August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Thread Starter
COTM Editor (Retired)
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 83
From: Washington
Car: 89 Formula 350, TTA
August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Congratulations, GASPEDDLER! Your hard work has paid off - not just for the recognition given by all of us by selecting your car as our August, 2019 Car of the Month, but for the stunning presentation of this killer car. Not to mention the fun that it must be to drive. This is a very nicely done LS swap and total performance package. Beautiful car too.
My 85 IROC started out as an average auto LB9 305 IROC but was swapped a couple of years back and is now powered by a fuel injected LS1, 5.7 Liter engine from a 2002 Camaro Z28. The engine was completely disassembled, block, heads and crank were sent to the machine shop where the head faces were milled and the crank was polished. The engine was then rebuilt with an LG G5X3 cam kit, springs, rods and comp trunions. I had had the cooling system upgraded to 3 core Champion aluminum radiator with a shrouded 3000 cfm duel electric fan setup from Flex a Lite. I also added a Holley accessory relocation bracket kit in order to move the AC compressor, power steering pump and alternator up and away from steering components. The matching 4L60E (Automatic OD) transmission also from the 2002 Camaro was rebuilt/upgraded with: heavy duty 2-3 valve, 4L65E OH Kit, high energy clutch kit, Kolene steel 3-4 clutch (8) pack, wide drum and band, heavy duty sun shell, corvette servo, shift kit, pump kit, high RPM spring kit, higher capacity truck oil pan, fitted with a FTI (SRLS0086) 3200 stall torque converter and painted with hi temp VHT aluminum paint. Rear differential was also rebuilt with a Yukon DuraGrip diff, Dana(SVL) 3.42 gears as was stock and a Trickflow diff cover with diff bearing cap for support was also installed. The aluminum driveshaft from the donor 4th gen Camaro was also sourced and installed. Exhaust is provided by Racing Innovation stainless long tube headers 1 ¾”to 3” collector to 3” magnaflow exhaust and a 4” cold air intake is routed to outside air through the wheel well and a IAT of 2-5 degrees above ambient outside temp. Engine tuning by James Short of Shortuning in Stanford Kentucky in early 2018 and the LS1 makes 400+ hp. The car was also fitted with the plastic fuel tank from the 4th gen donor Camaro, a new fuel sender, a Racetronix fuel pump, all fuel lines were replaced with braided stainless flex fuel lines with AN fittings and fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail. A correction to sending unit board was done to assure accurate fuel level reading on the stock 1985 dash fuel gauge. A Dakota digital converter was installed to allow the original speedo in cluster to provide accurate MPH reading. Stock suspension was upgraded with tubular suspension components, tubular a arms, adjustable panhard bar, adjustable lower control arms, trans x member, sub-frame connectors (welded in), torque arm, custom strut mounts, strut tower brace and tubular engine cradle/K member all by PA racing of Seymour, Indiana . Coil-over setup on the front also by PA Racing, Moog springs on rear and KYB shock/struts all around. New rotors, calipers, brakes, brake lines, custom caster plates, etc and a Matt Walter’s Astro steering shaft upgrade were also installed. The car’s exterior was completely torn down and rebuilt, body work was completed, the exterior was painted, decals/badging applied and the undercarriage which had zero rust was coated with POR 15. The car was originally black with gold accents but was changed to a black/silver color scheme. Front marker lights were replaced with reproductions from Hawks as were the fog lights. The rear taillights were scuffed with 1000 grit, the gridlines were hand painted black, sprayed with clear and buffed to a high gloss. Stock IROC Z wheels were bead blasted and repainted to correct factory finish and a set of BFG Comp II tires were installed. The inside of this IROC-Z28 is stock in appearance for the most part and features a Lear Siegler interior. The headliner was replaced along with visors and sail panels. Audio is provided by a Kenwood Bluetooth head unit with Kenwood component speakers powered by a JL Audio amplifier and 2-10” ultimax subs in a custom sealed enclosure powered by a second JL Audio amplifier. Custom amp mounts and all wiring were hidden. The IROC had a modern GM electronic cruise control system installed and the A/C system was converted to R-134.
My car’s stock appearance provides me with the experience of revisiting my youth which I spent driving these cars back in the 1980’s and the LS1 swap along with the addition of the other more advanced performance products makes this car my ideal cruiser.
