I've found this 89 and this is the build sticker, from what I have read it seems to be a rare build . From what I have read on several sites the G92 and N10 put the engine output at 240 HP and 350 Torque matched up with the 5 speed manual. This seems to be the top ratings for the IROC builds aside from 1LE and B4C cars as far as I can tell. Car is in great shape and I'm having a 3rd party inspection done to it as well since its not close by. The only thing I have noticed is that it has T-Tops that were not on the build.
I'm looking for any input on this car from current owners that have been in the community for awhile , as far as how rare of a car this is and what to ask about in the inspection.
Thanks in advance !
Its 230hp with the LB9 305 and N10 dual cat exhaust. The 240hp was the 5.7 engine with N10, which are all automatics.
There are no production numbers that are FOR SURE, but it's believed to be around 300 built for 1989. They were the later builds for the 89 model year. In 1990, there were 295 built FOR SURE, and the numbers are probably similar for 89 as well.
I used to have a 1990 IROC-Z equipped the same way. Fun cars! You said the car has t-tops, so they must be aftermarket C&C t-tops. ALL 1989 and 1990 G92, 5 speeds were hard tops. None had CC1 code
Post some pics, already!
Chazman on the board also has an 89, G92, 5 speed. And it's also black like the one you're looking at buying. His has like 11k miles and he bought it new. His is a DX3 stripe delete car
I've found this 89 and this is the build sticker, from what I have read it seems to be a rare build . From what I have read on several sites the G92 and N10 put the engine output at 240 HP and 350 Torque matched up with the 5 speed manual. This seems to be the top ratings for the IROC builds aside from 1LE and B4C cars as far as I can tell. Car is in great shape and I'm having a 3rd party inspection done to it as well since its not close by. The only thing I have noticed is that it has T-Tops that were not on the build.
I'm looking for any input on this car from current owners that have been in the community for awhile , as far as how rare of a car this is and what to ask about in the inspection.
Thanks in advance !
Those are DEFINITELY C&C t-tops, which to me is a bummer....BUT, like I said before, ALL G92, 5 speeds in 89 and 90 were hard tops. So that was the only way to get t-tops in one.
How many miles are on it?
Has it had the front springs replaced? Looks like it sits plenty high in the front.
Is it a repaint? It's missing all of the TUNED PORT INJECTION callouts. (rear bumper and rockers)
It appears to be a pretty original car. Nothing looks butchered up. Not sure why the MAF sensor is upside down. It has a ton of potential, for sure. The antenna is not original.
So talking to the guy (who is pretty straightforward) says its probably 5yr old paint. One small buffer burn on driver fender top, needs the missing emblems (he has the nose emblem) and needs correct radio if I can source that.
I'm kinda a purist with cars I get so the t-top thing is bothersome and conversion sounds risky. The car has 57k, came out of Florida from NJ I think. Thanks for spotting the upside down part on the engine, I'm not sure what to look for. I have a reputable inspector that will chk it out and give me details as well. I noticed the stance looking low in the back too.
All in all, it doesn't look like a bad car at all. I'm not sure what the price is.
To give you something to compare to.....I sold my 1990, G92, 5 speed with 44k miles last spring for $18,000. The car had original paint, other than the hood. It was probably an honest 9 out of 10 car. SUPER CLEAN car from Texas.
Hes asking 17900 and signaled that its negotiable , he knows about the options and repaint, not sure he knows aftermarket t-tops but some look at that as a non issue. Hes been very open to inspection and offered up the gentleman that has a well known inspection business, Steve Lindon .
I know there are better priced cars from owners that come up, and Red is my first choice, but finding a rare build always gets my attention.
Theres several decent cars I'm looking at , but seem to be selling fairly quickly. I can find a daily driver 120k 5.7 automatic for 10k about an hr away or spend 20k+ for a low mile survivor too..
The market is really weird right now. I mean, my old car compared to this car for the same money is kind of ridiculous. They aren't even in the same league. I bought that car from its 80 year old, original owners. The car could have passed as a 20k mile car....it was that nice. Everything pretty much appeared like a new car. The entire engine compartment looked almost new, the bottom of the car, the interior, etc. BUT, the last year, these cars seem to be really bringing more money. In my honest opinion, I'd want to be in the black car around $12,500. It has a lot going for it.....but it has a lot against it, too. Faded interior, repaint, paint burn through, aftermarket t-tops, etc.
