It has Minnesota collector car plates that say "85 IROC". All three of the owners tell me that is what was on the car when they had it. So, who knows...

 

Yeah, you can customize them for an extra 100 or so bones, forgot to mention that.

 

The '85 feels pretty fast. Very close to my '89. Off the top of my head, the '85 LB9/700R4/3.42 usually ran between 15.2 and 14.8 seconds in the 1/4 mile tests of the time. The L69/T5/3.73 were usually within a tenth or two of that. The combo in my '89 was in the 14.6 to 15.0 range, (Motorweek got a 13.9! ). But if I had a choice on the '85, I'd go for the L69/T5 for sure - even if it might be a tick slower. Of course, a yellow L69 IROC is hard to find. I found one last year, with about 135,000 miles on it and the owner said he'd want $7500 for it when he was ready to sell.

BTW, when I put the OEM muffler/tailpipe assembly on the '85, I was pretty surprised that it was actually louder than my N10 '89. Concurrently, I also had an exhaust rattle. Both of those things came from a common source. The cat is missing one bolt. I've got an exhaust leak/rattle coming out the back of the cat. Anyone know what size bolt that should be?

 

I think the bolt is a trilobular thread rolling bolt that is M14 if I had to guess, it's a big sucker if I'm thinking of the right one.

It doesnt surprise me that the dual cat setup is quieter. When I took the edelbrock cat back off my squished 91 TA (with manifolds and a 3" single catco cat) and put it on my GTA with the original N10, the GTA was noticably quieter. For this reason when I built the current exhaust for the GTA I went with a dual cat setup with 2 2.5" cats instead of a single 3.5" one. The car is very quiet despite the fact that it has nearly 500hp now.

 

Where would a guy like me find a bolt like that?

 

My wife is currently laughing her a** off at me, because I've been back on Auto Trader again (as if we didn't see that coming...)...

My current options are:

1) Being sensible and not doing anything at all.
2) A beautiful stock navy blue 00 Corvette convertible with Z51, performance axle and 21k miles
3) An 85 TA TPI non-ws6 t-top car, white with grey cloth and 14k miles on it

The reason I am thinking about the 85 in relation to the two I just sold is because its got the power and t-tops my 86 didn't have, and its in pristine 100% original condition even better than my 88. Plus, for some reason I'm really digging the white with the silver/red perimeter stripe and grey cloth...

I'm officially sick

 

Oh Jason, I knew those 4th gens would never scratch your 3rd gen itch.

 

Charlie, Minnesota will not issue a Collector plate on any car newer than 20 years old. It took forever for me to get my plate for my '69. I actually sold the car by the time the plate arrived. I drove the car to work and cruised it around town with no plates at all. I even had a small engine fire that required the fire department to come out and the police pulled in behind the car and never ticketed me for not having a plate.

 

I wonder if they started out as "85 IROC" vanity plates and reverted to collector car plates after 20 years?

 

Most likely, she probably just didn't remember, or she meant to ask if it still had a plate that said "85 IROC" on it rather than a collector plate per se.

I haven't had a front plate since 2001-2002 and I was only ever harassed once for it, back in 2008 literally the night before I put the car away to move overseas. I did get a ticket from quite the smug cop while cruising around Lake Calhoun; he was sitting across the intersection on the east side of the lake where 35th street is and I knew he was going to pull a U-turn before the light even turned green, too bad I didn't have a collector plate then and his smugness would've went away real quick as he turned around behind me to see it...though I suppose he still could've given me a ticket since technically collector plates in MN restrict you to parades and shows, though I have never, ever heard of anyone being hassled with a collector plate.

In my experience, MN cops are pretty lax about no front plate; no front plate on our thirdgens tends to stand out more than no front plate on a lot of other cars I'd like to think, but it doesn't seem to be a problem most of the time.

 

Its hard because C5s have finally come to a range I consider affordable...and good third gens have risen to a price level where a C5 isn't much more

I always assumed I wanted a GTA most when it came to Firebirds. But after owning one, the striping and screaming chicken of the 85-86 cars appeals to me now too. I really want an original-paint, 100% perfect car. Lets face it...those are friggen hard to find.

The problem is, its at a Buick/GMC dealer and are asking $14,900 for it They need to be knocked down several pegs before I even get off my butt to go look at it. Something tells me they won't...

