formula90

hey guys, what do yall think about the notchback? is it expensive to convert the hatch and purchase it? has anyone seen one in person? does it look good? it sure does set the car apart from all the other ones..tell me what you think? heres a pic of it from http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9635/OurCars.html



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[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited January 02, 2001).]

Mike Harvey

I don't mean to sound bad when I say this but I think that the notchback's are hideous looking. I actually saw one last week when I went to my girlfriends work & saw it in the parking lot. I finally took a closer look at it & man it looks worse up close than it did from far away.
In the Classic Industries catalog they sell a notch back kit for the 4th gens and it goes for $895 so you would probably be looking at that much or more for a 3rd gen one. Hey say keep the money & invest it or drop it into the engine or something more constructive. Just my opinion & no flames please.

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- Mike Harvey -
1986 Firebird S/E

scauffiel

I think notchbacks are bad@ss.

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

84TransAm

I saw 1 at Wal-mart last week. Looked like it was about to be painted, they had the primer all over it, it was kick@ss!

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--Steve S-- 84 Trans Am 305 (cough)LG4(cough), 5 speed, completely stock emissions restricted slow 150 hp(chilton rating) 240 torquer that needs RELEASE!!!!

P.S. Daily Driver

Pablo

iTrader: (1)

I gotta agree with mike, ive seen several, and every one i see looks just as hideous as the last, its not all that unique either ive seen so many trashy people driving trashy cars with that thing bolted on the back its something id rather NOT see. I think youd be further ahead putting that money toward a nice set of 17" or 18" wheels and tires, or a cam and headers if you think like I do

of course just my opinion which is what you asked for

scooter

iTrader: (11)

I love it, bought 2 and put 1 on. Go for it man. I wish you good luck finding one though. I had 6 leads on them and I was only able to get my hands on 2 of them. I got really luck though. Paid 500 for 1 and 600 for the other. Plus shipping on both came to almost 900 for each total.

James

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If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy
Aftermarket T-56 (pain in the A$S but worth it)
Lots of things to do still

formula90

wow...thanks for the reply so far..it would be nice if i could see one in person..instead of looking at the pictures..i could base my decision off that...i do agree with the motor work also...i probably could sink the money into something else...hmmm..at least the replys ive gotten so far are split down the middle..

cobrakiller1989

iTrader: (1)

It looks like a Fiero

scooter

iTrader: (11)

....does look like a Fiero, but then again they were pretty cool cars. I would show you my Notch man, bUt I am too far away. Frank Rider lives in Arkansas, maybe you could take a ride over there.... That is his car you used for the post after all. Damn fine car if you ask me.

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If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy
88 GTA Notchback with 91 gfx and ROH Snypers
Aftermarket T-56 (pain in the A$S but worth it)
Lots of things to do still

MrJ

You've got 91 ground effects on an 88 GTA? Do you have any pics? This I've gotta see.

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91 Trans Am WS6
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deadbird

If you're wanting to get factory/dealer parts,,, you may want to reconsider. Just the liftgate shell is $2k+,, not to mention everything that goes with it reaching close to another $1k. I wouldn't have a clue where you could get this stuff aftermarket.


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My Firebird & other stuff

- 4 out of 5 people think the 5th is an idiot

camaro 22

here's a kit from classic industries for around $800. the back window even comes out so it's more open if you have t-tops off as well. http://www.classicindustries.com/htm.../campart12.htm

Mike 25th

Like any other modification, if you do it RIGHT it will look good. I've seen two or three that looked like kuka, but they still would have looked like kuka with the original deck... The pic you posted looks nice - doesn't it?

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scooter

iTrader: (11)

Well right now the GTA looks like crap. White nose, screwed up quarter, door is rusty, and the notch is a different color. I havent actually finished putting the gfx on. I need the 2 that go on the fender still. As for the one from classic, they dont make it for 3rd gens and it isnt the same look as the original. I dont like it. I will get pictures of the car this spring after I finish fixing it and get it painted. Should be one of a kind when I am done....

El Guapo

From a performance point of view, it would not be as aerodynamic (read quick) as a hatchback. l cant think of a single sports car that comes w/ a notchback from factory.

From an aesthetics point of view, it looks to me like the hatch got broken. Uh-Oh, l just realized something. Our already small trunk area just got even smaller.

