PoorBoyRS

Ok, guys, quick survey: I have a '92 RS 5.0 auto (anniversary edition, not heritage) with about 246k on the odo. It leaks oil from the rear main seal, and I've replaced it several times, but the seal itself slides out of the block. There are a lot of small things wrong with the car, none of which can't be fixed, but

I recently purchased a running '89 IROC-Z 5.0 TPI 5-speed hardtop with frame damage for $500. I believe this is a G92 car.

My question is this:

Should I A) just use the shortblock from the '89 to replace the engine in the RS, and leave everything else original, or B) Use manual trans setup and the top end (roller cam, lifters, and TPI induction) on a 350 longblock, replace the entire drivetrain in the RS and turn it into a Z28 clone? I have no intention of selling this car any time in the near future, so I'm kinda worried about devaluing the car in the long run... but I also want to be able to drive it!

questions, comments, suggestions welcome

okfoz

Do whatever you want.

246K miles... Sheesh. That's a TON of miles on these cars. Many cars are trashed at 90,000 miles, and you almost have a quarter of a million miles. Your car has driven the equivelant of about 10 times around the world.

Personally I would not worry about it. I would think you would definately appreciate the extra power of a 350...

Honestly tho, I would not try to clone anything... nothing better than having a sleeper. I would keep the stock exterior of the RS and put the powertrain from whatever car you want... Especially if you are not considering selling it... Enjoy it

PoorBoyRS

Thanks for the input, I think I will probably end up doing the z28 powertrain, and just hang on to all the stock parts, that way I'll take first place in muscle cars at concourse 2040

Jason E

With that many miles, I say do what you want...it isn't like the car can ever be a low mileage original again.

Good luck with whatever you do.

NT-Z

How bad is the damage on the iroc? If its not crushed beyond belief i would fix it. But then again im an iroc fan. and later fix the rs.
but just dont clone it if you decide to take on the task of swaping.

navy02ws6

I agree, definitely don't do a Z28 clone -- if anything, swap over all the goodies except the badges. However, I'd seriously consider fixing that IROC instead if it's not that far gone...

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Frame damage is bad mmmkkkay.

Fix up which ever car has the best body. Don't do clones, who says you cant have z28 parts on a RS?

NT-Z

Frame damage is bad, but depending how it is, it can be fixed. Its not the only car world with that kind of damage. Tons of people fix cars with frame damage and come out looking and driving like new again.

PoorBoyRS

Lol it's tweaked pretty bad, it was t-boned. We had to beat part of the footwell back out with sledges and cut the door off (notice I said" "cut" deliberately) just to be able to get to the pedals. Short version is the car itself is toast. Also, frame damage on a body on frame car is easy, but unibodies, in my experience, are never the same...

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

I got z28 parts all over my 92 RS 25th but I would never take the RS badges off. She was born a RS and will remain on in name until death.

NT-Z

i like the way ya think

Arctic White 91 RS

As others have said do what you want, it's your car(s) so you should do what will please you the most.

Unibody cars that get hit bad can be fixed so they are just as good as new body wise. It all comes down to the skill of the shop and the tools they have at hand. My RS was totaled, after a front clip and two stints on the frame machine, the car drives exactly like it before before being hit.

You'll know the shop has the equipment if they have a frame machine that uses laser measurements and lot's of reference points. Figuring out if they have the skill and will apply it is another story.

I had an 86 Sport Coupe that was hit and fixed by different shop without the proper tools etc and it never drove right again.

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

Same With My rs. I have an iroc-z hood and black headlight buckets, yet still have My Rs Emblems all around the car.