My '85 IROC start to finish Build
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My '85 IROC start to finish Build
I always enjoy looking at everybody's project thread but never put up my own. Here is my 1985 IROC and everything it has gone through since I bought it in 2006. It started off as an original 85 IROC 5.0 H.O. 5-speed
I was 15 years old when I got it and now Im 19 so you can see how the car and I have changed through the years, its kinda cool in my opinion haha
If you look in between each picture I explain whats happening.
This thread was a bigger pain in the a** than building the car so enjoy!
PS - Sorry about the hair...its bad I know
Picking up the car
Extremely excited kid ^
Gave it a wash and tried on the new IROC rims.
Little more work, new tires and rims all around, shadow making the paint look pretty
Me and my dad decided we wanted to build my first motor together. Picked this piece up from some guy off craiglist. Junked it but saved the forged crank.
New Cast block from GM, torquing down the mains
First Piston! w00t!
I was 15 years old when I got it and now Im 19 so you can see how the car and I have changed through the years, its kinda cool in my opinion haha
If you look in between each picture I explain whats happening.
This thread was a bigger pain in the a** than building the car so enjoy!
PS - Sorry about the hair...its bad I know
Picking up the car
Extremely excited kid ^
Gave it a wash and tried on the new IROC rims.
Little more work, new tires and rims all around, shadow making the paint look pretty
Me and my dad decided we wanted to build my first motor together. Picked this piece up from some guy off craiglist. Junked it but saved the forged crank.
New Cast block from GM, torquing down the mains
First Piston! w00t!
Last edited by propaintball96; Jan 17, 2011 at 08:20 PM.
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
All done! Shiny.
Heads are on
Cam goin back in, thought it was cool cause the other pic of me taking the rusty old cam out...
Just about done!
Old motor...Blew it up. Time for the new one to go in!
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Lookin cool with mah nice new moter
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
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Ugly Engine compartment
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Old motor, the cam gear was literally ground down to a perfect circle. Bent every single rod and valve.
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Shop
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Pretty Engine
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Bout to go in!
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Wait 2 years for this! Great day in my life...never will forget it
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Senior Homecoming, dont worry I didnt go with my dad...
Dad hands me an envelope on graduation day and tells me not to open it until they call my name to walk. Inside was a coupon for one free paint job for my car for my graduation present. Another great day in my life!
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Engine back out! Pressure washed the crap out of it getting ready for paint. Bunch of shots of the car before paint.
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The painter.Very good freind of my dad.
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Did all the body work and paint in his garage. Amazing.
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Paint!!
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
The guy who had it before me blew out of the back hatch and he replaced it with that one unfortunately :/ doesnt bother me too much though 3rd brake lights kinda cool?
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Cleanin up the motor before I get the car back. Sick picture with my dad 2010 in the back. Excuse the nudity
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Back from paint!
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Dad tryin to hook up the rear end to the trailer haha hilarious... Paint was so shiny made the rest of the car look like crap. Time to finish my vision!
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Ready to go home!
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Next to the 2010 waiting for its heart!
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Motor back in, fresh wax on it.
Cant find the pics of the engine with the nice new compartment right now...ill post them later.
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My phone took this pic ^ crazy...
Driving home from college one day, Im from Tampa, FL, go to school in Orlando, get about 5 blocks from my house sitting at a red light, TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP coming from the engine...uh oh...pull over look under the hood, airfilter stud is gone...ohh shiiii......
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Found it!
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Whole engine had to come apart...sent both heads out, rewelded them, shaved, new valves and sent them back. Now have loctite, and two nuts holding down the air filter stud. Guess who learned there lesson!
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All fixed! Chirstmas morning drive with my faszha
Next in line is Posi, rear disk brakes and new wheels! make that paint pop.
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Done! Bought a 4th Gen Disk posi rear 3.42 gears and popped that bad boy in. C6 5 Spokers all around, 18 in front 19 in the rear. Makes the car.
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Day of going back to college, The beasts lined up at the DuPont show in St. Pete Florida
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Favorite Pic
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Second favorite pic.
