Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Supreme Member
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From: Toronto CANADA - GM Parts Rep.
Car: 1987 Iroc Z28
Engine: The KING of the 3rd gen TPI's.
Transmission: Beefed up T5
Axle/Gears: Aussie 3.45's
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Dude get that piece of junk off the track!
Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 2
From: Toronto CANADA - GM Parts Rep.
Car: 1987 Iroc Z28
Engine: The KING of the 3rd gen TPI's.
Transmission: Beefed up T5
Axle/Gears: Aussie 3.45's
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Holy thread ressurection..15 months!!!
So...
What did your 3rd gen run for the lap time?
What kind of handling experience do you have?
General driving or autocross/road race experience?
So...
What did your 3rd gen run for the lap time?
What kind of handling experience do you have?
General driving or autocross/road race experience?
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
i driven 8 rounds, the fastest wars high 9-whatever. sometimes the traffic slows you down, or you have to brake because a crash...
my car is a true Stock WS6 1991 Trans Am TBI.
The cars handles very well, its very secure to drive.
at speeds 40mph+ you can feel when the car is at the limit. so you cant realy oversteer / Understeer because it simply doesnt work i tryed some times but the car is realy safe. you realy must turn arround the steering wheel extreamly that the car understeers.
i have to say i have the Kumohs (or so) Tires on there. newstes series. thats maybe too a big issue that the cars handles very safe.
acctually the car has a too good suspansion for the stock L03 lol.
you realy must drive like a dumbass to make a crash.
Even no understearing / Overstearing when you drive near on the limit at a turn!
The brakes are also OK, better then i expectet. But after 4 Rounds with brakes every lap, the disc brakes in front sounds strange when you drive even when you not brake. but i think thats because my pad is wearing down.
i have 2 discs and 2 drums in rear.
ah and you need ALOT of petroil. 1 lap uses with my stock L03 petroil for ~111miles.
One lap is 14miles or so long, so at ~10miles the engine doesnt pull good at 70mph,like the engine normaly does, thats strange.
tahts why high 9 because its a fast part of the track here i lose many seconds because the car doenst pull!! tahts not normal lol
my car is a true Stock WS6 1991 Trans Am TBI.
The cars handles very well, its very secure to drive.
at speeds 40mph+ you can feel when the car is at the limit. so you cant realy oversteer / Understeer because it simply doesnt work i tryed some times but the car is realy safe. you realy must turn arround the steering wheel extreamly that the car understeers.
i have to say i have the Kumohs (or so) Tires on there. newstes series. thats maybe too a big issue that the cars handles very safe.
acctually the car has a too good suspansion for the stock L03 lol.
you realy must drive like a dumbass to make a crash.
Even no understearing / Overstearing when you drive near on the limit at a turn!
The brakes are also OK, better then i expectet. But after 4 Rounds with brakes every lap, the disc brakes in front sounds strange when you drive even when you not brake. but i think thats because my pad is wearing down.
i have 2 discs and 2 drums in rear.
ah and you need ALOT of petroil. 1 lap uses with my stock L03 petroil for ~111miles.
One lap is 14miles or so long, so at ~10miles the engine doesnt pull good at 70mph,like the engine normaly does, thats strange.
tahts why high 9 because its a fast part of the track here i lose many seconds because the car doenst pull!! tahts not normal lol
Last edited by pascal_91ta; Jul 31, 2008 at 02:51 PM.
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Try to find you a 4th gen disc rear. They'll bolt straight in, no changes needed. Easier said than done across the pond, I know, but it's an option & cheaper than doing a drum to disc swap on your current rear end.
Last edited by Stephen; Jul 31, 2008 at 03:20 PM.
Member

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Germany
Car: '87 Camaro Z28
Engine: fully loaded 350
Transmission: T5-World Class
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
yeahh boiii 
Nice to see another third gen on track. I hope to get there again this year when my swap is done. Must have been 3 years since I drove there with a Camaro.
Now I have some upgrades (only engine and my beloved stick
must find their way back in the car) Then I can restart the race track activities:

