Brother Al

I'm starting this to get all of our info/knowledge combined on one thread. So post away kids!

Please post any pics, RPO's, part numbers's, car/year you found the part on, or anything else!
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I've searched this site from end to end & found lots of interesting things about Aluminum/Lightweight parts made for our cars, both Firebirds and Camaros. I know that GM made a lot of cool Alum/lightweight parts in the late 70's and early 80's for EPA/mileage reasons. Regals w/ alum trunk lids/hoods/fenders, other G-bodies w/ alum rad supports/bumper braces, etc... There seems to be a few things specific to 3rd Gens, plus early 'Birds & Camaros got some rare/ stuff as options. GM interchangability is a great thing, so I'm sure there's also stuff we can yank from other GM models besides brake drums and 'Vette heads.....
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Some may say, "You are letting out the secrets...."
To them I say: "Our cars are getting old and the wrecking yards are crushing cars at alarming rates. Scrap metal is at an all time high and Aluminum scrappers are already tearing apart cars for anything. So lets save what we can, while we can!"

Brother Al

Start looking under those V6 '92 Firebirds (and Camaros?) Back in May '07, I found a JG1 aluminum driveshaft in a low mi V6 'Bird, 88K on the clock. It had T-tops, very few options. It succumbed to a blown head gasket, but was otherwise in nice shape. The interior was pretty nice and even the standard factory radio was intact. Perhaps Van Nyes was using up extra parts before GM shuttered the plant?
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....I found it by accident really, I was checking it out for upper door-sill panels and misc bits. It was sitting on top of a Ford Taurus. As I was climbing down, I looked up and saw the oh so sweet color of aluminum, . Fortunately, the torque arm protected it from gettin bent by the yard's forklift and the Taurus crushed below. It seemed original to the car, as I found factory paint marks on it and it has the GM PN:10085375 sticker intact, NOT the GMPP PN . I had a hell of a time pulling it too. The axle yoke bolts were pretty rusted. I had to have a buddy sit on the nose of the 'Bird to lift the rear end up like a see-saw for room to unbolt the back bolts of the torque arm. Kids, don't Try that at Home! I was rewarded with a straight JG1 for the low low price of $32.50. Woo Hoo!
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The yoke on this driveshaft was made by Spicer. The name "Spicer" is cast right onto it/ raised letters. The yoke is a lot beefier than my stock piece of junk. I bought Spicer U-joints for it and its recommended that they be pressed into it.
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GM aluminum driveshaft PN:10085375
GM Performance Parts PN: ? (discontinued)
Stock steel driveshaft is approx. 2 5/8" dia.
Aluminum version is approx 2 7/8" dia. w/ Spicer yoke.
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Happy Hunting!

Iroctopless

Yeah, aluminum drive shaft is one option they had.
Also had an aluminum spare wheel option instead of steel one (if you wanna keep the spare in the car and save a few lbs).

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

The '83-'83 Z28 composite hood P/N 14047994(non functional)and P/N 14047995(functional).
The Camaro's aluminum impact bar P/N 14070916('83-'84 Except 305/7) and P/N 14070921('83-'84 With 305/7).Those parts number are listed in the '82-'88 Camaro parts catalog.

Brother Al

Camaro Fiberglass Hood:

Trans-Am Aluminum Hood: '82, '83, '84(?), and '91 & '92 Firehawks
Thank You okfoz Moderator
Aluminum Hood RPO: T45
PN: 10014649 w/ "A" stamped on front pass side
weight: 22 - 25 lbs.

Attached Thumbnails: See page center "Sport Aluminum Hood Scoop"

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Hollow 36mm Front Sway Bars
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Aluminum spare rims: Thank You Stephen!!!
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I pulled the black one out of my 89 GTA, with PBR calipers, and it is aluminum.
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The silver aluminum one, is out of my 87 GTA, with non-PBR clipers. There is something, dunno what, that prevents the silver aluminum ones from fitting on the PBR calipers.
__________________
Stephen Cranford
co-founder of the original TGO
Home of the STS (Sequential Turn Signal) mod

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16" 4th Gen aluminum spare in a Third Gen: Thank You Wanta427
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coolram62

iTrader: (2)

I may be wrong but I believe the black painted aluminum version is 15"(to clear the larger PBR calipers).I have the 10 spoke aluminum spare in my '83(4 wheel iron calipers)and I know for certain it's a 14" wheel.

