pentiuman

91 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am w/ GTA Option Package (Y84). Only 2,035 (US) made in 1991! Brilliant Red Metallic 75U - 1 of only 222! 141k on body, but just ~1k on NEW (reman.) 5.7L. 350V8 (same as original - L98 w/ Tuned Port Injection - w/ all new sensors), Medium Dark Grey Leather Trim Combo. (822). Born in Van Nuys, CA, she's now in a lonely garage in Lawrence Kansas. (Go Jayhawks)!

Here's some details: (w/ RPO codes): Dual Exhaust (N10), 700-R4 Auto Trans. (MXO) w/ overdrive (MD8), just professionally serviced w/ fluid, filter, gasket and performance additive. Special Performance Suspension (WS6), 16" Aluminum Diamond-Spoke Wheels (PW7), w/ anti-theft locks, on Goodyear Eagle GT P245x50R16 tires, (front new), Aluminum Rear Brake Drums (J42), Aluminum Driveshaft (J51), 3.23 Rear Axle Ratio (GU5), Limited Slip Diff (G80), Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel (NP5), Front Seat Airbag (AJ3), Racing Steering, Performance Sway Bars, Engine Oil Cooler (KC4), A/C (C60), Electronic Cruise Control (K34), Front Fog Lamps (T96), Smoked Lens, Tail and Stop Lamps (T93), Instrument Cluster (Oil, Coolant Temp. Volt, Tach, Trip Odometer (UB3), 140mph speedo. (E5Z and E9Z), nice Firebird Map Pocket (and a couple extra ones - BC8), Rear Cargo Screen (D42), Rear Window Defroster (C49), Lighted Rear-View Mirror w/ Dual Reading Lamps (DC4).

Power: Brakes (J65), Steering, Windows (new motors) (A31), Door Locks (AU3), Electric Mirrors (DG7), Antenna (NOS) (U75), and Remote Deck Lid (Rear Hatch) Release (A90). Tilt Wheel, Bucket Seats, Retractable Halogen Headlights.

NEW: (Besides the new engine) - Starter, Window Weatherstriping, Floormats, Rad. cap and hoses, Serpentine Belt, Gaskets, Trans. Mount, Door Jamb Light Switches, Total Brake System Redone incl. Calipers, Front Rotors, Rear Wheel Cylinders, Drums turned, Master Cylinder flushed, E-cable! 17 years old, and practically zero rust! Comes w/ Receipts, pics during engine replacement, Pontiac Factory Service Manual, Haynes Repair Manual, extra parts and recent CARFAX!

Good Condition. Known Blemishes: Some paint fade, Rear Aero Wing Spoiler (D81) broken (removed), small dent on pass. rear, 2 GTA emblems missing, A/C freon low and/or compressor bad, door hinges worn (put rubber on strikers as a temp. fix), headliner tacked up, 1 broken front turn signal lens (looking for a replacement), front leather power seats replaced w/ black cloth manual ones (I kept and wrapped the original ones, so they could be re-covered), 1 missing wheel center cap, original Cassette radio works, and I installed some (older but decent) Jensen 6x9 rear speakers, but only one side plays - speaker wire wrong?

Update: I got the new outer window weatherstripping from A1Auto installed, and installed the new rear hatch lifts. When time permits, I'll be proactively replacing the U-joints. Plenty of power, but at just ~1k on new engine, I'm still taking it easy while engine breaks in. Slick 50 oil additive.

Reasons Selling: My soon to be 16 year old son needs a safer, better gas mileage, and less conscipuous car to drive and learn in. He's responsible, but I fear the temptation's there for him to go 100mph+, and either kill himself, or go through his gas allowance every 2 days! Instead, he's going to drive my sturdy but powerless, 4 cyl. pickup, have the obligatory 1 or 2 minor fender-benders in it, before going to the 96 Toyota Camry we recently got. Maybe when he moves away from home, I'll buy a 3rdgen member's Camaro or TA to re-live my youth again?

