Hey guys I am going through a tough time right now and I am starting to feel like my car is never gonna be done. I need some advise. Should I keep my car and finish it or should I sell it? And if I sell it what is it worth? My car is an 89 IROC-Z TPI 350 it is black primer has GTA rims a black leather GTA interior and a 700r4. The block is cracked and I dont know if it is worth keeping it and putting a motor in it. I am thinking about getting rid of it and getting a 68 camaro. What do you guys think I should do?

 

heres how it started out.

 

here it is this summer.

 

and here it is now.

 

Can`t find a block or not interested in finding one? I`ve got two if you need one

 

Looking to replace it with an 87 and up shortblock an having a hard time finding one.

 

I JUST got off the phone with a friend that wants to unload two of them, one with a roller, one without...and then I see your post! You want one?....both are high mileage cores that were running when removed. I can call him back right now?

 

Yes I am interested in the roller if it has no knocks or serious problems!

 

It`s a high mileage core, It will need rebuilding...still want it?

 

You call him if you want it`s a complete 350 roller .....bill demeter 1 313 331 4104

 

Thanx Ill talk to him.

 

Man I really need to look at were people are before I start getting excited not real easy to go to michigan for a block.

 

Yea, no one wants to pay more for shipping than the product. I`d check around for a qoute...frieght is a hassle for just a core, but bottom line is, they are out there if you want one,... keep that f-body...aquire an engine (core or new) when it presents it self...may take a while but it will drive again!

 

I am really starting to give up I have been working on this car for a while and money is tight. I dont have another car and I also dont have a garage to do the work in. The garage part isnt so bad but in my neiborhood parking patrol will put a towing sticker on anything that doesnt move every day. the even chalk the tires to check.

 

Whoa man....That`s AWFUL! How tight? How much is a 68 camaro? That would be a great car but, I bet it would be a little cheaper to keep that third gen! If you have enough for the 68` I have a place I can keep a free car!

 

Yeah man, I know how it is... I say keep it... you have come this far, why not keepit goin? I say keep it and join us with the caravan down to thirdgen fest...

I am gonna have a 305 from my 91 in may... I think your more interested in a 350 tho right?

 

never give up man you already have done alot of and nice work on the car man fix it

 

I just thought of something... How about an LT1 upgrade? I know a guy selling a complete 95 LT1...

 

Nobody likes a quitter. You can finish it. It just takes time. Once you get an engine back in there you will be amazed at your accomplishment. Do yourself a favor and at least get it to run again. You will find the drive to finish it if you can turn the key and feel the rumble. Keep your head up brother!

 

You guys are right I have come a long way and not driving it is probly getting to me. It is starting to get warm out and thats probly part of my feeling of hoplessness. Money problems come and go but Im so close to getting it done the hard stuff is out of the way. Thanx for giving me the encuragment guys I really needed that the 383 will be going in as planned And if the car will make it I will join the caravan.

 

O-yea the 68 I am talking about is a basic Camaro and it has a running 327 in it it comes with new rear quarters and it needs an interior and paint. One or the rear framerails is getting weak but it is only $129 for a replacment. The car is only $1200 so I figure it is a good buy unless you guys know of a cheaper one in similar condition. I am saving up for a motor and this camaro at the same time and that may not be helping me stay motivated either.

 

Ditto!!!!

Now if you'll behave yourself, I'll give ya a ride in my 408 and re-inspire you!!

 

I finally got my battery back today so at least I can move my car today witout pushing it.

 

ICE...I got a couple questions...it looks like you've got alot more know how than I as far as exterior work is concerned. I started with a clean, straight, rust free car. I dicked up the fender, replaced it, added ground effects. Now the car is 7 different colors that aren't even close to matching (black, grey, maroon, light blue, orange, yellow and brown). I'm a simple man to please, I basically want my finished car to look like yours does right now, flat black. Problem being that I don't know whether to sand it to metal or scratch up the paint(s) I got, how to do the bumpers and ground effects, what products to use, etc.....if you had some input for me, I'd be forever grateful .

Secondly, you might try just calling local machine shops about blocks. My machinist does alot of engines for dirt track and street rods, especially rods that use late model powertrains. Last time I stopped in to get a block for a project, he had 26 to choose from including several L98, LT1, LS1, LS6 blocks. You might get lucky and find something that way.

