I'm getting ready to begin work on getting my 85 IROC on the highway. My first priority is getting the body work done to deal with the rust and a small door dent along with getting the engine running correctly.

I also have an 86 IROC that was crushed (rear passenger side) I'm planning to use this one for parts.

Besides, the ECM are there other things from my 86 that would be improvements on the 85? Or is that the only significant improvement over the 85?

 

You are asking this on the wrong board dude. Try the TPI Board for your ECM questions, or the ECM Board.

 

I don't think so... like I said, I know that transplanting the ECM from the 86 to the 85 makes sense. I'm asking for suggestions of other things that might be worth moving from the 86 to the 85. I can't think of anything else so I thought I'd ask here. On topic?

 

History?? Restoration?? Things like this are discussed all the time on the TPI board, not sure what goes on in the ECM board. Try those, you'd probably have your answer already.

 

Third brake light was the only real major difference body and interior wise. Nice thing is the seat covers, door panels, and just about everything else are correct to use in your '85.

 

My 86 has power everything, but the 85 isn't. Does the 85 have the wiring in place so I can basically swap in the stuff from the 86?

 

theoretically all the wiring should be there, but here's the catch... You never know where GM tied into the wiring harness, so the connections might be hell and gone from where the power option is located. Of course if you track each of the wires to its connection to the harness and disconnect them there you should be able to plug them directly into the harness on the other car in that same location.

However, we're dealing with old cars here. If the manual hardware works and you don't find it to be a real PITA then I wouldn't swap in old worn power accessories. Believe me its much more fun to have a car without the power crap and be able to do everythign the car was designed to, then to have all the power crap and none of it works.


Drew
91 Firebird with dead power mirrors, two new power window motors, and sticky power locks. Almost forgot the switches... bad power mirror switch, failight power window switch.

 

That's a good point Drew. At first I thought I would look into moving the power mirrors at least, but that would be based on the false assumption that someone else besides me would be driving the car.

 

I've had thirdgens with no options, all options, and ones somewhere in the middle. All manual is really the way to go. They never wear out or break down. Power windows, mirrors, seats, etc all take a beating... With my V6 I'm very tempted to swap to normal mirrors, no rear defrost, etc... I just don't know which would be more of a hassle. The only drawback of manual options is leaning over the console to unlock or rolldown the passengers window/door. I was able to do it with one hand while driving 45mph... Kinda miss those days.