Hey guys im new to the site, but ill be picking up a 3rd gen soon, was wandering what years, moters, etc.. to look at, thanks in advance

 

As far as V8's go...

In the older carbed cars, like 82-84....look for the L69 motor. It's the 5.0 HO. Don't buy a 'Crossfire Injected' car.....

The TBI 305's are also pretty weak...those came in the RS's. They wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have terrible, fuel economy rear ends.

Look for later year TPI 305's or 350's. The TPI 305's had 220 horses, and the 350's had 245 if I remember right.


For the V6's....avoid ANY of the carbureted 6's.
Get either a multiport 2.8 or a 3.1. The 3.1's had 5 hp more and 15 ft/lbs more, and came in 90-92 base model RS's.

 

well we dont have to worry about v6's, there will be none of those for me, trying to stay away from the 305 also and carbs, thanks for the help man, also what do you mean by "later year tpi" which years were those?

 

I think the power outputs on all the TPI motors never changed......but you probably want something around an 89-92 or so... Those years got stronger transmissions, although I'm not sure when that started...might've been even earlier, around 85 or 87... Oh and you can only get the TPI 350's in 90-92's.

 

well im really considering an 87 iroc 5.7-700r4, anything to watch out for? also what about that motor?

 

actually, you can get a tpi 350 car from 87-92. the rpo code for the 350 cars is B2L. this is found on the sticker under the center console.

 

horsepower ratings were as follows...
1987 - 225 hp
1988 - 230 hp
1989 - 230 hp
1990 - 1992 - 245 hp

 

thanks alot for the help guys, is there any thing i should watch out for on an 87 iroc?

 

The motor is fine (L-98). You'll enjoy driving it around town.

Check the rear end to see if the cover has a rubber plug in it. If it does, it's a "nine-bolt". Nine bolts are pretty good rear-ends, but they're difficult to find parts for. Make sure it isn't roaring or knunking. Check that the posi is working too.

If it has rear disc brakes, check the emergency brake. They tend not to work unless the re-call kit has been installed.

Check if the cooling fans come on when ign is turned on (with cold eng). Some people like to wire them to run all the time instead of fixing the real problem.