep in my heart for an IROC of my own were re-ignited. A few searches on CL, and I found the car (brother/sister) to yours that I have now.
Never let go of your dream. Don't be afraid to try to work on your car. It's the only way to learn, and it is super satisfying. Keep up posted with future updates!
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