My 1987 IROC
#206
Re: My 1987 IROC
Still working away at the car. I modified the brackets for the Dual Gate shifter to get it over to the left more in the console so it would not be hitting the top plate. I still need to mess with the cable at the transmission. I started working on the A/C system again. Found out the Evaporator Core is leaking so I have a new one on the way. Should be here by Friday. I also have a new dryer and an orifice tube for a Ford to put in. When I removed the lines I thought I had let off most of the pressure that was left. Also thought the Evaporator Core had as well. So when I left those lines off it sprayed all over and made a nice mess. got all over me and the car. Hopefully it cleans off easily since the car wont get a bath for a couple of days till this is fixed. It's pretty much all oil anyway. Here are some pictures of the core removed from the car.
Last edited by J. Chris Davis; 05-02-2018 at 01:32 PM.
#208
Re: My 1987 IROC
Got the evaporator core today and got the A/C fixed tonight. I exchanged the screen and front foam from the old core and bought some weather stripping material from the hardware store. The refrigerant I used was R12 and R134 substitute from Enviro-save and I used 3 5oz cans of it. It was starting to cool off outside to about 65, but I was getting A/C temps of 40 degrees. I need a warm day to really test it. I'm posting some pictures of different stages of reassembly just incase any one needs them for reference.
Last edited by J. Chris Davis; 05-02-2018 at 01:34 PM.
#210
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: My 1987 IROC
Looking good in there. Double DIN, Hurst, Momo wheel, cup holder...you are the king of tasteful interior mods!
#212
Re: My 1987 IROC
Thanks guys! This was what I was just working on. It could have turned out better. I was hoping that the texture coating and paint would fill some of that in (first time using that stuff). I'll have to come back later sand it down and redo it. At least it's hidden under the ash tray lid. This usbl/hdmi adapter is for my stereo for being able to use the Android Auto feature or Pioneers mirror radio or whatever else. Next project is get the stereo and climate control aligned and get that double din bezel finshed up.
Last edited by J. Chris Davis; 05-02-2018 at 01:35 PM.
#215
Re: My 1987 IROC
Well I can't comment to the product quality of this dual gate shifter. I was still trying to get the shifter adjustment quite right which left me having to do a little filling on the shifter stops so the shifter could go a little farther to get it to go into first gear and over drive. I tried to get the cable adjustment as close as possible. So then I'm testing the shifter while stopped and the shifter arm falls off. Cheap looking push pin rivets seem to be what hold it on the assembly. Going to go to the hardware store tonight and try to find a good solution to get it back together without anything being in the way of the internal assembly. What I need to find is a pin and clip type fastener that fits in the hole and has the right length to it.
#217
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: My 1987 IROC
Thanks guys! This was what I was just working on. It could have turned out better. I was hoping that the texture coating and paint would fill some of that in (first time using that stuff). I'll have to come back later sand it down and redo it. At least it's hidden under the ash tray lid. This usbl/hdmi adapter is for my stereo for being able to use the Android Auto feature or Pioneers mirror radio or whatever else. Next project is get the stereo and climate control aligned and get that double din bezel finshed up.
It is a bit rough, and will look a lot better once sanded smooth? As you noted it is hidden until you do.
It's in the right place for the stereo for certain.
Like many have done, I plan to install a USB in the lighter opening/area. One guy even cut down the lighter, keeping the **** to cover the port.
#219
Re: My 1987 IROC
Good idea, what did you use to make this?
It is a bit rough, and will look a lot better once sanded smooth? As you noted it is hidden until you do.
It's in the right place for the stereo for certain.
Like many have done, I plan to install a USB in the lighter opening/area. One guy even cut down the lighter, keeping the **** to cover the port.
It is a bit rough, and will look a lot better once sanded smooth? As you noted it is hidden until you do.
It's in the right place for the stereo for certain.
Like many have done, I plan to install a USB in the lighter opening/area. One guy even cut down the lighter, keeping the **** to cover the port.
I had some scrap plastic from work. Basically someone left over ABS plastic dash bezel from a Police squad install and I cut a section of that out and glued it in with JB Weld. Then went over it with the SEM 39853 black texture coating and then some black low gloss paint. I will fix this later and retry the texture coating. It probable I wasn't using it correctly. I have a radio bezel to do with that stuff yet so I hope I get it coating better.
