I spent 9 months rebuilding my last Iroc when a lady turned in front of me and totaled it.

1 month ago, my buddy and I bought a 87 Iroc Z 350 TPI It ran and was driveable, but rough. Going to rebuild over the winter.

My 15 yr old son loves the 3rd gen, so I bought him a 1988 Trans Am with the 305 TBI. That also runs, needs electrical work, steering column and rear shocks.

I am going to have him replace alternator, water pump, tune up and power steering pump as those are easy to get to and will be good practice for him. Engine runs nice

Very excited to have 2 3rd gens sitting in my garage.

Quick question about the TA. With it is being stock and having the 305, I know what the HP is, but how much power does it truly have? The old owner told me it could easily peel out and fishtail when you stomp on the gas. Is this true or was she fibbing a bit?

 

What rear is in the car? If it has 3:42's or even 3:73's it's entirely possible.

That being said, it will have it's limits & strong is not a word I would associate with it.

 

How much power? Far less than 170hp it had when it was rated by the factory.

Was she fibbing? Her Huggies were overflowing. Guessing it's a 700R4, which would mean 2.73 peg leg gears originally... I suppose if you were on loose gravel, or wet pavement, or seriously throwing a car around a corner, or had completely bald and dried out tires, you could probably squeel a tire now and again.

When things are right, good road conditions, moderate temps, fresh tires with good tread, the fastest stock 5.7L TPI thirdgen isn't going to do much more than chirp the tires launching straight. Thats not to say a person can't INTENTIONALLY smoke the **** out of the tires, but it's not something that's just going to occur naturally in a vacuum with a toilet bowl 305.

 

Drew beat me to it ....

 

A nice pair to have in your driveway. Congrats on the purchase. I'm sure you will both have a lot of fun with them.

 

Ty for the replies. I thought she was fibbing as I previously had a 87 305 TPI and I could barelt do it after a full rebuild.

On with the work and hopefully I will have the TA up and running in a month or so. Camaro is a full winter project.