In the process of buying an 89 IROC L-98 car. The car has been converted to a stick shift. Right now, there is no engine or trans in the car. The car is clean and rust free. The original 9 bolt diff has aftermarket 3:73 gears in it. I want to build a dependable, but respectable street cruiser with AC, PS, PB, and cruise control. It will be a weekend toy. The car may be entered into an Auto X event every once in a while, but that will be the extent of competition driving. My thoughts are to use a new crate ZZ4 engine and a Tremic 6 speed trans. I don't have the tools, ability, or time to build an engine from scratch. A crate engine has a good warranty from GM. The ZZ4 is available with full dress, Holley carb, HEI ignition. I want a car with good road manners, will run on pump gas, and that is dependable. It seems like this will be a simple install, that I should not be able to screw up to easily. I have good mechanical skills and have done some mild builds over the years, however I am far from am a professional technician. I am already planning to install subframe connectors, upgrade the brakes, and suspension. Thoughts on this build? Thanks, Charles

 

Any one care to add insights?

 

I don't have any first hand experience, but in the grand scheme of things, it should be a pretty straight forward swap.
You will have to address the fuel system requirement changes, as well as changing up some of the electronics/wiring.
There are plenty of threads on this subject on the forums. This has been done thousands of times by people that for various reasons wanted to "simplify" things by going with a carb.

 

Thanks Zane. Good points!

The PO has not cut the TPI wiring harness, so right now it is intact. My initial thoughts are to replace the harness with an earlier style designed for a thirdgen with a carb. If the harness plugs in somewhere, I could unplug it and make a custom add on system for the engine. Or I can custom build the harness from scratch. I did electrical trouble shooting and repair for Coachman Industries, a large RV manufacturer back in the 80's, so that part is not intimidating.

As for the fuel system, I plan to swap in a fuel tank from a carb car and run a mechanical fuel pump. That will keep things simple. My 82 and the 83's that I have owned all have mechanical fuel pumps, so those parts should not too difficult to find.

 

If you're sticking with a carb rather than TPI it should be very straightforward, just taking bolts out and putting them back. You won't even need to drop the tank to change the fuel pump. I believe you could just use a fuel pressure regulator before the carb to keep the pressure low enough. Either way it sounds like a well mannered build, should be fun to drive.

 

If these are truly your goals, and you don't have some bias toward "old school", then I suggest you spend a couple hundred more on the engine and get the Ram Jet 350. You'd offset some of that by not having to change the fuel system, and it comes with a 14" flywheel instead of a flexplate like the ZZ4. You'd have a more modern setup, more drivable, more reliable than carb.

It would be tons better than a carb for Auto X. The Vortec heads are a bunch better than the ZZ4 heads, even though they are cast iron (if you want aluminum heads, get a set of Fast Burns or other aftermarket aluminum Vortec heads for it).

 

But will the ramjet fit under a stock hood? I am not sure, just asking. I know Charles likes the stock sleeper appearance, right Charles?

Sounds interesting. glad to see you venturing out into the Camaro side of things! Truly a well rounded thirdgen guy!

 

Yes, the Ram Jet 350 fits under the stock hood. The factory development group did it early on (Google it).

The latest controller they include is more easily programmed than the earlier version, if that becomes an issue (such as a cam change - the Ram Jet cam is pretty mild).

 

Thanks everyone.

Lawdog, thanks for the kind words.

I'll have to look closer at the Ramjet. No preference for aluminum heads. That's just the way the ZZ4 is offered. Iron heads are probably more durable.

This car does not have to be a sleeper. I have been considering an aftermarket hood, maybe a Cowl Induction style. The suspension, exhaust, wheels, and tires are not going to be stock. The stock **** approach is only for the two Trans AM's, and that is because they are both low mileage original cars. For this car, it's whatever makes it all work.

 

Should have Googled it myself. It was the GM Performance Parts Group, not "development" group.

Note that was a Camaro, so a stock 'Bird might not have sufficient hood clearance for the Ram Jet.

 

Does the Camaro have more hood clearance then a Firebird?

This build is an 89 IROC. My other two thirdgens are TA's.

 

Yes camaro has more clearance than a bird. Not much but a little.

 

"http://paceperformance.com/i-15908752-gmp-ls3525t56-chevy-performance-ls3-525hp-with-6-speed-m-t-combo.htmlThis" target="_blank">http://paceperformance.com/i-1590875...m-t-combo.html

 

Well, if I had known that was within your budget, I would have suggested that from the start...

 

I had no idea that one could buy a new LS3 with the wiring, controller, trans, clutch as a kit. I was under the impression that the LS swaps were coming from wrecking yards. I am too old to deal with unknowns. I want all new stuff with a warrenty. I use to swap out engines in the days when everyone ran BB Chevy's, 400 Pontiacs, 440 CI Mopars, and 429 Fords. I have swapped 409 Chevy engines into a couple of builds. That's how far back this goes. It's all different now. I have not built anything in 25 years. The last build was a 6BT Cummins into an 87 Silverado Crewcab dually 4x4. It was linked to an SM 465 four speed, and a US Gear two speed spliter. This is a learning experience for me. For a budget on this car I plan to invest 6K per year over four years, for a total of 24K for the build. I plan to pay for it as I go, get lots of help where needed, and produce a high quality car. I can retire in four years. This car will be my retirement toy, and will be my final build. Hopefully after 10 to 15 years of fun, I can sell it to someone younger who can enjoy it for many more years. Honestly, the car will never be raced or driven hard while I own it. The worst driving it will see is an Auto X once in a while. I just want something that will go if I ever want to.

 

I went with the ZZ4, although there are plenty of other ways to get 350hp. As you've probably read or heard previously, if you go much over the 400hp mark you'll need to upgrade the rear end as well. Your budget seems pretty generous, but can disappear quickly especially if you go the crate LS3, 6-spd, S60 rear, big brake, 17-18" wheel, leather interior, custom paint route.

You have plenty of time. Make a plan, decide your configuration, and watch for vendor sales. You can save a lot of money by not being in a hurry.

 

Thanks. With the HP in the 550 range, I figure that an aftermarket diff, suspension, brakes, and some seriously strong subframe connectors will be in order. Those cars were never designed to have that sort of HP or torque. A thirdgen is a lot smaller/lighter car than a 5th gen. As for paint, it will mostly look like a stock red IROC. As for the interior, probably the only that that will give the car away as a modified car is the 6 speed stick shift. A larger set of custom wheels that look like the IROC wheels will be cool.

 

Well I say - it's your build and the most basic decision you have to make is to go LS or old school. I myself am torn on this subject. I had an LS on the stand and lots of the parts necessary for the swap. But in the end I just decided everybody seems to be doing LS swaps and I like being different. We are kind of the red headed step child of fbody anyway.

Either way I am sure you will put something nice e together.