OK people, as I said when I first posted a few days ago, I am in the market for either an IROC or a GTA. I would prefer an IROC or GTA to be completely honest though. This is where the fun starts.
I made the mistake of advertising on several different message boards that I was in the market for one of these cars. In the past 5 days I have been absolutely swamped with e-mails and pics of about 80 different F-Bodies. These cars have ranged from plain jane Camaro Sport Coupes and Firebirds to 1/4 mile drag cars in full race trim for $40,000. Price ranges have also varied with various conditions of the cars trying to be sold.
After seeing all the various types of Camaros and T/A's out there, I have realized I'm about totally friggin ignorant when it comes to knowing exactly what I'm looking for in regards to these cars. I didn't realize these cars came with so many different engine packages and didn't realize they varied so much from year to year. It has become painfully obvious to me that trying to fin a car that has all the options, plus the outside appearance I want may just be an impossible task.
So, I'm throwing myself on the mercy of the board membership here. Besides the obvious critical areas of these cars such as rust and so forth, what do I REALLY need to look for when I'm scoping out these cars? It also doesn't help that, being from NY, the chances of finding anything decent locally is slim to none at this point.
So, when you all were shopping for your IROC's or T/A's, what factors drove you to seek out your perfect car? I've heard pros and cons of the ealier carb'd F-Bodies's vs. the newer TPI cars, the arguments of the interior styles...the list just goes on and on.
I guess I would just really like to know what were the deciding factors that persuaded you all to buy the cars you currently own. I'm hoping that might help my search a bit in the end.
Sorry for the long post, but it just gets overwhelming to try to sort all this out.

Thanks,

Brian

 

why did i buy a formula 350? well 87 was the first 350 tpi year. i think any 87-92 w/ a 350 stock will sell well in the future. why a formula 350? cuz i dont like ground effects and i dont need all the options of gtas or irocs. formula 350s can have all the performance options of gtas and irocs. plus in 87 there were supposedly only 1500 formula 350s made. lemme know if ya got anymore questions. -Ryan-

 

I'll try to give you some info on what to look for on an IROC. I don't know much on the bird side, so I'll leave that to someone else.

Given the choice avoid 85 and 86. 85 used an inferior computer for the TPI, and 86 had a ****ty cam. Yes you can change these things, but it's just easier to start with an 87 or newer.

Also 87 was the first year for the 350. If you want a 350 you should start here.

The IROC code for 85 to 87 models was B4Z. It's located on what they call the SPID label, which is in the center console. If it doesn't say B4Z then it's not a real IROC. There are a lot of fake IROCs out there that are really only Z28s. From 88 to 90 the Z28 and the IROC where the same model, and the B4Z option code no longer existed. In these years just look for Z28 on the label. Also 90 was the last year for the IROC. 91 and 92 models are all Z28s.

A lot of guys will insist their 305 car is a 350. Look at the VIN number. The 8th digit should be 8. If it's not 8 then the engine is not a 350 no matter how much the guys swears that it is. Another thing to note here is that no stick shift cars came with a 350. If it's a 5-speed it's a 305 motor, no exceptions.

Obviously the later the model year the more little updates you will notice. I could write a book about them, but honestly I'm too lazy. Any 87 to 90 IROC would be a good choice for you.

 

I have an '83 Z28 that originally had the 5.0 HO engine.

What drew me to this car, more than anything else, was the fact that it had T-tops and, more importantly, a manual transmission. My Z28 is litterally the only 3rdgen F-body I've ever seen around here with a manual transmission.

I found out later that this car came with 3.73 gears, a fiberglass hood, and some other nice stuff from the factory, and that basically sealed the deal for me. I also found out that the 5.0 HO engine option (L69 is the RPO) is quite rare in 1983, '85, and '86 as well, which made my car a little more 'exclusive'.

I've always been more comfortable working with carb'd engines as well, like the L69 (and my current 350) because its just easier to 'see' things. EFI is black magic to me.

IMO, the best cars to look for would be an '83-85 Z28 or Trans Am with the 5.0 HO engine (L69) with either 5-speed or auto, an '87-90 IROC with either the 5.7 TPI/auto (L98) or the 5.0 TPI/5-speed (LB9), or a '91-92 Z28/Trans Am/Formula with either the L98/auto or LB9/5-speed options.

When picking cars, I'd start by figuring out what you want the car to eventually be though, and look for cars that will best 'suit' the project.

 

Unfortunately you will get as many opinions as there are models and years around here.

#1, figure out which body you like. I perfer Formulas because there clean, without all the extra stuff cluttering them up. But some people like the extra stuff.

#2 do you want T-tops or not. Some people have problems with T-tops, but there nice to take off and drive around.

#3 A4 or M5 If you like the feel of a 5 Speed at your fingertips, then you will have to settle for a 305, sorry no 350's amde with a Manual. However if you like the Auto then go for the 350.

#4 Engine... to be flat out honest, the 350 is the way to go, BUT you will spend more for that in insurance. A 305 can be converted, but histircally speaking the 350 cars will hold their value better in the long run. Keep in mind that although not rare, T-tops and 350's are not really common.

#5 Suspension: There are differences between the Camaro and the Firebird lines. Although they use many of the same parts they had different theories on how they should perform and ride. Where the Chevrolet Engeneers went with stiffer springs to get better handling, Pontiac went with larger sway bars. Chevrolet IROC-Z's also have an extra "Wonderbar" that is placed between the 2 subframes by the sway bars. But one of those can be added for about $50 from TDS and about an hour of time...

The Camaro IROC will ride a little harder in stock form than a Formula or a GTA.

---

On the Firebird Front, I know the following:
The GTA was the top of the heap, and in many respects the best Firebird you could get, it came with the Legandary WS6 Suspension standard, and usually are equiped with all the goodies, like Digital dash (depends on year), overhead consoles (depends on year), power everything and the Ultima seats that will fold an envelope if the buttons are pushed in the correct mannor.

The Trans Am was a good contender as well and could be ordered with all the goodies as the GTA, A fully optioned T/A and a GTA are identical except for the following: The T/A had fender heat extractors, the GTA never did. The T/A was Two tone, the GTA was monochrome. The T/A came in different colors than the GTA. For example you could not get a Maui-Blue GTA, where you could get a Maui-Blue T/A. Likewise I do not think you could get a Burgandy T/A but there are Burgandy GTA's. The common colors like Black, White, Red were universal.

The Formula is to some respects a drivers car. It is the lightest of the 3, and you could get the same engines. PLUS you get the WS6 suspension as standard. The Formula was NEVER available with ground effects. Again in stock form, if you were to take a GTA, a Trans Am, and a Formula with the same engine/Transmission options. The formula would win in both straight line performance and handling. In Automobiles "Family Feud" article, the formula was rated as the "Most fun to Drive".

'nuf said.


John

 

just to add........the formulas from 87-90 sold more than gtas and trans ams. got to be something there......

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, the "something there" could be the substantial difference in PRICE

M