Glenn88Iroc88

i have a 88 camaro iroc z with the l98/700r4 set-up and from what people have been telling me its better to just do an engine/trans swap rathe than just build what i have. is this true?

1986_T/A

Depends entirely upon what you're looking to do.

hydrolic144

iTrader: (2)

What's wrong with your setup now?

RBob

iTrader: (1)

Nothing wrong with rebuilding what you have. If it is the original transmission it is a post '87 which is the better unit. Can't go wrong with a 350/5.7l roller cam block. The only issue with rebuilding what you have is down time.

If that doesn't matter, I'd go for it. The stock crank & rods are decent, can use better heads if you want. Can also put in a better torque converter while in there. Along with beefing up the trans if you are planning more HP then stock.

The most important thing to do is to put a plan together. That is, what do you want from the end result. Then start listing the items/parts required to do that and follow it.

RBob.

Phenom-1

Totally depends on what you want, The Car is already fast, question is what's your Goal with it ? You can rebuild it and make it Stronger, but you have to know what you want first.

Glenn88Iroc88

Well the car runs pretty good allready and has a HSR intake installed. the problem is the stock ECM.. cant really do anything with it like tune ect. What im really looking to do is just beef it up enough to keep up with the 00-up stangs.

Phenom-1

I've beaten the 2005 Mustang GT 300 hp 3 valve per cylinder one. But like the '07s and up are too fast and Too modern for my Third gen to beat, but hey you gotta give it credit for a 20 year old TPI technology Z28 to best an '05 4.6 3V 300hp GT

Glenn88Iroc88

Nice man. i havent raced one yet, im starting to think everyone around london Ky is a camaro hater or something.

Phenom-1

You could change the cam, and do some work on the heads to get better flow but if you really want to be step for step with a new GT and cobra a stock third gen is too old for that especially if you want to keep your Already Classic thirdgen stock or close. an LT1 is good for keeping up. I know that an LS1 WS6 or SS can make a 2011 GT 5.0 Work extra hard for a Victory.

hydrolic144

iTrader: (2)

You are lucky Phenom! You've got the newer tech side of the TPI and put out more HP. You'd spank me with my 87 GTA 5.7 and Glenn with his 88 5.7.

91 and 92, and maybe even 90, were good years for the TPI. Made some good power cause of course they did upgrades.

I'm in the same boat Glenn. My GTA has a rod knock and I plan on doing a bottom end rebuild, other than that it still runs great and starts at the flick of a key. Replacement parts are extremely cheap and I'm only rebuilding instead of replacing to keep it numbers matching.

Phenom-1

Yes I know , more people can say they've had an Iroc or GTA than a '91 or '92 Z28 5.7 TPI, But your only down by 10-15 hp and 10 to 15 foot lbs in torque. Crucial in tight races, but I still want to own an '87 -'88-'89 thru '90 GTA 5.7 just because their the other side of the fbody coin my B2L L98 '92 Z28 is most likely going to remain 99% stock for as long as I'm alive because I'm never going to sell it, I have this special bond with it, like an old friend that helped you thru tough times that you can never even dare to say goodbye to it, even if it spends its time under a car cover sitting in the garage, Moral Value Supersedes the cash value of something That's very special to You.