New project arriving soon. 1986 IROC-Z - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GearheadSS · 03-19-2025, 05:07 PM

I sold the Chevelle last month and started looking for the next project. I set my budget and pretty much narrowed it down to 4 choices. C4 ZR1, 4th gen WS6 LS1 6 speed Formula, 3rd gen GTA Trans Am or a 3rd gen IROC. I am a Gen Xer that grew up in the 80s after all.

I ultimately decided that the ZR1 was out because of parts availability and lack of aftermarket mod support. I still want one someday but I didn't want to use up most of my current budget on just a car with nothing left over for mods/improvements.

I also decided that I didn't really want another 4th gen right now. I've had several of them over the years and I just wanted something different.

That meant that IROC was now at the top of the list with a GTA a close 2nd. It needed to be one of two colors, yellow(IROC only) or black with gold accents. I've wanted a yellow IROC since I was a kid. There was a girl in my hometown that got a brand new yellow one back then and I've wanted one ever since I saw it.

I ended up finding a nice yellow hardtop and it's supposed to be shipped tomorrow. Here are some older pics of it. I'll update when it arrives.

My plans are to LS/T56 swap it. It's a base LG4 305/auto car so I don't mind swapping this one, even though it's super nice and original.

bsn · 03-19-2025, 05:23 PM

"There was a girl in my hometown that got a brand new yellow one back then and I've wanted one ever since I saw it."

The girl or the car???

Nice project!

Junction65 · 03-19-2025, 06:49 PM

Sweet looking IROC. Congrats Gearhead! Looking forward to your project updates.

GearheadSS · 03-19-2025, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsn

"There was a girl in my hometown that got a brand new yellow one back then and I've wanted one ever since I saw it."

The girl or the car???

Nice project!

Haha, the car! I was only 10 at the time and I was much more car aware than girl aware at that age. Girls came later!

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 03-19-2025, 11:03 PM

Very nice! I love my ‘87 50,000 mile TPI IROC. They are fun cars. Slow as hell but still very fun lol. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.

chevy pilot · 03-19-2025, 11:10 PM

King Nothing · 03-20-2025, 12:29 AM

That is a great looking IROC you found! How much did you get it for if you don’t mind me asking? I’m looking forward to seeing the progress and the end result! I’ve owned several IROC’s also (born in 83) and I’ve always had a special place in my heart for them.

Realist · 03-20-2025, 05:30 AM

Had a few IROC’s and a Formula 350 over the years, always loved the style. Congrats and enjoy!

detamble13 · 03-20-2025, 10:26 AM

Congrats Gearhead that thing looks super clean. I'm not totally up on the 3rd Gen, is that a combination of packages with the IROC and Z/28?

From what my uncle has told me, he's the original owner of an 86, you could only get a manual with the 5 litre and the 5.7 was auto only. Anyways with you going to a manual will you attempt to source a 3rd gen center console to accommodate the swap or how will you handle that? Just wondering.

ariZona28 · 03-20-2025, 11:34 AM

Wow, nice find! Almost too nice to mod. Almost. Too bad you got rid of the Chevelle as those are on the top of my list of classic muscle cars. To handle the increased power from your future mods subframe connectors and a Moser 12-bolt are a must. Nice excuse for me to post a pic of my Dad's 383 powered '85.

Trickskier · 03-21-2025, 09:02 AM

Very nice find! I had an 86 IROC-Z that I put an LS3 in. Good luck with your project!

TransamGTA350 · 03-24-2025, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detamble13

Congrats Gearhead that thing looks super clean. I'm not totally up on the 3rd Gen, is that a combination of packages with the IROC and Z/28?

From what my uncle has told me, he's the original owner of an 86, you could only get a manual with the 5 litre and the 5.7 was auto only. Anyways with you going to a manual will you attempt to source a 3rd gen center console to accommodate the swap or how will you handle that? Just wondering.

That's correct. 5.7 only available 1987 and later and only with an auto. Could get a 5.0/manual.

Manual swap isn't too hard. Need to cut the hole for the shifter, replace the top console plate with one for a manual car and cut the hole for the clutch master cylinder. The rest of the parts pretty much swap over from a manual 3rd gen or 4th gen.

Nice IROC OP. I had a black/gold '86 with the same interior. LG4/5-speed

Craig · 03-24-2025, 11:23 PM

I was thirteen when I got a ride in a brand new 1984 Z28. I thought I was an astronaut clearing the tower. It had the best upholstery ever used in a General Motors product.

detamble13 · 03-25-2025, 10:12 AM

Man that interior screams 80s and I've never seen the Camaro written on the seats and door panels.
I know Fox body Mustangs are climbing in price and I imagine 3rd gen Camaros aren't far behind.

