THE CAR
UPDATE 07/01/07
Front suspension is 90% completed, we have the car back on the ground off the jackstands. It sits pretty good, but it still has a bit of settling to do. New a-arms, tie rods, centerlink, struts and strut mounts are on and it looks pretty tight. I'm glad I sprung for the whole setup up there, it fits well (for the most part, there are some bugs to work out) and it'll perform well.

UPDATE 03/26/07
Tubular A-arms and torque arm from Spohn have shipped! They will be here on the 2nd.

Engine is in, transmission is in, and hole for the shifter has been cut and Pro 5.0 installed. I'll be getting new front steering components, along with bushings and the whole 9 yards to put on so I can finally set my car on the ground and move it within the next 2 weeks.

UPDATE 03/18/07
NEW! Pictures of the project from 2006-2007 have been uploaded here: 2006 2007

UPDATE 03/04/07
It has begun!

With the weather being good and my schedule changing to where I have some free time, the Camaro is being torn into again to get this swap underway. I'll post up pics of the project as soon as I have some good shots of what's going on, so stay tuned.

Entire front suspension was dropped to make way for the new K-member and engine. Ran into a few snags, but the bay is clear for the new stuff. I am seriously considering getting tubular A-arms to drop even more weight off the front end. The old stamped-steel k-member and a-arms are pretty heavy. I can pick up the new k-member with two fingers, whereas on the old setup I about damn near threw my back out just moving it. It would not be a stretch to say that after the swap and the new, lighter replacement parts, I will have at least 200-300 lbs shaved off this car.

UPDATE 02/23/07
K-member is here! I got it back on the 9th of February. Now I'm just waiting for the weather to get better and my schedule to free up, then I'll go full force on getting this car finally running! I can't wait, I haven't driven it since 01/21/06.

UPDATE 12/18/06:
If I had only known what was going to happen beforehand..

Tubular K-member for the LS1 conversion has been a linchpin and a major hassle for this project. I received my K-member 5 weeks after I placed my order. Only problem was it came without a place for my front springs to set into. It was for a coil over setup. Huge miscommunication between me and the manufacturer. Thankfully, we managed to get it sorted out and it is now being built. Looks like it'll be another 5 weeks until I can get this project going again. Oh well, it's too cold to work in the garage anyway.

Engine, transmission, fuel tank, wiring and rear end are all patiently waiting to go in.

Heads and cam are a good possibility for the LS1. A friend of mine is willing to sell me his Patriot Stage III heads for cheap, and it is looking very tempting. No clue on what to do for the cam, I still have some researching to do.

UPDATE 10/03/06:
Getting closer!

LS1/T56 is out of the donor car finally. Managed to get it out on the 17th of September. Now all that is between me and getting the engine in is a tubular K-member specifically for Third Gen Camaro LS1 Conversions. I ordered it the same day I took the engine out, so now the wait begins. I was quoted 2-6 weeks for delivery. I need that part so bad! After I get the engine in I still have a ways to go, but at least I am making progress.

PARTS!
Current list of mods/parts acquired for the project:

1999 LS1 / T56 / 10-bolt rear 3.42 posi

Spohn Thirdgen LS1 Conversion Tubular K-Member
Spohn Thirdgen LS1 Conversion Engine Mounts
Spohn Thirdgen LS1 Conversion Transmission Cross member
Stainless Works LS1 Conversion Long Tube headers, 1-5/8" Primaries, 3" collectors
Pro 5.0 Shifter
MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor Wires
NGK TR55 Plugs

Energy Suspension Polyurethane Motor Mounts
UMI Performance Adjustable Panhard Rod
UMI Performance Adjustable Lower Control Arms
UMI Performance LCA Relocation Brackets
UMI Performance Subframe Connectors
Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs
Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustable shocks/struts
Spohn Fabricated Upper Strut Mounts
Spohn Tubular A-Arms w/ Bushings & Spring Boxes
Spohn Adjustable Torque Arm

4th Gen Interior Retrofit, with: Dash, Console, Seats, HVAC system
4th Gen plastic 16.8 gallon fuel cell retrofit

!CAGS
!EGR
!EVAP
!PCV
!AIR

I am still buying parts, and this list is only a taste of what is going into this car.

...Should've bought a 4th gen!

Also, check out page 11 to see pics of my 4th gen interior swap.

If you're in the Utah area, and own a Camaro, Firebird, Mustang, Corvette or other form of domestic power - please come visit our website at: www.utahmusclecars.com

"IT'S MINE, IT'S PURE AND AS DECENT AS I CAN MAKE MYSELF. INSIDE WE ALL KNOW ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE."-FLAW

This is my 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z. I bought it on 03/11/03 for $1400, and it has become the pride and joy of my life. I have very big plans for it, my ultimate goal is returning this car to its former glory as one of America's icons. It is a shame that the cars of the 1980's were so underpowered due to emissions regulations, but back in the day even with the stock power ratings at 250hp/345tq, IROC-Z's were kings of the street.

An engine/transmission swap, restored interior and full suspension upgrade/build-up are in the works.

My IROC-Z started out as a California car built at the Van Nuys plant in September 1988, production #105,377. It was dealer-ordered (RPO code: 1AY Stock Orders Processing Option (DEALER ORDERED CAR)and came loaded (RPO code: 1SD OPTION PACKAGE 03): Tuned-Port Injected 350 cubic inch 5.7L V8, 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission (w/ overdrive), leather seats, t-tops, power seat, power windows and locks, a/c, power hatch, the works!

It had a rough life, probably as someone's beater. It stayed in California for 11 years before being sold to someone in Fallon, NV then making its way to Northern Utah in 2001. I found the car in very poor condition in December 2002 but I knew this car had to be mine, it was the car I had been searching for for 3 years. I brought it home March 11th, 2003 and I've been taking care of it ever since.

VIDEO:
HEAR MY EXHAUST
SEE THE IROC IN ACTION!

02/27/2006Right now I'm hoarding parts for my LS1/T56 buildup. I'm also doing the 4th gen interior swap out of late model Camaro parts (1997 and newer). I have the seats, console and dash installed. The whole interior's getting replaced too, carpet, headliner - everything. A 6-point roll bar will also be going in with a set of 5-point harnesses and rear seat deletes. Should be fun.

I'm an administrator and proud member of the Muscle Car Association of Utah (MCAU), a club for Camaro, Mustang, Corvette, Firebird owners in Utah. Check it out at www.utahmusclecars.com

I used to be a member of the Utah F-body Association before the club disintigrated. Here are some pictures from the UFBA's cruise to Bear Lake in Northern Utah on 5/01/04

Some interior shots

1: The Car
2: RPO Codes
3: Future Plans
4: Interior Night Shots
5: Stereo
6: Cruising
7: My Friends
8: Before Paint
9: Fuel Pump Swap
10: Summer 2005