Beautiful Camaro you have there!! I've always been a Camaro guy, hell I even had a mullet back in the 80's. Being I'm Italian and had a IROC-Z my buddies bust my nuts and say IROC stood for " Italian Reject Out Cruising" ....the good ole days
I had to smile when you were taking items out of the small compartment in the trunk. The enclosure is probably missing. I own an 85 IROC-Z that I bought new. Never seen rain nor snow. Have 35,000 miles on it now. Most time's I just drive it before it start snowing so that I can add fresh fuel for winter storage. Love your video.
Lol yeah that compartment hood a lot but not that much 😂. Cool, yeah I understand better how guys you north have lower mile cars since most only drive them April through September
@@FireballMullet Best to relocate battery as you have (RH to counter driver weight) but my '91 convertible - seriously no trunk so hoping to shoehorn it in that space instead. Got a collapsible spare to fit right side. And another bonus for 1LE was engine oil cooler, which was why my '91 (had one back then) had no fog lights.
Would you be willing to sell it to me for my first car?😅 I’m saving up and looking for a 3rd gen maro or a 4th gen Monte Carlo but I’m still not certain
The 1991 Firebird Formula Firehawk was always on my mind, and I swear one day I'll find one, now I know some stuff to look out for when up close with one, so thank you.
My dad had 84 z28 and a 86 iroc z that got stolen 3 times in the first year and the car was never the same I love the red with black interior and I love the wheels and like always God bless 🙌
Nice car, I've been watching your videos and are very helpful for parts and products. I have a 86 IROC Z I've been working on for a while now. I got a lot of info on a lot of things watching your videos. Thanks keep on IROCing
My buddy got a 92 v6 5 speed about 8 years ago and has wrecked the front end 4 times, hood flew up on the interstate, he's overheated it about 5 times to where it boiled out the reservoir, blew a tire running 100mph going to Florida on spring break and grinded the left side down a concrete barrier, just busted the driver mirror and window from a deer hitting him, and that thing is still running and driving to this day. Doghouse is completely destroyed, he did put a hood on it finally though, it was hoodless for about 3 years out in the rain. Car has never failed to start. Incredible if you ask me. I don't even think he's changed the oil more than twice.
great video Stan you covered all the bases when buying one I have a 1984 z28 which I bought about 5 years ago at a great price almost in mint condition and your right the same car the price has gone up drastically looking forward to more camero videos
Covered it pretty good Stan. I looked at nearly 25 of them before I found mine, biggest things for me is RUST and any historical crash damage. Really the rest of it can be fixed, and is it all there? All depends what your end goals are. I would say minor body repairs and paint no problem, but major interior issues could get expensive, especially availability.
Very true man, I’m starting to see how much interior is adding up! I agree Rust I run away from and crash reports. Doing it over, I would have bought a car that hadn’t been messed with much. Thanks for watching as always!!
great guide! i plan on getting a shell and putting an LS or something like that in it, i’m young but these things have been my top 5 favorite cars forever
I've had 5 3rd gens and recently picked up a 90 Formula 350. Been wanting one since they first came out. This one needs restored but it's original. One thing about the sagging doors is they have bushings in the hinges and most times you can get away with just replacing them. Much cheaper than replacing the whole hinge.
My hatch is 'misaligned' - but only because the hatch itself is from an 87+ IROC, attached to my '84 - so the actual 'spoiler' itself is a different size! Noone but me seems to notice, and I've got _plenty_ of other jobs to do on it, so for the time being it's gonna stay like that
Nice video. I’m a huge fan of irocs. I have a 1988 iroc-z with 90s ground effects kit. I’m trying to do most of the work on it myself to avoid high mechanic fees.
Great advice especially for people new to Thirdgens that want one now and didn’t own one back in the day! I would have added a lot of guys seem to consider the 1989 a great year because the N10 exhaust came out which added 10hp to the G92 cars. It was the only year of the G92 and N10 with the 80s interior. Another interesting thing I picked up from other guys is that if you don’t like the 80s rattles, look at a 1992. Supposedly Chevy had modernized their assembly techniques in preparation for the 1993 Camaro so 1992 were the tightest chassis you could get in a Thirdgen. Those anniversary cars with the stripes in 92 are starting to bring serious money as well… Enjoyed the video and laughed at all the stuff in the compartment! A cassette and bottle of Drakkar definitely belong to a Thirdgen owner!
