1st car purchase - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Camaro91 · 09-09-2009, 03:52 AM

So, today I bought a black 1989 Iroc-Z TPI 305 5 speed for $2,200. It came with a Ram Air hood and the ram air hood air box. I'm waiting to recieve the stock hood and spare keys from the owner.

*I'll post pics up tomorrow

Cons:
-It's a 305 (ehh... 350 would have been better)
-Need to replace transmission mount
-Right fender sticks out a little too far
-Need to replace leaking exhaust pipes
-Cracked dashboard
-No stereo or speakers (came with amps in the trunk though)
-Most likely need to rebuild the engine
-Front left turning signal doesn't blink (dim light)
-Replace interior light
-Wheels are spray painted black

-The exhaust tips were cut off up to the muffler but I have them in the trunk
-The driver door doesn't seem to shut right (I can wiggle the door around when closed)
-Noticed a little white smoke during one startup (at night)

Pos:
-It runs!

-Owner replaced stock seats with seats from a firebird
-Alarm works
-Window motors work
-Good paint job done
-Interior was redone
-Trunk and hood open smoothly
-AC works
-Tires are decent
-Startup sounds great (not sure what the exhaust is)

Any recommendations on what to do to the car and where to buy parts would be helpful, and I'd like to know if I made a good purchase.

Supercamaro64 · 09-09-2009, 07:22 AM

hey congrats! i just got my first car too, altho urs sounds like its in a LOT nicer shape lol good luck!

Zabo · 09-09-2009, 09:20 AM

Woah.. Nice but for the price I think you overpaid. I'm looking at a mint 80K original mile Sport Coupe for 2300. None the less, bore out that 305 when you rebuild it. She won't be pushing much unless you do some serious work.

BigRigMike · 09-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Sounds like you got a fairly good car because your cons do not sound too serious.

My recommendation would be to look at parts from TPIS.com. I am not sure what their reputation is now but they worked out well for me 10 years ago.

Also if you want headers I would recommend Edelbrock because they included everything needed and fit perfectly. I purchased Hedman headers first and they did not come close to fitting and when I called customer support they said my car had a bent frame. I owned a '85 Z 305 TPI that had edelbrock headers installed when i bought the car and then i installed edelbrock headers on my '88 IROC-Z 350 TPI.

Camaro91 · 09-13-2009, 12:55 AM

The car already has Hooker SuperCompetition Headers.

Right now the car is lowered in the front only, there's about 3.5 inches between the bumper and floor. Which brand of springs/shocks do you guys recomend I buy? Or should I just go for the adjustable bags suspension?

AZCamaroFan · 09-14-2009, 10:58 PM

congratulations on the IROC-Z.

09-09-2009, 03:52 AM	#1
Camaro91 Drives: 89 305 Iroc-Z TPI 5 speed Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 7	1st car purchase So, today I bought a black 1989 Iroc-Z TPI 305 5 speed for $2,200. It came with a Ram Air hood and the ram air hood air box. I'm waiting to recieve the stock hood and spare keys from the owner. *I'll post pics up tomorrow Cons: -It's a 305 (ehh... 350 would have been better) -Need to replace transmission mount -Right fender sticks out a little too far -Need to replace leaking exhaust pipes -Cracked dashboard -No stereo or speakers (came with amps in the trunk though) -Most likely need to rebuild the engine -Front left turning signal doesn't blink (dim light) -Replace interior light -Wheels are spray painted black -The exhaust tips were cut off up to the muffler but I have them in the trunk -The driver door doesn't seem to shut right (I can wiggle the door around when closed) -Noticed a little white smoke during one startup (at night) Pos: -It runs! -Owner replaced stock seats with seats from a firebird -Alarm works -Window motors work -Good paint job done -Interior was redone -Trunk and hood open smoothly -AC works -Tires are decent -Startup sounds great (not sure what the exhaust is) Any recommendations on what to do to the car and where to buy parts would be helpful, and I'd like to know if I made a good purchase.

09-09-2009, 07:22 AM	#2
Supercamaro64 Right, right. Drives: 79 Z28, 86 Camaro, 94 Burb 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Posts: 1,350 View My Garage	hey congrats! i just got my first car too, altho urs sounds like its in a LOT nicer shape lol good luck! __________________ "You wanna lay the fate of the world on the kids camaro? Thats cool." "When reporters asked what it was, one official stated, 'It's a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.'" The Creampuff Fleet-

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09-09-2009, 09:20 AM	#3
Zabo Gunning for Sixth Drives: '03 ZR2 Blazer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodhaven, Michigan Posts: 9,358 View My Garage	Woah.. Nice but for the price I think you overpaid. I'm looking at a mint 80K original mile Sport Coupe for 2300. None the less, bore out that 305 when you rebuild it. She won't be pushing much unless you do some serious work.

09-09-2009, 11:13 AM	#4
BigRigMike Drives: 2010 Ford Fusion Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: York, PA Posts: 374 View My Garage	Sounds like you got a fairly good car because your cons do not sound too serious. My recommendation would be to look at parts from TPIS.com. I am not sure what their reputation is now but they worked out well for me 10 years ago. Also if you want headers I would recommend Edelbrock because they included everything needed and fit perfectly. I purchased Hedman headers first and they did not come close to fitting and when I called customer support they said my car had a bent frame. I owned a '85 Z 305 TPI that had edelbrock headers installed when i bought the car and then i installed edelbrock headers on my '88 IROC-Z 350 TPI.

09-13-2009, 12:55 AM	#5
Camaro91 Drives: 89 305 Iroc-Z TPI 5 speed Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 7	The car already has Hooker SuperCompetition Headers. Right now the car is lowered in the front only, there's about 3.5 inches between the bumper and floor. Which brand of springs/shocks do you guys recomend I buy? Or should I just go for the adjustable bags suspension?

09-14-2009, 10:58 PM	#6
AZCamaroFan Camaro6 2016-2018 Drives: sometimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 18,468	congratulations on the IROC-Z.