History / RestorationGot a question about Third Gen (1982-1992) Camaro or Firebird history? Where can I find these original parts? What is this option or RPO code? Those questions, answers, and more!
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I'm not sure if this belongs here or elsewhere, but I am offering my photos from the 2009 Trans Am Nationals. There were dozens of thirdgens in attendance. I captured many of them.
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__________________ FIREBIRD TRANS AM : WINS THE DRAG RACE STANDING STILL.
1985 base Firebird, LB8/F41/GU6/DE1, '82 T/A wheels, CB, 153k
1982 Norwood Recaro LU5/WS4/WS6/Y84, 3466 original miles
1984 Firebird S/E HO V6, LL1/WS6, 114k, sold 5/02, repo 9/02, kennedy
(1982 Trans Am WS7, GM Goodwrench 5.7L, T-10, daily driver, 88k)
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Sweet pics!! I have always LOVED that TA with the tribal graphics and the LS1. That thing is the definition of a nasty third gen!!
You know what I don't get also? Why in the heck does everyone take the new camaro......which is designed after a 67 body style.......and try to make it look like a 70's trans am? That is stupid!! The car doesn't have the right body lines/fastback style to pull that off. I am still waiting for someone to do it like a 69 TA with the high rise spoiler, dual headlights, etc. THAT would look the part!!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
[quote=whitedevilTA;4271773]Sweet pics!! I have always LOVED that TA with the tribal graphics and the LS1. That thing is the definition of a nasty third gen!!
Sweet pics!! I have always LOVED that TA with the tribal graphics and the LS1. That thing is the definition of a nasty third gen!!
Thats not the one...PHEEEEEEW! I'm talking about the black and redish third gen with the silver tribal design. If that was the one in the crash, I may have stuck my hands through the screen and choked someone!! Haha. Sooooo much work and time into that third gen!
Still is a real crappy situation for that owner though.
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
Holy cow. That is really sad! I remember admiring that car just a few hours earlier. It was very unique. On the bright side (if there is such a thing), at least it's not a thirdgen.
Awesome pics...Thanks for taking them. There were some beautiful 3rdGens there..I don't get the two tone car with the the color split down the middle...
I assume you meant this one, because it's really not my style either. But I do completely appreciate all the effort that went into the doors. They looked good.
Thats not the one...PHEEEEEEW! I'm talking about the black and redish third gen with the silver tribal design. If that was the one in the crash, I may have stuck my hands through the screen and choked someone!! Haha. Sooooo much work and time into that third gen!
Still is a real crappy situation for that owner though.
__________________ 1988 Trans Am 355. 33,000 original miles.
355ci 10:1, Holley 750DP, Summit Stage 2 intake, AFR 180cc Street Eliminators, Comp Cams XR282 HR10, MAC shorties, Mufflex 4" exhaust, Circle D 3500 stall
Best ET: 12.26@108.44, 1.67 60ft
Best MPH: 12.57@112.5, 2.0 60ft
There is more now, I uploaded my pics too. I had a bunch more but they were gone, I tried to take a pic of every 3rd gen, so if you do not see yours it is in the group of 17 that were lost.
John
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
Thanks. Yours was no slouch (winner's circle). With you and yellow 92 Ta convertible in the same class next year I don't have a chance. I looked through the albums some of the other folks posted. My current firebird is the nicest car I've ever had so I see all its flaws. I'm just happy other people took some photos of it too.
Thanks. Yours was no slouch (winner's circle). With you and yellow 92 Ta convertible in the same class next year I don't have a chance. I looked through the albums some of the other folks posted. My current firebird is the nicest car I've ever had so I see all its flaws. I'm just happy other people took some photos of it too.
Sweet pics!! I have always LOVED that TA with the tribal graphics and the LS1. That thing is the definition of a nasty third gen!!
You know what I don't get also? Why in the heck does everyone take the new camaro......which is designed after a 67 body style.......and try to make it look like a 70's trans am? That is stupid!! The car doesn't have the right body lines/fastback style to pull that off. I am still waiting for someone to do it like a 69 TA with the high rise spoiler, dual headlights, etc. THAT would look the part!!
the new camaro is supposedly not based on any year model so yea...and i think that is the actual tranz am concept car.
Last edited by Pierced_Zombie; 09-08-2009 at 07:28 PM.
