Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-22-2010, 08:37 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
meyer30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1992 T/A
Engine: 5.7l 355
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.42
92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

Well my 92 TA caught fire by way of the engine compartment. Appears as tho it started by the battery. Electrical problem of sorts. Anyway insurance company totaled it out and I'm not sure what to do with it. From the doors back to the rear is in perfect condition. The engine bay of course would have to be completely gutted, as well as the dash. I really don't want to piece it apart, but I don't really have time to deal with restoring it again for the second time. So any ideas, opinions on what to do with this car, besides just sending it to the junk yard to be destroyed???? thanks
Old 12-22-2010, 08:45 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (14)
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 0
Received 46 Likes on 44 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

you pretty much listed the options. Part it out, sell it as is, scrap it, or park it out back and let it slowly rot into the ground, or fix it.
Old 12-22-2010, 09:06 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
'87IROCZOWNER69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1987 IROC-Z and 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7 350 V8 and 5.0 305 V8
Transmission: 700R4 Automatic Transmission
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

Originally Posted by meyer30
Well my 92 TA caught fire by way of the engine compartment. Appears as tho it started by the battery. Electrical problem of sorts. Anyway insurance company totaled it out and I'm not sure what to do with it. From the doors back to the rear is in perfect condition. The engine bay of course would have to be completely gutted, as well as the dash. I really don't want to piece it apart, but I don't really have time to deal with restoring it again for the second time. So any ideas, opinions on what to do with this car, besides just sending it to the junk yard to be destroyed???? thanks
Personally I would try repairing it if I were you. I know it would be stressful and expensive but for me it would be worth it because I really love my car way too much to let it sink into the ground or watch it get torn apart. Want to know how serious I am, I am almost in tears reading what you said and trying to persuade you to not let that nice car get torn apart or rot.
Old 12-22-2010, 10:07 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
86T/A_Ram_Air's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: Built T-5
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

how bad is the damage.....and as painful as it may be...pics?
Old 12-22-2010, 11:35 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
92RS(real slow)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Osceola Indiana
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 92 RS(sold) 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: ones that turn
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

buy it back and use the insurance money to fix then spend all the extra money on mods
Old 12-22-2010, 11:43 PM
  #6  
Member
 
90 camaro cj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1990 camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

you could buy it back, use the money to buy another one and keep it as parts since most of the motor and all the other stuff should still be fine, just the wiring it gone.
Old 12-23-2010, 08:28 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
haps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

A big part of you decision will be based on whether or not the unibody construction in the engine bay was damaged/warped/melted/etc. If it were mine, and depending on the size of the insurance check and the severity of the fire damage, I'd buy it back and do it over. Sounds like you're in a tough spot.
Old 12-23-2010, 08:39 AM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
b1lk1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Acton, Ontario
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: stock 7.5"
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

I wouldn't trust the unibody for strength if the fire was bad enough to melt the dashboard as well. Buy it back and either rebuilt a new car with the parts or part it out, you'll make some good coin doing that.
Old 12-23-2010, 09:14 AM
  #9  
naf
Supreme Member

iTrader: (7)
 
naf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 5,291
Likes: 0
Received 58 Likes on 52 Posts
Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
Engine: 350/vortec/fitech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

See what they'll charge you to keep it and see what your local yard will pay you to pick it up (after you've gotten anything worth keeping from it). Your options and cost for a replacement third gen are sooo much better when you've got a good interior and other parts to swap in.
Old 12-23-2010, 10:28 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
white gold 88's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Conway SC
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 385
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

Also painting over metal that has been burnt usually causes problems. Depends on how bad and how hot it got.
Old 12-23-2010, 10:57 AM
  #11  
Member

iTrader: (3)
 
jakemussman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: WA
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.73 Ratio, Torsen LSD
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

I hope the damage isnt irreversable and you will be able to resserect her. I have been there before engine fires are no fun. I watched my Stepdads Chrysler LHS burn into pretty much nothing. The fire was so hot the rims started melting, but that is another story. I was lucky with my car; the fire was small and nothing was seriously damaged. Ive never ran so far/fast in my life to get water to put it out! Luckily it happend on the freeway exit and there was a Winco about a half mile away. She sat for a couple days until I was able to fix her and drive home.
Old 12-23-2010, 11:30 AM
  #12  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (8)
 
TTOP350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,723
Received 773 Likes on 520 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

I would keep it and fix it.

Please Let this be a lesson learned for all of us.

ALWAYS carry a fire extinguisher in your car!
Old 12-23-2010, 11:46 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
quickkris2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: jackson new jersey
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1991 camaro vert
Engine: ls1 soon
Transmission: t56 soon
Axle/Gears: moser 12bolt 4.10 soon!
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

I say buy it back and get another one and use that motor in ur sig and make another beast
Old 12-23-2010, 01:14 PM
  #14  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
t-top havoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Mid West
Posts: 2,350
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: '92 Carb'd 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: factory stock
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

Bad news to hear that!

If you're patient & don't want a full restore, maybe do a street machine??
Old 12-23-2010, 01:46 PM
  #15  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
GTA1990's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 402
Received 19 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: L31, LT4 hot cam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:43 LSD
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

always tough when these things happen

re: restoring it - I'd thoroughly inspect the damage. I understand that metal is compromised when subjected to extreme heat - causing metal fatigue. This could of course have serious consequences.

Unless you can get this checked out, and still safe to go about changing all the suspension metal items (a-arms, k-member etc.) it'd probably be safer/ economically logical to either part her out or just scrap her.

good luck either way
Old 12-23-2010, 01:51 PM
  #16  
Member
 
stroken85z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: south east north dakota
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1985 Z28/1981 Z28
Engine: 85 383 stroker/81 350
Transmission: 85 fortes tko 600 /81 turbo 350
Axle/Gears: G P ford 9" in proces
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

i would say get another 3rd gen and use what you can from yours i would agree with ttop350 and will be gettin a fire extingisher before my car is back on the road in spring
Old 12-25-2010, 12:30 AM
  #17  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (12)
 
QUICKCHICKEN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Byhalia MS, just south of memphis
Posts: 1,416
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 6.0 LS
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
Re: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions

if the metal in the eng bay is ok i would rip out the old wireing, find another car the same year and get the eng bay harness from it. the eng bay harness unbolts at the block on the firewall so this is a plug and play fix. i would meter the replacement harness first.

i would first find out what caused it so you can avoid this issue from happenig again.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
camaro71633
Tech / General Engine
39
09-01-2015 10:24 AM
SolarGoldRaptor
Carburetors
16
08-25-2015 02:25 PM
Thornburg
Transmissions and Drivetrain
10
08-25-2015 01:46 AM
eightsixseven
Tech / General Engine
1
08-14-2015 03:09 PM
1992 Trans Am
Suspension and Chassis
1
08-09-2015 04:32 PM



Quick Reply: 92 Trans am caught fire, need opinions



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:46 AM.