Very cool man, I’ll didn’t know that about the G92 89 cars. Also, the 92s being built better explains why I’ve heard guys with 92 say theirs are pretty quiet. Thanks for watching bud
@@FireballMulletI was wondering if you're having the same problem I have with my 82. I noticed your cigarette lighter wasn't plugged in. Mine continuously blows the fuse if I leave it plugged in. Are you having the same problem?
I've had my '92 Z-28 5.0 5-speed since new. Currently in a C7 Z06....Just wanted to say I very much like the look and stance of your third gen. Makes me want to get serious about mine again. Damn Vette is just too damn nice to play around with like I could with my trusty old Camaro.
I just bought my 92 rs 25th anniversary car for 1800 guy did all the engine work but had to sell due to cancer told him I will take care of it an the doors shut amazing an she only has 140k miles
Can’t sleep it’s 3:00 Am in ca .And I just came across your video .wow! Thank you so much for all Thank info . Truly appreciate it.sold a 67 chevelle awhile back for some reason 🤬.now it between a late 70s Z28 or 87 I Roc .need your help lol
Beautiful red Camaro you have! You missed the Performance oriented Firebird Formula models…they came with either a 305 or 350, and the WS6 suspension, plus it was a few hundred pounds lighter than the GTA, the TA the Z28 and the IrocZ…a beast!!
Awesome video man, really easy to follow. I can't stand videos with some guy sounding like he reads out of a brochure ..In a dull monotonous tone, of course. This is gonna help alot of dudes and dudettes looking for a good car! Really good stuff, howdy ho from a 3rd gen fan from Norway!
Thanks 🙏 I really appreciate that feedback! Yeah it really takes some time to get comfortable in front of the camera and I think I’m getting there. Thanks for watching all the way from Norway 🇳🇴! That’s really awesome
@@FireballMullet You're doing great my dude! Really looking forward to further videos in the future! Can't wait for the season to start and my new tires to arrive. Dry-rot is a pain, and both me and my 87 is aching for a spin on dry and saltless roads! Take care, man!
I had 2 of em back in the 80s and 90s. Started w ‘83 with 5.0. Then got a ‘92 anniversary edition w t tops but only had a v6. Both were good cars but I screwed up the automatic trans in the ‘83 probably from chirping tires hitting 2nd gear too much. The v6 ‘92 had the rear end lock up. Loved both cars though.
Very nice , always liked the iroc. Nobody really has given the history on iroc in last 12 years since I have been watching RU-vid. I always wanted an iroc since high school
I shopped around for months before I bought mine, I had to have the classic Red with Silver Z28, but I didn't want T-tops which was difficult to find, also I wanted an 83 as its my birth year and I like the look of the 82-84 front ends better. Couple things worth noting from my research and owning my car for 2 years. 1, 82-84 camaro front ends are different (more angular and aggressive) also makes finding the front parts harder. 2, Carbureted cars are still controlled by a computer(sadly) and the ecm controls the torque converter lock up on 700r4 transmissions. 3, 82-84 F-body Carbureted fuel sending units are discontinued, only 85-92 available and those are for electric fuel pump, however they can be modified to work in a non fuel injection car. 4, Early Z28s have a unique dual ended speedometer needle, points to mph and kph at same time, but only to 85mph. Still pretty rad.