Twin Turbo inspired me to redo my tailights in red...
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Rewiring everything...
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Wanted to lower this beast for a year. Finally got the cash/shop time
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Before ^
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After.
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This is how it sits now
Very happy with it. All thats left is small interior stuff and shes done.
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Before ^
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After.
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This is how it sits now
Very happy with it. All thats left is small interior stuff and shes done. 
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From: Oregon
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: L31-R 350 w/ EBL P4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
It's a very nice car! I wish my dad would pay for me to get a new motor. My has a cracked block and has 161k miles on it. After new weather stripping, painting a few spots and a few other small parts he won't buy me anything else.
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
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From: CA
Car: 1991 Camaro B4C
Engine: 305
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Beautiful car and awesome build! The car has come a long way...
How did you lower it? What springs and other stuff did you do? I like the stance.
How did you lower it? What springs and other stuff did you do? I like the stance.
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From: Pepperell, MA
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: LQ9/L92
Transmission: 4L60E
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
awesome job, car looks great. working with my dad on his cars is what got me started in this field and hobby, great way to spend time with the family and learn from each other. Always happy to see others who are lucky enough to share the same experience
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From: Dallas, GA
Car: 84 SC Camaro (92 Tribute)
Engine: V6
Transmission: M5
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Very nice car man. Lot's of nice pics. Looks like the only thing left on the outside are your emblems on the gfx. I wish mine looked half that nice! Congrats on all your hard work.
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
Car: '91 Camaro
Engine: LSx
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
great build, very nice look maro! are you planning on putting the "iroc" door emblems ? silver would really pop.
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From: Newark, DE USA
Car: 88 IROC-Z T-Top car with Bose
Engine: L98 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt with 3.27's
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Thanks for sharing. Its not only nice to see how the car has changed and become better, but you as well.
Nothing rivals spending time with your father.....I just finished a build on a 70 Chevelle that took 20 years. My dad picked it up with me and we took it cruising shortly after it was done. One of the best days of my life.
Nothing rivals spending time with your father.....I just finished a build on a 70 Chevelle that took 20 years. My dad picked it up with me and we took it cruising shortly after it was done. One of the best days of my life.
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From: Danville, KY
Car: 1988 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Very nice ride! My wife and I just visited St. Pete last spring and loved it down there.
This is gonna sound cheesey but cherish these moments with ur dad and ur build. Don't take them for granted.
This is gonna sound cheesey but cherish these moments with ur dad and ur build. Don't take them for granted.
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Thanks guys, your right it is very important...stuff ill never forget. As far as the rocker emblems, yeah I know it bothers the crap out of me but I cant get myself to pay 100 bucks for 2 stupid emblems and Im way to picky to put the cheap *** stick on ones...
Thinkin of a little project that would make my car different from all other irocs... I think Im going to take those rocker panels and bondo in where the emblem goes, make it nice and smooth and paint it black. What do you guys think?
And for the IROC emblems...still debating whether I want them on there yet. All black is growing on me more and more
Thinkin of a little project that would make my car different from all other irocs... I think Im going to take those rocker panels and bondo in where the emblem goes, make it nice and smooth and paint it black. What do you guys think?
And for the IROC emblems...still debating whether I want them on there yet. All black is growing on me more and more
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
Car: '91 Camaro
Engine: LSx
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
if you filled them in, i think it would look good, specially with your wheel combo cause they are very smooth and clean looking on your car.
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From: Goose Creek, SC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z and 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7 350 V8 and 5.0 305 V8
Transmission: 700R4 Automatic Transmission
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
It would be cool to smooth them but I personally would put the red Iroc emblems back in and also put the red Iroc decals back on. Just one of my favorite combos! I will have to find another Iroc of my own to paint it that way! This is how I would make mine look.
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From: Cleveland, OH
Car: 87 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
I love it! Others are saying "I wish my dad would buy me XXXX". I wish my dad could teach me how to build an engine. I have to learn myself or pay someone else to do it. You're lucky in that way
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From: Houston TX
Car: 1992 Rs
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
That Is an awesome story man. Mine started out the same way just with an Rs. I totally repainted the engine bay, and outside of the car, got the engine rebuilt and put everything back together. Had a problem with the engine the second time, had to pull it again and just finished it last month. Great way to take care of that car. Keep her clean!