Is it a desirable optioned car? Yep. But the cars bringing the big dollars are either really low miles, pristine condition, or both. Condition seems to come way before options.
But, that's just my opinion.
Things to look for, are slight jerking when you let out on the clutch pedal when the car is in gear. Means the flywheel probably needs resurfaced. Make sure the clutch doesn't slip.
Look for common wear items. Like the leather at the top of the steering wheel. They're about $400
Run a carfax report to see if there has been any prior damage
Look for leaks. Blue smoke at start up. Look at the bottom of the car for any rust issues. Check the quality of the repaint. Tape lines in door jambs, dirt in paint, orange peel, runs, etc
Look for signs of water leakage from the t-tops.
Check the gauge cluster to make sure it's working properly. The tachs reading way too high is pretty common. Make sure the fuel gauge works. Replacing the sending unit is a MAJOR chore.
As dagwood said, it's got aftermarket C&C t-tops. I'd imagine being a Florida car, the clear coat was cooked, which could be the reason for the repaint. If it were original paint and without the t-tops I'd say, go get it for $17,900! What are you waiting for?!!!
But with the repaint, I'd like to get a super close look at it first. The C&Cs are what they are. If it looks really good up close, and has no mechanical issues I don't think the price is out of line. I'd probably want to get it for under 15K though. If the faded interior bugs you, it'll be some dollars to replace it. You'll need to have someone make seat covers in the proper fabric, since the aftermarket ones aren't even close to factory looking. Or just leave them and enjoy it.
About 1,500 G92 IROCs in 1989 and as Darin said, about 200-300 of those were 5 speeds. So it's a rare car. Does it still have the N10 exhaust?
I think the low production number options are the major draw for me. I'll ask about the N10 exhaust. If it has been replaced, what do I look for to make sure its correct ? The diameter is larger and duel cats as well right ?
As far as price I'm holding off until inspection is completed. The market is very strong right now and some pretty nice cars have been selling for very high amounts.
Dagwood , your car looked fantastic and I'm sure you know what it would bring today as opposed to last spring!
The twin to this one with the hardtop is amazing , I would buy that one if I could !
Yep. Dual catalytic converters. Make sure the cats are still there. The dual cat cars are kind of cool, because when you look through the wheel well on the passenger side behind the front wheel, you can actually see the twin pipes leading to the cats.
By saying you can see the pipes behind the front, passenger side wheel....I'll show you what I mean. Here's a video of my old car, and I point it out around the 40 second mark
All in all, it doesn't look like a bad car at all. I'm not sure what the price is.
To give you something to compare to.....I sold my 1990, G92, 5 speed with 44k miles last spring for $18,000. The car had original paint, other than the hood. It was probably an honest 9 out of 10 car. SUPER CLEAN car from Texas.
It makes me sad, knowing what happened to this car.
Guy I sold it to was welding in subframe connectors, and it started on fire.
As I was reading down to this reply, I was expecting you to say the guy wrecked it on the way home -- something tragic and accidental... But this outcome seems much worse to me since it was probably far better to have left the car alone and original...
Incidentally, as long as I've jumped into this discussion, and going back to the earlier comments about the CC1 T-tops in 1989: I'm presuming what was said about aftermarket T-tops only applies to the Camaro, perhaps only the IROCs? I've got an '89 LB9/N10/MM5/G80 Firebird Formula that came with factory T-tops, and I'm certain that the RPO decal shows the CC1 option code. And the axle ratio was 3.45 (GM3) on these Formulas, so pretty similar to the Camaro G92 (which was 3.42, I want to say).
As I was reading down to this reply, I was expecting you to say the guy wrecked it on the way home -- something tragic and accidental... But this outcome seems much worse to me since it was probably far better to have left the car alone and original...
Incidentally, as long as I've jumped into this discussion, and going back to the earlier comments about the CC1 T-tops in 1989: I'm presuming what was said about aftermarket T-tops only applies to the Camaro, perhaps only the IROCs? I've got an '89 LB9/N10/MM5/G80 Firebird Formula that came with factory T-tops, and I'm certain that the RPO decal shows the CC1 option code. And the axle ratio was 3.45 (GM3) on these Formulas, so pretty similar to the Camaro G92 (which was 3.42, I want to say).
