Just showed up at my doorstep
Just showed up at my doorstep
91 Firebird, 305 tbi, 105,500 miles, new top, really good tires, starts, runs, drives. Engine compartment looks original except for some stereo wires run thru. The guy I bought it off of thought the carburater didn't have some of the vacuum lines on it. I had to tell him it was a tbi.
Needs floor pans (ooooffff), brakes bled or booster, radio, steering wheel, some rust on quarters, gas gauge on full always. Possible echeck problem but I think I can solve that.
I picked up a complete floor section for a decent price, column and cd/radio already.
Just arrived today (my trailer) pics shown are as purchased.
Another bad is previous owner screwed up title. Instead of putting 103,000 miles they put 130,000. Previous owner sold it with 98,000 and odometer says 105,500. So I have to jump thru hoops to get it corrected. It may not happen so I might have to have 130,000 on title and NOT ACTUAL next to it. Bummer. At least the not actual is actually lower.
Some pics attached. I am going to have to lean on you guys since this is my first 3rd gen that I have owned. I bought a tpi motor and tranny complete for my old 68 chevy truck and recently sold it and it payed for the car. yeah!!!
Needs floor pans (ooooffff), brakes bled or booster, radio, steering wheel, some rust on quarters, gas gauge on full always. Possible echeck problem but I think I can solve that.
I picked up a complete floor section for a decent price, column and cd/radio already.
Just arrived today (my trailer) pics shown are as purchased.
Another bad is previous owner screwed up title. Instead of putting 103,000 miles they put 130,000. Previous owner sold it with 98,000 and odometer says 105,500. So I have to jump thru hoops to get it corrected. It may not happen so I might have to have 130,000 on title and NOT ACTUAL next to it. Bummer. At least the not actual is actually lower.
Some pics attached. I am going to have to lean on you guys since this is my first 3rd gen that I have owned. I bought a tpi motor and tranny complete for my old 68 chevy truck and recently sold it and it payed for the car. yeah!!!
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Myers, FL
Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
looks like a great starter project
sucks about the floorboards though!
Good luck with it!
sucks about the floorboards though!
Good luck with it!
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Central Connecticut
Car: 91 Trans Am 'vert
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 bolt
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Nice car and welcome! If I may ask, how much did you pay for it?
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
$1200.00. Found floorboards, cd/radio and steering column for $250.00.
Wife ecstatic - she drove around the driveway multiple times - no plates.
She says its "her car". Two questions - how do you attach big pictures and where on car is the sticker with the RPO codes?
Wife ecstatic - she drove around the driveway multiple times - no plates.
She says its "her car". Two questions - how do you attach big pictures and where on car is the sticker with the RPO codes?
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Central Alberta,Canada
Car: 88 Iroc Vert/ 1980 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI/ 350
Transmission: 700R4/ TH350
Axle/Gears: 2.73posi/ 3.08 Open
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
DAM only stray cats show up at my doorstep. I think the rpo codes are on the bottom side of the center console lid. So it could be long gone.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Region Ontario Canada
Car: this and Dodge Dakota Quad
Engine: 383 tbi
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3-73
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
I have a 88 vert mine is best you can get to factory condition... RPO codes are in the centre console. if your sitting in the drivers seat they are on the passangers side wall of that consol. you need to remove the whole console top from back hinges to the bottom of the radio in order for it to be removed. it should still be there unless there was a history of theift or change in transmission ie Manule to automatic
$1200.00. Found floorboards, cd/radio and steering column for $250.00.
Wife ecstatic - she drove around the driveway multiple times - no plates.
She says its "her car". Two questions - how do you attach big pictures and where on car is the sticker with the RPO codes?
Wife ecstatic - she drove around the driveway multiple times - no plates.
She says its "her car". Two questions - how do you attach big pictures and where on car is the sticker with the RPO codes?
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Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
If you upload photos to our server, in the form of "attachments", your post will show small thumbnails. Users can click on those thumbnails for a larger (and full-size) version. There is no automatic way to have them posted bigger, without copy/pasting the location manually.
If you have the photos hosted outside of our website (such as Photobucket), and then remotely link them, the pictures will usually appear as full-size without thumbnails. It's just the default way the software has been setup and is usually used.
