I think you'd be wise to look for a low mileage, say around 40,000, 1988 IROC, 350 TPI. Well hey what do you know. I happen to be selling one just like it.

See the Cars/Parts for sale section for more details.

 

Anyone think he might be just a little bias?

ME?????? Nahhhhhhhhh

 

Whoooooo me??????

 

id say the best third generation camaro would be a 1990 IROC-Z L98 5.7 TPI with G92 performance package and hardtop. or a 1989 IROC-Z LB9 5.0 TPI G92 performance package with 5spd and a hardtop. they never made a 5.7 thirdgen with a 5spd, only 5.0s, 87 is the first year u could get a 5.0TPI with 5spd 87 was also the first year for the 5.7TPI.

 

I would go that far

 

How much you want to spend. Best 3rd gen of all time IMHO, the 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am. GNX power in a Trans Am package. Gotta love it. They can be purchased anywhere from $8000 for a fairly high mileage example to the upper $20K range for a mint low mileage car.

Other than that, my preference would be an '89+ L98 powered GTA or Formula.

 

you might want to throw the 92 firehawk in to the mix as well-4th performance in a 3rd gen body. but they're kinda rare and expensive

 

It depends what you want to do with the car and how far your knowlage and skill can take you. If you want a quick third gen right out of the box the 91-92 GTA's and Z28's are the way to go IMO. They are speed density (Ie the utalize a "Manifold absolute pressure seonsor" or MAP for short, to meter the air going into the intake rather than the old style "Mass air flow sensor" or MAF for short.) this alows for a more free flowing intake and hence more hoarse power. They also have the most HP again due to the change to a MAP sensor, and the better 700r4 automatic. With a few cheap mods like a TPIS airfoil and free ram air you can make these care really zing.

Now if you are going to mod the car extencivly I would go with an older MAF set up as it is easier to tune. Dont mess around with the 4bbl and the TBI system. You can make lots 'o power with a 4bbl but the throttle responce is undisputedly better with the TPI (Tuned port injection) setup. And just say no to the Cross Fire injection....that was a horrible mistake on GM's part.

I myself have owned and '86 Firebird, and '85 Trans Am WS6, and my current baby my '87 Z28. The TA and Z were both 305 TPI cars but the Z is getting a 383 that I am building this next fall.

These cars are a lot of fun and even if you end up with an '82 Indy pace car they all are a lot of fun to play with, and you will not be dissapointed.

Good luck dude,
Erik

 

Got 30gs? here ya go:

http://www.coffeescorvettes.com/1989pontiac.html

Drool. Too rich for my pocketbook though.

 

www.iroc-z.com has all the factory power and performance stats. the 85 tpi with a 5 speed was supposed to be able to pul high 14's stock. if not the 90 350 iroc is the way to go. 245hp stock and a world of bolt ons for that bitch. www.slponline.com