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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
I picked up this 85 Iroc for $2500 to fix up. Just looking for input, good/bad, as this is a first time project for me. It is original, 74K mileage car. Base 305 (155hp). Car runs well, but needs paint work due to extended exposure to the elements. Interior is excellent with the exception of a 1" hole in driver side lumbar, and the normal falling headliner. Dash and all plastic is in good shape, no cracks, just needs a good cleaning. Owner had it for 18 years, and drove it minimally. Car has all original paperwork, and looks to have been undercoated when new. A few pics below:
MOST of these cars don't really have value beyond the sum of the parts. Meaning it's not a special collector worth saving for financial reasons or anything like that, and honestly few are. BUT....it sure looks like a great car. Good bit of original doucments too, nice! Needs paint like you said, and a good cleaning and probably tune up, ...but assuming YOU bought it because YOU want it...I think it's a great car! Take lots of pictures and document what you've done. It's part of the fun and WE certainly enjoy following along. ....I also started a facebook page for my car since a lot of my friends aren't thirdgen.org members. Link is in my sig. It's kinda fun.
How is the undercarriage look? Also pull the side ground effects off the car and check for rust. These cars like to get rot under the ground effects. If no rot then go ahead. If rot is found get an estimate for repair to decide if you want to proceed.
I picked up this 85 Iroc for $2500 to fix up. Just looking for input, good/bad, as this is a first time project for me. It is original, 74K mileage car. Base 305 (155hp). Car runs well, but needs paint work due to extended exposure to the elements. Interior is excellent with the exception of a 1" hole in driver side lumbar, and the normal falling headliner. Dash and all plastic is in good shape, no cracks, just needs a good cleaning. Owner had it for 18 years, and drove it minimally. Car has all original paperwork, and looks to have been undercoated when new. A few pics below:
Thank you for all the responses. Well, here are some more photos. Took 3 washes to get the grime off, and it still has some in the nooks/crannies. Love the stick as the hood prop...LOL, and of course, not paying attention, I think I fried the alternator washing the motor as my choke light is now staying on, but all and all at least she is clean, just need to sweep out the inside.
Thank you for all the responses. Well, here are some more photos. Took 3 washes to get the grime off, and it still has some in the nooks/crannies. Love the stick as the hood prop...LOL, and of course, not paying attention, I think I fried the alternator washing the motor as my choke light is now staying on, but all and all at least she is clean, just need to sweep out the inside.
I used to live in the Chicago area and if that car has no rust in the seams and doesn't need the floor pan replaced I would say you got a great deal on that car. I remember looking at cars up there around 2011 and for that price range most were rusted up or the engine had issues or the interior was ruined. Nice find, I would have bought that car.
I think as long as you do a repaint in the same color, keep the engine setup the same and keep the interior the original theme the car will always appreciate like all the other IROCS and be easy to resell when the time comes. As soon as you start changing the engine, exterior color or changing the interior to black and/or grey you'll lose some resale value.
Thanks Tibo.... I bought the car in PA, and had it shipped to IN. It does have a little rust on the bottom door seams, but that has been all I have found. The underbody is coated, and I haven't found any issues there. Plan is to keep it 100% stock as is, just get it back in shape to be a fun weekend driver during the spring/summer months. Not looking to build a show car.
...keep the engine setup the same and ... the car will always appreciate like all the other IROCS and be easy to resell when the time comes. As soon as you start changing the engine, exterior color or changing the interior to black and/or grey you'll lose some resale value.
I think you're correct on everything but the engine. The LG4 could go in the recycle bin and no one would cry over it. A proper and clean engine swap would not hurt the value of this car. I think a ZZ6 crate engine dressed up like the stock LG4 would actually IMPROVE the car's value in this case, and be a lot more fun.
Originally Posted by IROCIN
Thanks Tibo.... I bought the car in PA, and had it shipped to IN. It does have a little rust on the bottom door seams, but that has been all I have found. The underbody is coated, and I haven't found any issues there. Plan is to keep it 100% stock as is, just get it back in shape to be a fun weekend driver during the spring/summer months. Not looking to build a show car.
Don't assume undercoating is a good thing. I have yet to see a car where undercoating was a good thing. As it ages and dries out and cracks, it harbors moisture and causes more rust than it prevents. Problem is it also conceals rust very well. I strongly recommend you pull the seats, console and carpet out of the car and give an honest look at the floors and rockers before you go much further.
Thanks 1MeanZ, for the input, I appreciate it. I did check the under body by putting it up on a hoist, so far, everything looks good. I am not planning to change the motor since it runs well. If something would happen to it, then I would consider a change, but to me, it isn't money I am wanting to spend currently.
You can make an LG4 car run great. This is my 82 Z28 after a carb rebuild and played with the timing on the car. Everyone will dis the lg4, but there's nothing wrong with it. Does it have as much power as a tpi? No, but the TPI cars are super slow by today's standards, too. If it runs good, DRIVE IT and enjoy the hell out of it!