I can't await it.
Greetings,
Simon

Nice to see another third gen on track. I hope to get there again this year when my swap is done. Must have been 3 years since I drove there with a Camaro.
Now I have some upgrades (only engine and my beloved stick
must find their way back in the car) Then I can restart the race track activities:
I can't await it.
Greetings,
Simon
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 1
From: NY sucks
Car: 84' Corvette, 96' Caprice
Engine: LT1, L99
Transmission: T-56, 4L60e
Axle/Gears: 3.07 POSI, 2.93 Open
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
I really love how this thread is ppl saying the TRUTH about what Car testing magazines ,etc. have said about the IROC but all i see is pppl trashing third gens. I beleive the third gen to be very good handling, even compared to a fourth! mines not even a true IROC it has RS suspension i kept up with my friends 01 firebird around some sharp *** curve then blew past him. Very good handling cars i think. No offense to the porsches but how much more are they brand new compared to an IROC? exactly my point, the camaro was built as a cheaper brother to the vette, the porsche was built as a race car basically. Cost vs cost the camaro is a way better deal plus it looks alot better. (no offense intended) THat was my 2 cents
Member

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Germany
Car: '87 Camaro Z28
Engine: fully loaded 350
Transmission: T5-World Class
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
@v10viper04: you speak out what I have to tell everybody here in Germany. Nobody can believe that such an old (american) car can handle well.
I can't understand what these narrow minded peoples problem is.
-it's rear driven
-in comparision to modern cars they are pretty light. with only some easy weight reduction and some aluminum parts on the engine, you will EASILY get 3200lbs
-if you then move the battery to the rear also the weight bias are not that bad
-we can have BIG engines
-there are enough aftermarket big brake kits (or you build them by your own
)
-you can get every aftermarket suspension you need for corner carving
-etc...
In my opinion you need 15000 to 20000$ to get a nice and clean ready for all thirdgen who can keep up to the MOST expensive sports cars. Even if you've got a beater and make some clever changes you can have a fast cornering third gen for not that much more than the price you've paid for it (expect a nice set of tires
)
One thing is clear...it is unrealistic to say we could keep up with a new Porsche (they ARE in their own world!!) but just consider 2 things:
1. we can have it for 10 times less
2. they can have a Porsche, Lambo or whatever...the fastest element on track is the driver! I have driven with a good pal of mine (driving instructor) on the Hockenheimring and he was biting on some BMW butts with his Honda Prelude...only on the next straight they flew away...but hey...everbody can drive a straight fast if he has enough HP!
So I will keep on defending how good my Detroit Iron is...no matter what!!
Greetings,
Simon
I can't understand what these narrow minded peoples problem is.
-it's rear driven
-in comparision to modern cars they are pretty light. with only some easy weight reduction and some aluminum parts on the engine, you will EASILY get 3200lbs
-if you then move the battery to the rear also the weight bias are not that bad
-we can have BIG engines
-there are enough aftermarket big brake kits (or you build them by your own
)-you can get every aftermarket suspension you need for corner carving
-etc...
In my opinion you need 15000 to 20000$ to get a nice and clean ready for all thirdgen who can keep up to the MOST expensive sports cars. Even if you've got a beater and make some clever changes you can have a fast cornering third gen for not that much more than the price you've paid for it (expect a nice set of tires
)One thing is clear...it is unrealistic to say we could keep up with a new Porsche (they ARE in their own world!!) but just consider 2 things:
1. we can have it for 10 times less

2. they can have a Porsche, Lambo or whatever...the fastest element on track is the driver! I have driven with a good pal of mine (driving instructor) on the Hockenheimring and he was biting on some BMW butts with his Honda Prelude...only on the next straight they flew away...but hey...everbody can drive a straight fast if he has enough HP!
So I will keep on defending how good my Detroit Iron is...no matter what!!
Greetings,
Simon
Last edited by S!MON; Aug 1, 2008 at 09:22 AM.
Supreme Member