Verdict, NOPE UH-UH, not a chance.

Clayton

Pablo

iTrader: (1)

not to mention with it you just increased the thirdgen blind spot by a good 5 inches it looks like from that particular notchback picture

the b (?) piller is HUGE there i cant imagine backing out of parking spaces trying to look out for cars with that thing, and to me it looks very tacked on.. althouh frank riders GTA is factory, theres a reason they only made 700 of those or so

scooter

iTrader: (11)

It is MUCH easier to see out of the back of the notch. And as for trunk space, who cares. Your not using a performance car to go to Home Depot to pick up lumber. As for aerodynamics, I would have to see it in a wind tunnel to make any opinions. No sports cars has a HUGE rear glass hatch. Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, and may others have a similar rear on them, albeit it is much smaller, but it is very similar. As far as performance the Notch is MUCH MUCH lighter. I can pick mine up and carry it around easily. The stock hatch must weigh 250 pounds I dont know for sure. I was going to weigh it when it gets warmer. As far as production there were safety issues and the demand wasnt there. Look at the Kamback, they never even made it into production. Flame this. At least Pontiac experimented a little. What did chevy do? No seriously what DID Chevy do?

Pablo

iTrader: (1)

Uh, they were busy building race cars for SCCA showroom stock racers and tweaking the braking, handling, and acceleration of those race cars, lets not forget the iroc series

granted there were a few 1LE pontiacs, and a few really quick prototype pontiacs, but chevy was far more involved with the whole racing scene back then while pontiac was experimenting with some gawdawful styling, the kamback is just hideous, looks like an el camino with a topper, and I think with a notchback if you look at these cars from the side it looks like you attempted to put a truck bed in the back. Just doesnt look right
granted they are lighter, but not that much lighter, only about 50 lbs. Besides, why do you want to make the rear end any lighter on a front engine car? spend that money on a 'glass hood, aluminum front crash beam, and 'glass fenders if that is your concern

that huge rear decklid is begging for a luggage rack or something, or better yet one of those delta shaped car TV antennas.. thats the ticket


and i dont see how its easier to see out of the back of a notchback, you clearly have a much wider b piller in essence shrinking your field of vision

scooter

iTrader: (11)

Why would you want to lighten up your car overall? Sounds pretty stupid to me saving at least 50 pounds. Glass fenders cant save more than a few pounds, an aluminum crash bar cant save a whole lot more and a glass hood is usually how people go about doing things anyway. I guarentee my Notch with glass hood, and all the other things I am doing to it is going to weigh less than my friends 92 RS when I am done.
Unless you have sat in a notch you cant understand about the visible area. It IS easier to see out of. Ask anyone with a notch.
Ok I forgot about SCCA. Granted the Kamback was pretty ugly Chevy didnt do anything about the styling of the Camaro. I dont look at Camaro's a lot but I cant tell the difference between the 91-92 gfx and the rest of them. Looks the same to me. Another thing to think about, why do Firebirds have the more comfortable seats? I know it is subjective but overall they are. What ever I have contributed to this tangent and I think I will shut up now.

JPrevost

I don't like it much. My friend has it on his 84 bird fully modded and he's got those "vent" door effects on it and a corvette spoiler. I'm glad to say that he invested a lot of money into the engine and it's a 355 making over 450hp so...
If it's your idea of money well spent then go for it. As for me I'd be spending the money on the engine and making my car beat all those stangs. I already know my car looks better than theres :-)

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, Jon (91 RS too many mods to list), getting new engine in summer

89FormulaRoth

iTrader: (1)

Personally, I think the notchback is great looking. In terms of aerodynamics, it's probably not as good as a regular hatchback, though. I think the notchback option was a lame attempt by GM to give the Firebird a trunk. This would be great for body rigidity, but since it isn't a true trunk, it didn't work.

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'89 Firebird Formula-
K&N Air Filter, Holley Throttle Body Air Foil, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace, Hotchkis Panhard Rod, Hotchkis Trailing Arms, Kenny Brown Subframe Connectors, GT Auto Assesories aero wing

RayZeR14u

How about corvettes, they aren't hatchbacks

colinfinkle

Buy a Fiero.

