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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
My brother is interested in buying an 86 IROCZ here in town and I was wanting ya'lls opinions on them. First off, the emblems say it's a 5.7L TPI with a 3spd auto...um I thought the 5.7L were extremly rare and he's only wanting $5,000 OBO. Think maybe he switched the emblems to fool people? If so, is it worth offering maybe $3000? It's in excellent condition..haven't driven it yet though
 

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Tex66 said:
My brother is interested in buying an 86 IROCZ here in town and I was wanting ya'lls opinions on them. First off, the emblems say it's a 5.7L TPI with a 3spd auto...um I thought the 5.7L were extremly rare and he's only wanting $5,000 OBO. Think maybe he switched the emblems to fool people? If so, is it worth offering maybe $3000? It's in excellent condition..haven't driven it yet though
1987 was the last year for Camaros produced at the Norwood Ohio plant;
the original Camaro Plant.

The 350 TPI and 5 speed 305 TPI combinations were finally available on
the IROC-Z. The 350 was only available in the IROC-Z and only with an
automatic transmission. The exterior differed in appearance only by
`5.7 Tuned Port Injection' badges rather than `Tuned Port Injection'
badges. The TPI 350 motor was not visually distinguishable from the
TPI 305. A few things can be used to disinguish a 350 TPI from a 305 TPI
(other than the badges, which are often changed to sell a 305 TPI as a
350 TPI). All TPI 350 IROC-Z's (1987-1990) and all TPI 350 Z28's
(1991-1992) had automatic transmissions and rear disc brakes. The eighth
digit of the VIN is and `8' for 350 TPI's and an `F' for 305 TPI's. The
service parts identification list in the center console glovebox will list
the code B2L for a 350 TPI, LB9 for a 305 TPI. The under hood sticker
should list the motor as a 5.7 liter rather than a 5.0 liter. All TPI
350 (1987-1992) Camaros had a tach with yellow at 5000 and red at 5500.


this is where i found this, hope it helps. http://www.f-body.org/tech/tech.htm
 

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They did make 50 iron-headed 5.7 IROC's in 1986, but they were more for promotional (magazines) and such...

The 1987 (and 86) IROC's were options on the Z28, then they became only IROC's in like 88 or 89, IIRC...
 

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My wife's cousin is a gearhead that lived in Warren Michigan. He bought a deep blue metallic '86 IROC-Z that was converted to a 350 by Chevrolet Engineering, then converted back to the original 305 before legal sale. Her cousin went right ahead and dropped another 350 into the thing again. It moved pretty well, but it kept blowing the Turbohydramatics. No, I don't ever remember him driving it sedately...

As I recall the 5.7 made it's G3 Camaro production debut on the IROC-Z for '87, although I suppose it is possible a few '86s made it through. Given the emissions laws, certification processes and CAFE ratings it was not as easy to release it as it was back in the carefree sixties.
 

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According to the thirdgen.org site, the '86 350 car was a myth. If it was built with a 350, the 8th digit of the VIN would be an "8". Most likely, the car is an E or F car with a 305. IROC Z was built through the '90 model year, but they switched to the '91 model early, like March. These cars are a dime a dozen, and unless it is a low mile car, it's not worth anywhere near $5000.
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Hmm, I did notice that there was no striped "IROC" Decal on the door...maybe this was a regular camero with IROCZ emblems added. Does it HAVE to have the iroc decal on the side? I just need to know what to look for when we go drive it tomorrow to tell if it's a fake.
 

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I read the '50 Iroc thing' in a reputable magazine many years ago, but who knows...they had like 5hp less, or something...one of those Chevy campfire mysteries, I suppose :D For the fun of it, I'll see if I can track down the info...

[Edit, here's one place that mentions it, amongst others...

btw, I had an 87 Iroc 5.7 and it was one of the more 'fun' cars I had...something about it...

There should be a Z28 badge, not iroc on the lower fender and a sticker IROC (possibly taken off) towards the front, not the rear, as later models, since they went to IROC badges on the lower fender...
 

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This is taken directly from www.thirdgen.org:

1986

Sport Coupe restyled and upgraded. New lower body striping, black headlamp pockets, black mirrors, and F41 suspension calibration standard. New silver 15x7 (up from the 14x7 rally wheel) steel 5 spoke rally wheels became standard equipment on the Sport Coupe. Sport Coupe also got the previous year's Z28 taillights with the horizontal black separator bar. The Berlinetta model was discontinued early in the year.

Late in the 1986 model year, the 85mph speedometer in the Z28 and IROC-Z were replaced with a new 145 mph unit. All 1986 Camaros had the newly required CHMSL (center high mounted stop light) mounted externally on the leading edge of the hatchback glass. This was the only year Z28's and IROC-Z's had the CHMSL mounted here. Fog lamps were now available on the Sport Coupe and Berlinetta, and the fog lamp/`CAMARO' front grille assembly of the IROC was now available on the regular Z28. New clear coat/base coat paint was adopted this year.