Maybe you know this. Maybe you don't but from the late '70s to the mid 80s government mandates that speedometers couldn't read higher than 85 mph. GM offered an over the counter accessory for the 82 & 83 Z28. After the purchase of the car. As I said over the counter option was a 140 mph speedometer that has Z28 in the lower right hand section of the unit
Beautiful car my dad had bought a brand new 86 iroc z black red interior t top car it got stolen 3 times in the first year and the car was never the same again 😢anyway nice car and like always God bless 👏 🙌
I had an 88 in high school. Wish I would've kept it but it was just a base 305 with t-tops. Always wanted an iroc. Just bought a 80 z-28 with a crate 350 and t-tops
The saggy doors are 99.9% of the time the pins. The spoiler being out can easily be pushed back with loosening two bolts. If the seller claims its an IROC Z, look for a B4Z RPO code. That's a true IROC Z. That back "glove box" will have a cardboard inside that you'll have to pull back to see the panel. The cardboard in his was removed at some point. Also the rear decklid has a pull down unit for pulling the decklid down so you don't have to slam it shut. They're notorious for either being broken or even screwed down to where it won't work. My first 1992 RS was screwed and I had to replace the broken gear, removed the screws, and sand it down really well for it to work again. I believe they might've done this because of a recall, because back in the day some kids would get trapped in the back of the Buicks, f bodies, and Cadillacs that had a pull down unit. Also for the love of God lift the carpet right behind the back seats and see if they cut out a trap door for the fuel pump, because a lot of people would cut it instead of dropping the tank. Most sellers will call a base model sport coupe a Berlinetta, so make sure to look for the pin stripe, swivel radio, and LCD gauges if you want a real Berlinetta. Btw unlike his badass IROC, the hood louvers were fake frome the factory. His hood has been cut and had real ones installed. Just figured I'd add my 2¢, because I got screwed over on my first RS and learned a lot of this shit the hard way.
Very specific to 3rd gen to look for .if there is no triangle brace below the steering box, look careful at the frame next to box . I had 2 camaros with cracks . One so bad the steering box was moving a little . Frame rip . That’s a big one
The very first spot you should be checking on any of these cars is the spare tire storage. It's gonna rust out before any other part on the car. I've have a lot of camaros and have 2 firebirds now and that's the first spot to rust out. Nobody makes a replacement panel for that so take that into consideration when buying because if it's rusted out, it's gonna need custom metal work to fix it.
I have a 1992 TRANS AM GTA. These are fun cars and head turners for the price. Mine I bought as a project car the main importance for me was no rust. I have done a full restoration of the undercarriage and replaced the entire suspension system with a QA1 suspension and moser 3.73 rear end from hawks. Next is to pull the engine/tranny do some body work and drop in a 454 SBC with F.I.R.S.T intake and go through the interior..
I'm a Phoenix area native and 3rd gen Camaros are really hard to find here probably because they get beat up by our harsh hot summers, where afternoon high temperatures can get up to 120 degrees in July. If you do find one, their paint are typically oxidized, dashboards are cracked and the interiors are torn up thanks to the sun, unless you happen to find one that has been garage-parked all of its life, which is rare.
The 87 L98 runs Mass air flow in 88 it's speed density. Also the door IROC-Z decals are placed differently. The T-Top models rattle after 40k miles but the cure is welding subframe connectors It also improves handling.
I have a bone stock 86 305 tpi auto z28 . I graduated high school that year so these cars were right in my wheelhouse. My dad bought it new. I've had it for 27 years. Its been a garage queen all its life. My old man put 72,000 miles on it and I've only put 20k on it since I've had it. I think you covered it pretty good. My headliner is total bullshit even though the t tops are perfect and all my rubber seals are fine. I have it held on with paper clips. And yeah...my car is a total rattle box. I think you learned me something on the steering knuckle or box. For the longest time I've been aware that something is goofy when I turned the wheel and I think it's what you said. My car looks great, has zero rust, but has all kinds of things that don't work like power Antennae, cruise control, The air conditioning. I have a nice aftermarket stereo and speakers in it but the thin, weak stock speaker wiring somehow is not compatible and the sound sucks. yes, I have it phased properly and I used the appropriate harness adapter. Anyway....for the longest time my car didn't get noticed and the purchase value I saw for these things was so bad they're almost free. Just depressing. Year after year I insured it at great cost, rarely drove it and it wasn't worth jack shit. But I held onto it because it belonged to my father and just looking at it brings back wonderful memories. I'm pleased to hear you say they're increasing in value, now even though I know mine won't be sold until I die. I gotta say, when I'm driving around in it, people notice, now. And people will walk up and ask me about it. For 20 years I got none of that.
