Aren't these all the same thing? I'm lost, can someone fill me in?

No jokes please, my experience lies with 1st and 2nd Gens, I'm kinda new to the 3rd Gens.

Thanks Guys!

- Penix

 

Technically speaking, the IROC is a race that the car was designed after. The International Race of Champions.

People use the lazy term for the IROC-Z and just call it an IROC. When referring to the car, they are the same. The IROC-Z was an option package on the Z28 in 85-87. It offered a better suspension and a few other things not available on the Z28. It was the top model Z28 in 85-87. In 1988, Chevy dropped the Z28 model and offered the sport coupe and the IROC-Z. It was available now with 15" rims and some options that were previously seen on the Z28. Instead of having 2 performance models, they kept just the IROC-Z. It is still a Z28, but if you ordered a Z28 in 1988-1990, you got an IROC-Z.

In 1990, Chevy lost the right to the name IROC and brought back the Z28 nameplate as the top model. Model year production for 1990 ended in late December 1989.

The 1991 Camaro lineup was released in the spring of 1990.

 

And what exactly would be needed to Replicate an 86' IROC-Z using a Z-28 as the base?

I know what IROC stands for and I have alot of respect for that race series, expecially since it put a bunch of different drivers in a similar situation, and the outcome was always an interesting one. True, Dale Sr. (RIP) kicked alot of butt in that series but still it was always an interesting race.

So what how would I replicate one of these cars?

- Joel

 

Appearance wise, you would need 85-87 16" wheels, fog lamps and grill, body color ground effects, the Iroc-z door decals and the stripes. Then the car would look like an Iroc-z.

But why clone an Iroc-z from an 86 Z28? Sell the 86 z-28 and buy a real Iroc-z. They are cheap and plentiful.

 

Also, springs, possibly sway bars (my 85 IROC came stock with a 34/24mm combo), wonderbar, and interior badge.

JamesC

 

I didn't want to get into the suspension differences. That really would make the cost of cloning prohibitive.

Forgot about the interior badge.

 

I don't want to clone one, I just wanted to know what would be involved... Actually, didn't the IROC's get a tighter steering box too? I don't know, think I remember reading something on that...

With what I planned on doing to this thing, all of the performance features would far surpass that of the IROC so I'm not tripp'n, but looks wise, I think it'd be cool to get the front grill and fog lams hooked up. Hell, I already wanted the RS style body kit, and I planned on painting that the same color as the body anyhow. I think I'll do something along these lines, then when I have the "trim" painted I'll have "IROC Inspired" painted on the doors in ghost lettering, but matching the IROC style lettering. Sound cool?

I want her to stand out, but not like a sore thumb

- Joel

 

I disagree about cost prohibitive, I guess . The springs are available from Spohn for $99 (Penix's car may need springs anyway). The Spohn wonderbar is $60--though I've purchased many OE's for five bucks at the yards. The interior badge, of course, is available for nearly nothing there as well. Penix did ask about replication after all. Hey, Penix, your car, do what you want. No argument from me one way or the other.

JamesC

 

Well, looks like I might be sell'n her soon. I came across a REALY NICE 86' 5.7L IROC-Z with TPI for $3500. I could probably sell my car for a bit mroe than that so I might even have some extra change to put into the car after I buy it.

I've been wanting a better platform but finding one I could afford that was in as good condition if not better just wasn't happening... till now This would mean even less to do when I swap over to the AFR headed 350 I'm building right now too. So I guess we'll see what happens.

As for a description, well it looks just like the one in Labrat's signature. Brand new Fourth Gen SS seats too. Only reason he wan't so little is because of the mileage on the engine (137k), but it did pass smog and is good for the next 2 years so that's all that matters... Besides, 137 K on an 86' isn't all that bad!

So I guess I'll get to see the differences first hand eh?

Thanks Y'all!

- Penix

 

The car you're looking at is either a 305 TPI or a transplanted 350. The 350 wasn't available in an 86 Camaro.

 

Check the VIN for engine code 8(but it's probably F), check the door sticker to be sure it's really an '86(dated late '85 to early '86) and not an '87(dated late '86 to early '87), and most of all, TAKE A CAMERA with you when you see the car, lol!!!

Take pix of the VIN, the door sticker, and the car, of course, and run the VIN through the decoder to confirm its authenticity. If it's really an '86 with a 350, you'll need to defend yourself, lol. And even it's true, there will still be people on this site who'll go to their deaths denying such a car ever existed, LOL!

And if all that checks out, heck I'd even drive up there to see it!!! It's only about 6 hours away, but well worth the trip to see the fabled car.

Ok, it's time for the Mods to get in their last word on this topic. Take it away guys...