New West Michigan Owner

[Evanslooten]

Just purchased a 1989 IROC, it's in fairly poor condition inside, but seems to be mechanically sound (drove 100 miles). They said it is almost 100% stock, just has a B&M shift kit. Had a blast driving it home from Lansing until I hit West Olive; thing spins out on the most laughably small amount of snow. It is purported to have 1LE suspension, but I'm a total neophyte so I can't tell yet if that is true. Expect lots of help requests, I'll be teaching myself as I go! If there are any members in the area (Holland, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Muskegon) I'd love to meet up and pick your brain.

[C2YT]

Welcome! Here is some info from thirdgen.org on 1989 1LE cars:

"1LE package was obtained by ordering the following:

• Level 1 IROC-Z with 5.0 TPI engine with 5 speed or 5.7 TPI engine Optional axle ratio (G92) (305/3.45, 350/3.27) and its required options.
  
• Air conditioning delete (C41) (standard heater)

Then the 1LE performance package was installed consisting of:

• Fog lamp delete Aluminum driveshaft (JG1) Performance exhaust system (N10) (dual catalytic converters) Special deflected disc shocks Aluminum spare wheel with smaller spare tire (N64) Larger (11.86 inch) front rotors with Girlock or PBR Australian built HD front dual piston aluminum calipers Special swinging fuel pickup in gas tank and special 18 gallon baffled fuel tank for fuel pickup down to .5 gallon reserve to prevent fuel starvation in hard cornering.
  
• Some came with special 16×8 light alloy mesh wheels. (XWL)

111 1989 1LE IROC-Z's were produced."

You can double check your RPO codes, but 99.9% chance it is not a 1LE. Don't be discouraged though! The 350 iroc cars are still very nice. Post up some pictures, and welcome to the site!

[meissen]

Welcome to the site Evan and congrats on the new car!

[Evanslooten]

Bummer! Thanks for the info. The sheet in the center console nearly worn away, but it definitely has A/C and fog lights. Starts and runs well enough, so maybe I still got a good enough deal. Any tips on where to start?

[Jmt23]

Just purchased a 1989 IROC, it's in fairly poor condition inside, but seems to be mechanically sound (drove 100 miles). They said it is almost 100% stock, just has a B&M shift kit. Had a blast driving it home from Lansing until I hit West Olive; thing spins out on the most laughably small amount of snow. It is purported to have 1LE suspension, but I'm a total neophyte so I can't tell yet if that is true. Expect lots of help requests, I'll be teaching myself as I go! If there are any members in the area (Holland, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Muskegon) I'd love to meet up and pick your brain.

I'm in Grand Rapids but work in holland don't have any experience with 3rd gens just my 4th gen


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[DynoDave]

Welcome aboard Evan!

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Welcome. I'm in Lowell and work in Cascade. If you have any questions, just ask. I also have some miscellaneous interior parts from my 89 IROC.

[98blackbeauty]

Welcome to the site, hope you get the info your looking for.

[Gaspo]

im from grand haven. dont have any fbody's anymore but have a couple corvettes. my frist camaro was a 3rd gen. i'm no expert on them but might have a little insight. add me on facebook. Jeremy Ledermann. lets do some cruising this year

[Evanslooten]

One question I had right out of the gate concerns shift kits. One of the modifications the previous owner installed is a B&M shift kit. He explained he had added it after I asked why it felt like we had been rear-ended when it went from 1st to 2nd. It is actually the cause of the abrupt shifts, or is it indicative of a bad transmission? Does this kind of modification put an exceeding amount of stress or wear on the transmission, and does it actually confer any benefit?

[Jmt23]

Quicker shifts are supposed to be less wear on the transmission


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[99TAnthony]

Very true jmt firm shift are better than he trans trying to slip softly into the next gear.

[DynoDave]

Most shift kits offer several level of build within the same kit. It's up to the installer to chose how far they go with it. But yes, it's well within this kits abilities to impart teeth rattling shifts.

Very fast/hard shifts...good for the trans friction materials...less slippage.

Hard shifts and their shock loads do also impart additional wear on u-joints and the rear axle. I've seen the hole in the case for the cross shaft that holds the spider gears pounded into an oval shape by a kit that eliminated the accumulator spring. To me, they are like Flow Masters...fun at first, but they get very old very fast to live with, especially in a daily driver. Very excessive, IMO.

[Evanslooten]

Thanks for the information guys. I'm relieved to know it isn't doing any wear to what I understand to be a fragile transmission. I agree DynoDave, it is getting a bit old already. What's odd, is it is only from first to second gear... the others shift smooth. Is it possible to install the kit only for the first gear transition? I assume the performance benefit is faster transition to full power from the gears when you shift?