RTGTA

I actually just saw a graphic made by Chevrolet comparing the HP of all Camaro's and they call the new one the fifth gen.

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

Pardon my mistake. So it is a 5th gen, but not an F body. And back to your regularly scheduled program...

Boxxx

Fifth gen Camaro, first gen Zeta.

Boxxx

Also, a blacked out Iroc is on my top ten list of automotive wants.

okfoz

Personally I meant no disrespect to your car, I did not know first hand it was your car, and in all honesty, I have had mine in a condition similar to yours. I like what you are going to do, and if it turns out like the dodge.. you are going to make it look really good in the end. Which is a great thing...

As to why there are so many craigslist beaters, cars used for demolition derbies, etc...

The problem we actually may have is unlike the 1st & 2nd gens, 3rd gens actually last longer, and resist rust much better than the earlier generations. So what does that mean, how is that bad?

Look at it like this. You take a 1st gen and in reality, by the mid 1970's most of them were rusted out messes if they were in the north. By the 1980's there were none left in the rust belt that had been driven... Same thing goes for the 2nd gen, they rust out quickly and they just did not hold up to the snow.

In comes the third generation, around 1985 - 1987 and especially by the end of production they really hold up pretty well (in comparison to the earlier cars) to rust. They look good for some time. So in effect there is a lot, I mean a lot of high miles inexpensive cars for the pickings out there. Of course they are in all different stages of disrepair, some have been well taken care of, other not so much.

Unlike Gen 1 & Gen 2, we have more of a supply at this point (because of quality) than what they did at the same time in their life cycle. This ultimately slows down the desirability cycle, as you can still get some real bargains out there. Where our cars are now, (23-33 years old) a 1st or 2nd gen was experiencing at 7-15 years. So it will take longer, and once that supply of inexpensive cars is gone, then the price will go up.

When I first started looking for parts for my 3rd gen (in 1997), I remember going to junk yards and they literally had entire rows dedicated to 3rd gens. You could find almost any part you wanted. Now they might have a hand full, but nothing like what they had 17 years ago..

That is a great thing, from the looks of it the car is in good hands.

I personally used the $7000 from my personal experience... I bought my Yellow car for $1,100, and I invested about $6000 into it by the time I had it done (the first time). I did not have another engine sitting around at the time, so you are ahead of me there...

That is a sweet ride, you did a good job on it.

As a side note: here is what I had invested in mine once I got it back on the road...

Amp Power kit $34.99
10 disk changer $349.99
Kicker sub stations $111.98
Kenwood KRC-910 Dash stereo $315.00

Purchase of Car $1,100.00
Tail lights, including center piece $60.00
Dash Pad $30.00
T-Bar Piece $30.00
Mighty Lift Hood Supports $35.00
Glove box cover and rear ashtray asmbly $15.75
Glues $10.00
Instrument Cluster & 120Mph Speedo $75.00
CAM, SLP Performance $263.64
Transmission Rebuild and shift kits (Mr Shift "NoYoYo / SysKoKal Kit" $82.00
Transmission Filter $7.99
Transmission Manual shift bar $2.00
Engine parts and rebuild includes new: 40 over pistons, crank, push rods, rockers, oil pump, rebuild kit. $700.00
Brush-able gasket sealer (Permatex) $1.45
Spark Plugs (AC Rapid Fire) $32.00
Oil Filter (A/C) $2.50
Spark Plug wires (AC Packard) $40.00
3 gallons Trans fluid 5 quarts oil (Quakerstate) $19.50
Engine Belts $27.00
Air Cleaner Nut $12.33
Hatch Strong Arms, Air Filter, Breather pad, Lighter assm $88.71
Window Switch $10.10
Newer Model Steering Wheel $20.00
Radio box, radio mounts, Door tops, and driving light switch $50.00
Headliner and poster board $25.75
Rear Hatch Shade assembly $6.00
Interior Door Top $5.00
Compete set of seat covers and door fabric $325.00
Spray adhesive and Epoxy $25.00
Muffler Adapter Sleeve $8.28
Rear View Mirror (self dimming) $35.00
OEM Black Spray Paint $10.15
One step Aerosol Paint $9.58
Door Hinge (strap) and Pin $35.15
Misc Paint $35.87
1 Front Rotor, Brake Pads, Break Hose, Caliper $76.92
Exhaust from catalytic converter to Muffler $61.05
T-top weatherstrip kit (8 pcs) $171.87
Decals $7.35
Decals $94.68
Decals $24.30
Trunk Liner for speaker board $5.25
Pioneer Front Speakers and 300W amp $202.00
Speaker adapters GM to aftermarket $9.98
Headliner material and panel board $25.75
Sherwin Williams misc paint stuff $42.60
Air Conditioning Oil $7.99
Front Rotor and seal RH $29.19
Misc Paint & Stuff $241.24
Misc Paint stuff $11.90
Misc Paint stuff $59.94
Extra Hood $125.00
Velcro for seats $20.25
Power Mirrors and Cruise Control switch $65.00
Headliner Material Black $21.98

Of course I did not have to do all of it, and at this point I was at $5,351.95

Fast Forward to today, and I would only guess it would be more expensive, but I wanted it as nice as I could get it at the time, I was single, and had nothing holding me back...

