'89 5.7 GTA convertible project
#1
'89 5.7 GTA convertible project
Been searching for a GTA convertible for well over a decade now, and finally landed on a solid, clean 5.7 car. I've been trying to get it put back together. I bought it from a good friend who inherited it from his father who, unfortunately, passed away in the middle of some work on the car. Right now I have the interior gutted with lots of new parts going back in over the winter. One thing I'm really struggling with is the tonneau release system, which even if it were working properly would likely get annoying with the button on the dash. Is there any way I could put a discreet button on either the cover itself (like the 91-92 cars) or the interior side panel just below it? I used to have a '91 and liked the location of that switch a lot. I'm just not sure if it'd be as simple as running a new 12v line back to the switch and then to the solenoids, or must there be relays involved? I'm not overly concerned about the trunk interlock, I never intend to sell the car and I'm very familiar with what happens when you open the tonneau into the trunk. Originality isn't of much concern either, while I will be repainting the ground effects Flame Red like factory it's still lightly modified under the hood (Edelbrock aluminum heads and lower intake, SLP runners, Holley throttle body and longtubes)
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: *member since 1999, I think - just can't remember my old name, and the big site crash...*
Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
Very cool!
#3
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 11,925
Likes: 931
From: Il
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: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
Glad to see you posting it here!
#4
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 170
From: S. UTAH
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
I’m 3000 miles from my 1989 IROC Z Vert(305/LB9 TPI Auto Trans) car. IIRC there are just two wires connected to my OE Tonneau
release switch. You could properly attach two wires to the switch harness and run them to your desired second switch location. Buy a “momentary contact, normally open two pole switch” and install.
there is a good thread on thirdgen.org about repairing the tonneau release system to operate.
advise how it works out!
release switch. You could properly attach two wires to the switch harness and run them to your desired second switch location. Buy a “momentary contact, normally open two pole switch” and install.
there is a good thread on thirdgen.org about repairing the tonneau release system to operate.
advise how it works out!
#5
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 170
From: S. UTAH
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
PS Nice Vert!
Funny how Pontiac offered 350’s in Verts, but Chevy did not. AFAIK
Funny how Pontiac offered 350’s in Verts, but Chevy did not. AFAIK
#6
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 24
From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
#7
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 170
From: S. UTAH
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
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#8
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 408
From: Northern NY
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9 bolt 3.27
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
That is a really cool looking GTA convertible! Looks like it has some nice mods and will be great car when you get it back together.
#9
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,242
Likes: 171
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
It is just a momentary switch, so adding a second switch should not be impossible, or difficult for that matter. All you need to do is wire into the switch on the dash and go from there.
Keep in mind you do not want to just wire directly to the solenoids thru the switch as the switch would probably burn out, I think the better way would be to just wire into the dash and use the harness that is there but you could get another relay to power it.
Keep in mind you do not want to just wire directly to the solenoids thru the switch as the switch would probably burn out, I think the better way would be to just wire into the dash and use the harness that is there but you could get another relay to power it.
#10
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 170
From: S. UTAH
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
Why add a switch on the dash, when OP wants an easier to reach switch, then the console switch?
Up high and centered, where it can be reached, while standing outside the car, ready to grab the tonneau cover and raise it up. IMO.
Up high and centered, where it can be reached, while standing outside the car, ready to grab the tonneau cover and raise it up. IMO.
#11
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 24
From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: '89 5.7 GTA convertible project
Or just get a tonneau cover from a 91-92 car with the switch cutout already there
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