03-19-2025, 05:07 PM	#1
GearheadSS Drives: 23 LT1/86 IROC-Z Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenville, Tx Posts: 5,036 View My Garage	New project arriving soon. 1986 IROC-Z I sold the Chevelle last month and started looking for the next project. I set my budget and pretty much narrowed it down to 4 choices. C4 ZR1, 4th gen WS6 LS1 6 speed Formula, 3rd gen GTA Trans Am or a 3rd gen IROC. I am a Gen Xer that grew up in the 80s after all. I ultimately decided that the ZR1 was out because of parts availability and lack of aftermarket mod support. I still want one someday but I didn't want to use up most of my current budget on just a car with nothing left over for mods/improvements. I also decided that I didn't really want another 4th gen right now. I've had several of them over the years and I just wanted something different. That meant that IROC was now at the top of the list with a GTA a close 2nd. It needed to be one of two colors, yellow(IROC only) or black with gold accents. I've wanted a yellow IROC since I was a kid. There was a girl in my hometown that got a brand new yellow one back then and I've wanted one ever since I saw it. I ended up finding a nice yellow hardtop and it's supposed to be shipped tomorrow. Here are some older pics of it. I'll update when it arrives. My plans are to LS/T56 swap it. It's a base LG4 305/auto car so I don't mind swapping this one, even though it's super nice and original.

03-19-2025, 06:49 PM	#3
Junction65 Drives: 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Alabama Posts: 496	Sweet looking IROC. Congrats Gearhead! Looking forward to your project updates. __________________ 2023 LT1 Coupe M6 - Black (GBA) on Black (H1T) Blade spoiler (5ZU), Recaro seats (AQJ), Technology pack (Y3W) LT1 PBC engine built by Shane Parker Current mileage: 368

03-19-2025, 11:03 PM	#5
Aqua Blue RS/SS Drives: ABM #93 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Lotaburger Posts: 3,180	Very nice! I love my ‘87 50,000 mile TPI IROC. They are fun cars. Slow as hell but still very fun lol. Can’t wait to see what you do with it. __________________ ABM #2399 2SS/RS:SOLD ABM #93 2SS/RS Black Rally stripes, Titanium Interior 4,000 miles: GM GFX side skirts and diffuser waiting on paint, GM dovetail, GM heritage, RPI ZL1 style splitter. ‘87 IROC-Z Iroc blue. all original unmolested with 50K miles.

03-20-2025, 12:29 AM	#7
King Nothing Turning wrenches Drives: 2011 Camaro SS By Berger 11BC21 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,289	That is a great looking IROC you found! How much did you get it for if you don’t mind me asking? I’m looking forward to seeing the progress and the end result! I’ve owned several IROC’s also (born in 83) and I’ve always had a special place in my heart for them. __________________ Sold-2006 Pontiac GTO M6 1 of 475 353rwhp 353rwtq Sold-2000 Camaro SS A4 Hardtop #867 of 8913 1 of 103 Bright Rally Red Hardtop SS A4 in 2000 1 of 25 and only SIM Camaro By Berger in 2011 year, 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 By Berger #11BC21

03-20-2025, 11:34 AM	#10
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,750	Wow, nice find! Almost too nice to mod. Almost. Too bad you got rid of the Chevelle as those are on the top of my list of classic muscle cars. To handle the increased power from your future mods subframe connectors and a Moser 12-bolt are a must. Nice excuse for me to post a pic of my Dad's 383 powered '85. Attached Images __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

03-19-2025, 05:23 PM	#2
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 469	"There was a girl in my hometown that got a brand new yellow one back then and I've wanted one ever since I saw it." The girl or the car??? Nice project!

03-19-2025, 11:10 PM	#6
chevy pilot Drives: 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Hki.Finland Posts: 1,276

03-20-2025, 05:30 AM	#8
Realist Drives: No Camaro :( Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Chitown Burbs Posts: 1,157	Had a few IROC’s and a Formula 350 over the years, always loved the style. Congrats and enjoy!

03-20-2025, 10:26 AM	#9
detamble13 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 VR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chatham, ON Posts: 764	Congrats Gearhead that thing looks super clean. I'm not totally up on the 3rd Gen, is that a combination of packages with the IROC and Z/28? From what my uncle has told me, he's the original owner of an 86, you could only get a manual with the 5 litre and the 5.7 was auto only. Anyways with you going to a manual will you attempt to source a 3rd gen center console to accommodate the swap or how will you handle that? Just wondering.

03-21-2025, 09:02 AM	#11
Trickskier Native Floridian Drives: 2014 - ZL1 / 2003 - Corvette Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 2,820	Very nice find! I had an 86 IROC-Z that I put an LS3 in. Good luck with your project! __________________

03-24-2025, 11:23 PM	#13
Craig Drives: 2023 SLE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 311	I was thirteen when I got a ride in a brand new 1984 Z28. I thought I was an astronaut clearing the tower. It had the best upholstery ever used in a General Motors product.

03-25-2025, 10:12 AM	#14
detamble13 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 VR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chatham, ON Posts: 764	Man that interior screams 80s and I've never seen the Camaro written on the seats and door panels. I know Fox body Mustangs are climbing in price and I imagine 3rd gen Camaros aren't far behind.