 

I went down to bare metal on mine and it was alot of work. But I felt I needed to case alot of the paint that was on the car was scratched down to bare metal this is only my second car I have done body work - sanding and the first one I used a combination of bare metal and rough sanding the paint. I prefer the cleanliness of bare metal but it is alot of work. It is really kind of a decision that needs to be made with the goal in mind. Do you want to paint it soon or in the future if soon go for the bare metal if later rough sand so you dont have surface rust problems. If you want a parfect paint job go for the bare metal and if your not looking for show quality rough sand it. I am by no means an expert on this stuff and you should probly not take what I say as fact but it is what I belive and practice. Hope I helped you somewhat thanx for the compliment

 

I know I'm new here, but I'm not new to GM Muscle. I agree that you should keep it from everything that I've seen so far. It looks like you have tons of hours invested and will soon have a sweet IROC.

68's are nice, but think about all the extra work it will need from just age, let alone normal wear and tear.

My brother died in Jan-04 and I plan on keeping his '89 IROC-Z 350 TPI w/T-Tops. He bought it new and it now has 41K on the odometer. It still needs a few things.

Here's a pic for a little motivation: (if it works)

 

Welcome aboard Axe, Were all sorry to hear about your loss, it sure looks as if that car was his first love, considering the shape of it and the low miles...What a tribute to carry on his love of the iroc. Take care of it as well as he did!

 

Nice car Axe!! Alot of people wish thier IROC looked that good! Noticed that you're from Cincinnati....that's where I grew up, used to live in Northside (near College Hill). Still go back down there every few months to visit family.

Anyways, nice car and good luck with it!

 

hes gettin the faith back.

keep the car

never half a$$ build a car and then quit hillbillys do that.
Why you think there all these junked up mopars and fords in all these abandon garages rusting away with snakes in the trunk????

 

Hey, dont worry! I was unemployed for three months, owed the bank money, and my car needed a new engine...AFTER dieing on me 63 miles away from where I live.....yeah, sh1tty times DO happen! But hang in there, the only reason my parents jumped in a bought the motor for me is because they know how much I love my car. After getting the new 305(rents payed for it so they sorta had a say in how much displacement I got!) in my car about a month ago....I can't say it was'nt worth the arguements with my parents and fiancee about keeping or selling the car, and when time comes to re-reg my car it's new plates are gonna be something like "1NDEBT4LF"...for my parents help. Someday I hope to have a child who I can give it's keys to on prom night after making it a show car.

Go for it, otherwise no one will know what your dreams are!
-G

 

Thanks greezemonkey, that's exactly how I feel about it.

Confuzed1- I lived in Northside until I was 6 (back in the 60's). Then we moved to Winton Place, Mount Airy, and I'm now in North College Hill. Small world huh?

That pic is a few years old, but the car is still very nice. It hasn't been driven for the past year or two so I still need to work out some bugs when I get it.

There are more pic's of the IROC, 71 Monte Carlo, and my '70 SS 396 Chevelle hosted on a good friends website. They are on page 26 & 27.

HERE

Keep The Faith on the IROC Black Ice!

Axe

 

Its hard times are hard but at least I am working now but now my girls not so now all my moneygoes to everything! Man I cant win!

 

BI-
DUDE! lol....you sound like my fiancee used to! Really though, just hang in there and it'll get better.
-G

P.S-Axe, ever thought about getting his name "ghosted"( paint technique) in pearl white right between the headlights on the hood?!?!

 

Black Ice, let me tell you the long, sad depressing story of my car. It'll make you feel better. ^_^

In 2002 I saw my GTA sitting on a street packed in by other cars. I contacted the owners, and asked them questions about the car. They told me a number of things.

Was told that the car blew a head gasket, okay. Not bad. I can deal with that. Asked them point blank what the rest of the drive train was like. They told me the transmission had no problems, and that the axel was fine.

I should have walked away. Instead i was so desperate to have a Thirdgen, and a GTA at that that I walked out of the deal 3 weeks later after looking at other cars. I was $1,000 poorer.

Got the engine apart, no, not a head gasket, but TWO crackes in the block. The cracks were in the water jackets, between the center most cylinders on both banks. Each crack measured 4" long! Crap, well new engine time. Put a long block in. $$$ into the project....

Get the engine in, have to replace just about every sensor there was. Only to find out that 4th gear was shot, and the tranny started to die on me within a month. Then the shocks blew.