Brother Al

bump

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

The spare that will fit, black-painted alum, is a P195/75-D15.

JamesC

wildjeff

iTrader: (1)

The aluminum parts I’ve heard about are:

T/A Turbo hood
Front bumper
Spare Tire
Drive shaft
Aluminum wheels – various styles.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

I know the GTA only came with 16" wheels and the IROC had 16" as either standard('85-'87)or optional('88-'90).If it's a 16" aluminum spare it would be from a 4th Gen(correct me if I'm thinking wrong).

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

As far as I know, cool, no thirdgen car was equipped with a 16" spare, regardless of wheel size.

JamesC

TTA 1387

The black spare originally came on big braked 1LE cars or TTA. I can't remember what size it was as I don't have the car here. Maybe someone with a TTA can jump in.

There was a big debate on the TTA list years ago about that spare. Everyone thought it was supposed to be the 10 spoke but found a black painted "steel" spare. Wasn't until someone put a magnet to it that it was really aluminun. The 10 spoke won't clear the calibers.

RPO N64

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Cars with PBR's, 89-92. Here's an old link that should cover the bases:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...ighlight=spare

JamesC

1985WS6transam

iTrader: (4)

Ive been reading up on the Aluminum rear drums (for those of us still using drum rears.)
Does anyone have the years/ models that these were on besides the Fbodys? Part numbers anyone?

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

The aluminum rear brake drum P/N 1255496 out of the '82-'88 Camaro parts catalog.It's no longer a good number but a Hollander manual should be able list what it interchanges with.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I pulled an aluminum drummed rear from a '84 Z28, with a 3.73 posi. Sure woke up my wife's 3.08 peg-leg! I seem to recall it having those 4mm spacers as well.

I pulled an aluminum front bumper support, from that 84 Z28. Still collecting dust, after 5 years!

Brother Al

CoolRam: I am sorry, I thought there was a real 16" 3rd Gen aluminum spare, My deepest apologies to you. I was PM'd the correct info & I've corrected my post. After I read the post, I saw that pic of the 16". I have found them before on E-Bay and at a swap meet for $$$ for 3rd/4th Gen spare. I've been disregarding those 15" aluminum ones at the junkyards.
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J42 Aluminum Drums: P/N 1255496 None of the NAPA or typical parts stores seem to carry them, they have the right part number but they are steel. I priced new J42 aluminum rear brake drums at a local Pontiac dealer a year ago, they cost $111.00 ea. + tax. I don't know if GM still has 'em. I pulled a set off a mid-80's Caprice 4dr. The 16" T/A "Aero" rims fit fine on those aluminum drums, without spacers.
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I had to take the aluminum drums off because the steel liners don't have enough meat left to turn again. Does anybody know a place to get them relined? I'd hate to buy new ones...I'm runnin the stock steel ones again.
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There is a noticeable difference in brake fade between the steel and aluminum drums if I run the "twisties" in the Berkshires.

TTA 1387

I had aluminum drums on my 84 HO. I didn't have any spacers with mine.

Another option, albeit not 3rd gen, is the space saver out of the GTO. Its a 17x4 wheel! So if you guys have upgraded to 13" or bigger brakes, this will fit.

Here's a pic of the wheel:

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

No apology neccessary Brother Al.It's easy to mistake the 15" and 16" mini spares unless they are sitting side by side(until you read the sidewall that is).

And the 4th gen 16" are a good idea for those that have done big brake conversions as TTA 1387 suggested using the GTO's 17" spare.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

The space saver spares I posted above, are a 195/75/15 on the black aluminum 89 GTA spare, and 195/75/14 on the bare aluminum 87 GTA spare.

On the front bumper support from the 84 Z28, I have the mounts handy, just not the cross support beam itself handy. No part #s stamped in, printed prt #s on, or stickers showing the part #s, of the mounts.

I was told a while back, by a guy that had put the aluminum one on his Firebird, but had to trim about 2" off each end, then everything fit.

