I'll give you $7550 for it after the T5 swap is complete

 

...

 

Ha, for that kind of price increase I'll do an extra good job on the swap for you!

 

That's right Jeremy. DO NOT disappoint, KMK454!

 

You got an offer of $7500 on a CFI car and didnt hand him the keys immediately?

 

I guess the market is changing - more appreciation for the unique 80's options.

 

agreed

 

Stop it!

 

 

Goodness Charlie. With an offer like that, Jason would already be making arrangements and starting the search for his next Third Gen LOL.

 

the offer was good but wasn't this guy going to drive it in the winter if he bought it? There were extenuating circumstances I thought. Besides, Charlie's car is immaculate, and once the blue Lear Seigler interior is in and the T5 swap is done, it will be the coolest crossfire car the factory should have built. Especially if we can get the 12" 1LE brake setup under the stock rims....

 

Not if you know how to throw a car around. Ive owned 11 sec cars on street tires. Thats half the fun. See how far you can walk it and stay in em

 

Why didn't I sell it? I have to say that I was very tempted. It took me a couple of days to really wrap my head around it. Although my '83 is not really mint, it is a clean car. I'd hate to see it destroyed after surviving all of these years. We all say how these cars should be saved - well, I decided to save my own. Plus, I have quite a bit of money into it already. So it's not like I'd be making much of a profit on it anyway.

Sure, when someone makes you a good offer, you think about it and what could possibly be the next car. But for now, I'm keeping it. Still looking for a 2OTL for it. Now that I know the Maganaflow piece is extremely close in sound and performance, really just looking for correct tail pipes, if possible.

 

Sentimental value along with the time and effort you put in to a car over a period of time has a strong point too. May not be able to put a dollar amount on it but, it's an important factor in to keeping a car as well.

I still wish my Dad would have saved his brown on tan 1984 Z28. Although I love my IROC (I've had it for the past 12 years) you never see an optioned out early thirdgen anymore thats still in good shape like Chaz's '83 Z28.

My dads car had the LG4/700r4/3.23 posi drivetrain but, it had almost all the other options you could get for that year aside from the LS style interior and L69 motor. Did have the custom cloth zebra stripe interior though. The car even had the headliner mounted spin dial appointment reminder option and the pouch that went along with it.

Sad thing is that's been 14 years ago now and that car is probably long gone by now especially since my dad sold it to a junk yard after the transmission went out on him. For as much work as it needed it was 100% factory stock. I'd still would like a 100% factory stock 1984 Z28 L69 bright red on silver car someday.

 

Hey Charlie, I might be driving through the Chicago area in May. I should stop in and take those door dents out for you!!! Then the car will go nowhere, right?

 

Let me know if this happens, I'll bring my GTA over and we can have a party. I have some real small dents in my fender I'd like to stop seeing. Wanna pocket some $$ on your trip?

 

Thats commendable, but think about it in another way. You have a temperamental car. Sure, yours runs like a top for now, but theres a very good reason they're called "ceasefire". Offers to get all your money back on ANY 3rd gen dont pop up very often

 

Charlie - I am not hip to the lingo - what does that mean?

 

Never mind, I figured it out. I personally like the look of a left and right tailpipe though.

 

Let me know, Scott.

 

Well come on up, Jeremy. We'll have a PDR party at my house.

 

2OTL on the way.......

 

SLP 2OTL arrived!

 

cool, are they in good shape? It will be interesting to see this on the car.

 

***

I sold my low-output 32k mile LB9 in mint condition for $2,500 more, and thought I made out pretty well Now I wish I'd kept it...I miss that stupid car...

Never thought I'd be looking specifically at 86 Trans Ams on Craigslist

 

Needs some clean up. This might be the first CFI with a 2OTL?

 

That was a really nice car, Jason. I'd miss it too.

 

When you get the new exhaust cleaned up can you post some pics?

