Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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1987 Iroc-Z LS1 conversion

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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 08:32 AM
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Default 1987 Iroc-Z LS1 conversion

I have a chance to buy a 1987 Iroc-Z 5.7 TPI with 12,000 miles but I used to have one of these and the HP is quite SAD, torues good, but no HP. I was thinking...maybe a LS1 swap would be awesome! How hard is it, to get all the factory gauges and all to work.
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 08:38 AM
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LS1 swaps are pretty popular on third gens, and there is a dedicated forum to them on thirdgen.org.

On the other hand, if it is truly a 5.7L 87 Iroc with 12K orig. miles, I would pick it up and keep it stock. 87 was the first year for the 350TPIs in these cars and with that kind of mileage in a few years this car will be worth a pretty penny. Thats just my opinion.
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by camaro1185
LS1 swaps are pretty popular on third gens, and there is a dedicated forum to them on thirdgen.org.

On the other hand, if it is truly a 5.7L 87 Iroc with 12K orig. miles, I would pick it up and keep it stock. 87 was the first year for the 350TPIs in these cars and with that kind of mileage in a few years this car will be worth a pretty penny. Thats just my opinion.
I agree, I'd sooner keep it stock than put an LSX in it. It's worth more that way. You could pick up a IROC with more miles and do the LSX treatment to it.
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 10:04 AM
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I say the hell with that tuned port 350. I owned an 87 IROC and it was an excellent car, but it was dog slow. I traded mine in for a Grand National when it only had 7 thousand miles on it because I could not take how slow it was. The car will never be a collectors piece of any real value, so make it how you want it.

A nice LS swap will make that car what it could have been. Just be sure to put in frame connectors and upgrade the rear end.
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 12:33 PM
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I agree. Even a super-low mile IROC isn't going to be worth a whole lot in our lifetime. LSx it and enjoy!
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 01:44 PM
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to the original question. yes you can most the gauges work. just put the sensors from the tpi engine into the lsx block and wire them up to the factory gauge wiring. the speedo will not work unless you get a converter box since that year has a cable driven speedo. if you do an auto you might be able to swap tailshafts and see if thatll work.
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