I just picked up this 1991 1LE 350/auto for a restoration project. I'll be going through it completely and updating the powertrain.

It's a great donor - needs work but it's all there and there is no rust.

 

Somebody actually put aftermarket AC on it which will be coming off.

 

Awesome! I'm jealous, that's a great car for the project!

 

 

Nice project...will be watching.

 

Progress




The car paid me back today. ~$17 was under the center console, jammed in the shifter, and under the carpet.


There is no rust on the floor boards.

 

Looks like a nice car for restoration and a 1LE!. Mine is very similar. I can't see some of your pics since they are linking to Michigan Fbody site. What are your plans for the powertrain. I'm going to store stock drivetrain and upgrade engine, rear end, transmission, etc. Car will look stock on outside. Just love how the later Z's look I just picked up today more spare body parts (front bumper, rocker gfx and spoiler). I'm almost a spare body part pack rat now...

 

You can't see the pictures that are hosted on MiFbody?

The powertrain will be LS3/4L60.

 

no

 

Interesting. Then again, I'm a Michigan F-body member, and stay signed in, so maybe that's letting me see them?

 

I cant see the pictures either.

 

fixed the links

 

so jealous of your garage, can't wait for the build. subscribed.

 

Amazing dash pad for a 1991


I strained my back so I figured I would do some sit down work tonight. I reset the odometer to zero (not easy) and polished the cluster lens with PlastX.

 

Thanks

 

Why reset the odometer? That's all kinds of shady.

 

I wanted a zero odometer after the restoration.

It's only shady if you sell it (which I'm not) and misrepresent it. On the MI title there is a box to check if the mileage is not actual. Besides, MI doesn't even note the mileage after 9 years.

 

90% of these care have odometer discrepancies anyway, the original cables don't last much over a hundred thousand and after that they aren't even accurate. My car built in 86 turns over to 0 after a 100k regardless. I would have done the same thing its just like changing gauges too.

 

....or were easily disconnected when new to extend the warranty period - don't ask me how I know that.

If you have any plans of upgrading any of the brake parts, I'd be interested in your old ones. Thanks.

 

I'm restoring the 1LE brakes to maintain the heritage.

 

Found disgusting water/coolant in the HVAC case due to a heater core leak. I cleaned it with Clorox bathroom cleaner with bleach.


Parts piling up


My subterranean parts staging area.

 

Looks like you have got a lot of work ahead of ya.

 

Mileage inaccuracies are due to parts failures or modifications, both of which are negative influences on the value of a rare vehicle. In my opinion the only way resetting the odometer to zero is justified is if you replace every single part of that car, every single part, with a new old stock part. Not repaired, refurbed, rebuilt, reproduced.... new old stock. Brand new, as the factory made it.

It's a really nice, rare car. Good luck with it. I would just encourage you to fix the odometer to read the correct mileage.

 

Feels good to actually put something back together. Heater core and dash installed.

 

Restored the tail lights tonight.
Before (bottom) and after (top)


Finished


Windshield out



Also spent tonight putting LEDs in the cluster and testing every single bulb circuit.

 

Looking good. What are your plans with the powertrain and drivetrain? Are you keeping her original?

 

LS3/4L60. Keeping the LS3 stock. (~475hp with headers)

 

looks good. what did you use?

 

PlastX and a polishing pad from a headlight restoration kit on a drill.

 

Looking good. Any info on the red IROC?

 

The car was owned by my friend and Thirdgen.org member Frenchican. Years ago I told him when he was ready to sell let me know. That happened this year and I shipped it from CA to MI. It's a 1989 with a 350-swapped TPI, built T5 and Wilwood brakes. The interior, exterior, suspension, and underbody has been completely restored. It is one of the cleanest IROCs I've ever seen and I couldn't let it go to anyone else. It's staying with me.

Before paint - real basketcase LOL


When it was painted:

 

After paint:










From a magazine photo shoot:

 

In Michigan:






The only thing I didn't like about the car was the 1985-1987-style IROC reproduction wheels. I restored a set of 1988-1990 IROC wheels and swapped them.

 

Really a nice found this Z28! And the Iroc is gorgeous!

 

Perfect.
That's exactly what I want my 89 to look like when I'm done.
Are those 15 or 16" wheels?
I'm trying to find the IROC center in silver for them.

 

16"

I have a spare set of center caps.

 

I'll pm ya, thanks

 

Very nice!

 

Lots more room for activities!

 

Holiday weekend and putting in the hours


Pumped out the rest of the fuel. I let the fuel pump do the work before it retired. Being in storage for years, I was afraid what I would find in the tank. Surprisingly, it was perfectly clean.


New Racetronix Walbro 255lph pump to support the LS3.


Cleaned, prepped, and painted the underbody.










Cleaned and painted the wheelhouses. I left the original coating because I wanted it to look factory. Just cleaned and painted.

 

Wow you have a dream garage!! Love the IROC!!

 

Thank you.

 

Prepping the engine bay for paint.



POR15 the battery tray

 

Are you painting the engine bay with por15 as well?

 

No, the POR15 was just for the battery tray because of some light rust in the base and moderate rust on the battery retaining lip. The rest of the engine bay will be sprayed with gloss black.

 

It's gonna be awesome when your done. I recently recovered my seats and replaced my carpet. I found $10-$15 in change in mine also haha. If your looking to redo your seats take a look at http://www.lethalinteriors.com/ She does amazing work.

 

Are you going to paint you engine compartment yourself? Looks like your doing a great job

 

Yes.


Thank you.

 

Not to sidetrack your thread but, what did you use to restore your wheels on the red iroc? They look great. Mine look a little old and I've been debating on what to do with them.

 

I sent them to Gratiot Wheel and Tire. They ever so slightly machined the face, made sure all the wheels were straight and clear-coated them.

http://www.gratiotwheelandtire.com/