I have a copy of "Firebird Red Book, Pontiac Firebird From 1967, Second Edition" written by Peter C. Sessler. I have to very much question the accuracy of the information in this book. First if you look at the inside of the first page it says "On the front cover: The 1973 Pontiac SD-455 owned by Jack Janney. Tim Parker" well, there's a picture of a 97 WS6, NOT a '73 SD-455! That's not even the begining of it, check this out..... My car is Dk. Jade Met. code "18U", his book says that my color is code "87", this is totally wrong, it's on my freakin RPO sheet, I should know! Also it leaves out ALOT of RPO codes like G92 and 1LE. In one spot it even lists the RPO for the GTA as, get this, "W87". What's going on? I bought this book to learn more about the 3rd Gen Firebird not be mis-informed. Has anyone else noticed this???? ------------------ www.TransAmGTA.com THE 3rdgen Firebird Site! 1992 GTA (226 made), 1 of only 18 "Dk. Jade Met." 92 GTA's, My Window Sticker, LB9, 700R4 4-Speed, T-Tops, Grey Leather, EVERY available option except U1A. Current Mods/Upgrades: 80 Series Dual Outlet Flowmaster, TPIS Air Foil, K&N Air Filter, and Mobil 1. Future Mods/Upgrades: None but a complete restoration. Best Track Time: 14.6sec@96.6mph "If it ain't broke, fix it til it is!" Webmaster www.TransAmGTA.com My 3rdGen Firebird Message Board! [This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited July 13, 2001).]

I notice someone is seeing the light...
The only good source of information on a subject is the source itself.... Or is that subject itself? Whatever, somethin like that

[This message has been edited by madmax (edited July 14, 2001).]

That book has alot of coflicting info,$hit,I don't have it in front of me right now,but one of the main reasons why I bought it a few months ago was to see what it said on the correct factory horsepower rating on my car(90 B2L)which I could not find with an explanation anywhere and was even more after I read the book.On the same page it says the Formula 350 has 240hp and the GTA "now thanks to dual cats"has 235hp.Dual cats came out in 89,and 90 L98 engines in both the IROC and Corvette got a 5hp bump due to higher compression,cam profile and speed density in so should and did the Firebirds but I always see them listed at 235,and there is no difference between 90-92 B2L engines which the book has the 91-92 listed as 240 but says 92 got a 5hp bump to 240 It also has wrong info on the early LB9 engines and doesn't list anything on the Firehawk option,among other things,but its still a good and somewhat informative book to have.

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1990 Trans Am GTA,Black/Black Leather,350,auto 3.23,Dual Cats,
SLP Package,Fastchip,GSC's,Brand New Trans with Corvette 2400 stall,Servo/Shift Kit
G-tech 1/4mile(before trans and roasting 1st)13.6@104,now probably 13.2@track with traction/good conditions
stock(track)14.3@96
member www.transamgta.com
Previous Thirdgen
1986 Camaro IROC-Z

I bought an earlier version of The Red Book a number of years ago when I wanted to buy a 1st gen and didn't know diddly. It was a good source to get up to speed. Now, of course, at least with respect to 1st gens (not 3d gens, I'm still quite a relative novice), I can spot lots of errors and omissions in the books. One of my pet peeves is when these books show photos of a car that the reader assumes is an example of the vehicle in stock configuration. Yet there will be glaring stuff like the wrong wheels, aftermarket radio, whip antenna, etc. I hate that.

Since it's always good to look at the bright side, the existence of such books can only help foster interest in our cars. People who have a casual interest may read the book and become excited about the type of car. The fact that a book exists makes the collector status of a particular car seem more legitimate.

Besides, the errors or omissions might cut both ways. On more than one occasion I've used "the Book" with a seller to demonstrate a fact or emphasize something that might cause the price of the car to go down.

So yeah, it does bite to have a know-it-all wave a book in your face on a point you know to be incorrect. But that guy's probably an idiot if he won't listen to you, and you probably didn't want to sell him the car anyway.

And, if the error reappears in a subsequent edition of the book, you've got no one to blame but yourself - you could have emailed the editor and politely pointed out the error. They'd probably appreciate it!

That book has started many a arguement on this message board. As stated earlier the info on the early LB9 engines is wrong. I know it is because I have an 85 tpi. I posted the correct information that was in the original pontiac broshure and some people still believed that book. That book taught me to find more than one source for information and not to just repeat what one book has to say.

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85transam 305 TPI 210hp

That book is notoriously unreliable.....

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Frankie Rider, 2
The GTA Source Page
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'88 GTA Red Hatchback - 5.7L/A4
'88 GTA Black Notchback - 5.7L/A4
'88 GTA Gunmetal Hatchback - 5.0L/A4

Well I'm glad to see I'm not alone. In writing pages for my site I've found that I've been having using 4 or more sources......