If you have the photos hosted outside of our website (such as Photobucket), and then remotely link them, the pictures will usually appear as full-size without thumbnails. It's just the default way the software has been setup and is usually used.
$1200.00. Found floorboards, cd/radio and steering column for $250.00.
Wife ecstatic - she drove around the driveway multiple times - no plates.
She says its "her car". Two questions - how do you attach big pictures and where on car is the sticker with the RPO codes?
Wife ecstatic - she drove around the driveway multiple times - no plates.
She says its "her car". Two questions - how do you attach big pictures and where on car is the sticker with the RPO codes?
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
I looked in the console itself already. Are you saying pull up the entire console and look underneith? Sorry 1st 3rd gen for me.
I still want to know how to put full size pics up or is that a senior member thing.
I still want to know how to put full size pics up or is that a senior member thing.
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
I've tried to copy / paste directly and it seemed to not work. What are you meaning when you say copying/pasting the "location manually". I'm pretty computer savy but at 45 years old I'm not the best at setting paths as in url stuff.
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
I'm thinking about wimping out on the floor pan replacement. It might be an entire section. I have a good body man/friend who is a wiz with knowing all spot weld locations. I just don't know if I want to spend the money. My floor pan section includes way beyond the whole floor pan. So I could take the whole thing out and have the entire car crumple without it, Ha.
I've searched high and low on here checking out the floor pan jobs. I am going to look at it tomorrow. Light buff the car, vacuum it out and pray it was puddles left in there when the top was leaking. My guess disaster. No big deal. My plan was to reinforce them for the summer, drive it a little and make sure mechanically it is good. Then this winter, mega support it, cut out what is needed and por-15 top and bottom.
My wife already has asked me for a "number" that would make the car, make her look good in. She wants to know what would make it perfect. Wonder who is going to do that?
I've searched high and low on here checking out the floor pan jobs. I am going to look at it tomorrow. Light buff the car, vacuum it out and pray it was puddles left in there when the top was leaking. My guess disaster. No big deal. My plan was to reinforce them for the summer, drive it a little and make sure mechanically it is good. Then this winter, mega support it, cut out what is needed and por-15 top and bottom.
My wife already has asked me for a "number" that would make the car, make her look good in. She wants to know what would make it perfect. Wonder who is going to do that?
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
When you have the upload manager opened and you're uploading pictures:

Right-click on the uploaded files and select Properties and then copy the Address/URL. Then, paste that URL between the [IMG][/IMG] tags inside your post. What this added step does is remotely link to the attachments you just uploaded. This gets you the full-size photo in the post, while still using the attachment feature.
There is no easy way to do this because the software wasn't exactly written to act in this manner.

Right-click on the uploaded files and select Properties and then copy the Address/URL. Then, paste that URL between the [IMG][/IMG] tags inside your post. What this added step does is remotely link to the attachments you just uploaded. This gets you the full-size photo in the post, while still using the attachment feature.
There is no easy way to do this because the software wasn't exactly written to act in this manner.
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Here's a couple more pics. Someone painted it, it's ok and it's really white. Original hood or hood that was on it got damaged by a youngster who couldn't get hood opened. The car would have looked better with that hood.
I haven't washed it yet and there are 10 to 20 scuff marks on it. Can't really tell in the pics and that is a pretty good camera.
Here goes the pic attachment try.



Wow, thats hard.
I haven't washed it yet and there are 10 to 20 scuff marks on it. Can't really tell in the pics and that is a pretty good camera.
Here goes the pic attachment try.



Wow, thats hard.
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
From what I've seen that is a trans am hood or at least by name. I have a question about the louvers and water and leaking. Whats the deal. They seem to have pans so water doesn't just fall down in but do they have any real function?