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From: Goose Creek, SC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z and 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7 350 V8 and 5.0 305 V8
Transmission: 700R4 Automatic Transmission
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Haha thanks guys, yeah Im so sick of people telling me my dad bought everything for me. I worked my *** off to make that car nice... and yeah im very lucky to have such a cool dad. Its awesome that we can work on our cars and stuff together.
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From: O'Fallon, MO
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
That thing turned out real nice, good job with it.
I just have to ask one thing though, you didn't really wear those shoes to your homecoming did you?
I just have to ask one thing though, you didn't really wear those shoes to your homecoming did you?
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Car: 1991 Z28
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
"All thats left is small interior stuff and shes done." I have been saying that for years, right after my latest upgrade, mod or repair!!
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From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
propaintball, there is another guy here in Tampa/St. Pete area that has a car that looks identical to yours. Black with C6 wheels. He is running an LS1 though. Very nice build. You should come out to one of our Tampa meets.
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Thats funny you say that, I know him well haha. Me and my boss actually put that LS1 in that car. Its a sweet ride...where are the tampa meets held?
And no I didnt wear the shoes haha I wanted to though! They wouldnt let me!
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From: West of Toronto
Car: 89 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI / ZZ4 cam
Transmission: Stage 2 700R4, LS1 driveshaft
Axle/Gears: Strange 3.42 w/ Auburn
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Very nice build.
Glad to see you enjoying the hobby.
Glad to see you enjoying the hobby.
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From: Downers Grove, IL
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
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From: Third Coast Outlaw(South Texas)
Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 383 Carbed
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Great job bro, your dad is an amazing dad! GREAT JOB POPS! 
Love the C6 Rims, I was thinking of the same kind of rims for mine...eventually anyways...love the black, but just wondering. Why didnt you put the emblems back on the front side that says IROC-Z?
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Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
If your talking about the rocker emblems I just cant get myself to spend a hundred bucks for the real ones...ridiculous haha Im trying to find them cheaper...
As far as the IROCZ emblems that go on the doors, I kinda like the all black look? I might add them one day..
Thanks guys! And yeah he is an awesome dad. Love him!
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From: South Suburbs of Chicago
Car: 89 RS
Engine: 2.8
Transmission: Auto
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
Very nice job. I am fortunate enough to have a dad period. He is a good one. He taught me a lot about working on things. I like your paint job. You can tell it was done right. Car looks very good! I know you are proud. My son is 13 and we(mostly me) are working on our 89 for him. I have the opposite problem. I want to work with him and teach him but he would rather play his playstation. Dont get me wrong. He likes cars and he has helped me work on the car but I think he will become more interested when he gets closer to 16. I mean it is 3 years away.
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From: montreal-canada
Car: 1985 camaro Z/28
Engine: 305 V/8 4bbl carb
Transmission: T5 WC
Axle/Gears: 3-23 posi with 4 wheel discs
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
If your talking about the rocker emblems I just cant get myself to spend a hundred bucks for the real ones...ridiculous haha Im trying to find them cheaper...
As far as the IROCZ emblems that go on the doors, I kinda like the all black look? I might add them one day..
Thanks guys! And yeah he is an awesome dad. Love him!
As far as the IROCZ emblems that go on the doors, I kinda like the all black look? I might add them one day..
Thanks guys! And yeah he is an awesome dad. Love him!
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From: Williamsburg,VA
Car: 1984 camaro Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: My '85 IROC start to finish Build
I like the "smooth" look too. However, as i am getting older and remembering when these cars were new, an iroc just isn't an iroc without some kind of stripes or decals. I have an 84 Z, but if I were to get a 'roc, it would have stripes, decals, and T-Tops, of course! Your car looks great, btw. Have you considered just the stripes at the bottom without the "iroc-z" decal? Whatever you do, just drive the hell out of it and enjoy it!!!