Hi, I have an 89 5.0 L firebird, and I want to swap out the stock front bumper for a pre 1985 firebird/trans am bumper. I am not a big fan of the rubber bumperet inserts, and I think that the 84 trans am bumpers with the solid grill inserts look really aggressive. However I do not know if the bumper will line up to the body. I also do not know if the bumper cover will swap directly on. I couldn't find any posts about this and I would greatly appreciate any information anyone might have.

 

I agree about the looks, and to answer your questions:

Yes, it's a direct swap and will line up fine.

 

Thanks, that's great news, although I have one more small question. I've heard that the stock bumper reinforcement assembly behind the bumper cover itself, was either aluminum or steel depending on the year. Is this true, and if so, does it matter which one I have when I am doing the swap?

 

no

 

The material that the bumper is made from doesnt matter. It will work the same.

 

I think what you are looking for is the 1982-1983 Trans-AM/Firebird bumper cover with the 1984 solid grill inserts. I don't like the bumperetts either but I can't stand the ground effects on the 1984 Trans-AM. To me it looks likes they tacked a bunch of crap on a 1982 car to make it look like the 1985 model.

 

Yeah, I do agree that the 84 Trans am (recaro edition?) looks tacky, but I believe the 82's-84's use the same front bumper. I think in 84 they just added a weird front chin spoiler looking thing to the bumper. Whenever I look up bumpers, the adds always say "82-84 front bumper". Also, if anyone knows where to get the solid inserts please tell me, as I cannot find a single pair for sale, except for two beat ups ones on ebay. Anyway, if anybody find anything else please tell. Thanks!

 

You could be right. They may just tack that crap on the 82-84 nose for the Trans-AMs of the day.

 

Trans Am, not AM. It's not an acronym.
Sorry, pet peeve.

As for the bumper, try and get the aluminum one for the weight savings.