I had an 80s Camaro and I liked it at the time, I put a 350 in it and it was fun but every now and again I get a little nostalgic and start thinking about buying one but honestly I don’t think I’d bother I’d much rather go for a 70s, there’s just too much plastic on these and I loved it at the time but if I’m gonna put work into restoring something I want it to be something cool with all the plastic on here unless you’re getting it and building everything yourself I just don’t think it’s worth it. But I get why people love them and I loved mine back in the day. Mine was an 84 Berlinetta, they looked very mild, and I kind of had this dream of building it as some ridiculously overpowered sleeper, I did put a 350 in it and do a few mods and it was fun but nothing too crazy but in the end, everybody kind of hated it and made fun of the way it looked😂
Ya I'd say you covered it pretty well. My son picked up a 88 GTA last year with a WC T5 tranny swap. Pretty fun car. Has all the bells and whistles except T tops but that's probably for the best lol. Even has the full digital cluster but been a nightmare trying to find a replacement odometer. Needs paint but otherwise pretty nice car.
Nice, love the 88 GTAs. I should have spent more time talking about them. Yeah, I bet, those clusters are super hard to find sometimes. Did you call Hawks Motorsports?’
Pretty informative.. I'm the third owner of a original 1989 RS Convertible with 5.0 tbi got it with 19K and have driven it to 36k with the only issue being it's third transmission mount. I've yet to see another one on the road!
Recently got a '91 Vert. RS here. One of the first fixes I did was upgrade busted trans. mount to Energy Suspension Poly mount - permanent fix. Check both engine mounts too (floor jack with cut 2x6 under pan while on jackstands) go with their eng. mounts too if bad. HTH
Nice and very informative video! I have a 92 25th anniversary RS with a 305 and T5. However, the body is in a fair state, with rust in many places, including the floor pans. I'm debating about fully restoring it or finding another better looking 92 body and transferring everything I've upgraded to that one, which I think will be less costly.
YOU MAY KNOW THIS FOR 92 THE ANIVERSARY YEAR CHEVY ONLY BUILT JUST AROUND 5000 Z28 FOR 92 AND I LOVE TOO KNOW HOW MANY ARE LEFT ALL ORIGINAL WITH JUST 19THOUSAND ORIGINAL MILES.
Welll.. I guess I got lucky Found one 1992 camaro z28 heritage package with the 5.7 tpi with electric windows .electric trunk and leather seats .. all I knew was that I wanted a 3rd generation camaro ..due to my dad taking me to elementary school in a 85 camaro .. it’s a red with black stripes with black headlight housing all around and I just say …truly love that car… Best thing about it Paints at least 8 Whole car is And I only Got it for $6500 Camaro gang for sureeee😊
they rust out behind the fire wall in the wiper bulk head. they rust out along the seam sealer , i bought what i thought was a rust free car but the rust was hiding out of view will need a camera scope to check in side bulk head or remove wiper panels.
Great advices stan in what to look for.if I may add on t tops.the rails tend to rust at outer cornors.rusted through holes open to interior are not uncommon. Without Shake,squick,rattle all third gens bodies loose there charm.🤣
Great info but given the age you will be hard pressed to find one without the majority of the issues you mentioned. Sagging head liner is just expected even with low miles, t-top seals leaking due to deterioration of the seals. You would have to buy a LOW mile 3rd Gen to avoid most of these issues, if you can find one. I'd look for a good body first and foremost especially if not keeping it stock.
Finally got my 305 tbi running 100% back when i got it 4 year ago with dad it would stall every other turn but now it dont stall at all anymore. Still slow as hell the intelitronix cluster we bought for it said 0-60 was 11.7 seconds yes slow but considering 156000 miles and wasn't running well in the first place is great. Also put a new accel coil, a k&n top filter with edelbrock side filter inside the pan of the air cleaner with single snorkel and a cowl air hood. Despite that all still slow. But hey it works and loves donuts
It does okay, the key is tint, ttop shades, a little foam on top of evap to make sure it flows through it and not around, and finally the heater hose control valve. All that said, I will be doing Vibtage air next year lol
I bought an 86 IROC Z . Decent amount of rust,has a carburetor,not original gauge cluster or engine I believe.I bought it for 4,000. Dumped about 8,000 in it and somehow a manifold bolt lying around got sucked into cylinder head and damaged 2 valves. Now I gotta spend more money for heads and apparently headers. What a nightmare. Any advice?