Yup. Hey, did you have to try to get into K1 or did they put you there first? I was in K1 last year and they wanted to put me in heavily modified this year. I had to keep pointing out "non-stock" items until the tech person agreed to let me into K1. I was just wondering. It seams like the classes can vary a lot depending on who you get in the tech line. I'm not complaining but I am curious as to which class I should be in next year. As long as the car decides she wants to go again of course.
Yup. Hey, did you have to try to get into K1 or did they put you there first? I was in K1 last year and they wanted to put me in heavily modified this year. I had to keep pointing out "non-stock" items until the tech person agreed to let me into K1. I was just wondering. It seams like the classes can vary a lot depending on who you get in the tech line. I'm not complaining but I am curious as to which class I should be in next year. As long as the car decides she wants to go again of course.
Dave, your car is quite nice and is one of my favorite ThirdGens at the show for the past 2 years. Good seeing you again.
The classes are always funny, my friend that was in "N" class was asked if he wants to be in that class or not, by the tech guy! I thought it was said and done but they gave him the choice for some reason.
__________________ 1992 Trans Am "RARE 92" ----- Jamaica Yellow, L98, 147K, All Original CA car 1991 Trans Am GTA ------------*2,800 miles*--1st Place Stock, TA Nats 2009 1992 Trans Am "PMD 92" ------47K, Best of Show, ThirdGen Fest 2008 1989 Formula 350 "PMD 89" ....Sold.... Redline Performance Machines
Dave, your car is quite nice and is one of my favorite ThirdGens at the show for the past 2 years. Good seeing you again.
The classes are always funny, my friend that was in "N" class was asked if he wants to be in that class or not, by the tech guy! I thought it was said and done but they gave him the choice for some reason.
i dont get the classes lol like whats the differences? lol i get the whole heavily modified but whats the others?
Thanks RPM. I love the nationals and its something I look forward to every year. Was yours the dark green gta that I parked next to in Tipp City? I love those cars. One of the cars I will have "someday" is either a black on black or a green on black 91 or 92 gta.
As far as the classes, I don't get it either. There were cars that were pretty crazy and had a lot more modifications than I do and they were in the modified class. I don't know. I received a trophy last year but didn't this year but thats fine. I have a 2 year old and its one less thing she can break. ha ha.
Yup. Hey, did you have to try to get into K1 or did they put you there first? I was in K1 last year and they wanted to put me in heavily modified this year. I had to keep pointing out "non-stock" items until the tech person agreed to let me into K1. I was just wondering. It seams like the classes can vary a lot depending on who you get in the tech line. I'm not complaining but I am curious as to which class I should be in next year. As long as the car decides she wants to go again of course.
They put me there. They counted 12 mods, including my polished stock AC lines and Cincy Speed sticker Things they counted I could have argyed but there were things they missed. Still with what they missed (2) it wouldn't have put me into Heavy Custom, no way would I have been able to compete there
Well I remember seeing a stock car with cleaned lines and it was close to polish but it was no where as shiny as mine, can't say what it was because I wasn't paying attention too much as I was running back from a friends car to my car. who knows
those are 91-92 third gen FIREHAWK wheels. they are currently out of production but if ya look around someone usually has a set for sale. and the stance on that GTA with thos wheels is dead on.
I think the owner of that car's name is Paul? He was in one of the modified classes. If I have the car right, he called me about those wheels. I have seen then called ROH 15 and R-15's. I have a set on my car and I love them. The only issue is you need some pretty good spacers on the front so they clear the outer tie-rods. Don't look at the back of my front right wheel. That red car has also been dropped. I used the pro kit and dropped mine one inch. I think the red car has more drop.
Bruce from Hawks said he comes upon sets sometimes so you may call him if you want a set.
They put me there. They counted 12 mods, including my polished stock AC lines and Cincy Speed sticker Things they counted I could have argyed but there were things they missed. Still with what they missed (2) it wouldn't have put me into Heavy Custom, no way would I have been able to compete there
It was very bad this year. When the guy teched my car he told me I could be in light modified if I wanted, he thought I'd do well in that class. I have an entire TPI->Carb swap (and my car is an 88...no carbs available that year), no smog, no a/c, no purge canister...just a ton of stuff in the engine bay alone, plus a 4" exhaust dump, subwoofer box, and non-correct center caps. So I explained that I was in heavy modified last year, and that's where I thought i would qualify this year. He said I could take my pick, light, heavy, custom, made no difference to him. That was really disturbing. Same thing happened to my buddy last year, he won light modified, and has a giant gold hood bird on his 87 GTA. They told him he could be in custom or light modified, his choice.
