techartspottersguide.html
Many thanks go to Jim Irace and Willie (Thirdgen.org History Moderator) for their help and contribution to this article. We’ve been wanting to do this for some time now, just never really got around to it. Well, seeming we’ve been getting approached more and more with questions pertaining to buying a used IROC and whether it’s "authentic" or not, we decided to write this article. Throughout the IROC-Z era, the basic look of the car looks the same. We’ll point out some things that differ with each model year IROC-Z along with what to look for with different options (i.e. 305 Throttle Body Injection versus 350 Tuned Port Injection).
Quick Jump: BY YEAR – BY OPTION(s)
The guide is divided in years and certain options. You may select to simply select YEARS or OPTIONS. The YEARS section will bring up key pointers and options available for that year and that year only. The OPTIONS section will enable you to see, what model year IROC-Z had that specific equipment and with what options (if applicable).
During your venture through our guide using YEARS, you can click on any of the OPTIONS images to jump to that specific option and see what other year IROC-Zs had that equipment and what option it came with. And visa versa, during your venture through the OPTIONS section, you can click on any year that option was available, to see what other equipment, that particular year, had.
Keep in mind. This guide is designed to provide people with a "quick" way of determining what to look for in determining what the seller or owner is claiming.
Please note that this guide is based on the condition that the ‘IROC’ in question, has been kept in it’s original state.
What makes an IROC and IROC? Well, after looking around for one, and seeing enough of them, you should be able to point out what is actually an IROC and what is not. We won’t kid you here. There are several "IROC" wannabe’s out there – ones who make a third generation camaro "look" and even drive like an "authentic" IROC-Z. Some people do a really good job, some people do not. The best way to tell if the car is an "authentic" IROC-Z is to look at the VIN number and, most importantly, the RPO codes (granted the "faker" didn’t swap out the center console with a real IROC-Z, then you would have to decode all of the numbers and figure out if the vehicle is indeed an IROC.) Just like the Z-28’s, all IROC-Zs came with black painted headlight inserts. But not like Z-28’s, the IROC-Z’s ground effects were the same color as the body, versus the two tone paint schemes of the Z-28.
The VIN number is located on the dash, drivers side, in plain view from the outside of the windshield. Decoding the VIN will tell the basics of the car and the engine it is equipped with. Not much to really tell, unless the VIN states the car was a V6 and the seller says it’s an IROC. The IROC-Z always came with a V8.
The RPO codes are located on a sticker, usually located in the center console/passenger side wall. The RPO code to look for in a 1985 to 1987 IROC-Z is B4Z. The RPO code to look for in a 1988 to 1990 IROC-Z is Z28 (since the IROC-Z "replaced" the Z-28 from 1988 to 1990, GM elected to use the Z28 RPO code for that option from 1988 to 1990). As a little tidbit, the Z-28 resumed production AS a Z-28 for the 1991 model year as GM’s licensing for IROC ended December 31st, 1989. The limited number of 1990 IROC-Z’s is accounted for the number of cars produced, under the IROC license, until December 31, 1989 for the 1990 model year.
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| Total Production | 21,177 |
| IROC-Z Option Code | B4Z |
| Base Engine | LG4 "Quadrajet" Carbureted 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 |
| Optional Engine(s) | L69 "Quadrajet" Carbureted H.O. 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 LB9 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 |
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305 TPI engine w/ alternator on the passenger side and multi v-belt drive system |
1985 IROC-Z with Yellow Gold paint |
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The IROC (International Race Of Champions) began using the Camaro as the official vehicle. To commemorate this, Chevy made an IROC model for the Camaro. The IROC-Z was option B4Z on the option sheet and could only be ordered with the Z28 option package. The ride height was lower than a standard Z-28, and featured performance-calibrated front struts and springs, Bilstein rear shocks and 16 inch aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle 245/50/16 tires.
This new performance icon boasted skidpad numbers within the range of .90 g. The top offering under the hood was the brand new TPI 305 (LB9) which boasted 215 horsepower and 275 ft/lbs of torque. Recipients of this engine wore the
badge. This was the most powerful 305 automatic ever offered in the IROC. The 190 horsepower HO 4bbl 305 and the standard output 155 horse LG4 were the other available motors.
