So

3 years ago I was in a big transition point, running low on cash, changing jobs, and wasn't sure where my life was going. Today, life is pretty good, and I'm so glad I didn't sell this car! So, other than some bolt ons, tires, and regular maintenance items, car is original with 91,000 miles. So here's where I need opinions... First paint. It's original with a couple minor chips and the usual spider cracked front spoiler. Should I get it resprayed or not? Second, I really want a serious motor to hang with all the modern factory hotrods that are out today. Already planning on a purpose built nitrous motor so I don't have to make any major changes under the hood. It's the rest of the car I'm not sure about. Motor, trans, rear, brakes, and suspension could always be put back to original. I'd love to stiffen the car (since it's a T-stop), but, would sub frame connectors or chassis modification hurt the originality or value of the car? I guess what I'm asking is where's the line between the value of an original car and an upgraded/modified third gen? And should I even be worried about it with a 91k car?? I know there's no"right" answer, just looking for opinions.

 

And yes, the yellow avalanche next to it is mine... OK, actually the wife's, lol. Plans for that are a 408 supercharged 700hp lsx

 

Well, you need to modify it enough that it doesn't look like the one in my garage.

I've heard the excuse that a car can always be put back to stock. And it's sorta true, but not really. The more I work on these cars, the more I find things that don't always come apart without damage, and it gets harder to put things back together as they were originally. You can take an original car apart, but if you put it back together it's more likely to be more "restored" than "original".

From my perspective, I like to see thirdgens that are clean, and tasteful. Sub-frame connectors don't bother me. They're an upgrade that doesn't stand out to the casual observer, and they do more to prolong the car than they do to hurt it.

 

I agree with Drew, SFC's won't hurt the value, the suspension is the week link and so many Camaro's have them, that it is almost expected. Regarding the motor are you keeping it TPI, if not go full blown, you will still get just as many compliments.

 

Something I'm becoming more mindful of (read cynical) is quality of work. As for example, sub frame connectors; everyone agrees they're a worthwhile mod but what if they were welded in with the car not being loaded?

Mods like suspension, as much as they make sense to us, always risks being seen as taking away from the originality of the car; though, they are reversible

I think the fact is, for maximum investment potential, a stock car gets you the widest audience. But, this applies most for low miler/ owner/ full history cars.

I've got a similar car; a 1991 LB9 T5 R6P Trans Am. A good spec third gen but with around 100k on the clock and needs some restoration work. For that type of car, I don't think we'll be seeing the appreciation mentioned for some time and factoring in we actually want to drive the things, I think mild reversible suspension work won't hurt us.

Beautiful car by the way!

 

I was in a similar situation with my 86 Trans am. The car I "had" was about 95% original minus for a few things (wraparound spoiler, uq7 subs were gone). I was really caught up in the whole keep the car original mindset, but i soon found myself doing upgrades such as umi/bmr suspension, swapping out the carmine interior for a black set from my 85, and adding factory options like nos recaros. Just do what you want with it but keep it true to what it is. I wouldnt do a ls swap or anything like that. But go out and have fun with it. I found more pleasure in building the car then driving it.

 

First thing you need to do is get a nice 4th gen leather interior!

I'll give you some cash for your grey one there to help you get there.

Seriously, it's such a nice car & original, I'd just enjoy it the way it is. Find something that's cheap & not original to modify.

 

Actually, yea, I'd do a 4th gen interior swap... And put the original interior stuff in the spare bedroom for safe keeping I did originally buy the car purely for a weekend show piece that i would never have to do anything to. That's why I built the 91, to drive the crap out of, lol! Problem is, when I am just cruising around in the IROC and some punk in a Subaru with a big front mount intercooler rolls up next to me at the light, I got nothin for him I didn't buy this car with the intention of really building it. But you guys all know how it goes... Let's see, the heads need redone (bad valve guides, already did seals), so might as well put some good heads on. If I'm gonna do that, might as well throw a cam in. If I do all that, might as well do headers and upgrade the intake. Heck, if I'm gonna do all that, I should just rebuild the motor since it's got 90k on it. If I'm gonna build the motor I might as well BUILD the motor. And the transmission, well that's got the usual high mileage 700r4 problems(shifting when it wants to, not when I want it to), so rebuild with upgrades. Etc, etc, lol!

 

Just a thought here.I remembered this from last spring. Check it out!
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...classic-camaro

 

It's your car and if you want to mod it than go right ahead. Make the mods so you can kick some rice burnin ****! It sounds like you want to drive this car and not looking for a garage queen. If you bought it with the intention to sell it and make some money than of course you would leave it alone. So with that in mind who really cares what a IROC will be worth when we are dead and gone. If it is not not fun for you to drive now than make it fun, just do the mods in a tasteful, quality way and you won't hurt the resale value if you decide to sell it.

 

I agree with this one. I see so many with body mods that are horrendous. Large skirts, the hoods with the cowl with the ovals along the side of it, just stuff that looks hideous even on an import. However, those are our opinions.

As far as how original? You decide that. It's your car, do with it what you enjoy! Would you really be happy if you kept everything bone stock just to please everyone else?

I kept mine close to stock, as I'd rather "she looks beautiful" and let some punk kid in the Subaru or whatever rev at me and I ignore him knowing she wouldn't keep up - in the end I won't be tempted, won't f*** around on the streets, and won't do any damage I'll later regret. She's 25 looks great, and their car will look like garbage in a few years from all hat messing around on the street, if not worse. I enjoy it better that way, but that's just me.

 

Thanks all! You guys pretty much validated what I'm now planning for the car. Like I said, I didn't buy the car with any serious mods in mind, but when something needs repaired or replaced might as well upgrade. If it was a lower mileage car I would be contemplating any of this, but with 91k, even 100% original wouldn't be as valuable. I don't ever plan on selling it, but hey, everything has a price right?

 

I've always like the way our cars, especially Irocs, looked in stock trim. My goal for my car when it was retired from DD status about 14 years ago was for it to look like a stock Iroc at first glance. With the hood down, the average guy really has to look to find the mods. You guys would see 'em but overall it looks the way they did when brand new to the casual observer. Stock pins and door decals, stock hood, but KRio's functional louvers, lowered, stock wheels, but polished instead of machined faces....all kinds of little things like that. Underhood, it's still old school TPI too.....but....definitely not stock looking, lol.

Keep in mind that unless it's a rare model or an ultra clean, stock, low mile car, you probably won't ever get real money for it. Possible? Yes. Likely, no. ....would you sacrifice all the time from now til then, just so it "might" be valuable? Is that why you bought it? ...Bah, make it what you want.

 

You said

"3 years ago I was in a big transition point, running low on cash, changing jobs, and wasn't sure where my life was going. Today, life is pretty good",

I am happy for you. I suspect your money could be better spent on things other than car mods. Original Camaro's are cool, as is. IMO, fix what needs fixing, when it is "as new" THEN consider spending $$ for mods.

What does your wife say?

Do you own a home? Do you want to? IMO, that is the first thing to invest in. I bought my first @ age 22 and thank God every day, that I invested in real-estate. Good luck!