Well, its been a year. I've had my IROC a whole year. And it still vaguely resembles a car. I bought the car as a shell, minus the hood. A few interior pieces, mostly worn or broken. To those of you on here whom have sold me parts, thank you for the good deals.

Sadly, I came real close to crushing out. Accepting I got in over my head and giving up. I'm trying to get motivated again. Anyways, on to my questions.

#1 the car was an automatic. I'm going with a T5. Now the ignition key just free spins. No tension. What part will fix that. A new tumbler? Or a new column? Its an 1988. Part number?

#2 I'm aquiring the ecu. m and wiring for a 5.7 TPI. I currently have a L31 in the process of rebuilding. So dollars to donuts should I go with a stock TPI set up with vortec baseplate, or HSR? I know the there's an issue with the L31 being a 1 piece rms as well. Maybe just toss the L31 and find a L98?

 

what ever you decide to do don't toss the L31 . it is a great engine & can accept all kinds of mods. . i just bought a new G.M. crate L31 , plan on installing in my car after i do a few mods. to it . (cam , intake , ignition , etc.) good luck .

 

Yeah. I got the L31 and though I'd slap a dual plane and a 4 barrel on and run it. But the more I thought about it, just didn't feel right. It needs that fuel injection. I've researched and it looks like my options are to use a vortec base, which I read takes a ton of machining, and high dollar runners to feed vortec heads. Or holley/weiand stealthram, looks better IMO, but apparently need a ton of machining as well due to poor casting.

Feels frustrating to read how wonderful vortec heads are and then find out they need worked over for any kind of performance cam, and my intake options are the cheapest made **** china could spew out.

 

Imo, go with TPI, and go with aftermarket heads with a "regular" non-Vortec base. As much as you'll spend on a TPI Vortec base, you may be farther ahead with a regular aftermarket base and decent heads. What are your goals here? What about budget?

 

Really I think between 275 and 375 would be enough power. I'd like a power band somewhere around 1300-5300. As far as budget, I don't really have one. Higher the part cost, longer I have to save to get it. I tried planning a budget but I found myself tempted to.cut corners, use inferior parts etc.