All the LU5 cars that I have actually seen in person and heard them run (not that many mind you) have all been 100% stock.

Would be cool to hear what the LU5 sounds like with an aftermarket exhaust on it!

You will probably really appreciate that new exhaust set up once you complete the T-5 swap and go out for a cruise with the T-Tops off. I love the way these old school Gen 1 small block motors sound especially when you go for a ride with the roof out!

The way these cars sound is part of the reason that I got hooked on thirdgens in the first place lol!

 

Nothing like the sound of a nice Gen 1 Chevy engine.

I'm sure you'll come across something Jason LOL.

 

Why specifically an '86? I'd think an 87-90 LB9 5spd or L98 car would be more up your alley as a preservationist.

 

what is a slp 20tl?

 

2OTL=two out the left. Its what the third gen firehawks had from SLP.

 

Which is exactly why I got rid of it...that thinking right there

Honestly? Looking back, 86 had some features I liked that could all be combined together. Screaming chickens and two tone seats are 2 big things I like about 86. First year for "GTA" wheels. Digital dashes. Its the only year that combines all these. I know I can take a GTA and throw a chicken on the hood, but I still lack the cool two tone seats...and the preservationist in me can't stand a screaming chicken on a GTA

At the same point, the LG4-cammed LB9 of 86 is why I sold it. I'm not one to mod, so tearing into mine was not appealing to me. I think what I really need is an LB9 85 TA...I can at least get a better LB9 and a chicken. At the same point, I don't like the 85 gauges.

It was kinda sluggish, but it was still a beautiful car that was fun to drive. Its funny to think my 88 LB9 M5 TA was a far better performer with that combo and WS6. I guess the appearance of the 86 actually makes me miss it more...blue/silver with the base 15s and that big *** silver chicken on the hood, with black and grey interior.

When I was selling it, I rationalized it by seeing that beautiful LS1 WS6 cars were and are going for about $2k more than the $10k I sold it for. Right now I found a 1 of 74 '99 Formula Hawk with 38k on it for $13k. In my mind, that car at $13k is a way better deal than a 190hp LB9 86 TA.

That thinking still doesn't stop me from missing it like hell

 

Honestly? At this point I am considering downsizing a little further. I have a 99 Wrangler I am putting up for sale at the end of this month (prime Wrangler season is starting), and have listed my Z28 on a couple sites. I've had the 30th for 12 years, and its a great car. At the same point, I look at it next to the IROC and the SS, and it doesn't do it for me like those two.

If I sell them both, the plan is to trade my wife's 04 GTP in for a new '13 Chrysler 300 S with a Hemi. She's had her GTP for over 6 years, and wants something fresh. Gonna take some time and just figure out what I'd want for a "driver" third or fourth gen. It will either be an LS1 Firehawk, an LB9 5 speed IROC, or potentially a third gen convertible. A local dealer has a 92 25th red/black stripe RS vert L03 A4 for $11,995 with 31k miles.

Wifey is saying buy it Her only fear is I will get sick of the LO3...but with it being a vert, its more about cruising. Might go look at it...which will unravel the whole friggen plan

 

The L03 A4 combo is truly an abomination, second only to the LG4 A4 combo. A vert is the only saving grace for that powertrain.

 

An abomination LOL.

 

i thought this was a crossfire thread

 

A Third Gen convertible is something you haven't had yet.

 

An L03 can be overlooked, for a convertible. Did I tell you guys that I went to look at a local '89 LB9/T5/3.08 hardtop IROC, advertised here on TGO?

 

That would add a peanut cam to your bunch... Was it a nice car? Did you buy it or are you just teasing us?

 

Nope, didn't buy it. I mean how many 3rd gens are enough?

It was a big cam LB9, Jeremy. That and the fact that it was a T5 hardtop was attractive. In fact, the guy posted the ad on TGO, just before I was leaving to go 5 minutes away from where it was located. I mean....how could I not go check it out? It's originally a California car with a pretty clean undercarriage. But it has some needs. It has a horrible backyard paint job and some bodywork, fairly trashed interior, leaky diff, (I'm certain the posi is toast). Some other items too.