If this continues, I can see it being abused and manipulated to guarantee trophy placements.
I saw your car and wondered how you got in that class. I noticed the pressure regulator on the side. I don't miss much under the hood of a car since thats where I'm use to spending my time
All I know is that I was in the class I should have been in and that was fine by me.
__________________ 86 T/A,
Motor restoration - Completed April, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008......
Body restoration - Completed July, 2005
Graphics - Awaiting purchase
President, NKYFBA.com
The place to be in the Tri-State area!!
I'm really not sure where I should be, I guess if you count each and every carb-swap piece seperate it puts me in light custom. But I didn't even think about it that way, because I thought they were going to put me in super street, due to the carb swap. There's a woman with an 82-83 T/A that swapped from crossfire to TPI and thats where they put her every year, so i figured that's where I would be...but the guy never even mentioned that class. I told him heavy modified because thats where I was last year, I would have been perfectly fine had they told me custom as well. Hell, the guy that won my class I don't think had _enough_ mods to be in heavy mod...I counted 4, a console plaque, rear window etching, and firebird floormats, and maybe something else, I can't remember. I think that was it. Beautiful car, though, I always drool over it every nationals.
__________________ 1988 Trans Am 355. 33,000 original miles.
355ci 10:1, Holley 750DP, Summit Stage 2 intake, AFR 180cc Street Eliminators, Comp Cams XR282 HR10, MAC shorties, Mufflex 4" exhaust, Circle D 3500 stall
Best ET: 12.26@108.44, 1.67 60ft
Best MPH: 12.57@112.5, 2.0 60ft
I tried to help. I offered my services... There was one point when I offered to help and the guy doing the tech line more or less told me that he did not want the help because unless I could spend every moment helping then he did not want my help, he wanted consistency I followed him around ONE car that he put into "D" Stock, I was able to count two changes or additions that he did not count. One was a zip-tie that was holding the throttle cable to the plenum bracket. I do not remember the other, but still...
The problem is no one knows anything about third gens. Fourth Gens are completely different, where they offered only 2 engines for any given year, 3rd gens offered 3 or 4 engines every year, each year was slightly different than the previous, so if you know something about 1987's you may not know the same about 1989's. I think the guy was an idiot, pure and simple, its sad really, I hate saying it but he was without a clue.
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
I agree the guy/s did not do a good job in the tech line. I have a factory ac delete plate and have tried to make my car look like a 1le. When I pointed out all the stuff that was missing/or different, he said that was ok and should not count b/c the car could have come that way and I used a factory stock piece. Well - I could have been tall and good looking too but that did not happen either.
Anyway, while I was not impressed with the folks in the tech line, I couldn't do a better job so I'm not going to complain too much.
Anyway, while I was not impressed with the folks in the tech line, I couldn't do a better job so I'm not going to complain too much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner823
There's a woman with an 82-83 T/A that swapped from crossfire to TPI and thats where they put her every year, so i figured that's where I would be...but the guy never even mentioned that class.
She's in our club and the paint job is to die for. I REALLY love that car
Last edited by bestracing; 09-09-2009 at 10:34 PM.
I tried to help. I offered my services... There was one point when I offered to help and the guy doing the tech line more or less told me that he did not want the help because unless I could spend every moment helping then he did not want my help, he wanted consistency I followed him around ONE car that he put into "D" Stock, I was able to count two changes or additions that he did not count. One was a zip-tie that was holding the throttle cable to the plenum bracket. I do not remember the other, but still...
The problem is no one knows anything about third gens. Fourth Gens are completely different, where they offered only 2 engines for any given year, 3rd gens offered 3 or 4 engines every year, each year was slightly different than the previous, so if you know something about 1987's you may not know the same about 1989's. I think the guy was an idiot, pure and simple, its sad really, I hate saying it but he was without a clue.
Same old song and dance, eh? Yes, nobody up there knows anything about our cars. They tried to put my black Notchback in Modified the first time I took it up there; the guy got pissed off when another tech guy called him on that.... so then he really went over my car with a fine tooth comb and he nailed me for having chrome valve stems. LOL
Yes, John, I hope one of these days I get to attend again. '02 was the last year I was able to make it up there. I should have some vacation from this new job by next year, so maybe 2010 will be the year. I probably won't being a car because... let's face it: I don't have a car nice enough to win anything up there.
