I've had two 95 Z28s in the past couple years, and I personally find them expensive to repair. Clutch and master/slave at 600, plugs/wires at 200, water pump at 300, window motor at 50, a/c blower motor at 50, etc.

In comparison, the two third-gens I've had (89 and 92, both 305 TBI) had about as many repairs (and maybe fewer), but cost much less. Clutch at 300, water pump at 40 (bought the part and didn't have to tear apart the whole front end to fix it), alternator at 50, starter at 80.

My main concern is the next purchase I'm going to make. I am up in the air between a 96/97 Z28 or T/A, and an 89-92 Z28 or IROC. I have a firm handle on repairs for the later cars, but how do the late third gen Z28/IROC cars fair in regards to fixes?

Thanks all...

Travis

 

The best thing going for the 4th gens is the dry intake manifold (no coolant). The GenI small block could develop a intake gasket leak, dump coolant into the lifter galley, contaminate the oil, then the engine is toast.

The opti was a real sore spot with the GenII, the gear-driven water pumps SHOULD last a long time, since the WP bearings have a very low load on them, although they still seem to fail as often as a belt-driven design.

The GenIII went back to the belt-driven design, and was able to reduce the WP belt load by giving the AC its own dedicated belt.

 

Third gens especialy carbed cars until 87 when they disapeared fovever as an option, shared many of the same parts as a dozen other gm cars. I had an 88 caprice police interceptor and it had the L69 straight out of the 87 IROC.

 

thanks guys...i guess what i'm going to do is just call the parts stores and ask for items that normally have to be replaced...clutch, wires, water pump, belts, etc, then call a mechanic and get some quotes.

any more input?

btw...i'm still looking for a 96-97 T/A or Z28!

travis

 

I'd lean towards the Z28, I think the 91-92 Z28s were some of the best looking third gens, IROC-Z comming in at a close secod. How ever I will always love the third gen Formula 350. 4th Gens are expensive, but if you do the work your self it gets a lot cheaper.