Operation Blue

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My first impression of the car was that it was an extremely tired Camaro. Its body panels however were in very nice shape with little to no rust or major dents and the paint was decent. Visually, the car looked good but had a lot of flaws and a lot of broken and missing parts. It nonetheless boasted an accident-free Carfax report and was equipped with the ultimate IROC package 3 and the desirable G92 performance option.

The mismatched and worn tires hinted at neglected maintenance, a suspicion confirmed by the damaged wheels; curb rash marred their appearance, and the clear coat finish was visibly peeling. More concerning than the aesthetics, however, was the vehicle's questionable roadworthiness. The car would pull sharply to one side during braking. Closer inspection revealed excessive brake dust on the front driver side wheel, hinting at a serious issue there.

The car's repaint was undeniably amateurish. The most glaring indicator was the misapplication of the "IROC-Z" door decals, positioned haphazardly and lacking the precision of factory placement, while the lower body pinstripes had been applied legitimately upside down. Furthermore, paint chips revealed glimpses of an older, underlying coat, suggesting a superficial cover-up rather than a proper respray. 

The car's deteriorated condition was evident in its numerous broken and missing parts. Noticeably absent was the front license plate bracket, while the left fog light was shattered and internals exposed, rendering it useless. Further inspection revealed a damaged passenger side door lock cylinder. Adding to the list of issues was a malfunctioning driver's side low-beam headlamp.

The rear hatch glass that had obviously been sourced from a 1986 F-body, presented immediate challenges. Evident were the silicone-filled holes near the top, remnants of a high mount brake lamp configuration not original to the 1987 model year. Compounding the issue, the automatic trunk pull-down motor was seized, rendering the entire hatch inoperable.

Both removable glass panels were original to the car and etched with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). While in generally good condition, the passenger side panel's plastic exhibited a crack requiring repair. The VIN etching was a valuable anti-theft measure dealerships offered for around $300.00, reflecting the panels' susceptibility to theft at the time.

Stepping inside was like entering a time capsule, the distinct aroma of  the 1980s permeated the air. The vehicle's 30-plus-year-old,  105,000-mile OEM upholstery bore the heavy marks of its age. Stains and  tears were rampant, marring the fabric, while the leather components  showed significant wear. Broken or missing plastic accessories further  detracted from the interior's original condition. 

The interior showed considerable wear and tear. Both front seats were  stained, and the driver's side had a noticeable tear in the bolster. The  cigarette lighter was missing, and the odometer was broken, providing no  accurate mileage reading. As was typical for vehicles of this age, the  original stereo and speakers had been replaced at some point. 

The rear bucket seats were noticeably marred by unsightly stains. Adding  to the damage, the backrest fabric displayed significant tearing at the top, a clear result of prolonged exposure to  harsh sunlight. To restore a cohesive and presentable interior, replacing the interior seat  covers would be necessary.

The plastic rear headliner trim panel, rear cargo light switch and hatch latch brushes, coat hangers, hatch glass strut covers, and a driver side headrest seat belt guide bracket were all either broken or missing. 

 The interior showed significant wear, reflecting the vehicle's mileage.  The seatbelt support plastics were broken, and the red release buttons  were faded and brittle. Adding to the aged feel, the HVAC dash vents  were loose and unable to maintain a set position. 

The vehicle's carpets mirrored the overall state of its interior and was significantly worn and torn, particularly in areas subjected to frequent use. Compounding this issue, the original floor mats, along with numerous other original parts and accessories, were missing altogether.

Originally equipped with the anemic 5.0-liter (305-cu.in.) LB9 engine, this Camaro benefited from a prior owner's decision to replace it with the more robust L98 5.7-liter (350-cu.in.) V8. However, the engine conversion was incomplete, leaving the original LB9 electronics in place and hindering the larger engine's performance.

The vehicle's air conditioning system was non-functional, and the engine  bay revealed a significant number of missing components. Further  complicating matters, the engine was cluttered with various aftermarket  parts, including an aftermarket air conditioning compressor and its  associated high and low-pressure hose assembly, indicating a history of  modifications and potential maintenance issues. 

The exterior lights were noticeably dim, the volt gauge appeared faulty, and the interior courtesy lights were inoperable. The seller disclosed a parasitic draw that could deplete the battery within a few days. After investigation, the root cause was traced to a blown Accessories (ACC) fuse. Further troubleshooting revealed the cigarette lighter as the source of both the fuse failure and the parasitic draw.

Several spark plug wire retainers were broken or missing, and the numerous rubber components throughout the engine bay, including vacuum hoses and grommets, exhibited significant dry rot, leading to vacuum leaks in various locations. Further compounding the problems, the windshield washer pump was inoperable, and the fan belts displayed considerable wear.

With the car mechanically sound, road testing revealed significant issues stemming from the throttle body. The throttle shaft exhibited excessive play, leading to substantial vacuum loss. This, in turn, caused an unstable and erratic idle, alongside other performance problems. Further investigation uncovered that both the throttle position sensor and the idle air control valve were also malfunctioning, compounding the existing issues.

I am a firm believer in originality. Since acquiring the car, I've prioritized sourcing and installing OEM, period-correct components. My goal has been to replace all the aftermarket parts that were previously installed, restoring the vehicle to its authentic, factory condition.

Since owning the car, I have put a lot of time, money, and effort into it to get it into the condition that it’s in today. This Camaro IROC-Z maintains its original iconic stock appearance, and although nowhere near perfect, it is garage kept and used only during the summer as a fun weekend car and when driving to car shows and cruises and some distance in good weather. 

