I've currently got an 87 IROC 305 TPI, headers, cam (installed by prev. owner), flowmaster exhaust (not sure if just the muffler is FM or the whole cat-back).
<br>She feels pretty quick and responsive. I'm looking at (haven't seen or driven yet) a 1980 corvette. I'm curious whether the vette would feel slower or faster. I don't know the mods on the vette, it was a drug dealer's car that was sold at auction.<br>
I'm not sure whether this belongs here or in the theoretical racing section but here it is. Who would win in a q/m, would my IROC handle better than the vette?
<br>Thanks in advance. (Btw, technically I wouldn't be a traitor since the C3 is also a thirdgen )

 

I think maybe the IROC would outhandle the vette. And as for power, it might be close. Kinda sad, isn't it?

 

I believe the hottest engine it could have had 220 or 230 hp in 80. They're kinda on the heavy side for a vette too. That 305 depending on what cam it is, etc could be easily making that kind of power or more. You'll probably beat the Vette if it's stock, if it has mods who knows. With a carbed 350 mods would really wake it up and be fairly cheap to do...

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Much appreciated.

 

Ive got one sitting in the shop now alot of 1980 vetts floating around as of recent. Thier stock performance is fine, they handle about the same as a 3rdgen but cornering at high sppeds I prefere my bird, it seems to roll in and out with less slip. The vetts just dont feel as stable. Performance mods wise the engine is the same platform basicly and all the mods you would do for you current ride would have to be done to it, the vette exh manifolds are better but the pathetic pipes down and back rob alot of flow.

 

They had good stuff in them.. they had a 350 (unless it was a CA car, which got a 305) with either a single 4bbl, the L82 engine, or the Crossfire Injection, the L83 engine. Both put out around 200 or so hp, but the CFI 350 was much torquier.

I think as well, the exhaust system on them had no conventional mufflers at all, just like a Z/28 of the same era. It was only a cat(s?) then to a pair of resonators, and then out.

Beleive it or not, the TPI was designed to make the same torque as that year Crossfire engine.

CFI may have started in '81 though, i dont remember for sure.

You could get some good stuff in the Corvette that year. There were two 4 speeds, the M20 (wide ratio) and M21 (close ratio) trannys, as well as the TH350. There were rear ends from 2.56 all the way to 3.70.

The 4 speeds though, are usually not easy to find. They are not rare or anything, but just umm... uncommon

I know that for '80, there were some cars that came with what was called a "Gymkanha Suspension" which made for a really well handling car, better than any factory F-body had been untill about the mid '90s, and any other vette untill the late '80s. You can tell if its got the special suspension by looking for a rear swaybar. Only the Gymanha cars and the earlier 427 and 454 big block cars ever got a rear swaybar. Regular small block cars never got the rear bar.

A normal Corvette's handling should be about the same as your IROC, but should you find a Gymkanha-equipped car, it will be far better than the IROC.

As for going fast, it all depends. A Corvette with a 2.56 rear, TH350 and the typical 350 will probably get blown out of the water by that IROC, but one with, lets say, the 3.70 rear, a 4 speed and typical 350 will probably make for a good race with the IROC.

 

Thanks for the info very informative.

 

Naw Air, your thinking later modle vetts. The 1980 came with a 4bbl Q-Jet as the only induction from the factory. Options were 145hp 305, 160-180 hp 350 vin 8 and a vin 6 with 215hp. ANy of these options are pathetic. I dont see how the suspension could support a rear ASB but I'm going to have to look into it. I do know hummers use the same differential.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up SSC... wasn't sure if CFI was '80 or if it was later.

But yes, there was a special, optional suspension (Gymkhana Suspension) that did include a rear swaybar. It was a $55 option.

EDIT: Check this out... http://www.netvettes.com/1980.html

 

Cool link. For 55 bucks one one be a fool not to get that option but then again vett owners usually drive 20 under the speed limit anyways........Looky at me I'm .........