I have an 88 Iroc. I bought it 20 years ago when I was 21. I have always had it as a second car with plans on fixing it up. Now I’m 41, my kids are enough to do their own thing, I have a great job, so I decided this past winter to start working on it.

I parked it 2 years ago due to some brake issues. I fixed those (all stock), but it has been idling rough so I decided today to change the fuel filter and I snapped the fuel line.

As I start looking at replacing it, I start trying to figure out how to prioritize how to move forward.

End goal is an LS swap. So as I start replacing the fuel line, what makes sense to do at the same time? I want to replace brake lines and upgrade the brakes while I have it up. Do I do a new fuel pump now too? Do I upgrade the 9 bolt rear end now? Just trying to make the end goal easier to achieve vs doing a bunch of work to replace fuel line, then realizing I should have replaced the fuel pump when I did the fuel line. Appreciate the help.

 

With the right resources, the school of thought has always been start rear-forward. If you have the ability, throw a stronger rear in, which will give you adequate space to access the fuel tank. If your intention is to LS swap it, consider a 99-02 tank while you're there. Easier to service, lines will be compatible with the 4th Gen "tee" style, and all you have to worry about is finding the compatible sending unit and wiring it properly. Hopefully you broke the filter on the tank side. If so, you can utilize the factory lines forward of the fuel filter. LS engines are return less systems, so as long as the tee installation is done properly, you don't have to worry about the return.

Where are you located? A solid donor car with an existing moser 9" came up for sale in Tampa for $3k this last week. May have all the lines you need as well.

 

I would fix the things that need to be fixed and just start driving it. Make it safe and reliable and then start thinking about the upgrades you would like to do. If the fuel line attached to the sender in the tank is the one that broke, then I would go ahead and replace the sender and pump and maybe the tank, depending on condition. For a pump, I would think something like a Racetronix with the separate wiring harness would work both for the TPI motor or a future LS swap.

If the 9-bolt rear is still working, not making noise or leaking, I would just change the fluid and run it.

The car has been off the road for a couple of years and sounds like it could be back on the road without too much work. Your plan to upgrade sounds good, but I would just advise to do it in specific projects over a period of time, while still driving and enjoying it. Speaking from experience here. Large undertakings have a way of getting derailed and before you know it, many years have gone by.

 

This is excellent advice and I agree. Don't start throwing parts at it yet. Get it back on the road and "relearn" the car. You'll soon realize what you love and what you hate about it which will help guide you where to start. When you LS swap there will certainly be a domino effect of supporting mods but you don't have to go crazy. Figure out what your goals are for the car and start reading up on others swaps. Reading is free and will help you see what options you have and what obstacles you may face.