The IROC also came with a redesigned front fascia with a more rounded appearance and a deeper chin spoiler with lower ground effects. The new fake hood louvers were introduced on the Z28 and IROC. The IROC was available in Yellow, Bright Blue Metallic, Black, Silver Metallic and Red.
| Total Production | 49,585 |
| IROC-Z Option Code | B4Z |
| Base Engine | LG4 "Quadrajet" Carbureted 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 |
| Optional Engine(s) | L69 "Quadrajet" Carbureted H.O. 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 LB9 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 |
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305 TPI engine w/ alternator on the passenger side and multi v-belt drive system |
1986 Black IROC-Z |
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In 1986, the IROC received slightly different engine packages. The 86 IROC is the armpit of the entire run. The 305 block in 1986 now had a one piece rear main seal. The TPI 305 was the lucky recipient of the LG4 camshaft, and the result was a drop of 25 horses and almost a half second longer run to 60mph. Chevrolet did allow 50 IROCs out the door with the 220HP L98 350 TPI, but word has it, it wasn’t for production release. Beware when somebody sells an 86 IROC-Z with a stock 350 TPI engine. CHECK THE VIN for accuracy.
Chevy also let an undisclosed number of these cars out with the T5 (5-speed transmission) as part of the 1LE racing option that also included air conditioning delete, radio delete, as well as the deletion of all power accessories. The 1LE option was not available with T-tops, but did come with specially calibrated springs, shocks and sway bars.
Visually, not too much changed on the 86 IROC. The government mandated 3rd brake light found its way to the top of the rear hatch near the roof line. Curiously, rear window louvers became a factory option this year. Some of the 86 IROCS came with the new 140mph speedometer. 86 was also the first year for the base coat/clear coat paint system as standard equipment.
| Total Production | 38,889 |
| IROC-Z Option Code | B4Z |
| Base Engine | LG4 "Quadrajet" Carbureted 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 |
| Optional Engine(s) | LB9 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 L98 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 350 CID (5.7L) V-8 |
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305 TPI engine w/ alternator on the passenger side and multi v-belt drive system. Both the 305 and 350 TPI are indistiguishable just by looking at them. |
1987 IROC-Z w/ T-Tops in Dark Red Metallic |
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1987 brought about only minor changes to the IROC. The motors now had the new center bolt style heads and the intake manifolds had a revised bolt hole angle to accommodate the different heads. The motors also made the switch to hydraulic roller camshafts. This gave a 3.5% increase in gas mileage, and an extra 5 horsepower. The TPI 350 was now widely available, but only with the 700R4 automatic. Recipents of this engine wore the
badge and the 305 TPI recipients wore the conventional
badge.
Visually, the 87 is identical to the 86 model, except that the third brake light moved from up on the rear hatch, to down in the rear spoiler.
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Interesting Note about Convertibles: Convertibles were introduced for the 1987 model year. There were only two drivetrain combos for the convertible. One was the LG4 (305 Carb) with optional (required) automatic transmission and the other was the LB9 (305 TPI) with standard 5-speed transmission. There were NO LG4/5-speed or LB9/Automatic convertibles for the 1987 model year.
The rear spoiler light was unique in 1987. It held two incandescent bulbs, which aren’t listed in any bulb chart. All other year convertibles used the 5-halogen bulb lamp assembly, exactly the same as 1987 – 1990 coupes. Also, the rear spoiler’s "side extensions" carried over onto pieces bolted to the doors. This fact makes the side extensions and door "filler" plates unique. These parts were used in 1987 and very early 1988 convertibles. |
| Total Production | 27,811 |
| IROC-Z Option Code | Z28 |
| Base Engine | LO3 305 CID (5.0L) Throttle Body Injection (TBI) V-8 |
| Optional Engine(s) | LB9 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 L98 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 350 CID (5.7L) V-8 |
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Base model IROC-Z came with the LO3 305 TBI engine. No cabureted engines were offered in the IROC-Z starting in 1988. |
Base 1988 IROC-Z w/ 15" aluminum wheels |
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1988 brought about some welcome changes in the horsepower department, as well as a somewhat revised exterior scheme. The Z28 was discontinued, and the IROC was now its own model utilizing the Z28 RPO code (instead of the B4Z code). For the first time in the history of the camaro, no carburated camaros were available. All motors offered fuel injection of some sort. The base IROC motor had the TBI injection that was very similar to what was found on the trucks. A new camshaft finally found its way into the 305 TPI and boosted horsepower to 195 HP in the automatic version, and a stout 220 HP when backed with the T5, 5-speed manual transmission. The 350 TPI also got a small horsepower boost to 230 HP. All of the V8s, starting in 88, had "guided rocker arms" that featured a stamped-in lip on each side of the pad that contacts the valve stem.