 

1) A good idea
2) A decent idea
3) A horrible idea



Don't do #3, it's not what you want. You just got rid of two T/As that you weren't completely in love with, and this one is non-WS6...you'll sell it within 6 months, guaranteed.

#2 is good but C5s are really starting to look dated and the interior is shameful for a car of that caliber IMO--it reeks of the cheap, bubbly '90s GM junk plastic; looks bad now, looked bad then. Not to mention a lot of new cars can wipe the floor with those standard Vettes, which is kind of embarrassing since afterall, it is a Corvette and should generally be considered creme of the crop. Can you get into an '05 C6? Those are beautiful cars with much, much nicer interiors. AFAIK the C7 is right around the corner so there should be a drop in C6 prices soon, though I acknowledge they still aren't cheap for cars coming up on 10 years old (hard to believe the C6 is that old, they still look fresh to me). I've considered a C6 for my next DD, but while I feel bad driving a Mustang in the winter, I would probably just look like a complete idiot driving a Vette in the winter...that and then it would really make it hard to justify the much "lesser" Camaro as a summer toy. In reality I've shied away from Vettes since I think they will ruin the Camaro experience; the Camaro looks gorgeous on it's own, but park it next to a Vette and it just won't hold it's own, it'll look like a 4x4 that isn't nearly as sleek. KMK can chime in on that though.

#1 is good but where's the fun in that? Though I have a hard enough time with the upkeep cosmetic and mechanical on two cars, can't imagine how you guys do it with 3, 4, 5+. But if the wife has given the OK, it certainly never hurts to look around.

 

Thats intresting. Yes there is something very good about the L69/3.73/5-speed cars. Ha ha i just wish my car was in as good shape as yours when I got it. My stock exhaust was one of the first things to go. The pipes were rusting out. Someone also put a cheap midas muffler. The car was way to quiet for my taste and had no exhaust tone. Thats one thing I remember from my dads '84 Z28. It only had the LG4 in it but it had the stock exhaust on it. When I was 12 years old I feel in love with the way that car sounded. Ha ha I ended up putting a flowmaster catback on my car. I know some people on the site don't like them but I like mine.

Those cars that you have are so cool! Ha ha many of us are jealous that you have that collection and a nice garage to place those cars in. Do you have the factory books and invoice information for your '89? Thats so cool that you are the original owner of a car like that. I wouldn't want to drive that car too much either if I had it. That thing is a time capsule. Someday we will be needing cars like that as a reference point to see what the cars were like in 100% stock form.

 

I think you'll find Jason, that an L69 cammed ,'85 LB9, with a 3.23/3.42 (not sure what this particular TA has), will feel very close, if not indiscernable, to your 2.77 geared IROC when you mash the gas pedal.

 

I too like your collection, and dedication to originality. I myself have been into international scouts for the past 30 years, but picked up this 85 iroc a few years ago. At the time it had 45k on it, now has 58k.. I drive it just about everyday it doesn't rain from april until november here in michigan. It has a LB9/ 700r4, 3.42 disc braked non posi rear, pw, pl, tilt, rear defrost, overhead console, t tops, conteur seats, but no ac. Totally original except for tires, hoses, battery and belts. My favorite part about driving it is the 1-2 shift at 3/4 throttle!

 

I polished the tail light lenses previously, and they just didn't pop. I decided to take the whole assembly apart and see what's what.

Surprise. Surprise.





Looks like a fine dust that you could just hose off. It's actually a 1/8" coating of tough clay. Amazingly stubborn stuff.
This is after soaking, scrubbing with various brushes and hosing off 3 or 4 times.



Various bits in progress.


Almost done. At this point, I actually had to use a pick to dislodge some stuck clay.



Can you believe this came out of the tail lights?



Yuck!





Much better!

 

That looks awesome man! These tail lights sure hold the dirt. Cant believe how clean you got the body and wiring. Any pics of the tail lights re-installed or are they still taking a simple green bath?

 

Yeah, you'd think I'd have an "after" shot.

Everything is all buttoned up. It took me a little longer, since I squirted water into the wrong hole and soaked the carpet in the hatch, and had to vaccum all that water out. .

If I get the trans isuues sorted, I'll be bringing this one to ThirdGenFest.

 

You must own a detailing business or something. You make all of your cars look awesome.