More pics currently on cars.com at:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?paId=303865148

Email Don at pentiuman2000@yahoo.com

Edit: Just wanted to say that, I have owned several Firebirds over the years, and am impressed with the advances Pontiac made in body quality. Mine is practically rustless, and tight.

westicle1

iTrader: (2)

hi
i live in olathe and i have a few questions about this. where was the motor rebuilt and who installed it? do you have the passendger door panel..looks to be missing. and of course was the spoiler cracked? is that why u decided to part with it. oh the tail lights i didnt see where it was broken...can you tell me again. here is my number.

i have a 91 convertible that needs a paint job but runs awesomely. has all kinds of stuff that has been replaced on it...if your interested in it...it has the 305 instead of the 350. i built it for my wife but now she isnt interested in the car at all. interesed in a trade?

my number is listed below. thanks
913-406-7315
geoff

pentiuman

@ westicle1 - geoff - Hi! Thanks for your reply. I'll call you separately. Since we live so relatively close, we should meet and swap stories / maybe some extra parts trades too? Yeah, I noticed your convertible for sale on Thirdgen and Craigslist. If it were painted, I'm sure it'd be sweet.

I did minor paint touchups - small spots in mostly hidden areas - like under the hood & the inside wheelwell (after cleaning w/ alcohol). I got the color code from the original Service Parts Identification label, and had O Reilly's Auto Parts custom mix a can of spray paint, and I also used a can of compatible clear coat. My small paint touchups turned out AWESOME. (In the right light, one can see that some owner before me did a touchup on 1 of the fenders - but I'm not that brave yet).

Yes, like most, the rear spoiler was badly cracked and missing peices, so I carefully took it off (keeping the peices & bolts), and "filled" the 4 small holes w/ (easily removed) clear hot glue to keep water out. They sell a good aftermarket spoiler replacement, but it's like $300-400 and that's unpainted (ouch). Guess the "silver lining" of removing the aerowing, is less weight, better rear visibility, and confusion of others in more easily identifying what year / model my car is?

Although my rear taillight lenses aren't perfect, (some deformation and faded orange lettering), it's a plastic, front pass. parking light lens that is broken. One of those things that one can get from a junkyard or parts car, depending on compatibility from different years.

When I bought the 91 Firebird in 07, the original motor (350) did start, but it was bad - leaked antifreeze from a cracked block, so it couldn't be rebuilt. When I learned the car was not just a Firebird Trans Am, but one of the rarer GTA's (and a smaller production 1991 model at that), I decided not to part the car out, - to get a new motor. I bought a new (remanufactured) "Tough One" motor from Advance Auto Parts and put it in myself over several weeks. (As I can easily show with receipts, pictures, and the reman. plate on the new engine). I thoroughly degreased the engine compartment and tranny, and painted all bolt heads w/ engine paint, so everything looks new and clean! I've put in used motors in cars before, but now own my own house w/ a garage and decided to get a "new" one, the right tools, and do everything the best it could be.

-The project was hard, but I'm very happy with the end result! I love my GTA and hate the thought of selling it, as it's the most powerful ride I've ever owned! I am especially happy with the highway characteristics at 70mph - smooth, fast, drives straight, and plenty of RPM available. CARFAX shows it has never sustained a reported wreck (and I have never even gotten a door ding personally, as I'm careful where I park).

My neighbor has a Corvette w/ almost the exact same engine, but about $20,000 "invested" in his hobby! Anyway, I love my car, but I'm also a responsible, single parent, who now owns 3 vehicles, and since am trying to live comfortably on a budget, regardless of it's future potential to appreciate, it may be time to sell it for my more practical transportation.

Also, frankly, some non-mechanical parts for GTA's can be difficult to find, and expensive, so the car is better either as a daily driver that you enjoy and don't worry about everything detail being perfect, OR, as a more expensive restoration project that you do over several years, try to keep it pristine, garaged most of the time, and hope the value continues to go up, and becomes a real classic. At my asking price of around $3,175, and before GTA's become totally extinct, this is the time to get one, (and decide what type of owner you really are).

- Yes, I have the inner door panels and they are fine. I had to take them off to install new power window motors, and a power door lock actuator. I left them off to track down a door noise. I also had to order and install new outer window weatherstripping. She's almost ready to go.

Thanks for your interest. Please watch this thread as I continue to spruce up the car, and gradually lower the price until she sells. Thanks!

westicle1

iTrader: (2)

where in ks are you located? i live south of kcmo about 20 mins...off of I-35

if you are around me i would like to come and check it out. thanks

pentiuman

I live on the Northwest side of Lawrence (KS), <20 miles / 25 min. South of you from Olathe. I'll call you, or (anyone is welcome to) please email me at pentiuman2000@yahoo.com for my phone # and exact address. I'm available almost any day or night (though ideally, one should examine a car they're interested in, during the day, and not raining). I would need a couple days notice, so I could wash it and get it ready. I guess I could come to Olathe if you're seriously interested. Please note though, I don't have another driver to deliver it and take me back home.

