I'm looking at building a car for fun and other things. (Not a daily driver)
I had an IROC-Z in the past but had to sell it. Anyways I wanted to build a new toy and was looking back into getting another because I love how they look.

I have been talking to a guy that has a 1986 IROC in very good shape and he wants 2,500 OBO for it. To be honest I gave up on the muscle car thing a while ago and last track of things.
Would this 1986 IROC be a good base to start with? Should I look for a different year/base to start with, or should I pull the motor right away and start with something else.

I do have a good understanding of motors and how they work ect. would this motor be limited by its parts?

Any info you all can give would be great. I'll keep reading the forums and see what I can find. I'd like to 1day see a safe 400+hp and need a plateform to work with.

Thanks

Edit, To sum up what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a base I can hit 400hp mark on w/o having to spend insane amonts of $ to get to. Would this car be a wise choice for a beater or could you suggest something else.

 

I would go with an 87-89 since they had better ecm's. If you dont want to deal with the MAF codes that haunt those year cars, then save a little more and buy a 90-92 350 car, or buy an 87-89 and convert the harness to speed density.

 

i would get a 90-92 Camaro/Firebird and put a 383 longblock underneath the TPI and some new injectors, makes one hell of a fun car to drive in... sooo much torque

 

do you want 400hp at the wheels or engine?

Just make sure you get the 350 (5.7L) engine instead of the 305 (5L), since you'll achieve 400 hp in a 350 motor a lot sooner. Also you might want to go the later models as they have Speed Density as opposed to the Mass Air Flow setup (less headaches, I have MAF i know). However you said you don't want to spend too much money on your project. I don't really know what route your planning to take to build up your project because you said you want a toy / not a daily driver but you want a safe 400hp. If your planning to stay with the TPI setup to achieve 400 hp is going to cost a bit of money and work.

If i was in your situation, and I really liked the Z28 third gen look. I would swap the motor with a LS1 (basically a newer camaro/trans am motor), its a pretty cool setup. They go on ebay for about $2500 on average (depending on the condition of course) with an auto tranny, these motors produce about 350 hp at the motor & 300 hp at the wheels in your car, and are a really good base to start off and their really reliable, safe and even produce really good mileage for a V8. And 400 hp at the wheels is just a intake, mild cam and exhaust upgrade away.

Also your alternative option is to go with a good old carb setup. This is your best cost efficient option.

Hope this helps a little
Pat

 

Thanks for the help. I was able to find out a bit more info on wikipedia.
Yes I'm looking for more of a toy, something I could work on and drive for fun, I dont want the motor to be so pushed to the limit I could blow it easy at a track. In order to hit my goal it wouldn't have to be all motor, I could put a SC or turbo on the car if it needs that boost in hp. I'd like to have atleast 400 @ the wheels.

Also what I ment as far as "not wanting to spend alot of money", I really ment to say I dont want to spend alot of money to get to that goal. I own a RX8 and you cannot find any power in them w/o FI, and with that alot of people have only just broke the 300hp mark and ALOT have blown the motors. With 6k-10k into a turbo and about 7k+ for a new motor its not a very cheap option.

I did also find a v6 for 800$ in good shape with no motor. Would the a v8 swap be easy on that? Im know I'd need the Trans, motor, wires, rear end, shocks and springs?, cross member? I'll research this, you dont have to anwser this with any more then a yes or no. ( just an option if I chose to do a swap)

Thanks again, I'll keep reading up on the forum.

 

Remember, no 350 in 1986. If you want to keep the motor in the car, look 87 and up and go with the 350. If you're gonna swap, then obviously it doesn't matter.

 

Does the VIN happen to show what motor is in the car, or do I need to check the block?
Just wondering for checking the traders ect.

 

Yes.

The 8th digit will be "8" for the 5.7 Liter 350 TPI motor.
....and the RPO, if available, is B2L