 

Oh not at all, but thanks. I've always enjoyed that stuff. Maybe that's why I'm attracted to all of these neglected cars.


Here's an "after" pic I just took, BTW. Not a really good one.

 

10 minutes before I thought I was going to bed, I got the urge to remove the rear spoiler and see if it needed detailing. Yes, I'm a weirdo.







Scratched into the bottom of the spoiler were the words "xtra dry", whatever that means.

 

Trans update: Car's in the shop having it's trans rebuilt. It wasn't the governor nor the TV system. When we dropped the pan, it was full of clutch material.

 

Car should feel great when she's rebuilt. I find myself wanting a yellow IROC too. Hard to believe since I find very, very few cars attractive in yellow, let alone pale yellow. Though for me it would have to be a 350 car with a black interior, and I've seen no low mileage 350 yellow cars out there at all. A few 305s, but no '87 350s. The only downside though is that I hate the side trim on the pre-'88 cars, and having an '87 would get in the way of the creme de la creme 245 hp 1990 350 in red I would like. Still can't believe the deal you got on this one though.

What are your long-term plans for it?

BTW--check your mileage in your sig on the '83, lol.

 

I hope it comes out good. I'm pretty picky. Really, the car drives so nice, other than the trans issue, of course.

Long term, I plan on fixing afew more odds and ends and just keeping it - unless someone gives my an offer I can't refuse.

On the '83, I'm just going off of the mileage on the odometer.

 

Are you going to get it rebuilt to original stock specs or are you going to hop it up a little?

 

Original specs, but I'm going to use stronger clutch packs.

 

Thats good. It's a pre '87 700r4 so it dosen't have some of the later post '87 updates.

 

Seems my low miles "creampuff" has seen plenty of full throttle manual shifting.

 

So did they get it rebuilt or are you guessing it was abused because of the condition of the internals?

 

The condition of the internals.

 

Stopped by the trans shop today. Saw all of my fried internals. It looks like someone's opened up the trans previously. I'll post pics tonight.

 

You just doing a stock rebuild?? Or updating it at all??

 

Stock specs, but much more durable clutch plates and bands.

 

I hope they rebuild it right. So many horror stories from trans shops. Or maybe its just because I live in frikkin Detroit.

 

O.M.G.! It better be done right!

 

The good thing is thats its a 700R4. Not too terribly rare of a trans lol.

 

you got 11 days Charlie. You gonna have 'Ol Yeller done or will you have the '83 out with all 165 angry horses?

 

They should be done by Thursday. Assuming everything goes well, I'd like to take care of some odds and ends on it before TGF. Or, I might bring the '89. I was all set to bring the '89 last year, but it was raining.

BTW, I am sure.........that the '83........is pumping out.....more like 185 angry horses by now........so watch out!

 

The carnage:

Fried clutch plates and bands.






Hard to see here, but the barrel is distorted from friction with the bands, (the trans guy called it "collapsed").

 

If you're going to bring out the heavy iron like that maybe the rest of us should ride our bicycles to TGF. I know I can't compete....

I wish I could offer some constructive feedback on your trans rebuild but I'm not much help. I've only rebuilt one 700R4 and it wasn't damaged like yours when I opened it up. I'm not much of an automatic expert anyway. Looks like you're in good hands though. If he's willing to show you parts I'd say thats a good sign.

 

Fresh innards:

 

Someones holy grail that posted here

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3006361955.html

 

Just got a call, it's ready. Still at work, I'll pick it up in the morning.

 

You gonna let drive it again????

 

Did you have him do the firmer shifts?

 

I just recently had my tranny rebuilt and had them increase the line pressure, install a Corvette servo, installed a shift kit and install wide bands. I'm not a tranny guy and not sure of what these do for me except for the increased line pressure, but the car drives again!!!

 

Got it back. All stock except for upgraded clutches, bands and TC. It does exactly what I want it to. Smooth part throttle shifts. Firmer, faster full throttle shifts.

Still deciding on what goes to TGF. The yellow one still has a lot of odds and ends to sort out.

 

Take the star of your collection....the black one. It be nice to take on a long drive.

 

I'm voting for the white one because I got such a kick out of it in '10 and because I want to ride in a cross fire car.

 

What else does the yellow one need? Looks perfect to me