I need an opinion. I've got an 89 iroc 5.7,factory t-top,factory 16's,a/c,4wheel disc,auto,all power,all original,just about every option except for leather. I love this car! Has about 88-89 on the clock. It does need some minor work like restoring the interior,and a fresh paint job. no dents,dings or rust. Oh and it needs a rebuild on the tranny. Anyway, I have a 383 195 eliminator topped HSR being built that I thought that I would drop into her. I was gonna go with a raptor 700r4 being that this thing is gonna put out some power. I'm now starting to have second thoughts. I've got the hotchkiss SFC and I was gonna put a roll cage in it to stiffen her up. However being that 89 was the last year for the iroc/5.7/t-top combo you guys thing I should leave her alone,restore her to original(except for the stereo system, edelbrock shorties,y pipe and flowmaster 3" cat-back),put the stroker in her,or start with another car,probably a hard top.

 

Personally I would put the engine into that. No rust is a big deal, espically where you (and I) live. With a roll cage and SFC's I cant see a problem with the Ttops. I am putting a 383 into my Formula after i am done building the engine this winter. I dont see any reason not to put it into the IROC.
But hey, if you have the money and time to find a nonrusted hardtoped car why not i guess. Just personally i would put it into the IROC.

 

if any one needs a gasket set for 85-86 camaro/fire bird 305 tpi i have one i boutgh and dont need any more

 

I say keep your car. It's getting harder to find nice IROC's with lower miles that havent been abused or neglected. It is especially hard to find rust free cars. I spent over a year looking for the exact IROC that I wanted that met these criteria and I put a lot of time into searching through local papers and national publications and web sites. Not to mention a few wasted trips to see junk trying to be passed off as a clean survivor.

Since you already know the car and love it you shouldn't have any unpleasant surprises. So build it up, drive it and enjoy!!!!

 

If you truly love her you will do the right thing........ BUILD HER UP AND DRIVE THE **** OUT OF HER!!

 

Personally,
I would do everything you mentioned except the cage.
The sfc, no one would see, and all the other parts are easy to put back to original if need be. A cage (especially if its a weld in - this is the only real way to go), is a pain in the but to remove, and if and when the time comes to sell the car, well most guys who see the car with a cage may assume that the bloody daylights has been driven out of it, thus maybe making it harder to sell. Anything that can be easily returned to stock is prime for altering like mechanicals (engine, trans etc), but when you have to mod the body, this is a lot harder and more expensive to change back.
I agree with Rod Behring when he mentioned that you already know the car, so you really shouldn't run into any major set backs, no rust is a plus as well
but in the end do what makes you happy.
Just my
-Andrew

 

JamesC

 

Yupp, my car was a 89 Iroc Z/T-top/5.7/700r4 car as well...beautiful black on grey with a flawless body with 87xxx miles. First thing I did...pull the grey interior and swap in black (which is still ongoing). And I just recently picked up a 406 that will take th place of the 350TPI...I bought the car to enjoy it and make it 'mine'. Although a mint Iroc would be a nice car to drive around or pull out on the weekends. I dont consider them a 'collectors' car yet, although im sure the time will come when they're very sought after. For now, I say enjoy it...

 

Keep her.....I bought a '91 4 years ago this month with 8900 original miles, like new in and out. I really love these cars, but man this sucker keeps on breaking this and that and the money is just the same as me going out and buying a new damn car. From alternator, hoses, brakes, mounts, plugs, wires, calipers, master brake clyinder, computer, pop up lights, radiator and a few more still needed, it is best to keep your car becasue this is what you are going to do if you get another car, trust me! Andy

 

That goes to show you that a low miles car has its own set of issues like a high miles car... Its unfortunate but true.

John

 

I agree even though it is low miles doesnt mean that the issues disappear. The issues that appear may not be because of mileage but more because of age which is something that none of us can control.