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Just got back into the 3rd gen game after a hiatus due to life/kids etc.
This will be my 6th third gen.
Previous cars:
84 Berlinetta
91 Firebird V6
87 Formula 350
86 Iroc 305
91 Z28 350
So this car.....I was told it is a GTA, and with one of those online VIN searches, it did specify the Y84 RPO code in the search results.
The RPO sticker is gone unfortunately. Nothing in the rear glove box, and the center console lid has nothing.
Maybe some day I will pay the 100.00 to that GM vintage record search to get the factory breakdown. I thought they usually put a build sheet under the carpet somewhere, any advice?
Anyhow, its a 92, 350TPI, rear pbr disc brake Trans Am at the minimum. 169k on the clock. Has some surface rust on the quarter panel lips, door bottoms are spotless, and the floors have some surface rust here and there. No rot, or holes though. Definitely not too far gone by any means.
Issues: Needs the rear brake lines replaced (doing today), hatch pulldown motor is not working, and it runs extremely rich once it reaches operating temperature. Going to throw an o2 sensor, and a coolant temp sensor at it right away to see if that cures it. Otherwise, I will t/s to see if I have issues with the injectors, return line, etc.
The best part about it for me, is my 9 year old son os almost more excited to work on it than I am!
Thing that kind of sucks, is I really wanted a Formula. The thought crossed my mind to convert this, but if it is a GTA, I literally can't. Only 226 made in 92, it would be blasphemy to turn it into a Formula.
All the badging suggests Trans Am. A GTA would have emblems on the nose, sail panels, and fenders, and none of the Trans Am decals. Not that it really matters, it's unusual to see any 91-92 Firebird with a L98. Not much difference between the T/A and GTA anyway in 91-92. Pretty much just the emblems and seats.
Seems like you got it for a really good price. Enjoy it for what it is, not what it could be.
Thing that kind of sucks, is I really wanted a Formula. The thought crossed my mind to convert this, but if it is a GTA, I literally can't. Only 226 made in 92, it would be blasphemy to turn it into a Formula.
All the badging suggests Trans Am. A GTA would have emblems on the nose, sail panels, and fenders, and none of the Trans Am decals. Not that it really matters, it's unusual to see any 91-92 Firebird with a L98. Not much difference between the T/A and GTA anyway in 91-92. Pretty much just the emblems and seats.
Seems like you got it for a really good price. Enjoy it for what it is, not what it could be.
Good Price. Also only 144 GTAs Got the L98 for 1992. Only 45 were that Medium Green Metallic.
I quoted this from gtasourcepage.com hope it helps.
This often-elusive label is known as the Service Parts Identification (SPI) label.
This sticker is applied by the factory and is used to help ensure that the proper repair parts are used on the car in the future.
Every option that the car was equipped has a specific code, and that code is printed on this label.
Each option, interior and exterior, is listed for future reference.
The location of this label varies according to the particular model of car it is installed on.
For the 1987-1990 cars, the label was placed on the inside wall of the console glove box; in turn, for 1991 and 1992, the sticker was moved into the LH rear storage compartment.
The GTA option code was Y84; the code is pictured on the next-to-last line on the sticker.
I always thought a real GTA had gold wheels & regular T/A had black wheels and Cloth interior. But GTAs offered both Leather & cloth. A good sign is in the Dash pocket on the passenger side, It should say GTA or have a Gold bird on it, instead of saying Trans Am.
I saw at this '91 for sale near me awhile ago. 5.7 TPI and had me Stumped as well.
I always thought a real GTA had gold wheels & regular T/A had black wheels and Cloth interior. But GTAs offered both Leather & cloth. A good sign is in the Dash pocket on the passenger side, It should say GTA or have a Gold bird on it, instead of saying Trans Am.
I saw at this '91 for sale near me awhile ago. 5.7 TPI and had me Stumped as well.
Pretty clear and easy to see, even looking at he pics online, that's a Trans Am and not GTA .
