I havent owned a camaro in a while and last year I got a stock 88 IROC with the factory TPI 350 in it. And i havent been around or read much about upgrade parts for these cars so i was wondering if anyone could recomend a few things for me? I am wanting to do a tune up to it this spring and i would like to do plugs, wires, cap and rotor. But im not sure what brand to buy? I think I wanna get a set of ACCEL plug wires but n ot sure on the cap, rotor or the wires. So any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks to all who read this and/or reply,

HotRod55

 

Is there a specific reason you want Accel plug wires? Other than the decal? For something other than all-out track use, it's really hard to beat the 8mm Packard Electric silicone jacketed resistance wires.

As for a cap and rotor, don't look at the names so much as the features. Get a cap that is made of glass reinforced plastic (GRP), has solid brass terminations inside and out, and deep arc chutes to prevent scatter and flashover. You can find those features in many "low-end" parts that don't have big fancy racing sponsorship contracts with clever drivers. Standard Motor Products, MSD, Conrad, Wells (Gold lLine only), and others have these features, whereas some of the "high-end" parts with popular names and not-so-popular prices don't have these features. They do, however, include that attractive, self-adhesive decal.

My personal preference for plugs is either Champion or NGK as a secondary choice. Delco plugs work fine, but their standard plugs are about the same quality as Autolite or Bosch. Their exotic alloy plugs are a better quality piece., however.

Don't forget that there are other things to do as part of your tune-up:

Clean the throttle body, IAC, and PCV valve.

Check the TPS voltage and base timing.

Inspect the air filter, intake air ducts, vacuum hoses, A.I.R. plumbing and check valves. and belt condition. Replace whatever is not up to the task.

Inspect the coolant hoses and coolant condition. If it's been more than 3 years, you should flush the cooling system soon.

Check your other fluid levels and conditions.

 

dont forget oil, oil filter, tranny filter, and the most neglected oil.. differential fluid

 

I guess the only reason that i was going to get Accel plug wires is because I had them once before on a Camaro that I had and was happy with them, that and i kinda like the way that yellow plug wires stand out under a hood.

As far as the rest of the stuff goes, i changed the oil before I parked it for the winter ( about a month or 2 before that so the oil has a few miles on it ) and i used Mobile1 synthetic. As far as a tranny filter goes I plan on taking it down to the local tranny shop and have them do a complete tranny system flush and filter change. But that may be a month or 2 away. I have K&N filters in it now and they were also cleaned and reoiled before I parked it.

But I think Ill add a couple of other things to my to do list when I tune it up, Im thiking fuel filter and drain and refill the rear end fluid.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I still welcome more if anyone cares to offer.


HotRod55

 

Your oil fill should be fine. That's the same thing I do before I store mine. The rear gear oil might be better changed after the car is driven for a while, just in case there is any moisture with the gear oil.

 

Don't forge the in line fuel filter and might as well change the tranny oil and filter.