best third gen
There are obviously some technical reasons for each individual's selection in this technical post on this technical forum, right?
My reasoning would point me toward anything between 1988 and 1989, presuming you are asking about stock vehicles, as delivered. Those were the years of roller cams (after 1986) , one-piece rear main seals (after 1985), Borg-Warner axles (until 1990), TH700-R4 wiht 30-spline inputs and secondary valve body (after mid 1986) , improved read calipers (after 1987) , and no cold start injectors.
My reasoning would point me toward anything between 1988 and 1989, presuming you are asking about stock vehicles, as delivered. Those were the years of roller cams (after 1986) , one-piece rear main seals (after 1985), Borg-Warner axles (until 1990), TH700-R4 wiht 30-spline inputs and secondary valve body (after mid 1986) , improved read calipers (after 1987) , and no cold start injectors.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,225
Likes: 70
From: Buffalo, NY
Car: 1988 IROC-Z
Engine: 427 SBC
Transmission: ProBuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 Bolt / 3.73 TrueTrac
88-89 IROC's. I like the 85-87's, but I like the IROC near the back of the door, the different rims, and best of all the serpentine setup.
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TGO Supporter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
I like the '90 IROC-Z, but I hate their wheels... I'd like a '90 IROC with the early style IROC wheels. They had the most power (245hp) and the best styling IMO.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 43
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Mine has something nobody else's has - my name on the title.
Therefore, that makes it my favorite.
Therefore, that makes it my favorite.
TGO Supporter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Originally posted by five7kid
Mine has something nobody else's has - my name on the title.
Therefore, that makes it my favorite.
Mine has something nobody else's has - my name on the title.
Therefore, that makes it my favorite.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 3
From: Marietta, GA
Car: '91 Firebird Convertible
Engine: 305 TBI (LO3)
Transmission: 700r4, Vette Servo
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 Bolt, PBR disks
Originally posted by pasky
I love the 91-92 Z28's most. I never really liked any of the birds.
I love the 91-92 Z28's most. I never really liked any of the birds.
Sounds like personal problems abounding.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 0
From: Arcadia ,Ca
Car: 82 firebird s/e 83 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0L 305ci 4b carb.....CFI
Transmission: TH200C....700R4
Re: best third gen
Originally posted by KITT GTA
what is your favrite third gen? looks, engine, interior, every thing
what is your favrite third gen? looks, engine, interior, every thing
Engine:Tubo trans am
interior:GTAs
everything:Gtas
Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Car: 90 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5
My favorite thirdgen is definitely the one in my head... and hopefully everyone can see it one day when I get my'87 T/A to the point that I want it... so I guess I am saying that I am partial to the late 80's T/A's more than anything....
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Lee County, AL
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: 383 Single Plane EFI-NOW RUNNING!
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Not there yet...
As far as cosmetics I like the '87 IROC or Z28 (go figure), if only they had been delivered with the technical improvements of the later '90-'92, i.e. no 9th injector, serpentine belt and other things. Technically, I'd prefer a BMW 760Li.
Oh wait, I can't afford one so my technically inferior '87 Z28 will have to do.
Oh wait, I can't afford one so my technically inferior '87 Z28 will have to do.
Last edited by LnealZ28; Feb 22, 2005 at 11:10 PM.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 51
From: Zebulon, nc
Car: 1990 GTA/1989 Iroc
Engine: L98/383
Transmission: 700r4/t56 magnum
Axle/Gears: 9"
My favorite is the one in my driveway. Why? cause its mine, its fast, and you don't see them every day
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Perth WA, Australia
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC LB9 F
Engine: 305 HO EFI
Transmission: TH700R4
Axle/Gears: GU5 LS 3.23
Best is Oz
Like the man said, "because its mine" 1988 IROC LB9 F TH700.
Ex-Japan 65k kms...detoxed and has a Japenese Sniper Cat-back, cut coils & gas shocks.
Ex-Japan 65k kms...detoxed and has a Japenese Sniper Cat-back, cut coils & gas shocks.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 966
Likes: 2
From: NE Ohio
Car: 83 Z28
Engine: 305 (LG4)
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.23 non-LS
83 L69 Z28!!!! It surprised a lot of people. Spanked a lot of Vettes and more importantly spanked a lot of mustangs.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 3
From: Marietta, GA
Car: '91 Firebird Convertible
Engine: 305 TBI (LO3)
Transmission: 700r4, Vette Servo
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 Bolt, PBR disks
Re: Best is Oz
Originally posted by Siggy
Like the man said, "because its mine" 1988 IROC LB9 F TH700.
Ex-Japan 65k kms...detoxed and has a Japenese Sniper Cat-back, cut coils & gas shocks.
Like the man said, "because its mine" 1988 IROC LB9 F TH700.
Ex-Japan 65k kms...detoxed and has a Japenese Sniper Cat-back, cut coils & gas shocks.
Oh yeah. I like the 91-92 GTA/Banshee nose.
Member

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Elkins W.V.a.
Car: 86 2wd
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2:73 open (for now)
the best of all in my opinion are is the 91-92 Z28
who couldnt love this car!!!
(of course i just got mine wednesday)
-bigarmzz-
who couldnt love this car!!!
(of course i just got mine wednesday)
-bigarmzz-
Last edited by bigarmzz; Feb 24, 2005 at 06:29 PM.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 2
From: Fla
Car: 90 IROC
Engine: 406
Transmission: GMPP 93/4L60
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27
I would have to say I like the 90 IROC. Has all the updates, with the early style ground effects, and rear wing. First year for speed density ecm.
Would like to have one of them! OH WAIT I DO!!!!!
Would like to have one of them! OH WAIT I DO!!!!!
'89 or '90 IROC's for reasons that others mentioned, they have an all around better package than the older years and a cleaner look IMO than the newer years, plus "IROC-Z" just invokes so much more of my passions and desires than plain ol' "Z28". 
'89's have MAF setups (I like MAF, though this MAF has shortcomings, it works good to a point), and they had the eighties in the year title which is just cool
'90's have the much better looking dash IMO, slightly more HP per model, and a good round number for the year title.
Either way, they all ROC.

'89's have MAF setups (I like MAF, though this MAF has shortcomings, it works good to a point), and they had the eighties in the year title which is just cool
'90's have the much better looking dash IMO, slightly more HP per model, and a good round number for the year title.

Either way, they all ROC.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
SportCoupes of any year and the 91-92 B4C's! any car that can easily be made into a sleeper. formulas are bad, specially when the badges are pulled off!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 24
From: Midwest
Car: '82 Recaro T/A, '71 Trans Am
Engine: 305CFI/455HO
Transmission: TH700R4/M22
Axle/Gears: 3.23/3.42
1982 Trans Am, black and gold, LG4 carb'ed, 4-speed manual trans, charcoal or doeskin interior, not hacked into a KITT wannabe.
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