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 1
From: NY sucks
Car: 84' Corvette, 96' Caprice
Engine: LT1, L99
Transmission: T-56, 4L60e
Axle/Gears: 3.07 POSI, 2.93 Open
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
hell yea i agree with that completely, european ppl think their cars are so great, they really arn't but they make them look good by comparing their $250,00 ferrari to a $50,000 mustang GT500 or whatever. Totally different class, but they don't get that.
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
just to add a little about the price it depends where you live, in ne ohio(at least the section i live in) theres mayby 1 or 2 mr2s and not for sale(i asked one guy and he said he paid 8k for it and wouldnt sell it) the 80s porsches are gone period, the rx7s your looking at at least 7k for and any of the 240s that are left people are wanting 10k+. i like these cars just as much as f bodys so im not bashing em but none of these cars are worth what people are charging for them and its mostly ricers bringing up the price(not tuners but the kids that put hood scoops and a fart can on w/o even taking the current muffle off and think there car is fast) 80's f bodys are going for the 1-3k range
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From: Kissimmee, FL
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 357cid
Transmission: T5 Swap
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 7.5" 3.23 soon to be 3.73
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
hmmm im just skimming the posts... I have a vintage video of car and driver of when the Z first came out and they rated it the best handling american car of the 80's. Personally all of my friends drive FC's and i have driven more than a few of them. in comparative form ( decent parts ) ill take the FC due to the lighter front end and less over steer.
Who ever mention the 240... that car understeers like the camaro and has less power.
I have drifted camaro's, FC's, and a 240 and personally prefer either my car or a FC.
Who ever mention the 240... that car understeers like the camaro and has less power.
I have drifted camaro's, FC's, and a 240 and personally prefer either my car or a FC.
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Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Ahead of you...
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
I want to throw my 2 cents in here.
I know for a fact that my Camaro with just a wheel change (to 275-40-17 runner) and a manual trans (auto would overheat in a lap) would run 8:00 or a slight bit under on the "Ring". The car certainly isn't stock, but when you have the power, the handling, the brakes, and the weight reduction in a car that is relatively well balanced, it should easily be able to keep up with the fastest new cars today.
I'll put it in retrospect...
Imagine a 625hp LS2 powered 3200lb thirdgen with big brakes, big tires, coil overs, weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, and super stiff chassis.
Carrera GT killer for $65K.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!!
I know for a fact that my Camaro with just a wheel change (to 275-40-17 runner) and a manual trans (auto would overheat in a lap) would run 8:00 or a slight bit under on the "Ring". The car certainly isn't stock, but when you have the power, the handling, the brakes, and the weight reduction in a car that is relatively well balanced, it should easily be able to keep up with the fastest new cars today.
I'll put it in retrospect...
Imagine a 625hp LS2 powered 3200lb thirdgen with big brakes, big tires, coil overs, weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, and super stiff chassis.
Carrera GT killer for $65K.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!!
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,644
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From: Long Island New York
Car: 89 Formula 350
Engine: Forged 385 H/C/I
Transmission: 700R4-4300 Stall-lockup
Axle/Gears: BW 9 Bolt 3:70
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Oh Please!, The fastest time for a Stock Z06 is 7:42. 6:55 is the official time to beat for a production road car in stock trim and is held by the Radical SR8. The fastest time for a full bodied stock street car is 7:28 held by the Porsche Carrera GT.
Lets try to stick to posting fact only please...
Lets try to stick to posting fact only please...
u probably posted before this happened but the ZR1 vette is now the fastest full body stock street car now, taking out the Porsche Carrera GT
ZR1..... 7:26.4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6mEirkQN8o
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From: Middleburg Hts. OH
Car: 85 T/A, 92 Rs
Engine: L98:D,L03:<
Transmission: 700r4x2
Axle/Gears: 3.23 bw, 2.73 10 bolt.
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
@v10viper04: you speak out what I have to tell everybody here in Germany. Nobody can believe that such an old (american) car can handle well.
I can't understand what these narrow minded peoples problem is.
-it's rear driven
-in comparision to modern cars they are pretty light. with only some easy weight reduction and some aluminum parts on the engine, you will EASILY get 3200lbs
-if you then move the battery to the rear also the weight bias are not that bad
-we can have BIG engines
-there are enough aftermarket big brake kits (or you build them by your own
)
-you can get every aftermarket suspension you need for corner carving
-etc...
In my opinion you need 15000 to 20000$ to get a nice and clean ready for all thirdgen who can keep up to the MOST expensive sports cars. Even if you've got a beater and make some clever changes you can have a fast cornering third gen for not that much more than the price you've paid for it (expect a nice set of tires
)
One thing is clear...it is unrealistic to say we could keep up with a new Porsche (they ARE in their own world!!) but just consider 2 things:
1. we can have it for 10 times less
2. they can have a Porsche, Lambo or whatever...the fastest element on track is the driver! I have driven with a good pal of mine (driving instructor) on the Hockenheimring and he was biting on some BMW butts with his Honda Prelude...only on the next straight they flew away...but hey...everbody can drive a straight fast if he has enough HP!
So I will keep on defending how good my Detroit Iron is...no matter what!!
Greetings,
Simon
I can't understand what these narrow minded peoples problem is.
-it's rear driven
-in comparision to modern cars they are pretty light. with only some easy weight reduction and some aluminum parts on the engine, you will EASILY get 3200lbs
-if you then move the battery to the rear also the weight bias are not that bad
-we can have BIG engines
-there are enough aftermarket big brake kits (or you build them by your own
)-you can get every aftermarket suspension you need for corner carving
-etc...
In my opinion you need 15000 to 20000$ to get a nice and clean ready for all thirdgen who can keep up to the MOST expensive sports cars. Even if you've got a beater and make some clever changes you can have a fast cornering third gen for not that much more than the price you've paid for it (expect a nice set of tires
)One thing is clear...it is unrealistic to say we could keep up with a new Porsche (they ARE in their own world!!) but just consider 2 things:
1. we can have it for 10 times less