I put a push button start where my lighter was, but I did another one to the console by my parking brake handle.
#222
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: My 1987 IROC
I had some scrap plastic from work. Basically someone left over ABS plastic dash bezel from a Police squad install and I cut a section of that out and glued it in with JB Weld. Then went over it with the SEM 39853 black texture coating and then some black low gloss paint. I will fix this later and retry the texture coating. It probable I wasn't using it correctly. I have a radio bezel to do with that stuff yet so I hope I get it coating better.
I put a push button start where my lighter was, but I did another one to the console by my parking brake handle.
I put a push button start where my lighter was, but I did another one to the console by my parking brake handle.
Did you do a write up on the push button start? I checked through a bunch of your posts but couldn't find it. Looks like a nice upgrade.
#225
Re: My 1987 IROC
This looks like the one I have. I'll post the instructions when I have access to a scanner on Tuesday. They are the instructions that came with my button, but I see this auction does not include any instructions. If I remember correctly it was just hooked up to fused switched 12v, ground and ignition sense. I did not bother hooking up the LED light for it. It is a little bright. I did not notice any difference with starting vs the ignition switch itself. It does not drop power to the acc while starting as the ignition does. You can wire that way if you want with an extra relay, but I wasn't concerned about that. My temp gauge needle likes to bounce up and get stuck when starting with the key so this helps that issue since it doesn't effect the acc power.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Red-LED-...JXV7NO&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Red-LED-...JXV7NO&vxp=mtr
Last edited by J. Chris Davis; 05-27-2017 at 10:57 AM.
#226
Re: My 1987 IROC
Fixed my brake light switch so I got my 3rd brake light working again. The internal contacts needed to be cleaned. I had to order a set of bulbs for it since 3 are burned out. I also got the 3D printed radio bezel filed and fitted in the car and put the spacers on the climate control to fit the bezel. I still need to texture coat and paint it. Hopefully that turns out better than the ash tray piece. Still got an issue with the shift arm which I'm still working on a fix for that.
Last edited by J. Chris Davis; 05-02-2018 at 01:44 PM.
#229
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: My 1987 IROC
J Chris Davis:"This looks like the one I have. I'll post the instructions when I have access to a scanner on Tuesday. They are the instructions that came with my button, but I see this auction does not include any instructions. If I remember correctly it was just hooked up to fused switched 12v, ground and ignition sense. I did not bother hooking up the LED light for it. It is a little bright. I did not notice any difference with starting vs the ignition switch itself. It does not drop power to the acc while starting as the ignition does. You can wire that way if you want with an extra relay, but I wasn't concerned about that. My temp gauge needle likes to bounce up and get stuck when starting with the key so this helps that issue since it doesn't effect the acc power."
Hey JD, thanks for posting the instructions. I will be adding one of these to my growing list of electrical mods.
Hey JD, thanks for posting the instructions. I will be adding one of these to my growing list of electrical mods.
#230
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: My 1987 IROC
Fixed my brake light switch so I got my 3rd brake light working again. The internal contacts needed to be cleaned. I had to order a set of bulbs for it since 3 are burned out. I also got the 3D printed radio bezel filed and fitted in the car and put the spacers on the climate control to fit the bezel. I still need to texture coat and paint it. Hopefully that turns out better than the ash tray piece. Still got an issue with the shift arm which I'm still working on a fix for that.
As for the 3rd brake light, the one on my 88 IROCZ had some brighter than others and a few burned out. Disassembly showed a variety of bulbs, with 2 or 3 of them soldered in! I cleaned everything up, glued the broken base back together and ordered the lower wattage bulbs from Top Down Solutions. The factory bulbs get too hot and burn out quickly and/or cause damage. TDS is also where I got the epoxy from. I also cleaned the contacts and found some of the wiring was getting pinched. Upon reassembly the upper contact mount would not rotate down freely, so I took it apart, clean & lube and finally, it all works. It always seems to be the little things that take the most time to get right.
