Good luck Jason. I know what it's like to be without power. It really sucks!

 

From what I can see, you got a good one! If that's original paint, a few chips and blemishes are to be expected, looks great overall. Like you say, I'd do some minor touch ups and leave it original as possible. I wish I could find one like it at a reasonable price. I'm somewhat jealous but at the same time happy that someone who can appreciate the car got it.

 

I see you are afflicted with the same issue my 88 TA has...darkened-front-bumper-itis Supposedly flex additive darkens paint over time...I imagine the nose was sprayed at one point, and its darkened over time?

I love that car...seriously. Nice find Lemme know if you would ever consider trading it for a nice Trans Am

AND...welcome to the Three Third Gen Owner Club!

 

See what happens when you don't buy a 5th gen!

I'm still 50/50 on what I'm going to do with my '83. I'll decide by spring time.

 

Looks like original paint as far as I can tell, so far. I'm just going to touch everything up and give it good detail.

 

Keep it...seriously. You and I both know you derive a lot more enjoyment from it than what you'd receive back from selling it. If you were bored with it, that's one thing. I was bored with my RS. Something tells me you aren't bored with the '83

With respect to 5th gens? I'm having way more fun spending less on 3 thirds...you too??

 

I have a feeling that I might dive into the '85 and stop doing anything with the '83. Plus, I do have philosophical issues with too many automatic trans 3rd gens, especially for a guy who vowed "sticks only".

I guess I've gotten the Crossfire thing out of my system, and now the yellow IROC thing, and if I'm ever going to get the T5/LB9 convertible thing out of my system, one of these bad boys is going to have to go. I'll mull it over until spring. But I can see myself going through ebay/CL/Autotrader withdrawal pretty soon!

 

I'm very jealous. My first love is a yellow 86 Iroc

 

Very nice, and FWIW I believe your exhaust is stock--that appears to be the identical tailpipes/muffler as mine.

 

From one 85 IROC-Z owner to another, CONGRATS! That thing looks very good. I had to fix a few paint chips on mine when I got it because it sat under a tree all winter, but once you fix them up youll be surprised how nice it looks.

Also depending on how much you drive it, expect some more chips. Thats one drawback to single stage paint, its fragile. But hey, its better than clearcoat peeling like a lot of the 86's I see.

Have fun with it and post some interior pics when you can!

 

It's not... The correct GM pipes aren't wrinkle crunched. They're not quite mandrel bent either, but they don't have the visible folds in the pipe. Also the stock tail pipes are angle cut with a flat across the back. The exhaust pipes were also welded to the muffler from the factory, not clamped.

 

These look like the correct tailpipes but on an aftermarket muffler.

 

Thanks. Does yours have 3.42 gears? As far as I can tell, that seems like the only ratio '85 TPI IROCs came with.

 

85 IROC's had 3.23 gears standard on the 10 bolt and if you ordered the G92 package you got 3.42 gears. Since you have a one wheel wonder with drum brakes my guess is you do not have the G92 and have the 3.23 gears.

 

Ah well, guess mine was a Walker/Vatozone/Random exhaust shop OEM replacement special.

Good to know.

 

It's got a GU6 code which = 3.42. GU5 = 3.23.

I've heard that Z28 LB9 got the 3.23 and IROC-Z LB9 got the 3.42 in '85.

 

The dark bands around the tail pipes are dead give aways... They're from the paper bands with the part numbers that Walker and other exhaust manufacturers use.




These are both stock muffler assemblies. The rusted out intermediate pipe is original too, from my 86 Trans Am (177k miles). The slash cut tips were standard up until 90 or 91 when they switched to the turn down style. Incidentally, the muffler on the 86, 91, and the 93-97 muffler I have on my Formula now all have the GM logo and the same part number stamped in the case. The new intermediate pipe in the pic is a Walker/Dynomax piece. It's close enough to the stock pipe to be easily mistaken for one.

 

Interesting, 3.42 gears without the G92 package. Not sure I have seen one of those before. But I guess it is possible since you are currently looking at it.

 

I am in no way a Camaro expert...I have only been lurking here for a few months, but didnt G92 appear with the introduction of the L98? Dont recall any 82-86 with a G92 code.

And for the record I have a fuly loaded 85 IROC-Z LB9 auto with the GU6 3.42 gears also.

 

Interesting, they looked just like the GM parts. So, it's probably not worth an hour drive to pick up those tail pipes?