Safety first! I completely overhauled the brake system, replacing all brake lines and hoses, front brake pads, rotors, calipers, and wheel bearings. To ensure optimal performance, I sourced a set of used OEM wheels, meticulously stripped and repainted them, and fitted them with new tires. I then rebuilt the rear J65 Delco Moraine calipers and installed new rear brake pads and rotors. Finally, I enhanced the vehicle's ride quality by replacing the struts, shocks, bushings, and end links.

Following the clay bar treatment, which eliminated bonded contaminants, I  meticulously buffed and polished the vehicle's paint. This process  served to correct minor imperfections and enhance the overall shine. In  addition to the paint correction, I addressed the decal issue by  fully replacing both door decals, ensuring a consistent and renewed aesthetic. 

I did some research and located an OEM license plate bracket (not  pictured) and an OEM fog light to replace the broken assembly. I  restored both fog light assemblies and installed them on the car. I then  corrected all other lighting issues, followed by polishing and removing  the haze from the front signal light lenses. 

I located and purchased the correct OEM rear hatch glass, complete with rear defrost. Prior to installation, meticulous attention was given to refinishing both the metal trim and the glass itself. A new trunk pull-down motor, along with fresh nylon guides, was then installed to ensure smooth operation. To complete the refresh of the rear access, I replaced both the hood and rear hatch struts.

The passenger side removable glass panel suffered a plastic break, which  I addressed with a meticulous repair. Following the repair, I  refinished both the passenger and driver side panels, ensuring a uniform  and aesthetically pleasing finish across the set. 

 The interior received a meticulous refresh, beginning with the  installation of new carpets and floormats. Lethal Interiors of Milton,  Florida, expertly crafted new OEM seat upholstery using the  period-correct, factory-original cloth found in 1987 models. Luis'  Upholstery, of Snyder, Texas, then skillfully installed the new  upholstery, ensuring a flawless and authentic finish. 

I installed the plastic rear headliner trim panel, the rear cargo light switch, and the hatch latch brushes. Attention was also given to detail with the addition of coat hangers, hatch glass strut covers, and side headrest seat belt guide brackets. Furthermore, I replaced both broken door plastics, swapped out the torn console lid, and installed a security cover to complete the refresh.

I replaced the broken plastic supports for both front seat belts,  ensuring smoother and more reliable operation. Additionally, I swapped  out all four worn red seat belt release buttons with new ones, restoring  a cleaner and more functional appearance. Finally, I installed a set of  new HVAC dash vent friction pads, eliminating the annoying looseness  and allowing for precise airflow control. 

 I installed new dove gray carpet and floor mats. and during the installation process, I took the time to thoroughly inspect  the car's floor pans. I found that, aside from a  small amount of surface rust on some of the  fasteners, the car had no  rust on the floor pan whatsoever.

With the door mechanisms thoroughly cleaned and lubricated, I transitioned  to replacing worn components. New Genuine GM regulator motors and lock actuators were  installed, along with new lock cylinders. I then repaired the damaged upholstery and replaced both the broken top plastic trim and the deteriorated door gaskets.

In addition to the modern R134a refrigerant upgrade, the stock UX1 Delco stereo, (Radio, AM-FM Stereo, Cassette, Clock, S/S, Equalizer) received a modern touch. Initially, an auxiliary jack was added for connecting external devices. However, to fully embrace modern convenience, a discreet internal Bluetooth module was subsequently installed, providing seamless wireless connectivity.

I repaired several electrical issues under the hood and moved on to properly completing the L98 5.7-liter (350-cu.in.) V8 engine conversion. I removed all the old LB9 5.0-liter (305-cu.in.) engine electronics that had been left behind during the conversion and installed new larger 24lb fuel injectors, a knock sensor, ESC Module, ECM and PROM. During this time, I rebuilt the fuel rail and replaced the fuel pressure regulator and EGR valve. Once the engine was mechanically sound, I cleaned and detailed the engine bay. 

After replacing the high and low pressure hose assembly and charging the air conditioning system, I found that it would not cool properly and the compressor would randomly lock up. I replaced all the system components, with the exception of the evaporator core and upgraded the system to the modern R134a refrigerant. The system now operates flawlessly and cools extremely well. 

I diagnosed the parasitic drawl and found the cigarette lighter to be the source of the problem. After correcting that issue, I installed a new battery and an ACDelco alternator. I then located and repaired a vacuum leak at a “T” connection fitting positioned underneath the throttle body. 

I had diagnosed the issue of an erratic idle and replaced the throttle position sensor, idle air control valve and installed a spare 1987 (period correct) throttle body unit that I had rebuilt. I also replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, spark plug wire retainers, distributor cap, distributor rotor, ignition coil, positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, PCV grommet and hose, air filters, windshield washer pump and all fan belts. 

The Borg-Warner HD 7.75-inch four-pinion rear end, a component of the G92 performance option, was rebuilt, complete with its original  limited-slip differential. As part of the rebuild, the factory standard 3.23 gear ratio was replaced with a more aggressive 3.73 gear  set, enhancing acceleration.

During a routine exhaust system check, a critical error was discovered:  the catback pipe and exhaust tailpipe were incorrectly attached to the  muffler. The catback had been connected to the muffler outlet, while the  exhaust tailpipe was attached to the muffler inlet, causing a severely  distorted exhaust tone. To rectify this, a new catback pipe and stock  muffler were installed, resolving the improper configuration and  restoring the vehicle's correct exhaust sound.