Last edited by rurnt88; 05-30-2017 at 06:06 PM. Reason: Added comment
#231
Re: My 1987 IROC
J Chris Davis:"This looks like the one I have. I'll post the instructions when I have access to a scanner on Tuesday. They are the instructions that came with my button, but I see this auction does not include any instructions. If I remember correctly it was just hooked up to fused switched 12v, ground and ignition sense. I did not bother hooking up the LED light for it. It is a little bright. I did not notice any difference with starting vs the ignition switch itself. It does not drop power to the acc while starting as the ignition does. You can wire that way if you want with an extra relay, but I wasn't concerned about that. My temp gauge needle likes to bounce up and get stuck when starting with the key so this helps that issue since it doesn't effect the acc power."
Hey JD, thanks for posting the instructions. I will be adding one of these to my growing list of electrical mods.
Hey JD, thanks for posting the instructions. I will be adding one of these to my growing list of electrical mods.
No problem. It's a fun little mod to have.
#232
Re: My 1987 IROC
3D printing is amazing. The look of that bezel is factory. Can't wait to see it finished.
As for the 3rd brake light, the one on my 88 IROCZ had some brighter than others and a few burned out. Disassembly showed a variety of bulbs, with 2 or 3 of them soldered in! I cleaned everything up, glued the broken base back together and ordered the lower wattage bulbs from Top Down Solutions. The factory bulbs get too hot and burn out quickly and/or cause damage. TDS is also where I got the epoxy from. I also cleaned the contacts and found some of the wiring was getting pinched. Upon reassembly the upper contact mount would not rotate down freely, so I took it apart, clean & lube and finally, it all works. It always seems to be the little things that take the most time to get right.
As for the 3rd brake light, the one on my 88 IROCZ had some brighter than others and a few burned out. Disassembly showed a variety of bulbs, with 2 or 3 of them soldered in! I cleaned everything up, glued the broken base back together and ordered the lower wattage bulbs from Top Down Solutions. The factory bulbs get too hot and burn out quickly and/or cause damage. TDS is also where I got the epoxy from. I also cleaned the contacts and found some of the wiring was getting pinched. Upon reassembly the upper contact mount would not rotate down freely, so I took it apart, clean & lube and finally, it all works. It always seems to be the little things that take the most time to get right.
I'm pretty happy with how the radio bezel turned out. The factory look is what I was hoping to get with this. I had a printer in Texas do it and it was only about $20 to have printed with the climate control spacers. I did see that TDS had those bulbs. I ended up ordering a pack of 10 from EBay so I'll see how they work out. Eventually I'll be converting the exterior lights to LED.
#233
Junior Member
#236
Re: My 1987 IROC
I drilled out the shifter arm and the mount for the arm in the shifter 1/4" and bought a couple of clevis pins that had multiple holes and added some spacers so the colder pin would fit tight in the hole. Then I trimmed off the rest of the clevis pin that was sticking out so they would clear the gate. So far so good. Been thinking about what is next. I need to get around to tinting the windows to 35% and get that hood sanded and in primer so the whole car matches. I have a couple other small projects I probably need to get out of the way before I do much more. Right now just enjoying the ride.
#237
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: My 1987 IROC
"Right now just enjoying the ride."
I am so jealous...been working on mine for nearly 14 years now. BUT! I plan to have it running by the end of the year. Here's a picture so you understand;
Buying a house so things are on hold for now. But following your build has been motivational. Enjoy the Summer.
I am so jealous...been working on mine for nearly 14 years now. BUT! I plan to have it running by the end of the year. Here's a picture so you understand;
Buying a house so things are on hold for now. But following your build has been motivational. Enjoy the Summer.
#239
Re: My 1987 IROC
Been a month since I last posted. Still driving around in the IROC. Doing small things here and there to it. Still need to figure out why my cruise control quit working. Replaced the brake switch for it which had no effect. It was working when I went to 3rd gen expo then a few days later it quit. Hoping it's just a dry cracked vacuum line. Whenever we get a cooler day on the weekend and I'm not busy I think I'll be trying to sand and paint that hood so its all one shade of black and fix the roughness on the roof.
#245
Re: My 1987 IROC
I don't think I will have any more updates on this build. I will be fixing or replacing the alternator this winter, removing the one touch windows and the stereo system and putting a CD player and stock speakers in its place and selling the IROC come this spring. I will be buying another car and will no longer have room for the IROC. If I do get back into a 3rd gen it will most likely be a Firebird for a KITT conversion. I still have threads I follow and will still be around.