The original 215hp 305 TPI motor came out in 1985 available both in the Z28 and IROC-Z. The motor was detuned for 1986 losing 25hp due to a cam change. Torque was increased though, from 275 to 285. Automatic transmissions were required on all 1985/1986 TPI powered cars.

1985 vs. 1986 305 TPI cams: 1985 305 TPI 1986 305 TPI 215 HP / 275 Lb.Ft. 190 HP / 285 Lb.Ft. Tach: Yellow 5000 Tach: Yellow 4500 Red 5500 Red 5000Lift: Intake .404 .350 Exhaust .415 .385Duration: Intake 320 307(crank) Exhaust 320 311All 305 TPI (LB9) motors (1985-1992) came with one of two basic cam grinds. An easy way to identify the type of cam on an LB9 car is to look at the tach: the lesser cams have a yellow line at 4500 and red line at 5000; the hotter cams have a yellow line at 5000 and red line at 5500. See chart at end of chronology for more cam info.

LG4 305 V-8 cars got electric cooling fan.

G92 performance axle ratio available only on Z28 and IROC-Z.

Records show that 74 L69 (5.0 liter H.O.) Camaros were built. The L69 is shown as being available in the 1986 Camaro brochure, but it was put on strict restriction.

It's rumored that records also show that 50 1986 350 (5.7) IROC's were built. These cars were built primarily for testing and were the ones we saw tested by the automotive press late in 1986. These 350 IROC's (being 1986's) had the externally mounted third brake light on the hatch glass and the pre-1987 head/edge mounted valve cover design. The 350 in the IROC-Z differed from the Corvette 350 TPI in that the IROC-Z 350 TPI had the regular Camaro valve covers, iron heads, (instead of aluminum) and the iron IROC-Z exhaust manifolds. At the last minute it was decided that the 1986 350 IROC would not be available. Fortunately they decided to start production of the 350 IROC in 1987.

Paint RPO's change for a new base-coat, clear-coat process. The 305 H.O L69 was discontinued because of fuel boiling problems.


You can look at the RPO label under the lid on the console, if its still there. If not I would walk away from the car quickly. I have owned many and still do own two third gen camaros and those labels do not fall off. If its missing, somebody is trying to fake it.

The odds of that being a real 5.7 car and slim to none. Like it was said many times before look at the vin # for the number 8. Also look at the rear end and see if it is a 9 bolt, the borg warner rear is a 9 bolt design. The 3.27 gears that it would have had will only go into a 9 bolt.

Considering how much it has going against it already, unless it really is one of 50, I wouldn't pay $3000 for it unless it is low mileage and perfect shape. These cars can be had for next to nothing. Last april I picked up a perfect 92 camaro 25th anniversary edition with an entire truck load of parts the guy just wanted to get rid of. After selling off the extra parts I got with it, I have about $300 into buying this car. Deals like that are more uncommon, but they can be found.

Jeff
 

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I had a 1986 (deep met blue with black int.) IROC. My first real car in high school. I paid 3000 for it in 1992. It was mint except the motor had a bad rod bearing (305). pulled the motor had it bored .030, new crank, gasket match, and a TPIS small cam. I drove the DOG * out of it for years. Had alot of fun with that car. Not the fastest car but handle very well. miss it sometimes. Dale
 

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Ahhhhh, the good old days. I was working at a Chevy dealer in 87 and remember the IROC 350's well. The convertibles were so weak that the body would sag in the center and the doors wouldn't close correctly. The only thing they wanted us to do to correct it was put our centerpost hoist arms in near the center of the car, open the doors, lift it about 3 feet off the floor and then bounce the car with the hoist to get the ends of the car to bend back.......Yes, really. I think at that time GM was sourcing the chop job on the Camaro to ASC but i'm not positive. And some of the spark plugs were kind of a bitch to get at so some of the other techs would air chisel out a flap on the plastic fenderwells to get to them and then rust proof over it. Enough said about that kind of stuff, I could go on for days. The hardtops were really great cars. Fun to drive and had good power. All of em blown out during the prep for sure. LOL
P.S. No, there were no mainstream IROC 350's in 86
 

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You can't put any real power in them without beefing up the unibody, does anyone even make subframe connectors for them anymore? I twisted the crap out of my 82 T/A in HS. My parents allowed me to have the T/A because it was computer controlled and they were told I couldn't screw with the engine, proved them wrong. The car I wanted was a 68 427 4 speed convertable Vette, all origional for a measly 7K....
 

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There are several manufacturers of subframe connectors available, the best IMHO are the Spohns. Go to www.thirdgen.org and there is a bunch of info in the tech forums there.
 

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I owned an 86 IROC, 5.0 and it was so slow it wouldn't get out of it's own way. Now, I drove a 5.7 IROC while my IROC was having the windshield replaced and the engines were night and day. Just get in and punch the gas pedal (if it's safe) if it pins you in the seat...it's a 350, more than likely. Because my 305 was no where near as powerful as the 350 was.