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Colin Finkle
87 Sport Coupe Camaro, 5.0 L V8

CD MaroMan 91

I like them only on some cars. I've seen a few that I really like. I have a '91 RS and I'm thinking bout putting that on mine. Does anyone have pics of one on a Camaro? I photoshopped one on mine but I didnt' do too good of a job plus I don't have the good version of photoshop. I couldnt' save pics with mine haha. **free version** Also... I have 2 12" subs in the back. Would the bass not hit as well with the notchback? If not then I'm not getting it.


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'91 Camaro RS (in readers rides)
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formula90

oh yeah mr finkle, i really appreciate your direction you would like me togo in ways of spending my money. #1....I did not in anyway ask you to tell me or anyone else what I needed to buy, I merly asked a opinion of the notchback. #2...this thread is so old, it was started before you even registered.
and lastly, #3, do not be afraid to post replies to threads, but please, keepe it within the content of the thread...thank you....and no, I do not wish to buy a fiero....take care..and thanks for your .02


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sunbound

i was also thinking about this... saw one somewhere, looked like the rear end to a lamborgini, i thaught it looked kinda cool and really original. i was just kinda wondering, if you have a system in your car with a notchback, with subs in the rear, what would this do to the sound?

jon

formula90

I have heard reports that it does nothing to the sound...and the benifit would be less space to fill equals more SPL.. I bet you it would hammer...

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Nightcruzer

As for the aerodynamics, according to the tech article www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/groundeffects.shtml , isn't areodynamics directly realted to frontal area? If so, then whether there is a hatch or notch back on the back has absolutely no effect on aerodynamics. As for looks, I like it, since I like anything that is tastefully done to make a thirdgen unique. Just look at Scauffiel's TA http://members.nbci.com/scauffiel/index.htm . It is the perfect thirdgen 'bird with every tasteful exterior mod possible. Just paint it already!!

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited September 07, 2001).]

Brian K

I saw one in person. From a distance it looked okay, but when I got close who ever did the glass work on it stunk.. It looked like it had waves, dimples, it just was not smooth. Personally I think on a bird it would look okay, I would not do it. I can find a lot better things to spend 800 dollars on for my car.. I think a complete 4th gen interior swap would be much cooler....

CodySmurfTA

do it.

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96 Formula-FOR SALE
99 Trans Am

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formula90

much agreed.....



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MikeDwhoROCZImports

iTrader: (1)

Actually, it is bad for aerodynamics.

scauffiel

Easy fellas! Go here to help out: www.donatemoneyforpaintforsteve'scarfund.com - donate much and often!

I've moved websites as well... Check out the new one - much cooler...

Steve


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Steve's Trans Am Temple

m3baller

If it were my car, i wouldn't want a notchback, only if it came from the factory with one. Just to keep it authentic

ATXJester

classic industries used to sell one for the third gen as well as the fourth gen...just went to the site and only see 4th...oh well...so goes my idea for later on

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ATX Racing DFW Chapter Leader (pro tem)
Texas Street Racers

CloudIROCZ28

Classic Industires REPEAT...... DOES NOT MAKE THE NOTCHBACK AS OF A FEW MONTHS AGO......the only company that does or where to find one is either off a wrecked Trans Am....Motion Glass Industries in Long Island....or if GT Auto Accessories makes there's...

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1987 IROC-Z
G92, LB9 305 TPI, 3.23, Bright Red with Carmine Interior, Pioneer DEHP47DH CD deck.2 JBL DS645 4*6 (F).. 2 JBL DS965 6*9 (S).. Soon to get new 305 TPI

ChillPhatCat

Aerodynamics is infact effected by both in relative magnitudes, the air flows over the front and if its a small nose, than there is little resistance and the air will react very little to the car that is traveling through it, but if the back chops off like the notch back does it will create little whirl winds behind the car. The cause of this is a vacuum of air that travels behind the car and sucks the air flowing by it into this pattern. The same principal is what makes you get good gas mileage from following big trucks, it makes the truck more aerodynamic if you will by sucking your car into the vacuum instead of an equivelent ammount of air... of course the truck gains weight in a sense which will effect it's mileage slightly.

I would get a notchback if there was one floating around... I don't like the looks as much but I've never seen one. There was one guy here that said he got one out of a u-pull-it yard for $150 and it was in good shape... there are deals out there!