BobKnake

So, it appears that I have purchased a rust free 86 IROC, without an engine.
It's originally a 5.0 TPI. The guy I am purchasing it from says, he may have access to another IROC 5.0 TPI.
He is a mechanic by trade. He's offered a fair deal on transplanting engine from donor car. He'd replace all gaskets and hoses and other small items.

I'm going to see him on Wednesday for finalize the deal.
The plan is to purchase the car as it sits... solid, rust free but weathered.
Get the title and other incidentals taken care of.
Set a general time schedule on completion.
I've talked to a couple others about this guy, I'm told he's honest/trustworthy.


What I'm curious about...
TPI vs 4 Bbl???

I see several swaps.

Are they doing this for reliability reasons?
Power?

As you can see... It's Yellow.
Interior is tan/brown.
Back in the day... I had an 87 Formula Firebird and it was Yellow.
I've always had a love for F-Body's and I loved my Yellow car. But what I really wanted was an IROC and not the Formula. I bought what I could find then. But now... I bought what I always wanted... A Yellow IROCZ...
To Boot, I have my wife's full blessing.

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

I like TPI. You have a 305 so that's your main limitation, at least my personal thoughts.

Some feel more comfortable with carbs. Some prefer the more easily attained power from a carb setup, too. Stock TPI has issues breathing past ~4200rpm without intake help, which is where top-end power is made.

1988 Iroc 5.7

iTrader: (3)

Congratulations on your find. Always wanted a yellow Iroc, close to my top of favorite color they came in (seem to be hard to come by though).

Rust free is a big plus. Going to have to tackle some in my passenger rear floor pan...not looking forward to it.

Biggest plus is wife's full blessing, glad mine is on board with my Iroc project!

BobKnake

I'm not looking for tire shredder. I'm looking for a dependable cruiser...
I've always liked the look of the TPI. i'm hoping i can make it work...

The 305 is just that... a 305... In time, this car will be my daughters car... My 10 year old's car... The 305 will be very sufficient. it'll be more powerful than her sisters '85 z28.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

I'd strongly recommend putting FI back on it. NOT a carb.

The usual reason people do a TPI -> carb swap is two-fold:

1. TPI's essentially impossible to overcome limit on RPM and therefore power; and
2. LAZINESS. (mostly of the intellectual kind... too lazy to learn something "new") Instead, you hear all the LAME excuses for hacking; "old school", "clean up the engine bay", "get rid of all the computer junk", etc. etc. etc. HACK.

Personally, given the situation you're working in, I'd just put the TPI motor in it and leave it as-is. No mods, no carb swap, no ... nothing. Just a good clean correct all-parts-there-and-working complete restore to factory condition kind of a deal.

jkris53406

iTrader: (5)

I completely agree. Put the tuned port back and enjoy the car. Hacking it up to put a carb on it is just lazy.