I was told by the Chevy Salesman that the 350 had the same "engine" as the Corvette that year. I don't know if he was trying to get me to trade mine in and for more money on the 350 of course, but it felt alot stronger.

If it's the 350 and in good shape, I would offer him a little bit less than 5K...but that's just me.
 

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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
Drove the car yesterday. Sorry to say but the guy wasn't exactly the brightest when it comes to cars...he bought it just because it looked cool. The woman that had sold it to him said it was so fast that it scared her. He popped the hood and there before us was a stock 5.0L (190 HP on a good day). Even the flowmasters couldn't make this thing sound scarey. The vin came up as a regular camaro so it was cloned out. The guy wanted 5K because he said he put a new paint job on it (from some ghetto shop) and some new seats and dash, both of which were worn and cracked. Sounds like this guy got ripped off big time and was trying to make up for it. We handed him a stack of about 20 papers detailing why his car was fake and only worth $1500 but he said he HAD to have his money back. Told him we were walking. He said he didn't care because 30 people had called about it, including a police officer...apparently cops know when a car is fast and cool! lol Anyway, thanks for all the info guys, at least it was an educational experince!

P.S. He said he didn't care that it was a fake, cloned IROC with the wrong engine. He said because of the age it made it a classic..so the classic status adds a couple thousand. lol
 

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Tex66 said:
Drove the car yesterday. Sorry to say but the guy wasn't exactly the brightest when it comes to cars...he bought it just because it looked cool. The woman that had sold it to him said it was so fast that it scared her.
P.S. He said he didn't care that it was a fake, cloned IROC with the wrong engine. He said because of the age it made it a classic..so the classic status adds a couple thousand. lol
I spend a good amount of time on thirdgen.com. Their seems to be a large amount of people who own these cars that are just plain idiots. I was trying to buy a convertible a while back, the woman wanted about $4000 more than I was willing to pay and what anyone else was asking. I asked her why she was so much higher and affored her what a more reasonable amount was that was inline with other cars of the same caliber. She responded her car was exceptionally rare because it is 1 of 7XX cars ordered with a certain rearview mirror. I almost tipped over laughing, I told her the day I paid $4000 more for a car that has a diffrent rearview mirror pigs would fly. Of course she was upset and told me to pay the price or leave, so I left. She still has the car for sale after more than a year and a half.

Jeff
 
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They never produced a 86 IROC with a 350 in it to the public. Those L-69 305 H.O. Z-28's from 1983-1986 were the quickest 305's. The Tuned Port 305's could not touch them. The only Tuned Port car that would come close was the 1985's. Those cars had 215 hp but they lacked the 3.73 gearing and a 5-speed. There were some L-69's in 84-86 that had the automatics but they were not as quick as the sticks.

I own a 83 T/A with the LG-4 305 5-Speed, 3.73 gears, posi, WS-6 and now power options and it has ran a 16.05 in the 1/4 mile with it. That is a far cry from the L-69 305 cars that were hitting 14.85-15.20 with the 5-speeds.

Heck I had a 87 GTA T/A with an L-98 350 and it only ran 14.65 but with a few add ons I got it down to 13.50 off the spray and 12.60 on the spray with slushy 700R4.

Be glad you done some research on that car and did not buy it.

3RD Gen F-bodies that are in nice original condition are real hard to find because everyone junked the 305 and put a hack and wack job 350 in it. The prices are finally going up on those F-Body cars.
 

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quikss said:
I spend a good amount of time on thirdgen.com. Their seems to be a large amount of people who own these cars that are just plain idiots. I was trying to buy a convertible a while back, the woman wanted about $4000 more than I was willing to pay and what anyone else was asking. I asked her why she was so much higher and affored her what a more reasonable amount was that was inline with other cars of the same caliber. She responded her car was exceptionally rare because it is 1 of 7XX cars ordered with a certain rearview mirror. I almost tipped over laughing, I told her the day I paid $4000 more for a car that has a diffrent rearview mirror pigs would fly. Of course she was upset and told me to pay the price or leave, so I left. She still has the car for sale after more than a year and a half.

Jeff
Must have been one he11 of a mirror!!!!!!!!
 
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I'm gonna throw this out here just for the fun of it!!

GM did sell a Cali, 350 engined equipped Chevy Monza!

AND I have to say that it is a DARN shame the Third Gen. cars were engineered so cheap that they are like driving a car with NO shocks b/c of the way they flex!!

Bad GM, Bad GM, Bad GM!!

Great looking bodies with excellent areo-dynamic's, but suck otherwise, imho....

Oh, and btw, a '75 Monza 2+2's rearend bounced side to side above 75 b/c they were built to only be ran at the LEGAL 55 mph speed limit back then!!

Ask me how I know!!

AND I loved the looks of our new yellow '75 Monza 2+2, V-8, 4-speed, posi car back then........

A couple of reasons why I've sworn off GM!!

pdq67

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