I'm looking at another Camaro, an 86 Iroc Z28 with a GM Crate 350 Tuned Port Injection engine with a th400 (i believe, I'll have to check back on that) auto tranny and limited slip diff. The engine is stock aside from a K&N filter and full exhaust (Edelbrock headers, dual cats and a flowmaster). The engine was put in new in 1993 and has about 60k miles on it.

The guy selling it says he was told to put 91 grade gas in it all the time, but has put in the el cheepo stuff a few times with no problems.

Aside from performance, is there any reason NOT to put the cheap gas in? Or would it hurt the engine at all? It has the stock 350 chip in it.

Also, the steering has a bit of play in it (more than normal it feels like, maybe 3 inches on the wheel?), and the guy said that he would replace *insert part here* for me before the sale. I think he said it was the tie rods? I can't remember tho. Would this be the only thing that would affect the steering play? or should I have it looked at further? he said it would only cost about $200-$300 to replace I believe.

Is there anything else that I should look for (things that go wrong) with this car?

Thanks yall, I appreciate it! This may be "the car"!!

(edit) one more thing, the engine has an electrical fan on it, not a motor mounted fan. My dad doesn't like this, is there any reason this would not be good? Thanks again!!

 

Hey I thought I read that you can`t get a camaro well its good that you can

I`ll try to answer your ?

1.If the engine has to have 91 or higher it is not a good idea to run 87 it could blow a hole though the piston that would not be good.

2.It`s probly the streeing box, very easy to fix you can adjust it from the top with a wrench and a hex key but if he`ll replace it let him it could also be the tie rod ends but not with that much play or it could be both

3. TPI`s came from the factroy with electric fans there better the the cluch fan mounted to the water pump pulley they also free up some HP thats ALWAYS good

4.There is lots of stuff that can go wrong but with F-bodys ummm... the rear ends aren`t that strong but there only a problem when you start modding alot if it`s a T-toped car they leak but if you can soften up the rubber there fine

5.when buying a car alway look at these things

1.jack the front end up and grab both front tires with both hands and pull side to side and top and bottem

2.check the floors, frame and front wheel bearings

3.push down on the front and back of the car with Z28`s and IROC`s they should go down only with alot of force and come back up and stay there if it moves more then that it needs new shocks and/or struts

4.If you can drive it HARD you will find out stuff that will only show up with driving the car

Now check to see if it`s a real IROC lift the console lid and check for the word IROC in the codes and also pop the hood and there`s a plate on the rad support it should say IROC

and if the shifter has
P
R
N
D(this D will have a O around it)
D
2
1
it`s a 700R4
If it goes like

P
R
N
D
2
1
its a TH400 or TH 350

the TH400 is alot stronger but the 700r4 has over drive and saves ALOT of gas

I hope that helps thats alot of typing
Hope you get it take pics if you do I`d love to see it

 

I'll check to see if it's a real Iroc Thanks for the tip! (yea, I can still get a camaro! yay!)

Any way, I did punch the gas all the way 2 times and got a little feel for the car, it seems very solid. The shifter SAYS it has overdrive, but the guy told me it doesn't (and I think I remember him saying it was a TH700... I don't know much about trannys).

I'm used to driving a truck, so I'm used to the suspension being different, but while driving it, the suspension seemed a little stiff... maybe thats because it's a sports car and not a truck? :P I'll push down on the front/rear end and check.

I guess 91 will be the juice then

Thank you very much Chris! I appreciate it! and yes, I did take a few pictures... here is a link to some:


and

and

 

Good to see you are doing your research!!!! Now to the topic at hand.....If it is a GM Crate, you need to find out which one???? If he says 350 HO....He is full of it (since the vortec heads could not be bolted to a stock TPI intake without work). If I had to guess....He probably put the regular L98 short block in it. You need to find out what pressure Injectors he has in it. Anything under 22lbs. is not good (for a 350 anyways). You said he had a chip in it??? Pull the computer out of the dash (drop panel on passenger side and voila) and get the numbers off the chip. Then call your local GM dealership and have them look it up. If it is a Hypertech, then get with Fastchips.com and have them burn you one. Check timing too (with little brow wire unplugged)....If it is the upwards of 10 *, you might want to bump it down to 6*. But since he said he was running 87 , he probably has it set at 0*. DO NOT RUN 87 OCTANE IN YOUR CAR!!!!!! When you go and test drive it, get on it and see if at WOT in third you start to hear a fluttering sound....THAT IS DETONATION AND THAT IS NOT GOOD. to your engine!!! Always run 93 or the BP high grade..I have no BP here, so I am stuck with 93 Chevron. I also believe you have the t700R4....Good tranny for what it does. Just do a good thorough check of all the basics and have a good mechaninc friend with you to check the in depth stuff. Good Luck and write back if you need more help.

Later

 

I'm going to call him tonight and ask to see the engine specs (says he has papers on it). He lives a good 20-30 minutes away, so I might not get to look for the chip number till I get back from Christmas Break (I leave this Friday).

I'm not sure how to check the timing, but I know a guy who is good with older chevy's and he said he would help me look over the car (but he isn't at home this week, probably gone for christmas). So he can do that stuffs :P haha!

He didn't say if the engine was HO, so I gather that it's not... that would probably be something to mention when trying to sell a car He just said it's a GM Crate TPI 350. I'll find out tho.

I'll ask him about the injectors, that would be on the papers with the engine specs right? If not, how would I go about finding out?

Thanks again!


(edit) well, I called him up, and I got the crate engine number (he didn't have the chip number, he said he'll get in when it's light outside :P )

The number is MO8134VP the "O" is either an O or a 0. Not sure, neither was he. I called a local GM parts dealer and they are going to call me back tomorrow.