I put a used transmission in it, and replaced the shocks. Transmission died for some strange reason after two months. I blew the pump to peices. Don't know how, but it happend.

Bought ANOTHER used transmission. When we pulled the pan and looked at the fluid we found CHUNKS in the pan. So I didn't use that one. Called the guy and he said I could get my $$$ back. Tried to arrange a time to meet, but he was never home. 2 months later I call him and he starts going on about how I swore at him, and that he wouldn't do business with people like me. WTF??!! I don't remember swearing at him! Basically he's a damn liar and didn't want to give me the money back. Didn't even have to the courage to tell me no refund. He went back on his word.

Well, that sucked, so I fixed the pump in the current transmission, and wala. Worked great. Till we blew the servo gasket. Fixed that, but in the process of checking to see what was wrong we knocked the governor cover loose, didn't notice.

Drove the car to work the next morning and lost all my fluid, frying the band, and doing who knows what else to the transmission. :*(.

So now the car sits, with a bad tranny. 5 months AFTER it blew its still on the same tank of gas!

Finally got a rebuild kit, + shift kit, and we are going to check, double check, and tripple check the transmission before i put it in!. I'll not repeat the same mistakes I've already gone through. Good knews is that I now know a great deal more about cars than I did a year ago.

My car should be running by April. I can't wait to start hitting the cruise nights again.

 

Don't give up!!! My car has taken over 6 years to get where it is now! I bought it with the hope of having everything work out for me the way i thought it should!
Now, 3 kids later and 3 jobs later, I am at a point where I realize that this is my dream car! I bought my car as a POS that had rust and holes everywhere and it had a 305 that was a few miles from death...now I have a 400 HP 355 in my great looking beast!

 

Well I'd go through all the trauma and $$$ I've spent on my car, but it would take waaaay too long!!! lol

And I've had mine 4 years, and it still looks like a ghettomobile!!
-Unless you're a fan of Krylon primer....unlike Cuno, which BTW has a nice ride!!

And FruityOne : All I can say is.......wow!!!! You must love your car!

Hopefully I'll get my engine transplant done on my car in a month or so, and maybe make it to the fest. -

 

I hadn't thought about the ghost paint but I'd like to do something cool like that. I think his name might just make me sad... not sure. I love Ghost Flames and the Ghost Checkerboard on the Car Craft Camaro a few years ago. I'll think of something but definately open to suggestions like this one.

I haven't even driven the car yet so even that might be weird for a while.

Axe

 

Man It sounds like everyone goes through hell with their car. Fruityone your car is about as dependable as mine! The only thing that sucks is that it seems like everytime I get the car to where I am ready for the next step somthing else goes! I dont think I should have done the body work yet I think I should have left it looking like a POS and put a new motor and trans in it and then worried about what it looks like cause now I got a car that is all primed up and just sitting in the drivway accross the street WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS WTF! Here is what I need to get it back to normal driving again........ Motor ,tranny ,shocks ,struts ,springs ,paint ,and tires. I feel overwelmed maybe it would not be so bad if I could just shove it in a garage and not have to see it every time I walk out my door. I feel like I am neglecting my car and contributing to the messed up image of Camaros

 

BLACK ICE - Huh?!?! You've done a decent job of getting the body where it is now, and you did the work yourself!! Nothing wrong with that.

Hopefully, you'll run into a cheap donor car soon! So far your car "contributing to the messed up image of Camaros", well I guess I would be in that catagory too....but remember, even the newest third gen is 12 years old!!

 

Having cars as a hobby is a learning process that is both expensive and priceless. My first car I f+*#@d up so badly by not knowing what I had gotten myself into, it wound up going to the junkyard on a flatbed.

It's learning the hard way, really. But I have learned so much from working on cars and have so many great friends because of it that I feel like I can fix just about anything now, and more importantly, I know when to take it to a pro and just pay him (Such as an auto trans, I had huge problems there, too).

But there is no satisfaction like taking a roach and having people stop and compliment you on it, want to ride in it, and everyone knowing you for your totally bitchen and unique car.

You might want to check with PAW, they now sell '87 & later roller cam single rr mainseal engines and short blocks if I remember right. Fresh rebuilds and not too expensive.

