xFeveredx

Well after finding out i couldnt find my RPO codes (thank you amorgetRS), I entered my VIN into the decode this site.

http://www.decodethis.com/Default.as...FW21F3KL227261

and here is what it comes up with for my car. While i was not aware that my car WAS a GTA, maybe im wrong but i was under the assumption the GTA's all had 350's, while mine is a 305.
Are there maybe any other characteristics, or anything i could look at or for to be sure?

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

not all GTA's had 350's best way i figured out was go to carfax.com put your vin in and it will say exacty what it is I just did a vin on a 88 formula it verified it was a formula

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

what year is it

JT

iTrader: (1)

That source has been posted before and found to be quite inaccurate. They aren't looking up your specific VIN sequence. 1G2FW prefix is shared between both Trans AM and GTA. 1G2FS prefix is shared between Firebird and Formula.

In short, that source does not have a way to check your specific VIN to know if it has the GTA RPO code Y84.

I entered two 1988 VINs that are Trans AMs, from SPIDs I have that don't have the Y84 RPO Code (not a GTA), and both come back as a GTA according to that site.

Sorry, but that site does not know if you have a GTA or not.


CarFax also does not know. They're using the VIN prefix. 1G2FS is shared between Firebird and Formula while 1G2FW is shared between GTA and Trans AM.

xFeveredx

1989

and I cant find the RPO codes, so would my only option left be to try pontiac historical services? i just dont wanna pay $65 for what i should hopefully be able to find for free! haha

edit*
and when i say i cant find, i mean they are non existent... lol

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Run your VIN through http://www.compnine.com/vid.php Compnine may or may not have your VIN. I think anything earlier than 89 or 90 is a hit or miss on if they'll have it (mostly miss).

JT

iTrader: (1)

To provide support as to how that site (Decodethis) is wrong and only using the VIN prefix, look at the following example:

According to their site, this VIN is a Trans AM GTA:


However, here's the SPID. Notice there is no Y84. Y84 is the RPO code for the GTA. Without Y84, it's not a GTA:

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

thank you for correcting me. so the next one would be call gm dealer the should know but after that I dont know. what really is the difference between T/A and a GTA

xFeveredx

Already tried the compnine. no luck there.
and I see what you mean JT. My only problem is that i dont have the RPO codes. What im trying to find out is if there is any other way to find out the specifics of my car.
If there isnt any other way, i guess eventually ill have to get them from pontiac historical services. I read where someone tried to call a pontiac dealer, but the ones around me closed, and since GM went down, i dont know if im going to be able to go that route.

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

I verified with gm that mine was a GTA before I found this site that I did the first week i owned the car

MassD

iTrader: (1)

idk if i wld trust that site lol. Drivetrain: FWD ?? last time i checked all thridgens were rwd lol

83firechicken

why dose it say its front wheel drive any one else notice that , that must be rare lol


edit sorry massd i didn't see your post until i posted mine

JT

iTrader: (1)

Without having the SPID to look for the GTA Y84 RPO code, as the car is over 2 decades old, it becomes a best guess game because so many parts could and may have been replaced in those 20+ years. Additionally, the GTA has been known to be cloned as the GTA name carries more value.

This applies to 1989:

Front Fenders: GTAs will not have fender extracts in the front fender while Trans Ams do. However, fenders are an easy bolt-on and may have been replaced if damaged.

Ultima Seats: GTAs have the Ultima Seats as standard equipment. However, these seats could also be ordered in the Trans AM as an option.

Steering Wheel Controls: Unless the GTA was ordered with the factory CD player, you should have the integrated steering wheel controls. If the GTA was ordered with the factory CD player, then the normal Trans AM/Formula design steering wheel would be used.

Gold PW7 Rims: For 1989, the Gold PW7 rims was still reserved for the GTA while the Trans AMs could be ordered with other non-gold PW7 rims.

Gold Firebird Emblem: On the center tail lamp should be a gold Firebird emblem while the Trans AM would have silver (or possibly another non-Gold color).

Pretty much everything is a part that can be changed. If you really want to know, I think your only option is to pay GM Archives to run a VIN report. It will show Y84 or not. Anything else is a guess with some error.

I suppose you could check for the VIN stickers on the inside front fenders. If your fenders don't have the fender extracts, and the VIN on the fenders match your body VIN, then it's probably a GTA because I don't believe you can reuse those VINs stickers.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

How to visually check for most 87-90 GTAs if you don't have are missing the RPO codes.

http://www.gtasourcepage.com/newauthentication.html

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Actually after looking at Fevere'd car and the pics he posted in his profile.