The exterior of the IROCs received a mild update for 1988. The most noticable difference is that the wheels have been slightly changed. Instead of one line through the center of each spoke, there were now two lines (on the, now, optionally equipped 16" aluminum wheel), and the center area was a little different. Here’s an interesting tidbit: for the first time, the 16" wheel was an option on the IROC. The car came standard with a 15" version. Along with that, the IROC-Z decal moved to the rear of the door instead of the front. The stripe along the ground effects line now had the black line on top of the other. The silver Z-28 badges on the exterior have been replaced with orange IROC-Z logos.
| Total Production | 24,007 |
| IROC-Z Option Code | Z28 |
| Base Engine | LO3 305 CID (5.0L) Throttle Body Injection (TBI) V-8 |
| Optional Engine(s) | LB9 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 305 CID (5.0L) V-8 L98 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 350 CID (5.7L) V-8 |
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350 TPI engine w/ alternator on the driver side and serpintine belt drive system. Visually identical to the 305 TPI. |
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1989 brought about some nice horsepower increases. The TPI 305 5-speed jumped to 230 HP if the dual catalytic converters were ordered (part of G92 package), and with the dual cats, the L98 350 TPI jumped to 240 HP, with a staggering 345 ft/lbs of torque! The TPI systems changed slightly. For the first time, the 9th cold start injector was no longer used. Visually, nothing changed from the 1988 model, except for one key item – starting in 1989, the rear seat belts were shoulder harness, whereas the 1988 and prior year Camaros used the rear lap belt.
| Total Production | 5,517 |
| IROC-Z Option Code | Z28 |
| Base Engine | LB9 305 CID (5.0L) Tuned Port Injection (TPI) V-8 |
| Optional Engine(s) | L98 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) 350 CID (5.7L) V-8 |
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350 TPI engine w/ alternator on the driver side and serpintine belt drive system. Visually identical to the 305 TPI. No TBI engine was offered. |
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The IROC-Z Camaro ends in a bang. This is the first year the 1LE high performance option became widely known. The 1LE featured 4 wheel disk brakes, a 3.42 posi rear end, an aluminum drive shaft, large 12" front rotors, aluminum calipers, engine oil cooler, larger anti-roll bars and gas tank baffles. There were also numerous spring rates available. The package could only be ordered without air conditioning or fog lamps. 1990 also marked the year the the TPI systems changed from the Mass airflow system to the speed density system. The speed density system allowed an extra 5 horsepower for the 350, upping the ante to 245 HP. The LO3 305 TBI dropped as the base model engine. The only engines you could get in your 1990 IROC was either the 305 TPI (w/ or without the G92 package) or the 350 TPI. Also, for the 1990 model year, the removable roof panels (T-Tops) were not offered in the 1990 IROC-Z equipped with the 350 TPI engine option.

Visually, the exterior of the 1990 IROCs did not change, but looking through the windows will show that they now had a driver side air bag as well as revised instrument cluster. 1990 marked the last production model year for the IROC-Z, ending production as GM’s licensing for IROC ended December 31st, 1989. The limited number of 1990 IROC-Z’s is accounted for the number of cars produced, under the IROC license, until December 31, 1989 for the 1990 model year.
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Engine |
Year Available / Standard or Optional Equipment |
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| LG4 4bbl Carbureted 305 | 1985 – Standard 1986 – Standard 1987 – Standard |
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| L69 4bbl Carbureted 305 High Output | 1985 – Optional 1986 – Optional |
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1985 – Optional 1986 – Optional 1987 – Optional 1988 – Optional 1989 – Optional 1990 – Standard engine (G92 performance package is optional) |
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LO3 Throttle Body Injection 305 |
1988 – Standard 1989 – Standard |
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L98 Tuned Port Injection 350 |
1987 – Optional (w/ AT only) 1988 – Optional (w/ AT only) 1989 – Optional (w/ AT only) 1990 – Optional (w/ AT only) |
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MT = Manual Transmission (5-Speed T5), AT = Automatic Transmission (700R4)
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Transmission/Knob |
Year Available / Standard or Optional Equipment |
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1985 – Standard (exc. LB9. 305 TPI option) 1986 – Standard (exc. LB9, 305 TPI option) 1987 – Standard (exc. L98, 350 TPI option) 1988 – Standard (exc. L98, 350 TPI option) 1989 – Standard (exc. L98, 350 TPI option) 1990 – Standard (exc. L98, 350 TPI option) |
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1985 – Optional (required with LB9, 305 TPI option) 1986 – Optional (required with LB9, 305 TPI option) |
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1987 – Optional (required with L98, 350 TPI option) 1988 – Optional (required with L98, 350 TPI option) 1989 – Optional (required with L98, 350 TPI option) 1990 – Optional (required with L98, 350 TPI option) |
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| Wheel Style | Year Available / Standard or Optional Equipment |
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16" Aluminum |
1985 – Standard 1986 – Standard 1987 – Standard |
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15" Aluminum |
1988 – Standard |