Yep, it only pertains to Camaros.
The 1989 G92 5 speed IROC-Z had the 3.45 rear
The 1990 G92 5 speed IROC-Z had the 3.42 rear
Had no idea this happened to this car after the sell. That is sad, indeed. Ive often wondered how many cars have caught fire from an idiot welding in subframe connectors without removing the seats, carpet, etc first. I don’t see the point of weld-in sfc’s unless your going to track the car. Doesn’t make a bit of difference in a car used for cruising around town, in my opinion. This car was far, far too nice to weld on.
Is the car being rebuilt? Getting hard to find nice parts these days for these cars.
Had no idea this happened to this car after the sell. That is sad, indeed. Ive often wondered how many cars have caught fire from an idiot welding in subframe connectors without removing the seats, carpet, etc first. I don’t see the point of weld-in sfc’s unless your going to track the car. Doesn’t make a bit of difference in a car used for cruising around town, in my opinion. This car was far, far too nice to weld on.
Is the car being rebuilt? Getting hard to find nice parts these days for these cars.
Darin knows more, but apparently he's going to use it as a parts car.
BEAUTIFUL CAR. That's also a G92, 5 speed with N10 dual cat exhaust. 230hp. He was wrong in the video when he said 235. That is 1 of 295 built!!! Way nicer than the other car!
A buddy just sent me a link to that car about 5 min ago before I saw your post. You're lucky you jumped on it!
Here's a similar video of my car. (Mine was also a factory DX3 code stripe delete car like Charlie's. I put the stripes on mine.) So THIS is what you have to look forward to with a 230hp, G92, 5 speed!
Hey I got a very similar firebird formula. N10 305 5-speed with C&C t tops 230hp. Love the car but having a hard time finding a good set of C&C t tops. There are not many N10 cars left as far as I know.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ImPeEzwRxy0
pulled the trigger on this one today. Condition is far above the 89.
Not knocking the 89, but I like original.
I'm excited !!!!
Wow. Very nice. This is tempting but buying investment property soon.
The 89 is available for anyone interested. Very straightforward dealer , really didn't like letting him know I went another direction. He offered up the inspection service as a option , and did a courtesy hold on the car for me without a deposit.
Other than the C&C ttops , I was sold on the car and had plans to bring it up to the level I wanted. It has the BW 9 bolt and the old school dash I really kinda liked.
I'm very excited to get this clean, original, rare 90 . I hope it brings plenty of grins !
So the first Sunday of October, there is a HUGE HUGE HUGE car cruise and show that ends up in Ft Dodge, IA that you should drive that hot rod up here to! There are cruise routes from all over the state that lead to it. It's called Cruise To The Woods. Check it out! Itd be cool to meet ya and check out the new IROC!
All of the different cruise routes meet in a small town called Stratford, IA....and then ALL of those cars cruise together to the car show site near Ft. Dodge. They get 1,000 cars. Super fun!
Looks like you could join route #7 that leaves from Mt. Ayr, Iowa. That route LEAVES from the Casey's Convenience Store at 6:25am
Had no idea this happened to this car after the sell. That is sad, indeed. Ive often wondered how many cars have caught fire from an idiot welding in subframe connectors without removing the seats, carpet, etc first. I don’t see the point of weld-in sfc’s unless your going to track the car. Doesn’t make a bit of difference in a car used for cruising around town, in my opinion. This car was far, far too nice to weld on.
Is the car being rebuilt? Getting hard to find nice parts these days for these cars.
why the hell did he think he needed subframe connectors? OMG....the cars don't make that much power, and that can didn't have t-tops so it's more structurally sound...what a SHAME...that was a beautiful car.....
Shame of it is, even if he or someone else wanted to rebuild it, could they find parts for it? So sad....
why the hell did he think he needed subframe connectors? OMG....the cars don't make that much power, and that can didn't have t-tops so it's more structurally sound...what a SHAME...that was a beautiful car.....
Shame of it is, even if he or someone else wanted to rebuild it, could they find parts for it? So sad....
It was getting a wicked LS7, 6 speed, full DSE suspension, 9 in rear end, etc. He was going to make a monster out of it