John

bjpotter

Ditto on the nice job with the Dodge. You obviously have skills. Good luck!

I agree on the rusting problem from the 60's 70's cars. In 1980 I lived on a farm in Iowa with 3 other guys in a huge old farm house. We had 5 acres of land to play, a barn to use, 2 channels of TV and lots of time on our hands. We bought a 1975 Vega from a local that was rust junk, but ran. The front fenders were gone, the rear wheel wells were rusted through and mostly gone. That was from just 5 winters driving on the road. They dump huge amounts of salt here in the midwest.
It became a great dirt/mud buggy. And with a old abandoned PU we got running, we raced our own private race track all summer.

zz3irocz

I was born in 1986 and two years ago finally had the extra cash and chance to buy a third gen, I bought my 86 Irocz, red, T top, zz3 engine, paint is kind of faded but still looks pretty good for original, only some minor surface rust on the underside. Transmission needed to be rebuilt and it needed a good cleaning but I paid $1,800 for it.







I bought it because I've always wanted one, someone that lived down the street from me drove a red Iroc and I saw it all the time when I was younger and just thought they looked cool, I have no plans to sell mine and I'm going to keep fixing it up. Basically to me it's an affordable sports car and is already considered a classic by the state, and it does turn a lot of heads especially sitting at stop lights with a Thumpr Cam.

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

It will be interesting to see what this one sells for...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271785300759

okfoz

That is one sweet ride. Nothing beats a Yellow IROC In my book, too bad it does not have BOSE

IMissMy86TA

Its funny but in the late 80s those used to not sell well at all. no one wanted them since they just screamed look at me!

Now people want them since they are an interesting period correct example of the era.

scottmoyer

I wrecked my '83 Z38 in 1986. I went to the local Pontiac dealer in PA and they had an '85 Fiero, an '85 Firebird and an '85 IROC-Z in yellow. I told the salesman that I was more interested in the Fiero than the yellow IROC-Z. I also told him that he would have to discount the price because of the color. The yellow wasn't the most popular back then. I'd love to have one today.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I've always had a thing for yellow IROC-Zs. Not enough to order one new, mind you. But enough to own one now.

Boxxx

I guess it's good I like subtle and understated colours.

okfoz

The yellow IROC is at $25,000 and has 8 days left... WOW!

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

And he isn't going to sell it if the bid price don't start with a 3 !!

okfoz

At the rate it is going I give it a 50% chance of making it to 3x,xxx

The car has the right stuff...
Last year for the Yellow on an IROC
First year for the 350
T-tops,
Black interior for good contrast...

Like I said before, too bad it does not have BOSE, it would make it the perfect IROC (sorry scott)

John

scott13676

iTrader: (1)

My buddy teaches auto tech in high school, and its sad to say, but, he said out of his 30 or so kids, only about 7 or so dig classic american cars. Most are into tuners. But when i bring my 82 T/A in with the lumpy lunati cam in to get the car inspected, they take notice. My buddy quickly reminds them that the rice burners will never sound like that. So, he's doing his part to keep them on the straight and narrow. I agree that its a generational thing, i know when i was a kid, i was only 11 when my parents bought a white crossfire 82Z. That left a lasting impression, When the iroc's came out in 85, that blew me away.

IMissMy86TA

Good to hear he is keeping the flame going

Yeah I am a little older... I had a 83 Camaro when I turened 16. I loved the lines of the firebird but didnt want a "Kitt". When the iroc came out they modified the ground effects on the TAs and I had to have one. Dad bought me an 86 TA from factory (only child) and I have always loved them more than Irocs due to their dashes and interiors.. Irocs are nice in their own right but not my thing.

My daughter felt like those in the classroom until her guy friends saw me pick her up at HS in the GTA.. they all wanted to know what it was and thought it was "sick" whatever... cant wait till summer! ...low exhaust growl here I come.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Why are our cars not all that desirable?

This one is. Just stirring the pot some more!

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

It's funny how different people & generations respond to cars. Both of my kids have driven most of my cars (old & new) and it was widely known in high school that they had access to them. So....on the last day of Senior week, my Son got to take my 71 Tropical Lime GTO Judge to school.

It drew a crowd but the people who hung out the longest were the teachers & the principal - who repeatedly asked if I had given permission.

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

Yes it is, but Blue was last week's color - this week's color is Red.

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

I should have kept that car.

okfoz

What is interesting with that graphic is the fact with the exception of 1982, the third gen had more HP than all 74-81 Camaros... AND they were lighter.

What is actually wrong with that is the 1985 HP on the TPI was higher than the 1986 numbers, but they do not have it that way...

Furthermore with the exception of 1970, the power to weight ratio for the 87-92 350 cars should be almost comparable to the 1971-1973 numbers. So really we were waaaay better than the 2nd gen on ave.

Furthermore, the 5th gen is so heavy...

What would actually be more informational is if the chart was 1/4 mile or 0-60 times.

