Hi there, I’m new here. I just have a few quick questions… I plan on getting a ‘89 IROC-Z. It’s just a roller though, no engine or trans. I’m just curious as to what I can put in it. I want something that has a nice sound to her, but not too loud & something with a little power, again, not too much though because I would like to be able to drop off & pick up my daughter from school lol.



I will upload pics of the engine bay.

 

alittle more power ? Anything’s better than the Fred flintstone drive train in it now .
have you checked what available around you?

 

this is the only one without an engine or trans in it. I’d like to put it together myself instead of buying one already put together. I’m new to this though. That’s why I came on here.

 

Besides an engine & trans, what all else do I need to put it together myself? I’m new to this.

 

driveline, a fuel management system

 

I would either put back the same thing that came out (easiest job, theoretically you just bolt everything back together), or put an LS in for ease of aftermarket support and overall performance.

 

I see a lot of other missing stuff that'll be kinda nice to have, the HVAC system, the windshield wipers, the entire C100 harness, those sorts of things.

So, it's missing a lot more than just an engine & transmission, does the seller have any of those parts ? You are basically taking over someone's unfinished project, they took the entire underhood area apart, painted it, and never put it back together. Why? ..... This is where automotive forensics begins, did they abandon the project because "life got in the way", , or did they get only that far before they discovered something ugly about the car itself, maybe it's rotted somewhere, or got bent subframe(s), the VIN comes up as stolen, and then gave up? Those answers gotta get sorted before ya spend a single dollar........

 

What is your budget and your mechanical experience level?

 

I second this. I would do nothing at the moment and spend each evening reading the threads on the swap forums. Consider the pros and cons between traditional small block, LS, LT. Each has their own "domino effect" or work that will be required. Your budget will ultimately dictate what you can do. In the end, it may be cheaper to sell this and buy a running car that you can modify to your liking.

 

From what I see you need a donor car.
Would be much easier to deal with.

 

Ops, , , seems we've scared him off.......

 

I wouldn't touch a 1990's LT1. And a modern LT1 is the most difficult swap of all your choices.

At this point it's the same work to bolt in a SBC or LS engine. Wiring is the same too because you have nothing which means you're probably going aftermarket EFI either way.

​​​​​​It's stupid easy to make a 500 horsepower LS and close the hood over it.

 

 

What, No LT5 selection for voting?

 

I would go with either of the following:

-Gen-I SBC (Vortec Only).
-Any Gen-III/ IV SBC.

No Gen-II Engines (LT1/ LT4). NOTE: There is also a Gen-I LT1, so don't confuse them.
No Gen-V Engines (LT1/ LT2/ LT4/ LT5/ L8T/ Etc).