~ 1988 IROC-Z Key Points of Interest ~

• To distinguish a 1988 IROC-Z on the street, they had a third brake light on the rear spoiler. They also had the N96 Aluminum Wheels(15in standard/16in optional). They had a the IROC-Z door emblems toward the back of the door under the door handle. Also, the double stripe just above the ground effects had the black stripe on the top. All IROC-Z's had body color ground effects to differentiate from Z28s and Sport coupes.

• Note the DX3 RPO Delete Stripe Option eliminated all IROC-Z decals and stripes if selected.

• Vinyl was not an available fabric beginning in 1988

• A convertible was available in 1988.

• Beginning in 1988, all engines were fuel injected. The carburated engine was no longer available. 

• In 1988 a true serpentine belt system was used replacing the combo serpentine/V belt system used from 1985 to 1987.

• The Z28 model was dropped and replaced by the IROC-Z model.

• The 5.7 Liter 350ci engine was available in 1988.

• The 5.7 was not visually distinguishable from the 5.0. A few things can be used to distinguish a 5.7 TPI from a 5.0 TPI (other than badges, which are often  changed to sell a 5.0 as a 5.7). All 5.7's came with the square shifter knob, all other Camaro's came with the round knob. All 5.7's had automatic transmissions and rear disc brakes. the eighth digit of the VIN is an 8 for 5.7 350 TPI. The service parts identification list in the center console glovebox will list the code B2L for a 5.7 350 or LB9 for 5.0 305. The under hood sticker should list the motor as a 5.7 liter rather than a 5.0 liter. All TPI 350's came with a tach that had yellow at 5000 and red at 5500. 

• Note: The 350 5.7L was available  with the 5 speed manual transmission as RPO 1LE beginning late in 1986 and through the 1990 model year. Chevrolet has no record of just how many were made. They were essentially hidden from the public. They had the A/C delete, radio delete and no power options as well as the same options as the 1LE cars everyone knows about (no fog lights,  baffled gas tank, larger brakes). The car could only be ordered and very few people new about it and therefore very few were made. The dealer actually had to contact the manufacturer to obtain instructions on how to order this car because it was not ordered using the normal ordering procedures. This ordering secrecy was the main reason that very few were made. The car was offered as a model that more closely resembled  the cars raced under the IROC racing series. I personally have never seen one of these cars nor have I met anyone who owns one of these cars. This information comes from two published sources from my library of information on these cars. It is repeated here for your information. I would be very wary of someone claiming that they have a car that is a 1LE with a 5 speed. Anyone who does have one of these cars, knows what they have and has the documentation on it. If you don't see documentation, then it probably is not a  1LE 5 speed car.