 

G92 doesn't have anything to do with a specific gear ratio. It just indicates a "performance gear ratio". The G92 option was around in the earlier years it just didn't gain notoriety for being the option that distinguishes the high output vs low output 305. Plenty of 6cyl thirdgens had 3.42 gears without the G92 code.

I wouldn't go out of my way for stock style tail pipes. Walker/Dynomax replacements are cheap and easy to find. Just go to the Walker website and look up the application in the online catalog. Then take the number from the catalog and search for it at Summit or the website for your preferred discount auto store.

 

I have an '85 Motor Trend road test comparing an L69 IROC to a Mustang SVO...obviously comparing "old tech" and "new tech." In a sidebar, they talk about the new LB9/700R combo. The only available ratio listed is the 3.42 gear.

 

Is that white Z the Crossfire? How 'bout some more pics of that one?

 

if your just looking for the tail pipes without muffler, i have a set from my 85 berlinetta. i replaced my whole exhaust with an oem replacement, but out of my old exhaust, i cut off the tail pipes in case my new ones werent exact to the originals. but they were, and i dont need these pipes. the muffler was rotted so its gone. if i remember right, they had some flash rust but i wire wheeled it clean.

 

Hey Drew, I spent a couple hours last night going through the Walker/Dynomax/Summit/etc., websites. The part numbers for the tail pipes kept finding the same ones that are currently on the car, that is with the crimps and without the angle cut.

What say you?

 

I'll see what pics I've got on my computer at home, Mike. But if you do a search on TGO, there are a bunch of 'em.

 

It looks like the stock replacement tail pipes from Walker (43988 & 43989) are crush/crimp bent. 43244 & 43243 are mandrel bent like the stock HO pipes, but they're 2.5" instead of 2.25". The cut on the tips might not be exact either, but they could probably be modified to look about right, assuming they're long enough.

 

So, in other words, maybe it's worth grabbing those tail pipes I posted the pic of?

 

IIRC, Edelbrock makes an exhaust system that has our correct tailpipes or very close to correct. More so than the Dynomax.

 

Here you go Mike:

 

Don't sell that white one, she's a beaut'. If anything, given its got a few miles on her, she's the driver you can drive guilt-free.

 

Thanks. We'll see......

 

I wouldn't... They're visibly aftermarket, and look to be LG4/V6/TBI parts. You'd be just as far ahead to go with the crush bent Walker pipes. Personally, I'd jump at the 2.5" Dynomax pipes, and use an Ultraflow muffler with 2.75 or 3" inlet and dual 2.5" out. Magnaflow and Hooker offer stock style crossflow mufflers too... Flowmaster has a couple but they're not the stock size, and Flows are cliched.

Edelbrock USED to have a stock appearing catback. Then they went to ridiculous huge chrome tips and a different muffler. They don't even offer the RPM series muffler (crossflow) that they used to make for our cars. It sucks, I've got the old style cat-back on the Iroc. It's got a lifetime warranty, but what would they replace it with? lol.

 

And there is the system I was talking about LOL, no longer in production I guess. That's a shame, I heard an Edelbrock system years ago on a TBI and it sounded real nice, it was probably that one.

 

I'm praying my OEM exhausts on the '88 pair last as long as possible...especially on the IROC. I know there's no way they'll last forever. I have a stock replacement on my 86, and because its not OEM I've been fiddling with the idea of swapping it out for something throatier. My RS just got so loud with the Magnaflow on it...especially with headers.

People say headers don't add to exhaust noise...I don't see how that's possible...

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much... Several of my thirdgens still had the stock exhaust systems at 60-70k miles. My Formula is over 120k miles and still has 75% of the original exhaust, the other 25% is LT1 4th gen take off. It shows no signs of rusting out. The holy exhaust I posted pics of earlier came off my 86 Trans Am at 170k miles! They tend to rust out in the bends when they start to go.

 

What a beauty. Got a nice, warm, dry AZ garage waiting if you ever feel the need to let that one go. The '89 IROC is smokin', too!

 

my 87 iroc still wears the original exhaust pipe with the cat, the only thing that was added was a flowmaster and i really like the way it sounds. its got 125,000 on it must say im thinking of removing the cat cause it rattles alot and i dnt have smog test here either.

 

It's a slippery slope. I spent a literal buttload of money on my '83's exhaust searching for that perfect tone. I had a renowned exhaust shop in my area custom bend 2.25", into a 3" Y pipe, 3" inch Catco high flow cat, 3" intermediate pipe, Flowmaster (against my better judgement), and 2.5" stock looking tail pipes. Sounded great on the outside, unbearable on the inside. So I had the shop replace the Flowmaster with some OEM replacement muffler. Better on the inside, but too quiet on the outside. When I put on a set of L69 exhaust manifolds it improved. You have to appreciate the efforts that OEM engineers put into factory systems.