Edit
Also somewhere between 1967 & 1981 they changed how they calculated HP, they went from a Engine HP to BHP. Measurement from the engine output shaft to the rear wheels...

My bet would be 1974

John

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

71 was the first year with the new numbers, 70 was the last year with the old calculations.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

[What is actually wrong with that is the 1985 HP on the TPI was higher than the 1986 numbers, but they do not have it that way...]
Their is some truth to that.Some 86s did have the same HP as 85s,not all of them.
You can tell by the RPM Tach.
All 305 TPI (LB9) motors (1985-1992) came with one of two basic cam grinds. An easy way to identify the type of cam on an LB9 car is to look at the tach: the lesser cams have a yellow line at 4500 and red line at 5000; the hotter cams have a yellow line at 5000 and red line at 5500.

Boxxx

I have to give the nod to the blue and silver T/A, but I hate red. Don't get me wrong it's a nice car, so nothing taken away there. Hell, my car is red and not by choice. You know what I mean though.

ray jr

iTrader: (2)

wow that is a nice trans am !! is it all original and what are the miles ? is it a tpi car ?

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Yes, 1985 T/A, WS6, 305TPI, 56k miles. Should be here Sunday. Hadn't seen it yet! Getting nervous!!!!!

ray jr

iTrader: (2)

i bought my iroc without seeing it first a couple months ago .. it also got delivered .. i was like a little kid at xmas waiting for it .. anymore pics of it ?

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Ray Jr, go to the classifieds "1985 Trans Am for sale. PurleyPMD posted them all there. It's sweet. Like I need another; couldn't pass it up!

ray jr

iTrader: (2)

very very nice car .. how much did you end up getting it for ?

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Well, being I work for NASA, that's classified!!!! But, a GREAT deal! I'm happy! Hint....it was under 7950! So, it's only worth what you're willing to pay! Shipping made up for the e difference.

ray jr

iTrader: (2)

sweet , sounds like you got a good deal .. if you hunt around theres alot of good deals out there on third gens ..

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Ray.....Wife said I need to find a cheaper hobby!

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

I wasn't even looking....kinda fell in my lap and I went for it!

ray jr

iTrader: (2)

if you got it for under 7900.00 you made a nice investment .. that sounds like a smart hobby ..

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Gorgeous car you got their Bob and good luck luck with itPlease get it out of this thread title.

scott13676

iTrader: (1)

I hear ya ray, i was stationed in honduras in 91. Told my parents to find me a Iroc. After a couple of weeks my father told me that a school teacher had a maroon 86 for sale $6,500 with 30,000 mi. Came home on leave, fired it up, punched the gas, heard the howl of a 4 barrel carb. Pulled back in the driveway, popped the hood, sure enough had a quadrajet. I remember thinking i just had a 85 T/A with TPI auto. I thought all irocs at that time were TPI. Had it for the first 3 years i was in the service. then i got stationed at ft.drum and had to trade it in for somthing that would move in the snow. Buying sight unseen can be dicey. But sounds like we both made out well.

majobis

iTrader: (3)

I bought mine in 2008. When I started hitting the yards, there unfortunately weren't "entire rows" anymore, however, I usually had half, to a dozen, choices no matter which yard I chose. Thank goodness I did a lot of stockpiling that year, because only a year later - and a reason for salvage yards being empty of third gens now - was this: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_for_Clunkers

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Cash for Clunkers

okfoz

For the most part Cash For Clunkers really did not have an effect on Camaros or Firebirds. There was a total of 980 Camaros that were used.

Camaros
84 - 20
85 - 52
86 - 73
87 - 64
88 - 53
89 - 74
90 - 33
91 - 122
92 - 113
Total 604
The rest were 4th gens

Firebirds Total 551
84 - 8
85 - 35
86 - 49
87 - 51
88 - 44
89 - 50
90 - 16
91 - 55
92 - 48
Total 356
The rest were 4th gens.

So really it should not have had much of an effect,

In comparison, there was 5460 S10 Blazers, 6956 S10 pickups

Of the top 6, 5 were Ford Explorers, The top 4 were 96-99 Ford Explorers,

3rd Gen Mustangs there was a total of 654 (from 84-93)

I have the entire list if anyone is ever interested.


John

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

I remember seeing a 89 TTA turned into cash for clunkers

okfoz

There was supposedly a GNX too, they only show Regal... because the official list does not get that specific... It has Camaro, Firebird/Formula and in some cases Firebird/Formula/Trans Am...

John...

bjpotter

I guess this is good proof our cars were really not Clunkers!

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

If somebody REALLY turned a GNX or a TTA into a dealer on a Cash for Clunkers deal - they got what they deserved!

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Most likely didn't know what they had

RTGTA

If the dealer realized what they were being given isn't there a way they could've just kept the car?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Don't think so,but I'm sure they figured it out.

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

I recall they had to pour something into the motor so that it would be destroyed and recycled...

bjpotter

No. They wouldn't have anyway. At the time, GM and Chrysler were going under. Dealerships were being lost, the US car industry almost ended. Ford was in better shape but could not have held out for long either.