Hi i was wondering what the best year for the iroc was (85-90). I have always been partial to 1990 irocs, and am trying to find one to buy. But it would be appreciated if someone could tell me what the best year for the iroc really is. Thankyou.

 

i like them al i would actually have to say it is your prerefrence as 2 what you like because opinoins vary dude... i got a 90 on here forsale i like those and 89's

 

thanks for replying. Keep posting people im looking for facts and supported opinions. thanks

 

Post in the History/Restoration board, ask a mod to move it there. I like the 89, prolly because thats mine!

 

best year is whats best for YOU!

(you can go by HP, the two styles of wheels, rear end, dual cats--but that too if preference for what you like)

 

I like the '89. It's the newest you can get with the old inside. There's just something about that original old school 80's interior that I just love. So in keeping with the period. But I'm just a little old school myself.

 

Styling wise I'd say '85-87, performance wise '89-90 with the available G92 performance option.

I'd stay away from a '85 TPI car. That system has its share of oddball one year parts and problems that go with them.

 

1989 IROC-Z TBI 305 v8

Thats what i have and I love it, I think this is the bet year

 

It was already stated that it depends on what you're looking for. I'd have to say that I think in some circles, the 87 could be the best based on the many firsts that came with it. It was the first year for the 350, Bose, leather and the last year for the LG4, Norwood built cars, Yellow as a color option and the standalone Z28 model.

I prefer the interior of the 88-89 cars with the center console selector and fabric styling and the door panel design. I think 1990 is the best year as it's the last year, with the most HP and the 1st year with a new interior design. 1985 is the best year because it was the 1st year for the IROC-Z.

It basically comes down to what you want and like each model year.

 

86. First year of the updated tpi(non 85 style), last year for the non-centerbolt heads. First year of the 145 speedo. Gotta love em. I would get one in a heart beat.

 

I've always been partial to the '88 and '89 model IROCs. I like the wheel design and interior upholstery better. These were also the last years of no airbag, the first appearance of the 1LE, and the first years of the serpentine belt.

That said, I would take an '85-'87 with the right combination of options or color. I like the "CAMARO CAMARO CAMARO" interior option and the yellow/gold color combination of these years.

Each year has its good points!

 

i break them down in 2. 85-87 and 88-90. i really love both. but i like the options available on the 87-90 irocs.

 

I have an 85 "odd ball" TPI car. And I would think that if you wanted an early 85-87 car the 85 TPI would be the way to go. More HP and a better cam than the 86-87. Unless you come across an HO 5 speed.

I drive my 85 TPI car daily and havent had a single unexpected problem with it.

But I am biased, since its what I have!

 

I think 1989 was the best year for the f-body, or at least TPI cars, for a couple of reasons. For Camaro's its the first year they got rid of cold start (9th) injector, last year for MAF, second year for upgraded relays and wiring, second year for serp belt, first year 1LE rear brakes became standard rear disc brake setup replacing the often troublesome screw type rear calipers, and my personal favorite reason is the ease of getting an L98 with t-tops (and ASC convertibles, either factory Camaro's of aftermarket Firebirds, could also be had with an L98 or even an LC2).

For the Firebird all of the above applies plus the best 1 year only option of them all, RPO Y82 - Trans Am Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Package

 

I think 1989 for several reasons...

1) T-tops and a 350, granted you could have gotten the combo in 1987 & 1988 but they are more uncommon.
2) The cam was actually hotter than the 1990-1992 cars. There is more potential.
3) Better fuel economy... IIRC the 1989 actually gets the best Fuel economy out of all of the years. It's slight however and it would depend on how you drive. I suspect it has to do with the extra safety equipment they added in 1990... Airbags, Crushing lower dash panels etc.
4) I am surprised no one mentioned that 1989 was also the first year for VATS!!! Actually there are almost as many changes in 1989 as there was in 1990.. Rear shoulder Seat belts, VATS, first year without the 9th Injector...

John

 

Learn something new every day, I didnt know 1989 was the first year for VATS on the Camaro - always thought it was optional in 1988 like the GTA and became standard in 1989.

 

I know that the GTA got the VATS in 1988, AFAIK all other Firebirds and the Camaros got VATS in 1989. I also think it was Standard on 1988 GTA's.

John

 

I would drive a 1987 everday. . .

 

We have been wrenching on our 89 IROC for almost 20 years now and I can honestly say it has been the least dependable, most fun car we have owned.
A true labor of love. Thank God for Third Gen.Org or we might not still have it.
Its true though what everyone says about 89's - Serpentine belts are a much better design, no 9th injector, the interior is still cool looking - we don't care for the looks of the air bag steering wheels, the list goes on and on. 89 was a somewhat unique year for a lot of reasons. We were just lucky with ours, not knowing how cool we really were!

 

I would have to agree that the 305 tpi cams were a little bit different, but the peak power in 1985 for the IROC & Z28 was 215hp @ 4400 rpm. Where as the 87 IROC was 225hp @ 4400 rpm. Basically that is not noticeable to be considered either as faster or slower. The HO 5 speed was slower than TPI IROC not matter what year. It was rated at only 190hp.

 

You can't go wrong with the first and last of a model, 1985 and 1992. I would love to have a 1988 1LE hardtop and a 1987 5.7 vert, these are a coulple of great camaros

 

'87-'89 is the best,'85 is my favorite, i don't care for the
ugly,dorky airbag steering wheel in the'90

 

Just a little correction on your comments. There was no 1992 IROC-Z or any 87-90 5.7 IROC-Z verts.

 

85 to 90. well I guess I will have to "settle" for the TPI in my 87 5 speeder vert. and please dont tell me you couldn't order a 5 speed TPI in the vert in 87.

 

He means there was no 350 in convertables.

I like all years of the IROC-Z but definetly prefer the 87 for various reasons.

 

Actually... ASC made at least 4 IROC 350 Convertibles in 1987... Since they have a VIN of a coupe it will be interesting if they out price the same car with the VIN of a Convertible. Unfortuantely none of them have come up.

BTW, before getting into a pissing contest. I actually have the sequence numbers for the four cars...

John

 

of course you do! And I don't mean that sarcastically... it truely amazes me how much information you've collected about 3rd gens. It's very impressive and appreciated by those who love to come here and love discussing these topics.

About the original topic, I'd say that 89 would probably be my pick also due to the older style dash and no air bag steering wheel yet all the upgraded drivetrain components that earlier models didn't yet have.

 

I think you get a 5 speed as long as it didn't have a 350. I have never heard of anyone getting a factory t-top with a 350 and 5 speed. Maybe I have been too isolated though.

 

I will go with a
Army buddies car he bought back in 1988. It was a black IROC-Z, TPI, TTops, with tan 'camaro-camaro-camaro' interior. Believe it even had 4 wheel disc/posi rear.
That was one sweet Z28.

 

The interior in your buddies car wasn't original if it was an 88. Sounds really nice though.