Man, that sucks….things happen, just try not to get discouraged and get overwhelmed. Get the head/header fixed and drive it. fix one area at a time and don’t sweat it. I like to pick something easy to do to get me in the garage and before I know it, it is 12:00 AM LOL.
I got my 25th RS 305 when I was 15 with 25k miles. I've had it for almost 15 years and managed to keep it under 100k and its completely stock. It was my everyday driver so so long. I want to put a few k into the engine but want to keep it as stock as possible. 327? Cam? What should I do... and not bastardize the OG?
1 big model you left out was the Formula Firebird. It was among the most sought after models back in the day. It had all the performance features of the Trans Am without all the luxury and ground effects which kept the weight down. Similar to the Ford Mustang LX. Headliners in these and really all GM cars of this era fell down no matter what. I have an 89 Firebird I’ve owned since 91. It has basically lived in a garage and the headliner is falling down and it is a hard top. The areowing spoiler on the Firebirds that wrap around the back hatch is also very prone to cracking. A lot of the high performance models came with the Australian 9 bolt differential which is somewhat stronger than the standard 10 bolt but parts are kinda hard to find and are expensive when you do. A lot of these cars were abused when new. Some cars have cracks on the quarter panel seam near the roof between the door glass and hatch if they were seriously abused. These cars are pretty flimsy. One last thing some had a power hatch pull down that I’ve heard is becoming problematic. Nice job on the LS swap. Looks factory. Have often thought of doing this.
Wow, yeah I realized I missed as soon as I posted. I had it in my notes and totally spaced out. The worst part about my miss, is thats the Firebird I’d consider getting.
True, my 92' Z bought new and always garaged finally lost its headliner after about 15 years, give or take. And it's a hardtop....And the damn thing is is real pain to replace.
Yea Mike you are absolutely on point with the Add on’s. Also some came with plexiglass t-tops as well not all were glass,also the Deeper dish rims went on the front which I never liked.some also had overhead consoles .The OEM Wings on the later model Birds was a heav 34:17 material with metal in that would get corroded and warped but you can replace with an aftermarket Fiberglass wing but I think you have to change the hatch support as well. I have a 1989 FireBird Formula 350 Red with Grey interior!! Love driving it but only in nice weather!!
@@rogerwilliams2042 Nice. That’s exactly what I have. Mine is a hard top. It was only a daily driver for about the first 6 months I had it. Always had a winter beater so it’s never been in salt and rarely in rain. It’s got about 60,000 miles and if I drive it 10 times a year it’s a lot. It’s got a lot of bolt ons including a Paxton supercharger that really woke it up. I did thrash the hell out of it when I first had it but luckily it has no cracks in the body and the doors still close like new. Most surprising is it doesn’t really have any squeaks or rattles. It’s also an N10 dual cat car. Back in the day I had my heart set on a Mustang but came across this and it was a lot cheaper than what Mustangs were going for. It only had about 20,000 miles on it when I bought it. It did need tires but that’s about it. So glad I found it instead of ending up with a Mustang. Faster too. One of the best looking cars ever produced. Almost 35 years old and still stands out today. My nephew says it best: it just looks fast standing still.
Hey, I'm just wondering how many kilometers the transmission last before needing to be replaced? I'm looking at one that's super clean, but it has 195k kilometers on the stock transmission.
I have an 82 Z28 that my dad purchased new and now he drives a Shelby GT500 Mustang so the Camaro has been all mine for a few years now and I’m considering either putting in a 5.7 4 bolt main or an LS engine of some type but as far as Iroc Z go, my favorite year is 87 since the third brake light is in the spoiler and the stock Iroc rims hadn’t been changed yet
My best pal has been wanting a 5.7 iroc for awhile. He's just picky and wants one with Ttops and 50k (or less) miles and 5spd. Expect to spend about 25k.