2. they can have a Porsche, Lambo or whatever...the fastest element on track is the driver! I have driven with a good pal of mine (driving instructor) on the Hockenheimring and he was biting on some BMW butts with his Honda Prelude...only on the next straight they flew away...but hey...everbody can drive a straight fast if he has enough HP!
So I will keep on defending how good my Detroit Iron is...no matter what!!
Greetings,
Simon
2)the above post just became the most memorable i have read on TGO, there's great tech here but i can see you have true passion for tackling the track and thirdgens!
3)i truly hope you don't have the euro style mirrors on your car
Member

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 176
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From: Germany
Car: '87 Camaro Z28
Engine: fully loaded 350
Transmission: T5-World Class
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Haha, no way. I've got the "right" mirrors on...that would have been the first mod...before anything else
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From: IL
Car: 88 IROC, 76 Malibu Classic
Engine: 350 TPI, 350
Transmission: 700R4, 4-speed
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
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Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
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Car: 1992 Camaro Z28 1LE
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: G92 Perf. Axle
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
Good discussion. Just to chime in briefly on the thirdgen versus fourthgen comparisons, FWIW...
Having previously owned both a '99 Z28 as well as a '99 WS6 Trans Am, and comparing these to my current Camaro (admittedly a 1LE car) and also a previously driven '88 WS6 Trans Am and '83 Trans Am, I have to say there is a big difference in smooth, dry-road handling (such as at a racetrack) in stock form. I personally feel much more confident, and therefore probably faster, driving a performance model thirdgen car in high-speed twisties.
My LS1 cars were definitely superior in a drag race (by a huge margin), more comfortable, and rode better than the thirdgens. The LS1 brakes are not bad, although I kept warping the paper-thin factory rotors. But to me, the fourthgen suspensions feel much looser, and the cars seem to have significantly more body lean and float. They also tended to understeer more.
Of course, on a bumpy road the fourthgens might have an advantage, due to their more forgiving suspension settings, although I suspect not by much.
These are all just my opinions and impressions, as I have no concrete times comparing apples to apples with me driving.
Having previously owned both a '99 Z28 as well as a '99 WS6 Trans Am, and comparing these to my current Camaro (admittedly a 1LE car) and also a previously driven '88 WS6 Trans Am and '83 Trans Am, I have to say there is a big difference in smooth, dry-road handling (such as at a racetrack) in stock form. I personally feel much more confident, and therefore probably faster, driving a performance model thirdgen car in high-speed twisties.
My LS1 cars were definitely superior in a drag race (by a huge margin), more comfortable, and rode better than the thirdgens. The LS1 brakes are not bad, although I kept warping the paper-thin factory rotors. But to me, the fourthgen suspensions feel much looser, and the cars seem to have significantly more body lean and float. They also tended to understeer more.
Of course, on a bumpy road the fourthgens might have an advantage, due to their more forgiving suspension settings, although I suspect not by much.
These are all just my opinions and impressions, as I have no concrete times comparing apples to apples with me driving.
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 454
Likes: 26
From: London, UK
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: L31, LT4 hot cam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 LSD
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
I know this is a fairly old post but wondering if anybody had taken their 3rd gen on the ring since?