Good luck

Troy
So Cal

 

Yea I can relate to messing a car up with my monte carlo ss. It was fun though. I cut all the wiring out of it and tryed to rewire it without the computer but it never really ran again witch is kinda sad cuase I had also just replaced the 305 with a 350 o-well you live and you learn. and learn I did. I ended up giving the car away and it ended up getting parted out. I really dont want my Iroc to end up like that too! But it is scary cause the car I had before the Iroc is the monte carlo ss. I know Ive learned alot sine ive had it and I know what not to do now but I am still scared. So I guess Its not just a money thing its alot more!

 

Your car is looking pretty good. Is there a lot of mud in the car? I can see where you coming with the firstgen. I think a first gen is alot easier to work on and has that wow factor when you drive down the street. I have a 67 RS/SS sitting in the garage waiting for me to finish college so I can fix her up really nice. If you ever decide to sell your iroc shoot me a email at srsterr@wisc.edu I'm about a hour north of you. With the Monte Carlo SS all you should have had to do was disconnect the engine wiring harness and then just put a couple of basic wires up to the engine. I did it with mine but that was a while ago. Like I said if you want to sell your car shoot a email over or if you need any parts I have a shatload of 3rd gen parts sitting in my garage that I'm looking to get rid of so I can get some more money for a nice engine rebuild.
Good luck with whatever route you go.
-Scott

 

Mud

 

bondo, body filler aka mud

 

not too much. Only a small amout in the rear quarters. I think I used more shaving the antenna. Maybe an eighth of a gallon total I just replaced alot of the body. one fender to go! A little cancer on the passenger side.

 

I see well if you ever find a first gen I have some extra parts lying around from my 67 i'm probably not going to use. I even have a set of brand new floorpans. Are you still interested in selling your car?

 

5 years after my 84 Trans am died in my driveway I am still working on it but also driving it at the same time. my car had several diff stages that I planned so I would not get to down about the time frame to get things done. the first stage was to do all the int work and install a roll bar, completely clean the engine bay so it would look respectible at car shows. after all that then came the motor and nothing less than 350 would do since it originally had a 305. in went a 383 and a new tranny for the motor. my car now is in its last 2 stages, suspension and body. I just bought a ford pickup this week with a ford 9 inch rear end in it and I will be picking that up in a week and about 2 months ago I bought a parts car that I really lucked out on. it just happen to have all the body panels that I needed and they were all new panels!!! thing is my car may not win any trophies at any shows anytime soon but I have alot of pride in the fact that I have almost litterally built the car from the ground up. 8 parts cars and counting getting it to where it is now lol.and everything that has gone into the car has been somewhat overkill as far as strength goes b/c I don't want to have to go back and fix anything major, I want to drive my car not fix it , with that in mind whatever anybody does putting together a car don't cut corners and go with cheaper parts b/c it will come back to haunt you and most important::: HAVE A REALISTIC TIME FRAME don't be in a hurry.
about getting a tow sticker on your car, maybe if you put a car cover on your car they wouldn't mess with it??? anyway keep the car if it all possible. I got rid of one car a while back and I really kick myself for it now.

 

I know about missing cars I lost my Formula after crashing it. I planned on fixing it. I got everything I needed to fix it and went to my parents house were I was storing it and it had gotten a towing sticker and gotten towed away. I tried to get it back but it was a big run around that ended with the car meeting the car crusher I miss that car. I am still looking for a Formula 350 to replace it. then I had a T/A that I sold cheap over dumb problems I guess I got a pattern going here I am 24 years old and The iroc is my 41rst car and Ive had two more cars after that. I would like to keep it it is just hard fixing it right now. Im gonna try though cause I know I will regret getting rid of it. I think I will just throw another stock shortblock in it.

 

Hey guys and ladies things are finally looking up I found a 350 roller motor from an 88 chevy pickup just gotta find the time to throw it in. It is a shortblock and I only paid 100 for it! Im gonna paint it up and give it new oil pan and gasket new timing chain cover gears and gasket and I am thinking about a performance oil pump. I am a little worried about the cam though im not sure if the throttle body truck cam will give me a torque and horse loss. I would not mind a power loss if it gave me more torque increase over my TPI cam any body know the power out put on the 88 350 TBI truck motors?

 

Great news to hear black ice!:lala: that `88 motor roller or flat tappet? that block should take a roller if it has a flattie in it now, they set `em up for roller even if they stuck a flat tappet in it. Okay keep us updated with pic`s .....go to the light....go to the light