A2Z87IROC

I have a 87 IROC 5.7 TPI, all free mods with K&Ns, home made ram air, cool fan switch and run 160 stat, but the rest is pretty much stock. Only 43k org. miles on the car and I have about $4,000 to drop into it. What do I start with? I kinda wanted to go with three major areas: Engine, Exaust, and suspension. I need some help here... Any help on porting the intake would also be cool.

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87 IROC z
5.7L TPI 350
many mods.

dhirocz

iTrader: (2)

OK, Assuming you'll use all the $4000, But an aftermarket lower intake first, don't try to port the stock lower. I did (a waste of time). There's an Accel base intake GP running elsewhere under TPI:Edelbrock base GP on this message board for $300. Good deal, but you have until Sunday to email the guy. Next, port the upper intake. Enlarge the TB bore holes all the way through and take some meat from the bottom and sides to eliminate all restrictions (don't take out too much around the sides!). Port match if changing runners (good idea!). You really need a die grinder (or at least a decent dremel) to do this, drills are too slow, buy a tree burr for heavy metal removal, a finer burr for finishing and a porting and polishing kit from Summit to polish. Then buy the following:bolt-on airfoil (clip-ons kind of suck), K&N's, AFPR (replace while porting upper plenum), Guage to adjust AFPR, Underdrive pulleys, Aftermarket runners, SLP headers, 3" aftermarket cat-back exhaust, 3" Cat, an MSD-6AL, Bosch Platinum +4 spark plugs, good HP wires, cap, coil, HP HEI ignition module, and 3.73 gears. That should be around $2750 worth of goodies, if you buy new. Then, buy decent tires like Comp T/A's or Eagles. Make sure you give it a good tune up first. Any parts like ignition components should be replaced with HP components while tuning-up. You may be lucky and score some used heads, but I'd select a decent cam first. Being a roller, expect $400 for cam, springs, etc, maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Don't go too radical. Get a torque converter to match the cam. Roller rockers would be a good addition if money allows. Then get a Ed Wright chip. You should be 13's easy with this setup. Just do it 'balanced'. In other words, buy parts in a systematic approach so they work together. Also plan ahead before you buy big-dollar items (will they work in the future for my blower setup?) Either way, plan ahead, you should be OK. Make sure if you make plenty of power, you can get it to the ground (tires, just an example) without breaking. Guys (and gals), did I miss anything? It's late. Good luck!

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

[This message has been edited by IROCZTWENTYGR8 (edited March 09, 2001).]

dhirocz

iTrader: (2)

I did kind of forget...Make sure to get some lower control arms and a panhard rod. Subframe connectors and a strut-tower brace also help, as good poly endlinks, swaybar bushings, trans. mount, torque-arm mount, and good struts and shocks. I recommend all of these on 'veteran' thirdgens, but expect around $1000 for this package alone. It'll handle alot better, though. That doesn't include tires. Keep in mind, when modding a TPI on a budget, visualize working from the top of the motor down. External mods also count just the same. Don't forget to gut the MAF and mod the airbox! -dhirocz

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Also, go to the Tech Section of this site, and don't mod the MAF.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/index.shtml



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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

dhirocz

iTrader: (2)

Why not mod the MAF? It's very popular since the screens are very restrictive, and as long as you are running quality filters, you should be OK (don't remove all the fins though, for MAF cooling, take out about half, depending on where you live. I didn't remove any just to be safe. Just keep the fine wire on the MAF protected. The tech section should have very good info as well. Check it out!

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

MAF modding shouldn't even be thought about unless your car is making LOTS of power, because the MAF does flow enough until u really need more airflow and it takes alot to do that. When u mod the MAF, u have to do it right, because if u don't, u need a new 1, and can't fix them if u don't do it right, or if they give u codes from it. MAFs are expensive. Do a search on the boards for MAF modding, and you'll see there have been many times that some1 has done this and needed a new 1. If u are making a lot of HP and u have the $$, u can do it, and if it doesn't come right, there are High Flow MAFs that u can buy that are also $$.


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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

[This message has been edited by IROCZTWENTYGR8 (edited March 10, 2001).]

dhirocz

iTrader: (2)

That makes perfect sense. Too much inlet air will make you tend to go lean...Fortunatly, I always do that in conjunction with other mods like the AFPR, which can help compensate. Appreciate the post! -dhirocz