My plan for saving it, was to put it on my wife's 90 RS, but we never did. Now, I don't even own a Camaro anymore, so it is just collecting dust now. In fact, the whole bumper support & urethane nose is just sitting around.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Here is a link to a pic of my aluminum hood on the car. Still Not painted yet..

the hood weighs 22LBS

I'll put up more pics of the PT# and the date code as soon as I get my laptop back up..

http://www.team3rdgen.com/modules.ph...view_photo.php

Tobias05

wow that aluminum hood is something else! swweeet!

okfoz

Every time I talk to Bruce, he brings up about me finding you that hood which was better than the one I sold him... I tell him that I never saw the hood I only put you in the direction of the guy selling it... Off topic I know...

There were some Aluminum Fenders too for the Firebirds in the late 80's early 90's they used them to "cheat" in some of the races.

JOhn

t_towner

Dang, that looks way too pretty to paint!!

ur7x

iTrader: (2)

I think the steel part is cast in there, not pressed in... Once they are worn out they are garbage and you need a new set... I hope that someone has info otherwise...

The good news is that these aren't all that hard to find at your local yard... And they are for sale on e'bay all the time... There is no rhyme or reason as to which cars came with this option... Seems to be an almost random thing... But here is a list of cars that had a chance to get them:

• 83-84 Blazer/Jimmy S/T models
• 80-85 Buick LeSaber (85 RWD)
• 78-81 Buick Century
• 78-87 Buick Regal
• 81-85 Buick Riviera
• 82-92 Chevy Camaro
• 86-89 Chev Caprice and Wagons
• 78-81 Chev Malibu
• 78-88 Chevy Monte Carlo
• 82-84 Chevy S10/S15
• 80-85 Olds Delta 88
• 78-82 Olds Cutlass
• 80-81 Pont Bonneville
• 83-85 Pont Bonneville
• 86 Pont Parisienne
• 82-92 Pont Firebird
• 78-85 Pont LeMans
• 78-88 GMC Sptint/El Camino

Take a magnet to the yard with you... and good luck!

92RS(real slow)

how much you pay for that last time I heard the few remaining ones were a fortune to buy..If I had that hood I would just leave it bare it looks so badass omg

Brother Al

Thanx for the list!
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No need for a magnet here in New England, aluminum sticks out like a sore thumb amongst all the rusted junks. Problem here is that most are pulled before the vehicles are put out in the yards. Alum is worth more as scrap than as parts, hence my re-lining question.
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Cotton's Performance in Agawam, Mass said that they just chuck 'em in the trash heap when a Grand National comes in for brake work, (unless the owner specifies saving the drums). He is one of the biggest Grand Nat./ Buick turbo 3.8 wizards in the world. At any one point in time, he's got at least six of 'em in his shop and has a bunch of Regals & dead GN's on his property. He said that he doesn't know of anyone that re-lines 'em, but I'm sure it can be done. Someone pressed those steel liners in to begin with.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The hood in the pic still has the factory paint on it.
It also has some touchup paint work. it has a few small dents on it plus some screw holes on the bottom (from a bra) that i have welded up.
The PT# is the same as a steel hood,for cheating at the races.
I was told by Jim Mattison that the box they came in had the aluminum PT# on them.

Brother Al

Thank You Everybody,
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Please post anything else you come up with such as the rumored aluminum rear hatch panel & aluminum seat tracks, the stated aluminum fenders, each of the aluminum bumper brace Part Numbers for the Camaro & Firebird, or any other lightweight goodies that we can rip from another GM product.

HotRodLarry

Check with your local AutoZone. They have a listing for OEM aluminum drums with the GM part number. Price is around $116 I can double check tomorrow.

buffaloman

iTrader: (5)

Here you go Alum. brake durms. About 94.00 each new.
http://www.gm-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm

HotRodLarry

I double checked today and the aluminum rear drums are not available like I said in my previoius post. I did find something rather odd while I was looking for the drums. OEM Front brake pads '83 Z28 - $96 a set ...wow rear pads are $84.