Until / unless otherwise stated, I'll take $100 less than my current posted price from any thirdgen member!

FYI: The exterior rubber window weatherstriping parts came in late today from A1 Auto.com (part # 1A-WSK-00155 1982-92 Camaro Firebird Outer Windows Speep Pair - $67.85), and I got both sides installed. - They looks and fit excellent! This is an important part, to insure no rain or carwash water can get into the doors. Next project is to get the interior door panels back on. I highly recommend this co. and parts - though expensive, (especially the complete kits available), they were exact matches, high quality, shipped free, ASAP, and they have an excellent return policy. Thanks!

pentiuman

-Hey westicle1 (and any interested party). With our recent warm weather, I've been able to focus on the 91 Trans Am GTA, and wanted to keep you advised. First of all, please note that I regularly update and correct my initial post to show more of the features on my car.

-Also, I took it out of the garage, got and installed the new outer window sweep (weatherstriping) pair. I Armour-Alled them shiny black, as I did most of the rubber, plastic, and leather in the car. While the door panels are still off, I took that opportunity to re-lubricate the power window regulators w/ white aerosol grease (already has new power window motors). I also used plastic ties and rubber hose to secure any wiring and linkage rods, to prevent noise. I then covered the inside door panel area with plastic. (The original paper-based sound and weather fabric was shot). Next, I'm going to put the door panels back on soon, at which time I shall take some new pics.

-Meanwhile, although the hoses, clamps, antifreeze, and thermastat were (of course), all changed with the new engine last year, (as were all sensors attached to the engine), I got under the car today, and found an engine oil cooler hose clamp that wasn't tight enough - and now it doesn't seap anti-freeze whatsoever. (With the new engine, I watch my fluids and gauges carefully, and keep all parts clean, but didn't notice any little drips earlier, since I don't drive the car much, and with our Winter weather, you wouldn't easily notice a drip or two on the driveway).

-For the longest time, I had been looking for some new floormats with a Pontiac, Firebird, Trans Am, or other logo. However, I have given up, and bought some new, rubber floor mats, gray. I prefer the rubber ones (vs. carpeted), because they catch any water or dirt on your shoes, and then I spray them clean at each carwash.

The hood lifts have already been replaced, but today I also bought, received, and installed 2 new rear hatch lifts - so that a push of the electric hatch release button, and the hatch opens.

I've also been looking around on Ebay and emailing Sellers, looking for the fog light lens, and any replacement parts to make the car look sharper / perform even better. However, with only a few exceptions, I have tried to keep the car as original as possible. Unlike some, I don't believe in custom modifications. Instead, I want the car to look as much as possible (within my talents), as it did when it came from the factory.

*And, as I will do every few days until it's sold, (or I decide to keep it), I'm dropping the price down again, now at $2,999. (Minus an additional $100 for thirdgen members only, or $2,899)!

- I look forward to answering any questions you may have. Thanks!

pentiuman

-Price reduction again - now at $2,875 for thirdgen members. Again, this has a new L98 350 - same as it came from the factory, with only 1k miles on it. When installing the new engine, I had the TPI off and apart, and took the opportunity to clean it inside and out! No mods whatsoever (unless you count painting bolt heads same color, installing better headlight bulbs, or aftermarket maintenance items). I don't drive it much - or any of my 3 vehicles - just enough to keep the battery charged and the seals and rubber going. I don't drive to work, (retired). On the rare vacation, I fly. In winter, (snow on streets), I leave it in the garage. When gas prices are high, I drive my 4-banger.

-I got the interior door panels back on, see pics.
- I cleaned the wheels some more, I do a little before each car wash, to get more of the old stubborn stuff off (Diamond-Spoke GTA's are hard to clean). See pics. - Ignore white mark that looks like a scratch - it's bird crap before a full car wash.
- I also put on new door jamb light switches a few weeks back, both sides.
- I steam cleaned the carpeting a while back.
- I have not yet waxed her, still trying to find a good product. Any suggestions? I did use some safe, lemon based bug and tar remover last year, to clean behind the wheels and in the wheel wells.
Contact me if you want specifics or for a test drive. Thanks everyone!

P.S. Nice talking to you geoff!

pentiuman

Update: I installed new Moog ball joints. I also fixed the rear passenger dent (myself - not perfect). Price is now $3,000. I have had 5 interested parties. Latest guy (#2) wants a mechanical inspection due to a Check Engine light, so sale is pending.

Next I may paint the rear bumper if I have the time. Thanks!

allgood

still have the convertible for sale and how much