Supreme Member

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Osceola Indiana
Car: 92 RS(sold) 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: ones that turn
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Another bad is previous owner screwed up title. Instead of putting 103,000 miles they put 130,000. Previous owner sold it with 98,000 and odometer says 105,500. So I have to jump thru hoops to get it corrected. It may not happen so I might have to have 130,000 on title and NOT ACTUAL next to it. Bummer. At least the not actual is actually lower.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 3
From: Somewhere around the South Side of Chicago just crusin' in one of the Niteriders
Car: 92RS 25th Anniv./88 IROC Z28 Vert
Engine: 305 TBI w/Tpi Air / 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4/700r4
Axle/Gears: Posi
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
91 Firebird, 305 tbi, 105,500 miles, new top, really good tires, starts, runs, drives. Engine compartment looks original except for some stereo wires run thru. The guy I bought it off of thought the carburater didn't have some of the vacuum lines on it. I had to tell him it was a tbi.
Needs floor pans (ooooffff), brakes bled or booster, radio, steering wheel, some rust on quarters, gas gauge on full always. Possible echeck problem but I think I can solve that.
I picked up a complete floor section for a decent price, column and cd/radio already.
Just arrived today (my trailer) pics shown are as purchased.
Another bad is previous owner screwed up title. Instead of putting 103,000 miles they put 130,000. Previous owner sold it with 98,000 and odometer says 105,500. So I have to jump thru hoops to get it corrected. It may not happen so I might have to have 130,000 on title and NOT ACTUAL next to it. Bummer. At least the not actual is actually lower.
Some pics attached. I am going to have to lean on you guys since this is my first 3rd gen that I have owned. I bought a tpi motor and tranny complete for my old 68 chevy truck and recently sold it and it payed for the car. yeah!!!
Needs floor pans (ooooffff), brakes bled or booster, radio, steering wheel, some rust on quarters, gas gauge on full always. Possible echeck problem but I think I can solve that.
I picked up a complete floor section for a decent price, column and cd/radio already.
Just arrived today (my trailer) pics shown are as purchased.
Another bad is previous owner screwed up title. Instead of putting 103,000 miles they put 130,000. Previous owner sold it with 98,000 and odometer says 105,500. So I have to jump thru hoops to get it corrected. It may not happen so I might have to have 130,000 on title and NOT ACTUAL next to it. Bummer. At least the not actual is actually lower.
Some pics attached. I am going to have to lean on you guys since this is my first 3rd gen that I have owned. I bought a tpi motor and tranny complete for my old 68 chevy truck and recently sold it and it payed for the car. yeah!!!
To post big pics you need to upload them from your hard drive to a hosting site like photobucket or Tinypics.com, then copy the url and paste it in your message in thirdgen.
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Thanks JT
Going thru a few things yesterday I've got a couple issues.
I saw a thread showing that the front fenders were slightly different than factory. Does that have anything to do with the door? I was looking at getting the exterior window trim from JC Whitney and want to make sure it is the same as all other 3rd gens. Along with possible upgrade of door panels.
Are the hood hinges the same as all other 3rg gens? The hood that was replaced on my car is not closing correctly. I found a loose mounting nut and tightened it. Now the hood won't close right. I know it can be moved around a little and the height adjustment pads can be lower and raised. To me it looks like the hinges need shimmed. Plus one hinge seems to be iffy. Hood shocks are done.
To me it feels like I am bending the hood down to close it. I don't want to be stuck with the same issue as the previous owner when they used a screwdriver to pry the hood open.
Going thru a few things yesterday I've got a couple issues.
I saw a thread showing that the front fenders were slightly different than factory. Does that have anything to do with the door? I was looking at getting the exterior window trim from JC Whitney and want to make sure it is the same as all other 3rd gens. Along with possible upgrade of door panels.
Are the hood hinges the same as all other 3rg gens? The hood that was replaced on my car is not closing correctly. I found a loose mounting nut and tightened it. Now the hood won't close right. I know it can be moved around a little and the height adjustment pads can be lower and raised. To me it looks like the hinges need shimmed. Plus one hinge seems to be iffy. Hood shocks are done.
To me it feels like I am bending the hood down to close it. I don't want to be stuck with the same issue as the previous owner when they used a screwdriver to pry the hood open.
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Huntington WV
Car: 1988 convertible Z28 I think
Engine: 30 over 350 carbed and HEI
Transmission: T5 5speed
Axle/Gears: 9bolt 327posi disk brakes
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Door and hood hinges are the same for our verts as they are on regular 3rd gens.
