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Figured it was time I write the story about this money pit.
Started out as a base 305 tbi 5speed car with the different spoiler on the back. My brother got this back in high school I think it was 2009? I had an IROC at the time. Over time I worked on the IROC and he built the 88 up. In 2014 I had a pretty bad injury working on a farm I used to do side work for to get by in college. Ended up selling my IROC and couldn’t drive because of the injury. About a year and a half later I bought the 88 from my brother who was looking to get a truck. Initially swapped a 350 in and ended up having issues. But during that time made a good amount of suspension changes, sway bars, steering brace, LCAs, panhard bar, KYB shocks/struts. It’s still a work in progress and I also have a lot more detail to describe but here are some pictures for now. The IROC sitting with the 88 back when we were in high school. Most recent photo. Tore down and complete repaint.
Starting from the earliest changes were the suspension changes. I don’t have any pictures of the steering brace but adding that in also made a huge difference in the front end. Eibach sportline springs were already in the car.
Just by adding the thicker sway bars the handling changed drastically. Pre-modified rear. Later I decided I didn’t want to swing a new rear end in so I did what I could to the 10 bolt. Welded tubes, Yukon positrac unit, moser 28 spline axles and Richmond 3.73 gears. More to come on that. Lower control arms.
One of the most annoying things a third gen owner can go through is having to replace a fuel pump. For the short time of limping it home and not tearing into the car I put a cheap autozone inline pump on it and ran it. Finally had to do the proper switch and install the Walbro 255 fuel pump and new sending unit. Also upgraded some of the fuel lines to braided and added some AN fittings. Not safe lol what I had to do to get it home Old fuel pump and sending unit Cleaned the tank before putting it back in
I know opinions vary greatly here as well. I don’t get to drive the car much and spending another 3-5k on a better rear didn’t work.
I settled for upgrading the 10-bolt. Threw in a Yukon posi trac unit with Richmond 3.73 gears. Moser 28 spline axles and an upgraded diff cover. Also welded the tubes to hopefully help longevity.
Shortly after the first install I sheered the spider gears off... was out of warranty for the diff unit so had to buy a new one. I have a feeling I didn’t break the first one in properly. After second install everything has been fine. If I can figure out how to upload the video I’ll show why the first unit sheered.