My car’s stock appearance provides me with the experience of revisiting my youth which I spent driving these cars back in the 1980’s and the LS1 swap along with the addition of the other more advanced performance products makes this car my ideal cruiser.
Thread Starter
COTM Editor (Retired)
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 83
From: Washington
Car: 89 Formula 350, TTA
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Shout out to bull-vette. Great presentation of your car too. Inside and out - backwards and forward, no joke, yours is among the nicest and cleanest 3rd Gens I've seen.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 1,267
From: In the paint booth!
Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 4.86 Currie 9 inch
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Congrats on the win!!! What an awesome car, man!!! 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,494
Likes: 411
From: Sophia, NC
Car: 2016 Camaro SS + 1986 Z28
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Congrats....you can put it next to you OTHER COTM victory trophy!!!! Your Blue 'Roc won too, right? I know I voted for your Blue Iroc when it ran for COTM. This time though I had to stick with my love of blue. -and add to that the 88-90, with Beechwood Interior!!!! OMG, that's my Unicorn. I'd sell my kid to pay for one if it came for sale! Had to vote for Bull-vette this time. Awesome car!
....but I'm quietly waiting to see Gixxer's car completed. Might as well give him a COTM victory right now. Don't see THAT car losing when it's finished.
....but I'm quietly waiting to see Gixxer's car completed. Might as well give him a COTM victory right now. Don't see THAT car losing when it's finished.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 51
From: South Texas
Car: '89 Iroc Z28-15,100 Original Miles
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip, 2.77 Ratio
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Thank you all, it's a great honor to be chosen as this month's COTM. I have nothing but admiration for those nominated this month, all stellar examples of the best the Third Gen community has to offer!!
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Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 51
From: South Texas
Car: '89 Iroc Z28-15,100 Original Miles
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip, 2.77 Ratio
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 51
From: South Texas
Car: '89 Iroc Z28-15,100 Original Miles
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip, 2.77 Ratio
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,214
Likes: 1,140
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Wow, nice job. congrats !!!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 21
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
I just saw this thread....
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words! It was fun being nominated.
Thank you! How much is your kid worth? lol...just kidding. If they are anything like my kids they tend to be more of a liability than an asset! 
I wish I knew how many blue Iroc's there are with the beechwood interior. Interesting that GASPEDDLER knows of another. Any way to find out? Any thoughts on that?
GASPEDDLER, great car! I don't mind losing to it. I still say those pretty girls were worth a couple of votes.... lol.
Congrats....you can put it next to you OTHER COTM victory trophy!!!! Your Blue 'Roc won too, right? I know I voted for your Blue Iroc when it ran for COTM. This time though I had to stick with my love of blue. -and add to that the 88-90, with Beechwood Interior!!!! OMG, that's my Unicorn. I'd sell my kid to pay for one if it came for sale! Had to vote for Bull-vette this time. Awesome car!
I wish I knew how many blue Iroc's there are with the beechwood interior. Interesting that GASPEDDLER knows of another. Any way to find out? Any thoughts on that?
GASPEDDLER, great car! I don't mind losing to it. I still say those pretty girls were worth a couple of votes.... lol.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 193
From: New England
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Congrats Arnold! I love that black IROC and would have loved to find one just like it. You have two great IROCs and each is perfect for what they are..
bull-vette You’re car will be a COTM winner and deserves another shot for sure.. It’s one of the nicest on the site and a beautiful color combo... This was a tough month..
If gixxer’s car was done it would have been a really tough month... All three are winners..
bull-vette You’re car will be a COTM winner and deserves another shot for sure.. It’s one of the nicest on the site and a beautiful color combo... This was a tough month..
If gixxer’s car was done it would have been a really tough month... All three are winners..
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 21
Re: August 2019 COTM **Winner**
Congrats Arnold! I love that black IROC and would have loved to find one just like it. You have two great IROCs and each is perfect for what they are..
bull-vette You’re car will be a COTM winner and deserves another shot for sure.. It’s one of the nicest on the site and a beautiful color combo... This was a tough month..
If gixxer’s car was done it would have been a really tough month... All three are winners..
bull-vette You’re car will be a COTM winner and deserves another shot for sure.. It’s one of the nicest on the site and a beautiful color combo... This was a tough month..
If gixxer’s car was done it would have been a really tough month... All three are winners..
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