Crazy Idea!!! But cool!
 

I have a 1987 IROC Camaro with a 350. I would like to have a 350 Manual TTop IROC. But they were never made. So i was thinking that i'd buy a 305 IROC (1987) with a 305, TTOP and manual car. Take the 350 and 305 out and switch them so i have a 350 TTop Manual IROC and a hardtop auto 305. I would eventually just sell the 305. Now according the GM the reason that they never did a 350 TTop combo was because they were afraid that the body would flex and bend with all the power, is this actually TRUE? Or am i better off just buying a Firebird/GTA/Trans Am with a 350, manual TTop combo if they were ever even made?>

Your Opinion?

Thanks

That is true with alot of power but the 350 def doesn't make that much so I say go ahead with the project it should be real cool

the only difference between the structure of a hardtop and Ttop car is 2 pieces of flimsy sheetmetal. your def gonna be fine

there are probably a hundred other cars out there like that, its done all the time. There are no 350 t-tops t5 factory 3rd gens.

the t5 will live a long healthy life behind the 350 if you use the clutch and dont beat on the trans to much.

Or you can pickup an upgraded t5 case from g-force to help it out a little. they are pretty affordable, only a few hundred bucks. Probably should rebuild the t5 anyway

a stock 350tpi wont bend the car anymore than the stock 305 tpi will. if you are that worried, all you need is a set of subframe connectors.

I got a T-5 for sale if you need it.

okay awesome either way i have to mend my time and wait till summer im off for college on monday but its definetly something i would like to do. I dunno though Firebird or Camaro?

firebird! too many camaros out there:mrgreen:

Which body style do you like better?
If you are that concerned about body flex, pick up a set of SFC's for convertables. That should fix any problem.

Good luck with the project.

lol i want to see a 572 in a convertible with the stock hood lolol

fixed

The reason GM never did a 350/ttop combo was because of body flex? HUH? Someone should tell GM my car is a freak then :rofl: There are plenty of factory 350/ttop cars out there....there are just no factory 350/T5 cars out there. The ttops don't factor into the equation at all.

that seems like a LOT of work for very minimal gain, you would be buying another and removing/replacing the entire drivetrain of each, which both are presumably whooped with 100k+ on them... when you can pick up a turn key crate with a warranty for cheap these days and mate it to whatever tranny you want, t56 more than likely

Gm didnt put a t5 behind the 350tpi motor due to the fact the TQ ratings of the motor were too close to or beyond the specifications for the T5. However even the 305 tpi motors in 88+ were pushing the limits of the Non-wolrd class T5, so they were switched to world class units in 88. 350 auto ttop cars are nothing special at all.

lol you guys may have me convinced that its a cool project but i may just be better off buying a 4th gen with that combo that i want. Sucks for third gens

Or you could swap in an LS1 and not have to worry about an overweight and ugly 4th gen shell?