1986 Camaro

i have my i-roc at the age of 17 and its still in good shape has not lost its touch

This was the year that the automatic was the performance model. Yeah, its true. Chevy was building automatics that could beat out sticks. This is still true today, but in 86 this was a new thing. Ford's manuel accually robbed power. Normally 10-15hp, because of poor transfer. Even in the new Challenger you see the same problem; but Chevy dosn't. They don't cheap out on performance, thats why they have the strongest fallowing. Anyway, in 85 the Corvette had shown what the new trans could do. So to show up the competion they made a IROC Z with a 350, not a 305 as they high performance model. The only trans that avilable was the auto. What? Along with four wheel disc brakes and a upgraded suspention, this car was truly an amazing car. The RS models only had 180hp, and had a old style suspention. Where the springs sit under the car, not inbetween the strut. I could go on with technichal mubo bow jumbo, but lets look at numbers. The RS had a lat g of .79(bad) the IROC did .86(GOOD) ; the mustang of the day did .82g. Also the RS had rear drum brakes. So not a good performance car. So know what you're buying. So for the first time the automatic was deemed the performance version. It used the TPI Vette motor, that made 235hp. This brought a 0-60 of 6.5 and a quarter mile in mid 15s. The top speed was over 145mph. The 305 5sp IROC made 215hp, it had a 0-60 of 6.7. Neither were bad.
I have driven the IROC 350 auto. It seems so ahead of its time. From the automatic latch, to the large interior. Unlike driving a stock 5.0, the IROC was very smooth. The handling was good; the performance was great for an auto. The car felt to be from the early 90s, not the mid 80s. Now this wouldn't take any later Camaro, but in comparison of the times its an awsome car. If you want a 80s stock Camaro, this is the style you want! Spacous, confortable, and smooth. With a lot of potental. You feel as if you are driving a modern car. The car dosn't fit like any Vette, later camaro/firebird, or stang. You feel kind of small in it, regardless you're size. The back seats seem cramped, while the front seats seem so big. The dash is hugged far to firewall. Giving tons of leg room. Almost to much, I mean this isn't a Caprice right?
That being said it isn't an LT, or LS engine. A 87-92 mustang 5.0 5sp would beat it in a straight away everytime; but thats not what this car tries to do. It can out handle and out brake anything for the money"." The car does feel alittle cumbersome and big at times, but all around isn't anything to make you aviod this car or anything.
It looks great as well. Expecially with the hood vents and T-tops.(maybe alittle to hickish, but it would be fun to be a good ole boy) Well the down side is all the extra parts it has is one more thing that will go bad. Power windows, t-tops, hatch latch, ect. Also the T-tops are a real pain to install in that hatch, unlike the slots put in for 97-02(Very Easy, and fast). It uses a bag method, which isn't that pretty either.
The car has its fun tendensies, but its not the exciting earlier ones, or later ones. The 86 auto though is a piece of automotive history and it looks cool. So if you like this style, I can't say anything bad about it. It is one nice car.

So if you have an IROC well you rock. Right? Crank up the Skinard and take the T-tops off!