So, I'm going on Tuesday to check out a 88 IROC-Z. Car has t-tops, it is black, and by the pics it looks CLEAN!!! This would be my first Camaro. What should I look out for when checking these cars? Any particular problem areas? (frame, t-top chanels, window frames.....). The car has no motor or trans. at the moment, but my buddy has a 305 from a caprice with a 700r4 mounted still in the car waiting for me. (At a cool $100 for both). The car is originally manual, but to save $ for now, I might go autotragic for a bit until I can afford a WCT5 and get it rebuilt, and I hope to have a 350 ready to go at the same time. I threw a few pics on here to see what you guys think, I noticed some "rust runs" in the fifth pic, is that a common area to see rust? I'm hoping the car is as clean as he says, cause at $1800 bucs, it'll be a fun project.

 

 

well I would start with the basics, floors, quarter panels, rocker panels, wheel wells seem to be common. under the ground effects...... But from the pictures it seems pretty clean but with these car you can never be to sure. Best of luck Hope its all good and clean. Definitely looks savable

 

thanks! I just got an email from the guy and he said ALL the electrical, plumbing and hydraulics are still there... ONLY the motor and trans are missing.....

 

is that why the front end seems unusally high?

 

Ya, no weight up there

 

It does actually look really clean and in the 5th pic I don't see the rust you're talking about unless it's the streak running down the body? But my car has streaks like that in the exact same place and it was actually bondo coming loose, when I took it to a body shop he said that the rear quarter must've been replaced because there would be no reason for filler to be there since it's not a common place for rust and not likely to get dents. If it was done right though it's not a huge deal though the only thing is that any rust coating that was on there was more than likely burned off when it was welded back on so it can be more prone to rust.

Other than that I think $1800 is way to much for a roller. On my local craigslist I have never seen anyone asking more than $800 for a roller. I would check out what rollers are going for around you and use that as a negotiating point, without being able to drive the car you aren't gonna be able to tell if anything else is wrong.

Also how complete is the interior? If everything is pretty complete other than the motor and trans you would probably be better off getting a WTC T5 right away since all of the stuff you would have to get to convert to an auto only to take it out again later I'm sure you could get a T5 pretty reasonable (less than $200). Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

^^thanks for the input. I have been looking around, and there are a few other rollers around, but in A LOT worse shape. All the running camaros in my price range are in worse shape than this one, so I am looking to go for a clean car as opposed to a running car.

Oh and I have been told the car is 100% there minus the engine, trans, clutch and slave.
Clutch Hydraulics are supposed to be there. and I found a wc-t5 from a fox body stang today... friend of a friend..... $100. He has never used the tranny, so he recommends a rebuild.

 

If you have a t5 from a mustang the bell housing is not going to line up at all. You are going to need a chevy bellhousing you can redrill to mount it. Then, the front bearing retainer on the ford trans will have to be machined down slightly to fit in the pilot hole in the bellhousing. The Ford pilot shaft is 3/4 of an inch longer, so a 3/4 inch spacer will have to be used between the trans and bellhousing or between the bellhousing and block. You will also need custom pilot bushings. Not the way to go at all. Slow down, find a car that is right for you. It is easy to get into a hurry and bite off more than you can chew.

 

damn, I didnt know all that, but thanks... I'll stick to seeing the car first. thanks guys.

 

I agree that this is not an $1800 car, but I do not know prices in your area. I would show up with $1000 and see if he bites.

 

well, i JUST found this..... what do you all think?
http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ215602465
Better deal?

 

That looks really clean too. I'm wondering why it says ideal project. But if it runs and drives yes it's definitely a better deal.

 

Watch out for Steering Wheel Jiggle. Did it originally have a V8? If it didn't, that 305 WON'T drop right in and work the way you want.

 

What do you mean by "steering wheel jiggle"? The wheel could feel loose? And yes, it Is an original 350 car, so I'm not worried about the 305

 

Both cars look good, but I agree with everyone that $18,000,oo for just the body is way too much. The white one looks good, and if it's running that's definately a better deal.

Like it's been said to you already, take your time. look around, see what else is out there. There's always a good deal on a Camaro, they are great cars, they handle well, they're easy to work on, ( for the most part, depending upon whaty engine you have in it and how much room you have to work under the hood ), and you may just come across a sweet deal for short money on a car that doesn't need a whole lot of work to get it up and running nice and looking good.

Best wishes on your endeavor whatever you decide to do.

Camaro-454

 

What i meant by "Jiggle" is a loose floppy steering wheel. That's what i got. Mine was so bad that it also destroyed the berings. i just replaced it with a column from a 1984 Camaro.

 

One common problem with t-tops is watch out for the leaky ones! Water will drip in and probably start forming mold and leave your car smelling wierd. I know my t-tops dont leak but my trunk does so the carpet in the well at the bottom was all moldy and wet so I sliced it out and found some cheap stick on weather stripping to seal the leaks. Also the doors on these camaros like to sag so if your gonna spend 1,800 on a car with no engine make sure there are no leaks, sagging, good paint, clean interior. Well just to shorten it up the car should be pretty close to being imaculate if it doesnt have an engine. I have seen some without engines where they have good interiors and all they need is paint to look good and those only go for about 800 or less.