Hey guys, just a quick introduction. My name is Dan and I'm from Orlando, Florida and I was sent over here by SVTPerformance, yes I am a Ford guy

Anyways, here's why I'm over here. I'm not a Chevy guy, nor have I ever been so I know absolutely jack squat about the cars. It's always been a dream of mine to build a car from scratch and now the opportunity has presented itself. My dad had an 89 IROC that I was told he was building, but he never got to finish it because he died when I was very young, and now I kind of want to do this as a tribute/dedication, but like I said, I have no idea where to start on this cause I'm not a Chevy guy and I'm not familiar at all with your engines.

What I want to do is buy a cheap project car, one that's in bad shape and build it from the ground up, but I don't know whether I should go about buying a complete engine, or getting a block and building it. I'd like to have a big block and push about 500 horses and make this my weekend warrior. Which engines would you reccomend, which transmissions, rear ends, etc. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I think that pretty much covers everything. Thanks guys!

 

So, are you considering a 3rd gen build? If so, you're in the right place.

Third gens are a very affordable format with which to build. But first, if you're going to build or purchase a 3rd gen, have you decided on a year / model?

 

Haha I'm sorry, I guess that would be pretty helpful! I'd like to pick up an 89 IROC like what my dad had.

 

I would say everything you know about restoring/building a fox body mustang is applicable to building a third gen. Cars are cars.. Welcome to the good side!

As far as finding one in "bad" shape, I would look hard for a deal on one in RUST FREE shape. All other things aside, that will make every step easier. Bad is a word of point of view anyways. What is bad shape to you?

 

When I say bad I mean on it's last legs, about to die, bad paint condition. I literally want to start from scratch on here.

 

89 IROC's are one of the more desirable models.

If your long term plans include an engine swap into your third gen you might consider one of the newer LS series of GM power plants. They're light weight and make almost as much torque as a big block and more than enough HP right out of the crate box. Locate a used LS1,2,3,6 or 7 with the transmission of your choice for your build. eBay, Craigslist, racejunk, etc. you can pick these up fairly easy and for less money than a big block build. Check out the line of LS engines offered by Pace Performance or Mast if you have the $$.

But hey, a big block Chevy will fit into the engine bay of a 3rd gen too. There are many aftermarket shops building big blocks for just about the same price as you can build them plus, most come with a warranty. If a big block is where it's at with you then, by all means. Here too, yesterdays 454 has been superceeded with a 502 and beyond.. The only thing is with these motors is that to keep the stock IROC hood you'll have to stay with the standard deck motor so, no tall deck 572's or larger.

As for a rear end, the 7.5 in a 89 IROC wont live long behind a well prepared gear head. Plan on giving that up for a Strange S60, a 9" Ford or an aftermarket 12 bolt. Strange Engineering or Moser offer bolt in rear ends for 3rd gens.

If you do locate a good 89 IROC to purchase, try to find one with the TPI motor in it and the transmission package you plan to use. If you like to shift, then look for that in the car. Here too the stock transmission wont live long behind anything other than the stock 5.0 but at least you'll have the pedals!

Good luck and welcome to TGO. This is the place for 3rd gen help and info.

 

What are you the pros and cons of the different LS engines? Are there significant features that make all of them stand out from each other? Sorry if the question is too broad, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about these.

And lastly, which motors came with the 5 speed?? Someone told me that it was only made in the 5.0 and not the 5.7.... but that didn't exactly sit right with me, is there any truth to this? I defintely want a standard transmission.

 

the 5.0( chevy305) came only in stick.... all 350 came with auto

 

Oh ok so he was right then.

Also, I've had my eye on a 383 stroker for a couple of days. I've seen quite a few IROCs with the 383 on Youtube and I definitely like what I see. Has anyone here done that swap?

 

You could get the 5-speed manual transmission with V6 or any of the 305's, but none came from the factory behind a 350.

The later Gen IV engines are available with more cubes, variable valve timing, and even supercharged. Truck engines require changes to accessories, intake, oil pan, but are generally less expensive up front to buy (you'll make that up, and maybe more, with what you have to do to them). The early LS1's and all of the f-body LS1's were cable throttle, while most of the later versions are throttle-by-wire (DBW, as it's commonly called). You can put them in a 3rd gen, you'll just have to install a DBW accelerator pedal.

What you do depends upon what you'll want to do with the car. The most popular is probably the '98-'02 f-body 5.7 LS1/transmission combo, because it has the correct accessories, oil pan, and torque arm mount. Putting in a truck engine (5.3, 6.0) is probably close behind (if not slightly more popular).