I believe you picked up a steal of a car. Of course Im extremely biased since i have a white 85 myself. Keep us up to date with pictures as you work on it.
You can make an LG4 car run great. This is my 82 Z28 after a carb rebuild and played with the timing on the car. Everyone will dis the lg4, but there's nothing wrong with it. Does it have as much power as a tpi? No, but the TPI cars are super slow by today's standards, too. If it runs good, DRIVE IT and enjoy the hell out of it!
its gotta have the 3.23 gear...I haven't checked for sure, but it sure screams high rpms down the highway. And I don't have overdrive. 60mph is like 2,800 rpm
Yah to be clear, I agree, if it's not rusted out, then you got a good deal on a good car. Clean it up and enjoy it.
Hopefully no one thought I was advocating you yank the LG4, I just wanted to note that in this case I don't feel a PROPER and clean engine swap would not devalue the car.
I have an 88 IROC with an LO3 and T5(and a 2.73 rear that someone swapped in and it's been overheated a zillion times and I suspect the valve springs are wasted because it valve floats at 4500rpm LOL). I got into a bit of an acceleration contest with a newer Dodge Dart SXT a few months ago, we were nose to tail to start and I barely got around him out by 65mph LOL!! So yes it's slow, but it's still fun and that's why we even do any of this. So if the LG4 makes the right noises and keeps you smiling, then have at it.
It sounds nice, and for me, that is the enjoyable part. I agree, even the HP 245 horses back then would be pale in comparison to a lot of cars today. Being in the office all day, the tinkering on a car is the stress relief i enjoy. I am enjoying the forum, and talking with folks into the same cars. I have been on many that are not as community minded and seem to focus on who has the "bigger/badder" car, which is a waste. I am sure I will be bouncing ideas off of all of you going forward. I greatly appreciate the feed back all of you have given. As for gearing on this car, I have no idea..... I'll have to look into it.
You found that here in pa? I gotta start browsing Craigslist again every couple days! As much as didn't like one of my old bosses from back in the day, he knew how to buy a car, and by the pics you did good! Body, motor, and interior were his criteria... Car had to have 2 of the 3 going for it. And that car appears to! What I would do with it? For that price and the fact it's an lg4, I'd do a big LS motor! Heck, i wouldn't even paint it, it'd be a cool sleeper. If that's possible for an IROC Good luck and enjoy it whatever you do with it!
Zya5point0, yep, found it out in Mill Hall. I found it thru Facebook Marketplace, I tend to use it more now than Craigslist. I went back/forth with the guy for about 2 weeks, and finally got an agreeable price for both of us. The pursuit is half the fun!!
Zya5point0, yep, found it out in Mill Hall. I found it thru Facebook Marketplace, I tend to use it more now than Craigslist. I went back/forth with the guy for about 2 weeks, and finally got an agreeable price for both of us. The pursuit is half the fun!!
You can make an LG4 car run great. This is my 82 Z28 after a carb rebuild and played with the timing on the car. Everyone will dis the lg4, but there's nothing wrong with it. Does it have as much power as a tpi? No, but the TPI cars are super slow by today's standards, too. If it runs good, DRIVE IT and enjoy the hell out of it!
Your LG4 acceleration vid reminded me of mine! Almost the same as yours but 4 speed and ditched the cat. Richer secondary metering rods too. Goofing around with too much wheelspin!
Your LG4 acceleration vid reminded me of mine! Almost the same as yours but 4 speed and ditched the cat. Richer secondary metering rods too. Goofing around with too much wheelspin! https://youtu.be/watch?v=CrojciV7o4I
I saw your video on there before! Yours looks like it runs great!!! I wish like hell mine was a 4 speed!!!!! Do you have pics of your car?
Thanks! it's a very original, but typical 82 with a really nice paint job I did about 15 years ago. Still has the original, somewhat worn interior, etc. Runs great, tho!
I sanded down the rust and put primer on the car before putting it away last fall. The paint is a temporary rattle can cover. She goes off to the shop on Monday to be sanded down and repainted as she should be with a good base/clear paint job. Excited for her to look "fresh" again! I'll post some photos once I get it back.
I recommend Phoenix Graphix for your stripe kit and door decals as they are as close to original as possible. And whether you or your paint guy install the IROC-Z decals, take a quick look at where the original door decals sit....Real easy to misplace.
According to your build sheet, your car was built 14 days before mine. I also have my fog light switch in the strange location in the lower dash as well.
Thanks Motown.... Yes, I am going to go with Phoenix for the graphics. Toying with the idea of just doing the striping and the Z28 logos on the car, and leaving the IROC-Z off for a bit to see how it looks once I get it out of paint.
Have a little prep left, but should be shooting primer and paint this week. Looking forward to getting to see the final product on paint. Then it will be on to getting the headliner replaced, and some fabric dye done to fix some of the seat fade.
10-20-2018, 06:59 AM
Good luck and enjoy it whatever you do with it! 