Front fenders on verts are different because of the ASC converted frame stiffeners installed. Basically they are a normal fender with the bottom cut off and an extra mounting bracket installed.
Front fenders on verts are different because of the ASC converted frame stiffeners installed. Basically they are a normal fender with the bottom cut off and an extra mounting bracket installed.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 3
From: Somewhere around the South Side of Chicago just crusin' in one of the Niteriders
Car: 92RS 25th Anniv./88 IROC Z28 Vert
Engine: 305 TBI w/Tpi Air / 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4/700r4
Axle/Gears: Posi
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
The Convertible factor is different. The SPID sticker (with RPO codes) on a normal hardtop/t-top 1991/1992 would be in the rear glove box. However, the 1991/1992 Convertibles didn't have that. So, the SPID sticker is actually located on the inside wall of the center console on the 1991/1992 Convertibles.
This was already addressed and badgerooster did a fine job of following my instructions to allow him to post attachments (from our server) and link them so they display full-size. That is what he done in post #14: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...93-post14.html
This was already addressed and badgerooster did a fine job of following my instructions to allow him to post attachments (from our server) and link them so they display full-size. That is what he done in post #14: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...93-post14.html
I think when I posted my img info he still had the thumbnails going. I guess after your post he went back and changed them to full size. I never did them throug the TGO server so it is nice to see that way shown as well. Whatever works for the guy as long as he can post "big"...lol
Thanks JT
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
Ouch that hurts NiteRider. The only reason I wanted to post big is because I couldn't get thumbnails to show full size. I thought others couldn't either. Now I can, I see the light.
So what I'm gathering is the changes on the convertibles is structural. So hood hinges and hood would be the same on all 3rg gens, depending on flip up headlights.
So what I'm gathering is the changes on the convertibles is structural. So hood hinges and hood would be the same on all 3rg gens, depending on flip up headlights.
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
I finally took it out for a drive after a little cleaning, radio and rear wing reattachment. I was ready Friday to take wife out on a sunny day a use some gas. I was getting ready to put plate on and saw it pissing on the floor. Broken brake line. ooofff.
I knew there was a brake problem already but I thought it might be the booster. After replacing some brake lines I got it on the road Sunday. Top down, wife in car and straight into a thunderstorm. I got about 5 miles, stopped at friends and top had to go on. Only a Polock like me drives his convertible around in the rain.
A couple things I need help on. I put a camaro steering wheel on it to replace the aftermarket crap that was on it. It rubs the column. Is that because the 91 had the airbag wheel? Are they slightly different?
The rubbing inhibited steering the car correctly. But the steering on the car seemed sluggish. I've driven GM products for years and the steering on this didn't seem very responsive like others I've had. Is that due to the weight of the car?
It has a 305 tbi, auto, 2.73 gears (I'm guessing) and it sounds good but I really don't see this being an off the line beast. I need more power already. I don't think I'll being doing burnouts until I get floor pan done. I was running about 1800 rpm on the expressway at 70 mph. So I guess I got the good gas mileage 3rd gen. O.K. with me but in future I could see the use for more power.
My wife enjoyed the 5 minute topless (not her) ride and she wanted to go again but I showed her the weather channel and the whole state was green. Boy was she bummed.
It is white and I haven't checked codes yet but is the paint artic white? That is what I found at Autozone as a possible match.
Please a little feedback. I'm a 1st time 3rd gen owner.
I knew there was a brake problem already but I thought it might be the booster. After replacing some brake lines I got it on the road Sunday. Top down, wife in car and straight into a thunderstorm. I got about 5 miles, stopped at friends and top had to go on. Only a Polock like me drives his convertible around in the rain.
A couple things I need help on. I put a camaro steering wheel on it to replace the aftermarket crap that was on it. It rubs the column. Is that because the 91 had the airbag wheel? Are they slightly different?
The rubbing inhibited steering the car correctly. But the steering on the car seemed sluggish. I've driven GM products for years and the steering on this didn't seem very responsive like others I've had. Is that due to the weight of the car?