Brother Al

Aluminum Brake Drums: GM http://www.gm-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm

Aluminum Brake Drums PN: 1255496
Brakes - Brake components - Rear brakes - Drum
Drum, chevrolet, olds, pont, 9 1/2" brake, aluminum 1984 - 1990
MSRP: $224.20 - Price: $168.15
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1984 Pontiac Firebird
Drum, aluminum 84-92
MSRP: $124.57 - Price: $93.43
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* I wonder why its listing two different prices for the same part?
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Ah ha!, Eureka!! This isn't a GM site either!
"THIS CATALOG DOES NOT REFLECT OUR INVENTORY SOME PARTS MUST BE SPECIAL ORDERED. WE DO OUR BEST TO KEEP UP TO DATE PRICES BUT DUE TO GM PRICE CHANGES SOMETIMES THE PRICE WE HAVE LISTED HAS INCREASED YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BEFORE THE PART IS SHIPPED.IF INTERESTED IN NEXT DAY AIR OR SECOND DAY AIR, PLEASE CALL FOR FREIGHT PRICES AND AVAILABILITY."

okfoz

Are those with or without Asbestos? Ceramic pads are cheeper than that.

JOhn

HotRodLarry

Didn't say, just had the O.E. part number and the price. I'm sure a phone call to the dealership would help.

buffaloman

iTrader: (5)

The alum drums at that site are only 94.00 ea chaeper then the iron drums.
Just put in 1984 firebird on that sit and you can have a
new set for under 200.00

okfoz

Another Aluminum goodie I have not seen listed is the rear calipers on the 88+ 1LE and 89+ 4 wheel disc brake cars.

John

Brother Al

Did GM issue the Lexan T-tops or was that an aftermarket product?
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Okfoz you are the THE MAN when it comes to this stuff, guess that's why you're the Mod...
Thank You!
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PS: any chance of puttin a sticky on this thread?

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

As far as I know the lexan T-tops were GM issue.Now whether they were Firebird specific or came on both F-Bodys I'm not sure.

Talk about overlooking the obvious with the PBR calipers.

And you're right about Okfoz knowing his facts.And what he doesn't know he'll look up to give the correct information.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I'm pretty sure, they were available on both, but only for the first few years. GM was replacing customers ones with glass, and just switched the entire production line over.

It was a coloration/scratching issue, I believe.

okfoz

THanks...

1) I have covered this before they were NOT lexan. Lexan is a trade name of GE which is actually a material called Polycarbonate. Acrylic is most commonly known as Plexiglas, The tops if you read the emblem of who made they it was LEXIMAR which could be confusing, the decal on the bottom side for care states that they are Acrylic.

2) The "Acrylic" tops were made from 1989 thru 1991 possibly 1992. There were some problems with crazing of the plastic, most likelycaused by outside chemicals and Sunlight. Basically they would craze from the stresses put on the plastic, car wash solvents, sunlight etc. Add to that if someone were to take their car to a paint shop it would be very possible for them to crack from Laquer thinner solvent in the air without direct contact from the thinner.

Unfortunately at this point I would have to clean up the thread too much IMHO. There is too much chatter to make it a Great Sticky.

If someone made a list, I would talk to scott and see what he thought.

John

Brother Al

Okfoz: Thanks Again, awesome info. I tried the search engine but its not working right. Saw JT's post about this too. Well, lets see what else turns up first, then I'll make that list of parts & part numbers. When its done, I'll submit it to you. There's gotta be some more stuff out there that works on our cars. Radiator "X-brace rods" made of aluminum? Styrofoam Impact Bumpers instead of the heavy plastic honeycomb junk. Aluminum version of the basic non 1LE front calipers...Caddy's? Wonder what we could use off of the Fiero's too?....

Brother Al

bump

Brother Al

bump anybody got anything else to add????

Jproz1167

iTrader: (3)

how about the hollow sway bars. My thin 82 front one out-weighed the larger 89 IROC bar by quite a bit.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Light weight GM V8 T5 Flywheel for 2-piece RMS ???? They are only about 14 pounds rather than the 23 pounds of a regular Flywheel.

P/N 385678

Not aluminum - but a weight savings none the less !

Brother Al

Excellent info John!

t_towner

How 'bout the 3 aluminum Rodeck engines in the last 3 Firehawks?

and T-Ram intakes.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Rodeck

If there were only 3 TOTAL made, they wouldn't exactly be swap parts though, short of any of those 3 cars being totaled.

If 1 of 3 were totaled, I think it would only be right, to give the other 2 cars owners, first crack at those parts.

Caboobaroo

iTrader: (1)

I dunno if this means anything but my '88 IROC has aluminum calipers front and rear and my '88 Sport Coupe has aluminum drums and I remember that there was a RPO code for the aluminum drums on the Sport Coupe....