Moral of the story. Before you spend ~ 1400 bucks fiddling with an exhaust, think twice about dumping a factory system. If I had it to do over, I'd probably just put a "test pipe" in place of it's clogged cat and call it a day.


For the '85, I just want to find a new or almost new OEM muffler and tail pipe assembly for it. A local guy, who also is here on TGO, replaced the muffler on his 20K mile, L69, IROC with a GMPP system. I inquired about buying the stock piece from him, be he apparently disposed of it.

 

Thanks Mike. You'll be the first to know.

 

I hear ya...I spent $650 or so on Edelbrock headers and a y pipe for my RS...it came with a Magnaflow cat and catback. It sounded reasonable with the Magnaflow, then downright ridiculous with the headers. It was LOUD. I've heard Magnaflows get louder over time as the noise insulation in them starts to deteriorate...could've been my problem.

All that I know is since that car, I too am neurotic to touch an exhaust for fear of hating it. The only one I trust that's made for these cars is Borla, and its nowhere near stock looking. I wish SLP still made catbacks for these cars...I love the "2OTL" on my Z28.

 

So, today was the first time I had a chance to spend a little time with the car, it's still in storage and I don't have a garage yet. This car is going to be a bit more of a project than I had expected, (so what else is new).

Biggest thing that bugs me, is the howling fuel pump. It howls like an air raid siren. Better after I filled it up, but no way will I tolerate that noise. The previous owner told me it was a new pump - so what gives?


Everything that moves on this car needs to be lubed. The door lock key got stuck in the lock, took me about 5 minutes of fiddling to get it out. Afew more door dings on the driver's door that I noticed. The power door locks, power mirrors and interior dome lights don't work. Wonder if they are on a common fuse? The temp gauge gets stuck and the oil pressure gauge seems to read a little on the low side. One of the fog lights doesn't work, as well as it's indicator light on the interior switch. Pretty sure I need to adjust the TV cable too and bleed the brakes. I've got a REALLY annoying exhaust rattle too. And that replacement muffler needs to go, the car has the exhaust note of a Buick.

I did have a chance to take it to a car wash and power wash afew pounds of dirt off the indercarriage though. Literally!

After spending about an hour with the car today, it seems to me that this was used unsympathetically as a daily driver for the first 36,000 miles of it's life, then left to sit for over a decade, then driven sparingly for the last few years. I can't wait to start working on it though. The only thing which really worries me right now is that darned fuel pump.

 

My 88 TA's pump howls, too. Its quiet as new when started cold, but run it for 30 minutes or more, and it howls good. I've also noticed at 1/8 of a tank it starts stuttering...fill it up and its fine. Fuel starvation from a hot pump, I'd guess?

I'm debating if its worth it to cut the damn OEM exhaust off to replace the pump. At this point, I don't feel it is...I've seen them howl for YEARS before going bad. At the same point, how much do I trust the pump for a long ride?

I don't know what to do.

 

The dome lights and cig lighter are on a common fuse. It is the 20 amp accessory fuse. Generally, when the interior lights do not work it is the cig lighter that is causing the fuse to pop. The best option is to unplug the plug on the back of the cig housing and install a new fuse. Then replace the cig housing. Also, could be the horn button shorting out.

I "think" the power door locks are on another fuse with the rear window defogger. That one should be a 35 amp fuse. Not sure the cause of this one.

That's what I remember off the top of my head.

 

The stock pumps are usually in a rubber sleeve that insulates them from the hanger/tank and the straps/tank are insulated with rubber. If the rubber is omitted you can get more noise. The other thing to consider is that the design of the pump may be different then the OEM pump, leading to increased noise.

 

Or is there a relay for them all?

 

Wonder if the OE muffler met it's demise during the fuel pump change......

 

An aftermarket replacement pump will be louder than the OE pump. It would suck to change it and end up with the same result.

 

The owners manual, or Service Manual, maybe both have a page that explains which circuits are controlled by which breaker/fuse. That's a quick way to identify the source of a cluster of problems.

The stock muffler can be removed without cutting... Just have to get the slip joint dull red hot with oxy/acetylene and work it off the intermediate pipe.

 

Yep, that would suck ballz. Maybe I just need to get a really loud exhaust.