Hi, I just found out that I get $1000 to spend on my iroc and no more. I am having a difficult time deciding what to do with it because there is so much that I need to do.
What I have is an 89 L98 iroc with ttops and a 2.77 9 bolt rear. I am in the process of putting in a 365hp 350 from golens engine service. The 365hp is with aftermarket tpi and tubular headers. It is going into an all stock car.
What I want to know is where the money will be best spent. I need wheels because the previous owner put 15x7 standard camaro wheels on it. I also know that my tpi is very restrictive, and so is the stock exhaust.
Should I spend the money all on wheels and tires? Or would I see more gain from upgrading the tpi? Or would an aftermarket exhaust give me more gain? On top of all this, I may need to get prom burning stuff instead? Every one of those things is about $1000 and I really need to hear some opinions on which would be the best way to go. I really apologize for the length of this post and appreciate any feed back.
Thanks,
Mike

 

I would recommend an exhaust system, and gears. No amount of futzing with the TPI will make much difference without those 2 things being addressed. As far as the wheels and tires, if the ones that are on there work and have tread and all that, I believe I'd spend my money on something else. If you have any money left over, use it on the suspension.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

IMO, you should get yourself a burning set up NOW, as that will let you get the new engine tuned, which will probably be pretty far from stock. Do you know the cam specs/heads/compression it has? If it's mild enough you may not need to worry about this. A pocket programmer is $150, then you'll need tunercat and a tdf, and acouple flash EPROMs....<300

The rest is tough, i'm torn between telling you to go for gears and a full exhaust. One problem, you have a 9 bolt 2.77. You not only require expensive gears but also a new carrier to mount 'em. These alone would practically blow your budget. Your better bet is to shop for a used rea in the ratio you want, or get a 3.42 open rear out f a six banger in a junkyard for cheap and slap a powertrax locker in it.
As to the exhaust, headers and a nice cat back are also gonna be needed if you want that thing to breathe right If the cat back you have on there now is in decent shape you could get by with just a muffler, as even stock you should have a 2.75" intermediate pipe which is adequate enough given the rest of teh restrictions you're facing. A nice set of headers should really wake it up.
hope that gives you some ideas...ed

 

With 365 hp you better get some suspension work done, before you twist the frame because you have t-tops that is if you want the t-tops to go back in and I think you would.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
2:73 GEARS
Rebuilt 700R4, with manual valve body
B&M Megashifter
Soon to be installed
Exhaust Cut-Out and different gears, either 3:73 or 3:42
"There is nothing more addicting than speed"

 

Thanks a lot for the replies.
The heads on this engine are stock heads with 2.02" intake valves and 1.60" exhaust valves and a 3 angle valve job. The cam specs are
duration 210-220 @.50 lift .500-.510 114lsa and it has 1.5 ratio rockers.
Do you think I will need a chip for this?
I was really torn between the wheels and the computer stuff because I have been unable to find a better rear with 89up style disc brakes and posi with a 3.27 or 3.42 gears. I also figured doing just the tpi or the exhaust alone wouldnt make much difference.
I have been itching to try prom for a long time though too, but Im a little worried about tackling the maf system since so little is known about it.
ED,
If I were to get a 3.42 open rear out of a v6 car, is that power locker you mentioned some kind of add on posi unit? If so are they expensive? Also, would I be able to put my 89 disc brakes on there?
Sorry for all the questions but I dont know anyone who knows anything about these cars.
Thanks again for all the info.
Mike

 

Ok I'll throw my comments into the mix.......
I also own a 1989 l98 IROC 2.77. I have had it for 2 years and done/doing everything you're gonna do. I would first suggest Sub frame connectors. My car stiffened up nicely when i put mine on. I have seen plenty of f bodies that have been twisted by cornering and abuse. Now add 365 hp. GET 'EM. I would not sweat the gears. There are a few folks on here that have gone very low 14's with the gears. I am poised for 14.3 now with my 220+ rwhp, on these gears. You need a good "frame", then good suspension, then lotsa power. GO the other way and you end up with a car that does a 1/8 mile burn out on a 1/4 track, the tops don't go back in. Good luck......... THE SHAGGY IROC

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'89 SHAGGY IROC
L98 7r4, all free stuff,T.E.S.,HOOKER CAT BACK,KYB,ACCEL8.8,JET fan sw. etc.
so much to do , so little money

 

I would really like to get some sub frame connectors, im always paranoid about pulling in to a steep driveway and having them shatter. I figure that I can hold off on them for a little because with the stock tpi and exhaust that engine probably wont make much above stock power levels. I will certainly get some before I upgrade the tpi and exhaust since they are realatively cheap. I dont know how much it costs to get them installed though. $1000 should get me some SFC's , prom burning stuff, and maybe a used rear end so I may end up getting those things. I appreciate all the suggestions and wont mind hearing more if you have any. I am so glad this board is here.
Thanks,
Mike

 

That engine you describe is proably dyno-spec'ed with headers, expect at least a 20% loss with the stock exhaust manifolds.

That engine is most likely spec'ed with a different intake than the GM TPI, expect to lose (not really "lose" but you won't get the RPM's up where the engine makes that HP claim with the GM TPI)

So, I think I'd do this....

Buy aftermarket intake that can support the flow you're looking for and bolt it up.

Figure you may need new injectors as well.

Now that you've burned most of the grand sell the original TPI setup for 400-500 (seems like the average asking prce these days) and get your exhaust system (headers are a must, you're stock cat back should be okay to get you buy.

You should have a few bucks left over for SFC's, if they bother you, get a Strut tower brace, it'll help some. Both run about the same price..about $150.00 or so.

Now just drive normally for awhile until you can afford to have the tranny beefed up. The gears you have now may not be too bad for you...the deep 1st gear in the 700R4 may keep you staisfied, although cruising at 1500 rpms in OD may not keep the engine happy