ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
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I had 177,000 miles on my 305 when I took it out and it was fine when removed so you may have plenty of years before a simple hone and piston/ring/bearing swap is in order... it'll be too tempting to replace the crank or increase the compression at the same time. The way these things go, ('scope-creep' its called..) you'll do a 350 at that time. reinforce the frame or drive it nice if you do.
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Yes, this used to be Bruce's.... but I twisted his arm and now its in my driveway.
I just had the car completely down for paint, and need to post some new pics.... the pics shown here were taken by Bruce, and really don't show the clear coat fade caused by the ASC crew. It was pretty bad.
I'll have the car at the Lowes AutoFair next week in Charlotte, hope to have it at Bruce's 'booth'.... just not all quite back together 100 percent, tonneau cover aligment sucks... but what the heck.
I love to drive this car!!
Gerry-
Gerry,
It is a beautiful car before, I cant wait to see it after. You should really consider bringing it to the gathering. Its in atlanta on the memorial day weekend.. Im hoping to have my purple heap there, but at this rate its gonna be back to the 01 z.. I'd love to take my 89 convertible but i still have to get the top replaced, wet sand the car, and buff it out. not to mention all the other issues with her. So oh well.. maybe next year.
I know that there were only 663 T/A 'verts made in 1992 ... and about 550 or so in 1991 ... but I was wondering ... were they ALL WS6 cars?
Definitely not all were WS6 -- I have two '91 verts, one is WS6 and the other is not. I don't know production numbers on the WS6 package -- sorry I can't help with that portion of your question.
I have a 1991 RS convertible 305 with stage 2 chip, new suspension. It was recently stolen and trashed (stole my 20" wheels, ruined steering column etc) . I have finally got it back in good condition. I will post some pictures soon.
its a shame how people cant have anything nice and enjoy it without having to worry about someone steeling it but its good you got it back hope its still the same when you get back to how you had it
Definitely not all were WS6 -- I have two '91 verts, one is WS6 and the other is not. I don't know production numbers on the WS6 package -- sorry I can't help with that portion of your question.
That sucks about your car getting stolen. thats why my top is hosed, someone cut into it.. now its a camaro model DT. Duct Tape. Which is the main reason why i dont wanna take her to the gathering!
I just bought a 1992 firebird 305 convertible, which I'm slowly restoring. Does anybody know where I can find a convertible top frame that is in very good or new condition? I tried E-bay but man....those tops are in very bad condition. I tried doing a search on googles and yahoo dot com with no success. The engine search I used were as follows: "Camaro/Firebird convertible top frame" next was "Convertible top frame" and finally "GM Convertible top frame". If anybody out there can point me in the right path I will be most grateful. I would like to get my Firebird out on the road for the summer. I almost forgot I also looked at my local salvage yards but none carry them since they are very rare.
here is a picture of the back of my car with 91/92 Trans Am Tail Lights. I think with the Firehawk rims and the TA tailights the car has a cleaner look.
Thanks for all the great comments, this car turned out just about perfect. I do like the red, and its the factory 'bright red' in PPG.
The style or light bar does look a little tall in that picture. I'll have to take a direct on side shot. It was on the car when I purchased it from Bruce, and I kind of like the way it looks when the top is down. I welded it in there, where it comes from the manufacturer with a bolt in setup. It stiffens the car just a little more, and this car could use more of that.
I'll try a picture from a different angle. I'm also in the process of bringing the springs down just about 1 inch. I think its sitting just a tad high.
I'll try to get some pics on pretty soon, my dad owns an original 87 LT red vert w/24K miles, and my cousin owns an 87 red LT vert w/100K original miles that my Dad bought new in 87 and was supposed to be one of the first three off the line. My cousin also owns another 88 vert with 40K original miles and an 87 vert that needs restored. If anyone @ any time has or knows where I can find the GREY center caps(like on the 15" z-wheels) of these years.....I can't find them anywhere. They are always black ones my email address is turner_chet@yahoo.com
I have my car posted in another section and I don't know how to link to it. It is an '85 Trans Am convertible by Autoform.
14,665 original miles
2 seater roadster
Color is white with a white top
Tuned Port Injection
Power Mirrors
Power Windows/locks
AM/FM Cassette
Automatic Transmission
Interior is black and grey with cloth seats
Performance suspension but with drum rear brakes (This is odd to me as my other '85 has the performance suspension with rear disc)
I would post here but don't know how to delete the other post and post the photos here.
Here's my ride. I'm second owner. Just over 60,000 miles. Original everything (paint, top, interior, etc). I have since ditched the ugly red floormats and replaced them with OEM style.
Heres my 1988 sport coupe vert... It seems like most people with a pre-1991 vert camaro have the iroc-z model. Well here's my Sport Coupe Vert w/ 2002 WS6 seats and a cheap MAACO paint job that I put 10 hours into restoring to it's current brillant shine lol:
Heres my 91 Z-28 vert im in the process of getting a new top on, painting it and fixing up lots of small stuff. 305 TPI auto 4th gen posi rear & leather seats.
Here is my '88 IROC-Z drop top with a 305. Bone stock to the eye except for the Kenwood in dash, the Kenwood 10 disc changer in the trunk, MTX Thunder amp, JL Evolution speakers (custom made kick panels with 6 1/4" rounds and separate tweeters) and Audiobahn 10" sub. It has been chipped and the 700R-4 has been rebuilt. The clutch packs are all shimmed, Corvette servos were used, and a shift improver kit was a must! The IROC labels on the door are in the wrong place, but Chevrolet put them there. It took a first place trophy in the '82-'92 Camaros and Firebirds last year at the Spiediefest in Binghamton, NY.
It does need a part for the top frame. The Main pillar rail on the driver's side had a welded repair when I bought it, and that aluminum just doesn't hold a good repair. If anyone has that piece and would like to sell it, I would be delighted to make a deal.
Ernie aka Big E
Last edited by Drop Top Z~Man; 08-25-2006 at 09:49 AM.
Whats up thirdgen.org. Just bought a 91 z28 convertible 9-21-06 for $1000
needs alot of interior like sail panels, rear seat back, rear buckles, trunk trim and latch motor, and um carpet. good project/daily driver
. I have finally got it back in good condition. I will post some pictures soon. 
but its good you got it back hope its still the same when you get back to how you had it 
I just bought a 1992 firebird 305 convertible, which I'm slowly restoring. Does anybody know where I can find a convertible top frame that is in very good or new condition? I tried E-bay but man....those tops are in very bad condition. I tried doing a search on googles and yahoo dot com with no success. The engine search I used were as follows: "Camaro/Firebird convertible top frame" next was "Convertible top frame" and finally "GM Convertible top frame". If anybody out there can point me in the right path I will be most grateful. I would like to get my Firebird out on the road for the summer. I almost forgot I also looked at my local salvage yards but none carry them since they are very rare. 
my email address is 
except for the Kenwood in dash, the Kenwood 10 disc changer in the trunk, MTX Thunder amp, JL Evolution speakers (custom made kick panels with 6 1/4" rounds and separate tweeters) and Audiobahn 10" sub. It has been chipped and the 700R-4 has been rebuilt. The clutch packs are all shimmed, Corvette servos were used, and a shift improver kit was a must! The IROC labels on the door are in the wrong place, but Chevrolet put them there. It took a first place trophy in the '82-'92 Camaros and Firebirds last year at the Spiediefest in Binghamton, NY.