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15" Aluminum |
1989 – Standard 1990 – Standard |
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16" Aluminum |
1988 – Optional 1989 – Optional 1990 – Optional |
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| Exterior Color | Year Available |
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| 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 | |
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| 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 | |
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| 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 | |
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| 1985 1986 1987 | |
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| 1985 1986 1987 1989 1990 | |
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| 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 | |
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| 1985 | |
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| 1988 | |
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| 1988 | |
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| Style/Location | Year / Option (if applicable) |
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IROC-Z logo towards front of each door. Black stripe on bottom of two. |
1985 – Standard (All) 1986 – Standard (All) 1987 – Standard (All) |
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IROC-Z logo towards rear of each door. Black stripe on top of two. |
1988 – Standard (DX3 Sticker Delete Optional) 1989 – Standard (DX3 Sticker Delete Optional) 1990 – Standard (DX3 Sticker Delete Optional) |
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| Speedometer | Year Available / With What Equipment |
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85MPH |
1985 – All 1986 - All (exc. later 86 models with 305 TPI) 1987 – LG4 (305 4bbl Carb) |
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115MPH |
1988 - LO3 (305 TBI) 1989 – LO3 (305 TBI) and all convertibles, regardless of engine |
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145MPH |
1986 - Later models with 305 TPI 1987 – LB9 (305 TPI) and L98 (350 TPI), including convertibles w/ LB9 1988 – LB9 (305 TPI) and L98 (350 TPI), including convertibles w/ LB9 1989 – LB9 (305 TPI) and L98 (350 TPI), excluding convertibles |
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115MPH (Newer Style) |
1990 – All convertibles, regardless of engine |
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145MPH (Newer Style) |
1990 – LB9 (305 TPI) and L98 (350 TPI), excluding convertibles |
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| Redline | Year Available / With What Equipment |
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5000 RPM (4500 RPM Yellow) |
1985 - LG4 (305 4bbl Carb), L69 (305 4bbl H.O. Carb) 1986 – All 1987 – LG4 (305 4bbl Carb), LB9 (305 TPI) w/ Auto 1988 – LO3 (305 TBI), LB9 (305 TPI) w/ Auto 1989 – LO3 (305 TBI), LB9 (305 TPI) w/ Auto |
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5500 RPM (5000 RPM Yellow) |
1985 – LB9 (305 TPI) 1986 – None 1987 – LB9 (305 TPI) w/ 5-Speed, L98 (350 TPI) 1988 – LB9 (305 TPI) w/ 5-Speed, L98 (350 TPI) 1989 – LB9 (305 TPI) w/ 5-Speed, L98 (350 TPI) |
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5000 RPM (Newer Style) (4500 RPM Yellow) |
1990 – LB9 (305 TPI) w/o G92 Perf Pkg |
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5500 RPM (Newer Style) (5000 RPM Yellow) |
1990 – LB9 (305 TPI) w/ G92 Perf Pkg, L98 (350 TPI) |
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- Third Brake Light Placement -
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Location |
Year |
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No Third Brake Light |
1985 |
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Top of Hatch Window near roofline |
1986 |
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Bottom of Hatch Window in Rear Spoiler |
1987 1988 1989 1990 |
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- Allan Reinike with contributions from Jim Irace and Willie
If you would like to contribute your articles to IROCZone.com, e-mail us at info@iroczone.com!
Regarding the yellow dash badge, “IROC-Z”, found only on the 1990 model, that is incorrect. My bone stock 1988 IROC-Z convertible, powered by the LB-9 TPI, which came stock with positraction and the oil cooler, was delivered with a “yellow” dash badge, on the right-hand side. I know, it’s a small, insignificant detail, but I had to make certain it was included for the sake of accuracy. I hope I haven’t desecrated your hard work, or your great site, with my trivial comment. Take Care. Bob
Hello again, There is a problem with the info I supplied, earlier in the day. Regarding the “Yellow” IROC-Z28 badge. The info I supplied was erroneous. My son informed me that he switched it with a friend who had a red 1990, because ours was red and the other fellow wanted red to go with the color of his car. Sorry for the hassle and the inconvenience this may have caused. The switch took place, over fifteen years ago. I never noticed the change, since the car was driven so infrequently.
i have a 1988 convertible or the rear spoiler the same as the hardtops
James, if your convertible has the same spoiler as a hardtop car, then your car is not a
factory authorized conversion by the ASC corporation… it’s one of many “aftermarket”
third party conversions.
I owned a new 1985 IROC and it was Blue. That blue was a lighter shade with a little more silver in it than the ‘86 thru ‘90 IROCs. Thanks…Great Site!
just wanted to say great site, a lot of good and hard to find info in one place, thanks!
In regards to your 1990 iroz having no t-tops,i have a 1990 iroc z with the 350 tpi in light garnett red and it is a t top car as well as the vin shows it as a 1990 car
86-87 with out spoiler get high mount