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88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
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Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

I finally found a convertible worth putting my time and money into. Had to drive form Wisconsin to Kentucky to get it but at list it’s not the normal rust bucket I was finding up hear. It a 305 TBI with the 700r4 it runes and drives a little oil smoke when you first start it up and the traney is a little hesitant but for now the drive train will have to do. Thanks for looking and any replies

Last edited by dave mc; Dec 13, 2012 at 07:02 PM.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 09:56 AM
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From: milwaukee
Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

some more pics

Last edited by dave mc; Dec 13, 2012 at 07:02 PM.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 07:26 PM
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From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Looks nice....Congrats and good luck!!!!
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Old Apr 20, 2008 | 04:23 PM
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From: Sedalia, MO
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: TH-700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi 4th gen 10-bolt
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Looks good...just FYI I have the backseat interior panels for a very from a car that had grey leather, so they are covered in vinyl so match. PM if interested.
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Old Apr 20, 2008 | 04:38 PM
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From: Alamogordo, NM
Car: 88 Formula 350
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.89
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Very nice, I would love a Camaro Convertible and swap in a 350 TPI. How much did you pick her up for? I would find a set of stock rims though, as those are kinda killing the vibe.
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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 09:11 AM
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Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Originally Posted by IROCZ28KevinZ
Looks good...just FYI I have the backseat interior panels for a very from a car that had grey leather, so they are covered in vinyl so match. PM if interested.
The interior is in good condition but was thinking of putting in some gray leather 4th gen seats.
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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 09:18 AM
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Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Originally Posted by Bullydawg
Very nice, I would love a Camaro Convertible and swap in a 350 TPI. How much did you pick her up for? I would find a set of stock rims though, as those are kinda killing the vibe.
I found it on crags list he was asking 1500 I got I for 1300 paypaled him half and paid the rest when I picked it up. It cost me about 400 in gas and for a motel room to go get it. I have a set of 15” iroc wheels that I’m polishing up for it. Thanks Dave
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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 10:23 AM
  #8  
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From: Pensacola, Florida
Car: 88 IROC Z Vert CZA3
Engine: LB9 5.0 tpi
Transmission: MM5 5 spd
Axle/Gears: G92 Performance
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Those are good looking original leather seats. I just spent $500 having a custom match done for the driver's seat. Congratulations!
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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 11:57 AM
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Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Originally Posted by gatorcola
Those are good looking original leather seats. I just spent $500 having a custom match done for the driver's seat. Congratulations!

Hay thanks. I like to keep things as stock as possible but the leather is very dry and stiff on this and starting to crack. I was going to use some leather conditioner and see if it helps. It’s going to be my summertime weekend driver. I was thinking of taking out the stock seats and storing them so they don’t get trashed.
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Old Apr 21, 2008 | 12:02 PM
  #10  
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From: lynnwood,Washington
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

very nice project man
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Old Jun 15, 2008 | 08:20 AM
  #11  
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From: milwaukee
Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

It looks like the car has to go my pickup was hit in the side by some one on a cell phon runing a red light. I cant do with out a pickup so looking for a trade or cash?
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Old Jun 15, 2008 | 12:08 PM
  #12  
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From: Killam, AB
Car: 1989 IrocZ Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5 - 5 Speed Standard
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Man, that sucks about your truck! Well she's still a nice project for someone. You shouldn't have to hard a time parting with it. While not an Iroc/Z28 and not the top engine/tranny pkg (and 2.73 rear end) it still has some nice options (limited slip, etc). Of coarse if a person was more interested in a restomod than a resto, it wouldn't matter.

On a smalll side note, she also had the chrome power antenna at one time.
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 12:57 PM
  #13  
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From: Sacramento, CA
Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 Speed
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Welcome to the club. Hang on to every part you can find as some of them are getting very hard to find. Don't assume anything is easily replaceable.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 05:57 PM
  #14  
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Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

To work on the leather try SOFFENER - comes in a quart can works pretty good, been around a ling time - also try leather magic's reconditioner, can find it on their website or Ebay
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 10:19 PM
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Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

If you sell it, I can guarantee you'll make money on it. 1,300 was a steal!
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 08:58 AM
  #16  
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From: milwaukee
Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

The vert is safe for now. I found a truck and making payments for the next 3 years. I found some 15" iroc wheel3 and put them on the car. I was looking fore some 16" and found this set of 15" for 80 bucks. I have a couple of sets of nice 15" tires. So I figered I can save some noney for my payments.

Last edited by dave mc; Dec 13, 2012 at 07:03 PM.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 10:11 AM
  #17  
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From: Morganton, NC
Car: '92 T/A WS6 Vert/1956 Chevy Nomad
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 w/ Transgo Kit
Axle/Gears: 3.42 LSD
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Looks like you've done some nice work. My suggestions from the first pics were:

1) Change the wheels
2) Get the spoiler fixed
3) Clean her up

Looks like you've done all three!

As far as smoking on startup, I think that is pretty typical with these cars and is caused by bad valve seals. I wouldn't worry about it for now. Swap in a 350 TPI later and it won't be a problem anymore! Have you had the tranny looked at yet about the hesitation?

Have fun with her!
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 10:22 AM
  #18  
dave mc's Avatar
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From: milwaukee
Car: 87gta 88gta 88marovert
Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Guts to look good so I can drive it. Still puffing oil smoke when I start it I got some used rebulit center bolt heads but no time now. Have to do OT at work thanks
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 01:05 PM
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Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

nice, looks like you are on the way to getting it right
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 10:32 PM
  #20  
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Re: 88 sport coupe my first convertible project any ideals or info???

Originally Posted by gcgarner

As far as smoking on startup, I think that is pretty typical with these cars and is caused by bad valve seals. I wouldn't worry about it for now. Swap in a 350 TPI later and it won't be a problem anymore! Have you had the tranny looked at yet about the hesitation?

Have fun with her!
Thanks for mentioning that gcgarner. My car does the same and I wondering the same thing.

As for swapping in a 350, I've heard some stories of twisted frames with the convertibles. So make sure you might want to add some extra support before ya try that.
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