Howdy,

I am new here and looking for a little info about my car. I have had my 86 Iroc sitting for the past 7 years and now it is time to restore it. I am wondering how strong the car was from the factory? I drove it for 7 years with the 305 with the 4 barrel and five speed; with that set up everything was fine. Is there any easy engine swaps that the tranny and rear end will hold up to? I would like to have more power obviously but not insane....just something to cruise around with that is faster than stock. What about suspension upgrades? I know I am asking some general questions here but anything will help. Is there any other web site that will help? Thanks for any info

 

well it has a T-5 tranny in it, and i'm not sure how strong those are...i'm sure you could swap that 305 out, and put a nice 350 TPI out of a vette, 3rd gen camaro, or firebird...or just get a 350 carbed engine someehere that is not to dramastically modified.

 

if your looking for a bit more go then stock and you already have a carbed v8, id invest in a blower. i invested in one myself but it turns out my compression is too high so its just sitting at the gurage in a box right now. as for suspension, you have a load of options. i always use these guys www.bmrfabrications.com great service and pretty nice prices. they make a nice product. if your looking for frames, which should be your 1st suspension mod, wait till the summer. they are re-releasing their frames for the 3rdgen. took them off the market like 2 years ago and i have no idea why. frames and trailing arms will plant your tires nicely

 

BMR makes real nice stuff, but Spohn is easily the best-known for 3rd gen suspension. Go here to see what they have to offer.

 

If u like the manual trans I recomend going to a T56 and a nice 350 setup.

 

Cool, thanks for the info. Do you guys know if my rear end will hold up to a 350?

 

It all depends on how much power plan on putting to the ground, and how you drive it. 400 rwhp and slicks, and no, it probably won't hold up too long. I've been running a stock 10 bolt and T5 behind a ZZ4 for 3 years and haven't had the slightest problem. But I usually run street tires and have never pulled better than a 2.0 60ft at the track.

 

a built 10 bolt will handle 450 RWHP. it was in super chevy last month and yes a 350 will go just fine with the 10 bolt. they came factory like that in some years. i wouldnt waste the money on a t-56 conversion. just leave the t-5 in for now, later on down the road and if you have the money, then convert. tons of people are running 350, 355, 383, and ive even seen some behind a 400 with no problems.

 

The T-5 will last if you don't beat on it. Then again, there are guys with nearly stock TPI305's that have grenaded them. It's all in how you drive it.


That's what I like about my T56.....it's factory under-rated at 450ftlbs.