__________________ Frankie Rider, 2 The GTA Source Page
-----------------------
I agree the guy/s did not do a good job in the tech line. I have a factory ac delete plate and have tried to make my car look like a 1le. When I pointed out all the stuff that was missing/or different, he said that was ok and should not count b/c the car could have come that way and I used a factory stock piece. Well - I could have been tall and good looking too but that did not happen either.
Anyway, while I was not impressed with the folks in the tech line, I couldn't do a better job so I'm not going to complain too much.
Part of the rules are if you have a stock option, it does not matter if your car came with it or not, but if it was available that year then there is not a problem with the modification. Technically if you have a 1989 and you purchased 1LE front brakes they should not be counted as a change either. The argument here is the fact that not everyone has their build sheet. Add to that the techies are 2nd gen and 4th gen guys so they have a limited experience with third gens. I am pretty sure I could get away with putting a serpentine belt on my 1987 and the techies would not know the difference, as long as I made it look stock...
Great pics! Not a single car my color it looks like this year, only aqua and quasar...
__________________ www.TheFOAT.com/92GTA 1992 Trans Am GTA SLP: GMPP optioned "SLP Performance Parts Package" GTA, 210K Miles, Dark Jade Gray Metallic, LB9, 4L60, T-Tops, and Gray Leather. Documentation includes Window Sticker, Factory Invoice, Etc. Added a few tasteful mods. Owned for 10 years since 69K miles. 2nd place trophies. - Currently undergoing restoration to brand new condition with as many NOS parts as I could find!!! -
Part of the rules are if you have a stock option, it does not matter if your car came with it or not, but if it was available that year then there is not a problem with the modification. Technically if you have a 1989 and you purchased 1LE front brakes they should not be counted as a change either. The argument here is the fact that not everyone has their build sheet. Add to that the techies are 2nd gen and 4th gen guys so they have a limited experience with third gens. I am pretty sure I could get away with putting a serpentine belt on my 1987 and the techies would not know the difference, as long as I made it look stock...
I probably won't being a car because... let's face it: I don't have a car nice enough to win anything up there.
So, my friends 96 T/A wasn't a show car but he brought it up anyway. It's about having fun and meeting other people. At least bring it and cruise to Tipp City
I'm really not sure where I should be, I guess if you count each and every carb-swap piece seperate it puts me in light custom. But I didn't even think about it that way, because I thought they were going to put me in super street, due to the carb swap. There's a woman with an 82-83 T/A that swapped from crossfire to TPI and thats where they put her every year, so i figured that's where I would be...but the guy never even mentioned that class. I told him heavy modified because thats where I was last year, I would have been perfectly fine had they told me custom as well. Hell, the guy that won my class I don't think had _enough_ mods to be in heavy mod...I counted 4, a console plaque, rear window etching, and firebird floormats, and maybe something else, I can't remember. I think that was it. Beautiful car, though, I always drool over it every nationals.
Thats the Wifes car. We are the ones who bought your old TPI plenum and runners. The reason she is in Super Street is because there was no available TPI motor in 82, so they consider that 'Aftermarket Fuel Injection'. I dont know if your car would qualify being an 88. Now if you want to throw a blower on it, that will surely get you in!!
Yup, I remember. If I recall she wasn't that thrilled about being put in Super Street, because they don't have year classifications. I don't blame her there, either. But the same standard does apply...TPI is no more aftermarket than a carb, and no TPI in 82=no carb in 88. I didn't get a chance to talk to you guys this year, saw you a few times but I was always wrapped up in something else...but you are more than welcome to use my car as an example if she wants to try and protest the super street placement next year (assuming they try and place her there and not me). I think her car would do great in one of the custom classes, that's where it belongs imho. Or maybe i'm totally wrong and we both belong in super street, lol.
__________________ 1988 Trans Am 355. 33,000 original miles.
355ci 10:1, Holley 750DP, Summit Stage 2 intake, AFR 180cc Street Eliminators, Comp Cams XR282 HR10, MAC shorties, Mufflex 4" exhaust, Circle D 3500 stall
Best ET: 12.26@108.44, 1.67 60ft
Best MPH: 12.57@112.5, 2.0 60ft
1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover. 
Holy cow. That is really sad! I remember admiring that car just a few hours earlier. It was very unique. On the bright side (if there is such a thing), at least it's not a thirdgen. 
I followed him around ONE car that he put into "D" Stock, I was able to count two changes or additions that he did not count. One was a zip-tie that was holding the throttle cable to the plenum bracket. I do not remember the other, but still...
