I was originally under the impression that the camaro had just the center piece under the radiator, and that the TA had the same center piece and also 2 'wings' that go back from there towards the wheels. In reading some posts on this, it sounds like there is yet another piece to the TA, but I can not picture what it is or where it goes.
Yes I have some serious cooling issues. In town it hovers around 240, and will definately overheat on the hiway even to the point of boiling in the overflow if I let it get that far. I have the center piece and the drivers side wing, and know I need to get the PS wing replaced, but I wouldnt think that is the only cause of my problems. In the meantime I am also replacing the t-stat and looking into replacing the water pump (it looks like it is the orginal, and the outside has a rusty look to it while the rest of the engine is relatively clean).
Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. tia James

 

If its overheating worse on the highway youll want to look at the radiator as the culprit.

 

On my '86 TA there was a 2-piece air delflector. Starting in '87, they switched to a single piece deflector. On my '89 GTA there is just one piece deflector.

Make sure yout deflector is not bent back. There should be a slight angle 10-30 degrees (from the radiator). Look at a late model 'Vette, they have nice deflectors on them.

On your '89 GTA, there should also be a 2-piece black plastic thing called a Baffle. The Baffle runs down the back side of the front bumber, inbetween the radiator, and the backside of the bumber. Lower baffle (Part #14107496), and Upper Baffle (Part #14107487).

Incidently the deflectors on the '86's were horrible I broke six of them untill I finally made my own.

 

The deflector is 3 pieces: the center piece which is the same as the camaro, then the 2 pieces that slant back from the edge of this to just inside the front wheel wells. Now this baffle you are talking about I am not sure what that is... I dont think I have it on mine... do you have any pics or diagrams of what these look like and where exactly they are located?
I know about those deflectors, I had to replace the one on my 86 IROC a few times.

 

As for the 2-piece Baffle assembly,
E-Mail me your fax # or address, and I can send you a copy of the exploded diagram I got from the Pontiac dealership.

It is a black plastic piece about 3/16" thick, that runs the width of the radiator, and vertically a little taller that the radiator, that bolts onto the backside of the front bumber cover. It has an arc that slopes from the front bottom of the front bumber, to the top front of the radiator. If you look up from under your bumber, you should see the radiator/condenser, then opposite of that you should see black plastic along the backside of the front bumber.

The '89 GTA did have 3 pieces, but I was refering to the piece
directly below the radiator. The 2 side pieces are not as critical.

Incidently, the '86 did have 2 pieces directly below the radiator. The lower one which ran the width of front bumber. This had to be one of the most horribly engineered and tested parts ever produced by
GM.

 

its looking like the t-stat was the problem... finally was able to get it replaced, and now the car barely reaches 200-205 (at least according to the dash guage, but still it isnt overheating)

 

Did you put in 160 degree or 185 degree thermastat?

Glad you solved problem.

 

180, decided to go middle of the road.

 

I have a 170* stat and mine still gets hot. Mostly when sitting in traffic but also if running down the highway with the a/c on. I even have a manual switch so I can turn the fan on when I want and it still gets hot. It sucks.

 

I was never able to really solve that problem with my 86 IROC before it got totalled. About all I can suggest is checking the radiator and the water pump. What kind of fan set-up do you have, single or dual, stock or aftermarket? Is your air deflector in good shape?
Just some things to think about...