86 sports coupe

If so what is the difference in the GTA and the Trans Am?
I love these cars, I own Camaros, but when it comes to 3rd gen f bodys, I want to know all aspects on these cars, Ive owned my berlinetta since 1988.

3rdgenparts

iTrader: (8)

Your question is kinda of confusing.

But I think,I know what your asking.

In 87-92 the gta engine options are as follows:

305 Tpi LB9/Auto or 5SPD
350 5.7 L98/Auto only

The gta was a luxury,top of the line trans am came with power everything and the infamous 16" diamond spoke rims.Check out the gta source page its "the" place for gta info.

'87 trans am could have had the:

305 LG4 AUTO OR 5SPD
305 TPI LB9/AUTO OR 5SPD
350 TPI/AUTO ONLY


Best way to tell the difference between a gta and regular trans am gta didn't have fender flares.

okfoz

From 87-90
Typically speaking the T/A was duo-tone, and the GTA was monotone. The GTA was suposed to be the premium loaded out car for the T/A, however in 1987 I have seen bare bonz GTA's. In 1988 I think this became the case, with only few options, like the digital dash, overhead console etc.

ANY option on the GTA was availble on the T/A, However the GTA was not "downgradable" beyond a point, IE, the GTA came with the Ultima articulating seats only, in the T/A it was an option only. Also the GTA was TPI only, no LO3 or LG4 EVER, the T/A was availble with the LG4 in 87, and LO3 in 88, in 89 this changed and the T/A was TPI 5.0 or 5.7 ONLY.

I have seen 87 T/A's with the Digital Dash, and Ultima seats so it was NOT a GTA only thing.

The T/A had fender air extractors, whereas the GTA did not.

In 87 the WS6 T/A got the same wheels as the WS6 T/A from 86, and the 87 Formula.

88+ the WS6 T/A got the same wheel as the GTA except it was Black, in 91 & 92 however the T/A was availble with the Gold cross laced rims...

Gotta run...

John

86 sports coupe

so in 87 on up T/A buyer could out fit his T/A with all the options of
The GTA minus the monotone paint scheme and and fender flares?
I wonder why in 87 , a Camaro buyer couldnt out fit his Z/28 with the Iroc stuff? Maybe Marketing?
Thanks Randy

Klortho

Fender flares??

Never seen 'em on a T/A,

OH you mean the vents......

n/m

84L69TA

Not true. I almost bought an 89 T/A a while back that was an original L03/auto car.

FrankieRider2

From what I have read in various sources, in 1987 the 5.7L engine was only released for the Trans Am after it was apparent that there were going to be enough engines for use in the GTA.

Yes, the GTA model was fully contented for 1988-1992.

The GTA was not "downgradable" at all... unless you consider the 5.0L engine credit. The only thing the Trans Am could not get ordered with through 1990 was the gold PW7 wheels.

Actually, the Trans Am went TPI-only in 1990....

.... or white, red, silver, or charcoal.

86 sports coupe

Come to think of it I test drove an 89 T/A black with 15 inch wheels, it was a throttle bodey engine auto trans. I remember a friend of mine and me test drove an 86 tpi Iroc before hand.
I call them fender vents also, I was calling them fender flares because somone else did.

okfoz

ok in 1990 it was TPI only...

John

okfoz

Are you sure you don't have that backwards? As in most of the lit, the GTA was standard with the 350, and an optional 305 (for credit)??

It seems as though the Formula 350 was originally limited to 1500 units, and the cap later removed.

John

86 sports coupe

Ive read that you can get credit for ordering a 305 in the GTA, but usualy it was done in order to get a 5 speed. I bet that a 5 speed equiped GTA would be a rare find. I couldnt imagine the fun it would be to drive a tpi equiped 3rd gen with a 5 speed ! I want to put a 5 speed in my sports coupe someday, and maybe later ad a Tpi.
I love these cars I just wish the after market would get it in gear when it comes to resto parts. There is plent of parts for an Iroc or Trans -Am but for the berlinetta and sports coupe crowd, some parts are hard to find.

okfoz

THe cars have not "Come of age" Recently (past 5 to 10 years) there have been a rash of new suppliers of aftermarket cars for the 2nd Gen. Give it 10 or so years, it will catch on.

John

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

My GTA is one of the rare (800 or so) 88s with a factory 5 speed. In fact, that's why I bought the car even though I had absolutely no use for it.

86 sports coupe

Come of age? I dont agree.
My parents hd a 69 camaro in 84, I remember looking through the padock catalog, it was about the 1/4 of the size it is now. The demand for the parts will dictate what parts are made. How much demand is there for berlinetta emblems? Or 86-87 sports coupe foglight grilles?
How many concours restored Iroc-Zs do you hear about? What about paint markings, I havnt heard anything about paint markings or chassy and suspension colors.

okfoz

I think we agree, I said our cars have "not 'Come of age'"

The Magic number is between 25 and 30 for some reason thats when a car seems to reach that age is when they become a classic, and then they become "noticed" once again. Back in the late 80's early 90's the 57 Chevies were all the rage, I remember going to car shows and everyone would gather around them. They were THE car to have. Now the early 70's Mopars are coming on the stage as the ones to have. But note that really the early 2nd gens are really starting to perk up, especially pre 1974.

Concours restored IROC-Z's? I think we have a few that are that nice around here... more than one I suspect.

For my personal projects, I have been going to the T/A nats taking pictures of engine bays and other misc parts on the cars to make reference to where the misc little splotches of paint go.. like the splotches on the strut tower brace as an example. There is a thread on Orange 9 bolts. I think eventually this information should be put into a book so we can restore them to perfect.

John

John