I know that pontiac had diffent models of the firebird like chevy with the camaro. Im new the the whole f-body thing. I have a 82 Trans am. Im just curious what the major differnces between a Trans Am and a standard Firebird was? Was there anything else besides the vents behind the front wheels?

 

Trans-Am is the upper model Firebird. Kind of how Z28 is the upper model Camaro. Trans-Ams usually included more standard options like a V8 engine.

 

Starting with the first gen in blue and white (also a fav of mine...for me, the 4ths are least favored (based on look and feel -limited as that was!)

Mostly appearance differences however. The cars weren't all that far apart, sharing much in common.

Bill S.

 

each do share similar stuf, but like the one person said they have different characteristcs...

as far as firebirds go, i like the formula version, simple and to the point no digital stuff like the gta and no ground effects like the trans am

but all birds are cool in my book!!!
i even have a feeling for camaros of all kind!! my first car a 1988 iroc-z camaro 5.7...

 

The Trans Am is more than an appearance package, enhanced performance and handling are Trans Am trademarks.

Don

 

Trans-Am = V8 (unless you are talkin bout the 89 Turbo TA) and usually better suspension (stiffer). I, however had an 82 TA with a 305, 3sp auto, and the softest friggin' suspension ever. It rode like a Caddy. My V6 82 firebird that I had at the same time had bigger sway bars in it. The only rule for TA's is the air extractors on the fenders (except for the GTA), V8 engine (which had stiffer springs in the front suspension), different tail lights (usually a tinted lens) and ground effects & spoiler (even though in 82 & 83 the ground effects were just a little deflector in front of the rear wheel). Other than that, people could order their TA's with all kids of wierd options, and some people were into ordering some bizzare combo's. You could get any of the options offered in a Firebird (or Formula) in a TA, but not the other way around.

 

basically in the third gen it worked out like this:

82-86:

Firebird (economy model) cheap, economical, 4-cyl was the default on the "stripper", optional V6 or V8, many options available at extra price. No WS6.

Firebird S/E (luxury model) middle-of-the-road price, V6 default, 4-cyl credit delete or V8 optional, could be totally loaded, WS6 optional

Firebird Trans Am (performance model) mandatory V8, plus an *exclusive* optional V8 (TPI, CFI, L69 depending on year), usually at least some unique appearance, WS6 NOT mandatory but optional (that's why some ride like Caddys and some ride like skateboards). usually expensive, but a totally loaded Firebird S/E was more expensive compared to an average Trans Am.

87-92:

Firebird (economy model) same as 82-86 firebird except the 4-cyl was gone, V6 was now the default. optional V8 TBI, many options at extra price. No WS6 available as far as I know. relatively cheap price.

Firebird Trans Am (performance model) mandatory 305 V8 TPI, usually with another optional better V8 (TPI or bigger displacement). a few unique appearance items, many options available. WS6 standard as far as I know.

Firebird Formula (stripped performance model) this had all the engine choices of the Trans Am but being a Firebird (NOT a Firebird Trans Am), it could be anything from a total stripper to being modestly loaded. Was usually lighter and cheaper than the Trans Am but just as fast, or faster. WS6 standard.

Firebird Trans Am GTA (luxury model) also had all the engine options of the Trans Am and was totally loaded with pretty much every option imaginable, and was more expensive. being heavier, the 350 was default, but you could get a 305 if you wanted to. WS6 standard.

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I think this is pretty accurate. There's bound to be a couple of mistakes, so please feel free to correct them, anyone

 

Ok I thought the 4 cyl was for 82-84 after 84 they got rid of it???

(I am asking not trying to be a smarty)

 

So did the WS6 make it ride like a caddy or a skateboard? witch one is better for handleing?

 

WS6 is the trademark 'performance' suspension package. Though after all these years the performance is probably worn out on many of the WS6 cars.

 

I have a 82 Trans Am. Is there any kind of segnificant things i could look at to see if i have the WS6 package?

 

Yeah,
REAR suspension, first and foremost!

hehe
Bill

 

For handling, the jarring, bumpy ride is usually one of the symptoms that come with a car that keeps you in touch with the road, rather then isolated, as the Cadillacs and other luxery cars tend to do.

I've owned both and still love all the Cadillacs offer, but it's even better to have both at the same time as the Cads seem to have everything the F cars don't have and vice versa...except for electric windows/mirrors... and what ever else I can't think of

 

Pretty sure the Iron Duke stuck around till 86 in the f-body. Of course it got more and more unpopular and laughable, so you'll hardly ever see an 85-86 with an iron duke, but I'm pretty sure they're out there, a few of 'em anyway. that engine was pretty damn versatile, contrary to popular belief. I don't know what year they got rid of it, but my 89 Grand Am also had it (a.k.a. the "TECH-4" engine, as it was called in 89). You know those funny looking really small & square truck/van things the post office uses? a TON of those still run around with the Iron Duke.

the other question: WS6 is what makes it ride all stiff and responsive and you feel every micro-pebble and every bump through the steering wheel and the whole car is stiff. not having WS6 is what makes it feel all soft & smooth like a grannycar. If you took a NON-WS6 f-body and put it next to a WS6 of the same year, the major differences would be on the WS6: thicker anti-sway bars, stiffer springs, bigger wheels & tires, faster steering box ratio, posi rear axle, etc. Some of those parts were available as optional on a non-WS6 car but not all of them.

for handling, tight cornering and overall stiffness and quick response, WS6 is what you need. for soft & smooth ride (and sleep inducing, if you ask me) then non-WS6 is what you need.

 

Not that it really matters, but 85 was the last year of the 4 cyl.