Thanks for all the replies. On the GTA question, here is what I do know:
The car was repainted a few years back due to having something fall on the hood according to the pervious owner.
Whether its a GTA or not, I still do not know. That would explain the missing emblems (maybe they ordered a TA decal kit, idk).
The RPO sticker is gone (not in the rear compartment, not under the console lid). I am hoping there is a build sheet somewhere under the carpet, but not holding my breath.
The dash pouch on the passenger side has a gold bird logo on it.
Any help appreciated (maybe someone knows where to find the elusive paper build sheet?).
The RPO sticker is gone (not in the rear compartment, not under the console lid). I am hoping there is a build sheet somewhere under the carpet, but not holding my breath.
The dash pouch on the passenger side has a gold bird logo on it.
Any help appreciated (maybe someone knows where to find the elusive paper build sheet?).
Forget about the build sheet. It's such a long shot that it's truly a waste of time to go searching, unless you are going to tear the car apart anyway...
All 92s have the same dash pouch. The GTA logo was only used on earlier cars.
The RPO stickers disappear because the adhesive gives out, things rub up against them, people change panels or consoles, or just simply remove the SPID and keep them in a "safe" place.
If you really want to know, post a note on the History sub forum and ask if someone would mind running a Compnine report on the VIN. Since it's a 92, it should be in the system. That'll give you the RPO codes.
The car was repainted a few years back due to having something fall on the hood according to the pervious owner. Whether its a GTA or not, I still do not know. That would explain the missing emblems (maybe they ordered a TA decal kit, idk).
Assuming the front '92 GTA emblem is similar to my '90 GTA emblem, and by assuming I mean I have never owned a '92 GTA so I cannot confirm. But anyway, the front emblem should have an "anchor" point(s) behind it, the back of the emblem has two pins that gets positioned through the GTA nose to hold it in position along with the two way tape securing it down, so the GTA bumper nose will be pre-drilled to allow for that. I can give you a picture of mine if you need for reference. Anyway, if the holes are not there it is possible the former owner had them filled when he had the car repainted after realizing he lost the emblems, which happens. Can always look under the bumper to see if they were originally there. Hope this helps.
Forget about the build sheet. It's such a long shot that it's truly a waste of time to go searching, unless you are going to tear the car apart anyway...
All 92s have the same dash pouch. The GTA logo was only used on earlier cars.
The RPO stickers disappear because the adhesive gives out, things rub up against them, people change panels or consoles, or just simply remove the SPID and keep them in a "safe" place.
If you really want to know, post a note on the History sub forum and ask if someone would mind running a Compnine report on the VIN. Since it's a 92, it should be in the system. That'll give you the RPO codes.
Thanks man, I will do that and see if someone can help.
Appreciate it!
Assuming the front '92 GTA emblem is similar to my '90 GTA emblem,
Th 87-90 GTA nose emblem was metal and had the stud on the back. The 91-92 GTA emblem was more like a decal, and was flexible and adhesive mounted only, they are completely different and not a good way to differentiate
Assuming the front '92 GTA emblem is similar to my '90 GTA emblem, and by assuming I mean I have never owned a '92 GTA so I cannot confirm. But anyway, the front emblem should have an "anchor" point(s) behind it, the back of the emblem has two pins that gets positioned through the GTA nose to hold it in position along with the two way tape securing it down, so the GTA bumper nose will be pre-drilled to allow for that. I can give you a picture of mine if you need for reference. Anyway, if the holes are not there it is possible the former owner had them filled when he had the car repainted after realizing he lost the emblems, which happens. Can always look under the bumper to see if they were originally there. Hope this helps.
- Rob
Thank you, I will look into it and see if there is anything visable.
Appreciate the advice/help.
Th 87-90 GTA nose emblem was metal and had the stud on the back. The 91-92 GTA emblem was more like a decal, and was flexible and adhesive mounted only, they are completely different and not a good way to differentiate
Thank you scooter. This is why I said I wasn't positive if they were the same.
Only viable option at this point would be what Drew recommended then...
11-18-2017, 08:37 AM
