History / Originality Got a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!

88-90 IROC-Z's

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-16-2003, 12:13 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
 
zedder 1 9 9 0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Bowmanville,Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1990 Iroc Z Convertible
Engine: LB9
Transmission: 700R4
88-90 IROC-Z's

WE all know that the Z28 went away in '88 and the IROC-Z became its own model. I also believe that beggining in '88 the standard rims for a base IROC-Z were the 15" Z28 rims from previous years. My question is did anything else change as far as suspension on the base Iroc-z? For instance if you got the base 15" wheels did you get the same steering box that the 16" rimmed cars got with the stops to accomadate the larger Tires? I know in the fourth gen cars the SS had different suspension levels after the introduction year, I was just wondering if this was the case with Iroc-Z's in 88-90, if indeed the base cars got somewhat less of a suspension than the cars with the upgraded 16" Rims. I really hate that GM did this, Irocs should never have got 15" rims, after all the whole premise of the IROC-Z was that it was the ultimate handling Z available and should not have been watered down.
Old 12-21-2003, 12:06 AM
  #2  
Senior Member

iTrader: (6)
 
hwcoll95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: middle TENNESSEE
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1989 Iroc rebuild
Engine: 355 carb'd
Transmission: 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3:08 pos for a while
good question

i'd like to know this also!
Old 12-21-2003, 01:40 AM
  #3  
Supreme Member

 
iroc22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Well all the 15" IROC's I have come across have had the same "Z" steering box that the 16" ones came with. I swapped the 15" IROC rims for the 16"s on my old 89 IROC vert and there was no problem with the steering stops whatsoever.
Old 12-21-2003, 07:04 PM
  #4  
TGO Supporter

iTrader: (7)
 
aaron7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
According to all the research that I have done (as I have an 88 Iroc with the 15" option), you did not get the quick ratio steering box unless you had the 16" rims. I have checked the #'s of my car and 2 other 88's with 15" wheels, and all have the same standard steering box. (Although mine drives fine with 16" Iroc wheels)
Old 12-21-2003, 09:20 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
 
zedder 1 9 9 0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Bowmanville,Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1990 Iroc Z Convertible
Engine: LB9
Transmission: 700R4
15" rimmed cars did get the wonderbar though didn't they?
Old 12-21-2003, 11:18 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

 
iroc22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally posted by aaron7
I have checked the #'s of my car and 2 other 88's with 15" wheels, and all have the same standard steering box. (Although mine drives fine with 16" Iroc wheels)
What do you mean by "checked the #'s"?
Old 12-22-2003, 12:05 AM
  #7  
TGO Supporter

iTrader: (7)
 
aaron7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
The only #'s I could find on the steering box.
Old 12-22-2003, 02:54 AM
  #8  
Supreme Member

 
iroc22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Did it have a "Z" cast into the top of it?
Old 12-22-2003, 10:02 AM
  #9  
TGO Supporter

iTrader: (7)
 
aaron7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
None did, no.
Old 12-22-2003, 01:19 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member

 
iroc22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Yeah because that is the 16" IROC steering box. That's funny because the 15" IROC's I have come across (one being mine) have had the "Z" steering box. Maybe some guys on this board with 15" IROC-Z's could chime in with what they might have.
Old 12-22-2003, 07:20 PM
  #11  
TGO Supporter

iTrader: (7)
 
aaron7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Hmm, now I am interested! I was told that without 16's, no quick ratio... I might not have to buy one!
Old 12-28-2003, 02:29 PM
  #12  
Senior Member

iTrader: (6)
 
hwcoll95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: middle TENNESSEE
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1989 Iroc rebuild
Engine: 355 carb'd
Transmission: 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3:08 pos for a while
confusing...

yep mine('89) had 15" wheels,but they're not the same as the z/28 wheels,they are the 2 line IROC version,now my car does have the wonderbar,but also has drum rear brakes,when did they put TPI,instead of TBI on camaros other than IROC?here's a little comparison on the 15" compared to 16"


Old 12-28-2003, 05:10 PM
  #13  
Supreme Member

 
iroc22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Re: confusing...

Originally posted by hwcoll95
yep mine('89) had 15" wheels,but they're not the same as the z/28 wheels,they are the 2 line IROC version,now my car does have the wonderbar,but also has drum rear brakes,when did they put TPI,instead of TBI on camaros other than IROC?
89 was the first year of the 15" IROC look alike wheels.

Are you asking when they installed TPI engines in RS/Z28/SC lines? In 85-87 the Z28 could have the 305 TPI engine and the 91-92 RS B4C's had TPI engines standard. Other than that, it was only IROC's with TPI engines. Supposedly the 1990 RS convertible had the 305 TPI engine as an option, but with zero produced I tend to disbelieve that one year option.
Old 12-29-2003, 04:43 PM
  #14  
Senior Member

 
drop-top IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: WC T-5
Originally posted by iroc22
Did it have a "Z" cast into the top of it?
The "Z" cast into the top of the steering box has absolutely nothing to do with ratio. Both my RS and IROC have the "Z" in the box, but the IROC has quick ratio whereas the RS does not. I have seen several non-QR boxes that have the "Z" cast into the box. Just my $.02...
Old 01-01-2004, 11:01 AM
  #15  
Moderator/TGO Supporter

iTrader: (5)
 
AaronIROCZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tomball Texas
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
That could possibly be why my 89 IROC orginally 15" wheels steering doesn't even compare with my 87 GTA. The GTA's steering feels kind of stiff but the IROC's is very loose, like easy to turn, not loose parts. The IROC does have the Z cast into the steering box also. Hmmmm.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Galaxie500XL
History / Originality
42
02-01-2020 04:53 AM
88CamZ
Engine Swap
9
10-08-2015 10:29 AM
86z89iroc
Tech / General Engine
5
10-05-2015 01:04 PM
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
61
10-01-2015 05:33 PM
TexasMaro
Organized Drag Racing and Autocross
2
09-15-2015 06:50 PM



Quick Reply: 88-90 IROC-Z's



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:19 AM.