bobert

hey everyone i have a question.....i am on the hunt for a project TA and came across someone who selling a 1987 GTA with the "origional" carburated 350 in it. i was looking at the 87 firebird spec page on our website and i cant find any specs for a GTA with a 350 carburator. so my question is did they make 350 carburators in the 87 GTA? how cant i find out exactly what motor is actually in the car? im young and dont know much about engines so any help would be appreciated thanks..:-)

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

GTA would have been either an LB9 TPI or L98 TPI

bobert

thank you.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

its probably a trans am with the lg4, 305 carb. check the 8th digit of the vin, if its a H, its the lg4 305 carb, "F" lb9 305 tpi, "8" l98 350 tpi, "E" lo3 305 tbi

DJP87Z28

For a lot of sellerof 3rd gen cars a 305 with any induction (Carb, TPI or TBI) is a 350 to any unknowing buyers.

hardon85

If it is an actual GTA they never had an engine with a carb or TBI from the factory, only TPI, at least I have never seen or heard of any. It is possible that it is the original l98 with the TPI injection system taken off and a carb installed on it, but I don't know why someone would do that. It also could be that it's not really a GTA, I believe in 85 and 86 you could get a trans am that looked just like a GTA but had silver ground effects which could have a few different engine options(but not a 350 with a carb). More than likely though it is an actual GTA with a replacement engine and who knows what that could be it could be a 350 and it could also be a 305 as externally they look the same from what I understand.

Just a little bit of advice I know you say you are looking for a project and you don't know much about engines but if this is a daily driver I would steer clear of this as with any problems engine related, you will be trying to figure out somebody else's mess, however if this won't be your daily driver this could be a lot of fun to learn from.

Paigesdad

1987 was the first year for the GTA and the model introduced styling cues (ex.front fenders without vents) that were not present or available on the T/A previous to 1987. All GTAs had TPI as standard.

The only ways to tell if its a real GTA is by looking for the Y84 RPO code on the SPID sticker inside the center console or, if the sticker is missing, you would need the original invoice or window sticker.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

In 1985 and 1986 you could get a Trans Am that had monochromatic paint (with certain colors such as white) like a GTA but the car still had the fender vents. No third generation F-body was ever offered with a carburetor and a Chevy 350 engine. All 350CID engines were the L98/B2L equipped with TPI. And yes 305CID And 350CID engines do look the same. However you can tell the difference by checking the block casting information.

bobert

thanks for all the advice and information guys. i went to go look at the car again today and got the vin# 1G2FS21H7HN. so by what i have gathered the engine that should be in the car is a 305 carb. and that it is a trans as and not a GTA. there is a GTA emblem on the front of the car i guess the person just stuck it on there and passed it off as a GTA. the guy origionally wanted 1500$ for it and after i came back and gave him all the wonderful knowledge you guys gave me i got him down to 900$ if i want the car. can anyone help me with the vin# and what else is suppost to be on or in the car. the RPO sticker was taken off the center counsole i can still see the adhesive residue from where it was so i ahve no idea whats suppost to be on the car...for all i know theres parts from elsewhere on it. although i know it has iroc z rims on it. thanks for your help.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

LOTS of good info up there!

A VIN # will not identify a GTA. It can only tell you that it is a Firebird. The GTA was an option & only the RPO code Y84 can tell you that.

Without the Y84, it is "just" a TA.

JT

iTrader: (1)

This is not only is not a GTA, it's not even a Trans Am. A GTA and Trans AM will have the 1G2FW prefix. 1G2FS vin prefix is Firebird or Formula.

bobert

bobert

DJP87Z28

This is advice to any buyer of 3rd gen cars. Verify and verify and don't belive anything unless you check the info from a reliable source. And this website is a very good one for info.

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

just an fyi, posting full VINs is a no-no from what I've read on this forum. Maybe the original poster and anyone that quoted it should go back and delete the last 6 digits (sequence number) from the VIN.

I'm glad to see that you researched it here and got some helpful answers. It's kinda sad how many people try to sell cars as something they aren't.