In other words it's a project. I hope it finds a good home, it deserves saving. I've referred it to couple of friends, but they aren't interested in something that rough. I hope it doesn't end up getting parted. He's asking $3500, so it's probably well above that threshold.

 

If it was a coupe, I wouldn't even consider it

Indeed, I've never had a convertible. I have been eyeing for $9,995 for awhile a 38k 88 IROC vert in black...nice contrast to my coupe. Its at least a TPI...but its still an A4 and it has the godawful red interior. It isn't even custom cloth, but the base cloth

The 2 issues with the 25th vert is no stick and red cloth (seems sooo many 25ths have red interiors...). I don't think I've found it yet. I have some leads on my Wrangler, and my father is interested in buying my 30th from me. I have no idea what I will end up doing. But if the right 5 speed TPI convertible, or the right Formula LB9/M5 or 350 show up, it'll be a whole lot clearer

I have learned to be patient over time. I found my IROC 20 minutes from me.

 

The right convertible would make me consider selling both the '85 and/or '83.

 

There is no number that is "enough" thirdgens, I think we can all agree on that.

If it was a 3.08 geared car shouldn't it have rear drums, tiny exhaust, L03/LG4 manifolds and the peanut cam? Basically the same LB9 that was put in front of the A4? I thought only way to get the good cam and exhaust on an LB9 was to get a G92/5spd combo.

 

All the 5 speed LB9s got the L98 cam. This one wasn't a G92, so it came with the standard single cat 3" (~2.75") exhaust, M39 T5, (vs MK6 for G92) and
disc/drums. It even had the standard 15" IROC wheels.





























-
-

-
-
-

-
-

Who the hell knows, that damned thing may ultimately end up following me home......

 

^^You just need to make sure you tell me when the yellow one is up for grabs. Never been to Chi Town...show me around, hand me the keys, and I can take a nice leisurely ride back to MA with it

I think I've got a buyer for my Wrangler...coming to look at it Sunday. Assuming I sell the Z to my dad (my wife is finding this amusing, as he sold me his SS last year...), I'm leaning towards a second third gen. Right now, I am having a major issue deciding between pursuing an LB9/T5 IROC, some sort of convertible, a GTA or a Formula.

Knowing me, I'll end up buying an LO3/A4 RS because "its got like no mileage, and it was such a deal!!!" What I do know is I want to be able to drive this one a little bit more than the SS and IROC...which has me feeling Firebird, because I tend to like the seats and upholstery more. I also find pop-up headlights even cooler, the older I get

 

If I ever sell the '85, you'll be the first to know, bro.


As far as pop up lights go..... When I met my wife, she was still making payments on her '84 Firebird, (yes, I'm older than most of you guys ). Why did she buy a Firebird? She LOVED the pop up headlights!

 

I will tell you one thing. The next third gen I buy? I'm not selling it Its gotta be the right car...yellow IROC would be the right car

I'm gonna be picky as hell this time...but its gotta be something I feel ok with driving a little. I want something with 40-60k miles so I don't feel as bad about driving it!

 

I put the factory driver's seat back in. The LS Conteur just wasn't very comfortable. I suspect that the hillbilly spring repair I did on the lower portion may have raised the seat height a couple of inches or so, which required me to scrunch my head down to see through the windshield. The stock seat has the lateral support of a lawn chair, but at least I can sit semi normally.

Oh, the CFI just LOVES the unseasonably cool air.

 

Been driving the '83 every day since the T5 swap. Thank goodness the AC now works, it's been HOT!

A 5th gen was behind me at a traffic light. It never ceases to amaze me at how massive those cars are, compared to our 3rd gens. It filled my rear view mirror like it was an SUV.