some kid in town says his iroc is an 86 5 speed 350. but i didnt think they made a 5-speed 350 in 86. can anyone answer this for me?

 

No 350's in 86, at least not from the factory. Now he could have a 5 speed 350 86 IROC, but it is not stock. I believe the only motor offered in the 86 IROC was the LB9 305 TPI, with a 700r4 A4 tranny, or 5 speed.
Actually there is a rumor that about 50 '86 IROC's got 350's in them, but I dont know anyone that can confirm that for sure.
And I doubt your buddy is one of them. But you never know.

 

a guy on another board told me if it redlines at 5500 its a 350, and 5000 a 305. is this true?
if all the signs point to 305, is there anything i can check on the engine to see if its a 350 or 305?

 

All you need to do is check the engine identification code that is stamped on the portion of the block that sticks out from underneath the front of the head on the passenger side of the block.

 

He's talking out of his butt if he says it's stock. For one 5 speeds never came with a 350. And like said before if there were 350s in '86 there were only 50 and prolly not available to the public. Check the 8th digit of his VIN, I believe 8 refers to a 350. And if he says it's stock, and says there is a 350 in it, does he even know the year of his car? There will be 3rd brake light on the top of the hatch.

 

if it's an 86 you can be pretty sure it's not a 5.7 car. they weren't available to the public just like the 88 1LE car. the 5 speed never came with a 5.7 engine in f bodies. as for the redline issue, 5500 was redline for L98's, L69's, LB9's with G92 option, and 1985 LB9's.