It has a 305 tbi, auto, 2.73 gears (I'm guessing) and it sounds good but I really don't see this being an off the line beast. I need more power already. I don't think I'll being doing burnouts until I get floor pan done. I was running about 1800 rpm on the expressway at 70 mph. So I guess I got the good gas mileage 3rd gen. O.K. with me but in future I could see the use for more power.
My wife enjoyed the 5 minute topless (not her) ride and she wanted to go again but I showed her the weather channel and the whole state was green. Boy was she bummed.
It is white and I haven't checked codes yet but is the paint artic white? That is what I found at Autozone as a possible match.
Please a little feedback. I'm a 1st time 3rd gen owner.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Central Connecticut
Car: 91 Trans Am 'vert
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 bolt
Re: Just showed up at my doorstep
I finally took it out for a drive after a little cleaning, radio and rear wing reattachment. I was ready Friday to take wife out on a sunny day a use some gas. I was getting ready to put plate on and saw it pissing on the floor. Broken brake line. ooofff.
I knew there was a brake problem already but I thought it might be the booster. After replacing some brake lines I got it on the road Sunday. Top down, wife in car and straight into a thunderstorm. I got about 5 miles, stopped at friends and top had to go on. Only a Polock like me drives his convertible around in the rain.
A couple things I need help on. I put a camaro steering wheel on it to replace the aftermarket crap that was on it. It rubs the column. Is that because the 91 had the airbag wheel? Are they slightly different?
The rubbing inhibited steering the car correctly. But the steering on the car seemed sluggish. I've driven GM products for years and the steering on this didn't seem very responsive like others I've had. Is that due to the weight of the car?
It has a 305 tbi, auto, 2.73 gears (I'm guessing) and it sounds good but I really don't see this being an off the line beast. I need more power already. I don't think I'll being doing burnouts until I get floor pan done. I was running about 1800 rpm on the expressway at 70 mph. So I guess I got the good gas mileage 3rd gen. O.K. with me but in future I could see the use for more power.
My wife enjoyed the 5 minute topless (not her) ride and she wanted to go again but I showed her the weather channel and the whole state was green. Boy was she bummed.
It is white and I haven't checked codes yet but is the paint artic white? That is what I found at Autozone as a possible match.
Please a little feedback. I'm a 1st time 3rd gen owner.
I knew there was a brake problem already but I thought it might be the booster. After replacing some brake lines I got it on the road Sunday. Top down, wife in car and straight into a thunderstorm. I got about 5 miles, stopped at friends and top had to go on. Only a Polock like me drives his convertible around in the rain.
A couple things I need help on. I put a camaro steering wheel on it to replace the aftermarket crap that was on it. It rubs the column. Is that because the 91 had the airbag wheel? Are they slightly different?
The rubbing inhibited steering the car correctly. But the steering on the car seemed sluggish. I've driven GM products for years and the steering on this didn't seem very responsive like others I've had. Is that due to the weight of the car?
It has a 305 tbi, auto, 2.73 gears (I'm guessing) and it sounds good but I really don't see this being an off the line beast. I need more power already. I don't think I'll being doing burnouts until I get floor pan done. I was running about 1800 rpm on the expressway at 70 mph. So I guess I got the good gas mileage 3rd gen. O.K. with me but in future I could see the use for more power.
My wife enjoyed the 5 minute topless (not her) ride and she wanted to go again but I showed her the weather channel and the whole state was green. Boy was she bummed.
It is white and I haven't checked codes yet but is the paint artic white? That is what I found at Autozone as a possible match.
Please a little feedback. I'm a 1st time 3rd gen owner.
Another Polack on the board?! hey me too! I'm 100% but born in the States. And I drove my vert topless once last January when my DD was out of service so don't feel bad about the rain.

But as for the steering... I wouldn't say my 91 Trans Am vert feels sluggish. The steering ratio being about 2.5 turns from lock to lock if I'm not wrong (I haven't driven it in a few months so I forgot). Do you have the same quick ratio steering box as well? I did notice however that my steering did get a little sluggish like yours after disconnecting/reconnecting the PS pump lines. I might not have added enough PS fluid... maybe your fluid level is low too? Check the dipstick in the pump.... I'll have to do that too lol.
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