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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
I have been in the incredibly slow process of restoring my first car that I got when I was 16.
It is an 1987 Firebird 2.8 liter. Not very exciting but it was my first and I have always loved it.
A few years ago, I met a guy trading parts who has become a great friend and for the last two years he's been helping me (basically doing it for me due to my disability) and we're getting close to painting the engine we got for it.
I now will have a 305 from an 1985 Z28. He says its not big enough to be worth a rebuild and I cannot afford any thing new or much at all.
I'm trying to decide if I should turn it in to a Trans Am or a GTA. Appearance wise, I need help. I can only go off of pictures in books and online.
Can anyone tell me for certain what the differences were on the exterior?
I've got some exterior parts for a Trans Am and some for a GTA.
Not having grown up around cars I'm pretty worthless, but this is my dream.
My disease is killing me and I want to get this done before I pass so that my daughters will have it someday.
A wrap around spoiler and some GTA style wheels would look great on your car. Trans-Am tail lights look a lot better also. Nice car im sure your daughters will be proud of it.
I'd put a Turbo hood, 82-84 fender skirts and Trans Am tail lights and be done with it.
It looks great as is though, kinda pointless to modify it now. Get yourself a Trans Am instead. It would be a lot of work and time wasted to have a copy of a car that is relatively easy to find in the US and not much more expensive. It's not even hard to find one here in Europe.
Last edited by SolarGoldRaptor; 08-11-2016 at 01:29 PM.
It's probably not what you want to hear, but I'd go the other way. Everyone has a Trans Am, GTA, Z28, Irocz, etc. There are far fewer clean base model Camaros and Firebirds out there. Most have fallen victim to half effort cloning, spoilers, hoods, wheels, and in the end they look mismatched and confused.
An 85 Z28 305... Is it a 4bbl? Low output LG4? Because if so, it's only going to be marginally more powerful than the MPFI 2.8L. Like maybe a 20hp improvement. So if you add the extra weight of the Trans Am body kit, you're going to change the look at the expense of power to weight ratio.
The end result of dressing up the body, will be a marginally better performing car, that is always going to be officially a V6 base model, dressed in wolf's clothing. On the other hand, leaving the Firebird body alone gives a more unique and less dated look, lighter weight, and it'd still look "right" - while also not pretending the car is something it's not, not to mention it'd save a lot of effort.
I'd sell the T/A body parts and put the proceeds towards other parts of the project. A clean base model Firebird with a docile V8 is still a nice car. Unless you want to go crazy changing the body, interior, suspension, etc it'll look cobbled together.
It's probably not what you want to hear, but I'd go the other way. Everyone has a Trans Am, GTA, Z28, Irocz, etc. There are far fewer clean base model Camaros and Firebirds out there.
I actually prefer the no ground effect personally. Much faster looking. And I do agree on the Base model. They are just as good looking and also very respected by real enthusiasts.
Your car looks great as it is. Keep it stock, and like Drew said, sell the extras and fix up or upgrade the engine or other parts of the car that need attention.
Of coarse you could use the proceeds for gas! Don't let your daughters have all the fun.
08-11-2016, 11:20 AM