It is most definitely a TransAm and not a GTA.

eseibel67

I never considered it, but this is a foolproof method to I.D. a GTA even without a SPID or a report from GM or PHS. And if I remember, the VIN stickers on the fender are easy to see with a flashlight without taking too much of the car apart. I think the stickers are located near the front side marker lights.

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

that is a Trans Am not a GTA

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

It would be nice if GM would just denote the damn model in the VIN.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Why? A GTA is nothing more than an upscale package on a Trans Am. Which is denoted in the vin. Only so because insurance companies were complaining.

A formula is simply a Firebird with a upgraded drivetrain on paper. A GTA is nothing more than an appearance package on a Trans Am.

IMissMy86TA

And a Trans am is appearance package too!

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Because it wouldn't be so ambiguous, requiring RPO codes that more often than not are long gone. God knows it would be nice if they'd tell you if your Camaro is an IROC in the VIN...

Could just glance at the VIN and be done with it in two seconds rather than having to rely on notoriously inaccurate sources such as compnine, carfax, etc.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Not so for thirdgens. On the third generation F-body a Trans Am is a completely different VIN code. This is because insurance companies were getting a little upset when guys would order the top HP firebird, and they couldn't tell. So guys were getting base bird rates with top level models. Pontiac changed this for the thirdgen platform because of ins. companies' pressure.

Mechanically yes, the TA is an appereance and hardware package on the base bird as the frame is the same between them. But they are noted as separate Models.

Firebirds and TransAms are separate Models for 82-92.
GTA is an upscale Trim model, as are Formulas, IROCs, and Z28s.

I also believed this carried through to the 4th gens as well.

eseibel67

Third gen: Formula is a base Firebird with better harware. Trans Am is a seperate higher model, and GTA is the highest trim on Trans Am.

Fourth gen: All V8's are Formulas mechanically. Trans Am is a higher trim Formula. WS6 is just a TA option, not much performance increase worth talking about.

scottmoyer

Labeling an option in the VIN would get out of hand. Like the GTA is an option package on the TransAm, the IROC-Z is an option package for the Z28 and the Z28 was an option package available on the Sport Coupe. The VIN decodes the base model, not the options. Could you imagine if they had VIN references for 4 wheel disc brakes or leather interior? They are just options also.

xFeveredx

I pretty much figured it wasnt a GTA, i just wanted to make sure. Sadly no gold emblems or wheels :/. i Do have the pouch that says "performance suspension" on the inside, though i havent been able to find out exactly what that entails, as my RPO codes are missing It does make me a little happier, as my car is sort of rare. There were only (493 ish?) base trans ams sold for the 1989 year! at least thats what ive read on this forum haha

xFeveredx

and thanks guys for all your help!

eseibel67

I don't have the facts, but I'm sure it was WAY more then 493.

lb9 GTA

That is a common assumption. All 5spd cars had 305s and the peanut cammed 305 was a "delete" option on the automatics. Mine, for instance, is a real GTA with a 305 and a 700r4 from the factory. A lot of people insist its got the 350 when they first see it (including my appraiser).

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

The 305 AT is a rather common combo, especially in 91/92 when the 350 was N/A with T-tops. People would "delete" the 350 and get a 305 w/ t-tops.

As far as the Performance Suspension badge, all Trans Ams got that. It doesn't mean either way for the WS6 suspension. Easiest way to guess if you had WS6 is not is measure the sway bar. 34mm, maybe not WS6, 36mm maybe WS6. Sway bars are easy to change, so it only means you are a little more likely to have the WS6 package. My 1989 base model has a 36mm sway bar... however it did not come from the factory with it.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

The L98, aka 350 TPI was standard on all GTAs. However, you could delete the B2L rpo and go with a 305/Auto, or a 305/Manual. Many did opt for the delete.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

It wouldn't be that difficult, as long as there are less than 10 trim levels for a given year; they could better utilize that worthless '1' placeholder that comes before the sequence number.

I don't know, other manufacturers can do it with no problem, there is no reason GM couldn't do it with the F-body.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

The useless "1" denotes its country. 1 for US, 2 for Canada.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

Puma, you do realize GM doesn't have the option to just put anything in the VIN.

That 1 before the sequence number is a REQUIRED number by ISO standards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIN

So it could be a 1, it could be a zero, it could be a 5, BUT, it is required as part of the sequence number.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Fair enough on the 1, I was thinking they could incorporate it into the beginning part of the VIN, but perhaps that's wishful thinking.