Ok, My car is a 1984 Trans am it is black with the gold decals.....on the side of the buldge on the hood it say H.O. 5.0 now that means it has the H.O. 305 right??? I dont have the car yet so I cant check the numbers on it.....http://srd.yahoo.com/goo/1984+Trans+...sam/1984ta.htm If you copy and paste that link thats exactly the same color as my car

 

Maybe, maybe not. Decals are easy to apply (or remove), doesnt change whats under the hood.

 

Check the VIN to be sure. Another way to tell, but isn't full proof, the air cleaner, should be a dual snorkel.

 

8th digit of the vin is "G" for a L69 (HO) or "H" for a LG4 Of course, one can only hope that if it really is a HO car, the L69 motor is still there, and hasn't been swapped.

L69 cars came with electric fans, LG4 came with clutch fans; L69 has a knock sensor, 84 LG4 does not. Those are about the most visible differences besides the VIN and badges.

 

I saw an ad online where they were selling an '83 Trans-Am with the "5.0L H.O." engine. However, the VIN they provided exposed it as only the LG4 motor Obviously the sellers A) didn't do their homework or B) are hoping to use the "H.O." tag to squeak out a few more dollars Such a shame.

 

All of the 87 Fbird Formulas with the TPI 305 were HO, right?

 

HO = carb

TPI = fuel injection

No


However, there were 2 versions of the TPI 305, depending on year and trans... the ones that came with 5-speeds had the better cam, th eones that came with autos often had the same "peanut" cam that came in the LG4 and TBI motors.

 

Thanks. I have the 5-speed, and was just wondering what the technical designation was based on.

 

What RB said isnt entirely accurate, although thats how it should be. Both my 85 and 86 LB9's were also referred to as HO, and I am pretty sure the Formulas were designated as 5.0 HO's if they had the TPI. HO is High Output in GM speak, its just a higher HP version of the same basic engine.

 

Well, from what I've read, I have the highest output 305 from that year, so I guess I'm HO.

 

Not true about a T/A 5.0 H.O. (carb) having dual snorkels. Only Camaros had them.

 

Ditto on the snorkel thing.
My 84 Recaro has the L69 HO engine. There is a single snorkel that draws air from the left front corner under the hood. In addition, the air cleaner has a hole on top that mates with the cowl induction, ie. the characteristic hood bulge.

 

Wow! Another Calgarian! Sometimes I think this is a CAlgary only board! (being sarcastic

 

yea i know about the TPI HO thing. in GM speak it is horsie reliant. put my car against a TBI 305 and see which one is the HO. hee hee hee