I'm contemplating taking my L98 1990 GTA in the summer but I've been on the ring before in a E46 3 series coupe and its pretty intense. I'd be a little worried about that live axle showing up on all the gradient changes and its not like there's much run-off.
I've got the usual koni yellows, poly-bushes, tubular LCAs etc. Going for a steering rebuild with moog parts < in other words will have the suspension/ steering in good shape.
experienced input welcome!
I'm contemplating taking my L98 1990 GTA in the summer but I've been on the ring before in a E46 3 series coupe and its pretty intense. I'd be a little worried about that live axle showing up on all the gradient changes and its not like there's much run-off.
I've got the usual koni yellows, poly-bushes, tubular LCAs etc. Going for a steering rebuild with moog parts < in other words will have the suspension/ steering in good shape.
experienced input welcome!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,902
Likes: 239
From: Chicagoland Suburbs
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: LT1, AFR 195cc, 231/239 LE cam.
Transmission: M28 T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10bolt waiting to explode.
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
I know this is a fairly old post but wondering if anybody had taken their 3rd gen on the ring since?
I'm contemplating taking my L98 1990 GTA in the summer but I've been on the ring before in a E46 3 series coupe and its pretty intense. I'd be a little worried about that live axle showing up on all the gradient changes and its not like there's much run-off.
I've got the usual koni yellows, poly-bushes, tubular LCAs etc. Going for a steering rebuild with moog parts < in other words will have the suspension/ steering in good shape.
experienced input welcome!
I'm contemplating taking my L98 1990 GTA in the summer but I've been on the ring before in a E46 3 series coupe and its pretty intense. I'd be a little worried about that live axle showing up on all the gradient changes and its not like there's much run-off.
I've got the usual koni yellows, poly-bushes, tubular LCAs etc. Going for a steering rebuild with moog parts < in other words will have the suspension/ steering in good shape.
experienced input welcome!

As to your question. Note. Not My Car. Know nothing about it, though he's a member here, as thats where I originally found these videos posted.
Answer in video form
Supreme Member

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From: Lynden WA
Car: 84 Trans Am, 84 Fiero, 86 944
Engine: 5.0, 2.5, 2.5
Transmission: 5spd
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
that is the dream drive right there, would love to do it in my bone stock 84 z28 lol
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Abilene, Texas
Car: 1989 Formula - Red
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Posi
Re: Thirdgen around the Nurburgring?
I own a 2014 Cadillac CTS-V sedan, and my wife drives a nice 89 Formula 5.7 that is lightly modded and stiffened. Both cars are a hoot to drive.
But the Caddy will cruise at 150 easily and corner like a slot car, even with a rank amatuer road-race driver like me. The Redbird still is a great car, and frankly gets more long looks, thumbs-ups & smiles than the V. My late brother bought the Bird new, and gave it to us in 2000. Both will stay in our family.
But the Caddy will cruise at 150 easily and corner like a slot car, even with a rank amatuer road-race driver like me. The Redbird still is a great car, and frankly gets more long looks, thumbs-ups & smiles than the V. My late brother bought the Bird new, and gave it to us in 2000. Both will stay in our family.
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Sickness91Z28
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a mack6
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Feb 13, 2006 08:25 PM




, yea the bike drove pretty slow...... at one of the best turnes of the track: adenauer forst! Damn! paied 30$ or so per round or so and then a slow bike at the best turn haha.




