Hello all,

Well, I'm going to need lots of your help. As you can tell from the username and sig, I'm a dyed in the wool Ford guy. However, the wife has decided she wants the car her daddy wouldn't let her have, a third-gen IROC, so here I am. (She's spoiled, gets what she asks for)

I can peruse a Ford site and instantly know what's going on, the abbreviations and acronyms make sense, and I know what most of them are or do. Over here, I'm lost, it's a different world for sure. So, I humbly ask your assistance with this project, and thank you all in advance.

Here's basically what she wants: Bright Blue Third-Gen IROC, T-tops not important, Auto, (very important), about 350-400HP (crank) when it's done, power everything.

Questions:

What years are desirable for the IROC?
What were the major changes year to year, a website reference would be greatly appreciated, and I'll do the research.
Engine choices? I seem to remember the 350 being available
Transmission issues?
Reliable sources for parts.
Problem areas to be aware of when looking to purchase the car.
Anything else you can think of that might help.

That's all for now, I'm sure I'll have other questions along the way. Thanks again.

Joe X

 

IROCs were made from '85 - 90. Avoid an '86, they had the third brake light mounted on the outside of the rear hatch, and nobody likes that. Or, do a hatch swap, but it would be easier to avoid that in the first place. As far as I know, there were few changes from year to year. www.iroczone.com is a good resource.

There were options for 305s and 350s in the IROCs. If you're going for 400 HP, you'll want a TPI car, preferrably a TPI 350. The 305 has potential, but the 350 would probably be easier to get up to 400hp.

You'll be getting a 700R4 tranny if you want auto. It will have to be rebuilt to hold up to the 400 ponies.

Parts: yearone.com, hawksthirdgenparts.com, classicindustries.com, summitracing.com, fbodymotorsports.com

As you probably know, you'll want a car in as close to perfect shape as possible. If you don't, you'll start replacing things that need to be replaced, then, by the time you're done, you'll have replaced everything.

 

Not called a Iroc but you should look into a 91 or 92 z28 with a 350. They were auto and most non t-tops I personally dont like t-tops anyway but they were the best looking yrs of the thirdgen.

 

you dont need a 350 TPI to get 400 HP. if your willing to do a little motor work and swap in a carbed 350 or 400 i think youd find it easier to work on (if you're carb smart) and maybe get more than 400 horses out of it. 85-87 IROC's had a carbureted engine option but they were 305's and if you want 400 ponies a 305 isnt the way to go.

but if you dont want to get into that all that mess with swapping an engine and stuff then yeah, a 350 TPI is the way to go, they are torquey engines

 

ford's at least the wife is smart...j/k welcome to the club

 

 

i think it's cool that a ford guy is "humble" to us third geners. it takes guts to walk into the enemy camp

btw: i like the 91-92 the best

 

Bah! that's crazy talk, you're crazy!
Avoid the '85, they have a goofy ECM that was available only for that year and isn't compatable with the other years. Much better reason to avoid a year than "boo, hoo I can't put on tacky louvers cause the CMSL is on top of the hatch"

 

musclecargarage.com has some stuff on them too. Oh, and try to get one closer to 90 than 85.. The transmissions were changed a little bit, and the newer ones are better. Less stuff needs to be done to them during a rebuild.

 

Thank to all, that's exactly the information I'm trying to gather. Eagle_Eyes, thanks for the support. But I must admit, the third gens are my favorites.

OK now to get another hotly debated subject going, (I promise not to start an oil thread)...what's the best magazine for tech articles, build ups, etc., specifically catering towards the third gens? Something akin to Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords?

Thanks again for all the help. I'm sure I'll need more of it as this project progresses. I'll keep you all posted as to what's going on.

Joe X

 

Chevy High Performance (CHP)

 

I would say a mag catering to thirdgens there really isnt one like they have for mustangs so just browse this forum you'll find more then any mag can offer.

 

if your going with injection get gm high performance mag.

 

yeah i remember reading something about the 700r and mid way through 86 i believe the transmissions changed a little bit and are suppose a decent amount better than the previous 7004s.

 

You'll find MUCH better info on this site (if you poke around for a while) than any car rag out there.