Why does the GTA seem to be more popular then the TA? Isn't just a TA with a bunch of weight-adding options? I'm not trying to start any trouble, just want to know. More GTA's were built in '89 than TA's. Why?

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1989 Trans Am, 305 TPI 5-speed, T-Tops(love 'em),4-wheel disc, 3.73 posi

Weight adding options? I suppose that TPI, a 9 bolt posi rear-end and 1/4" bigger pistons does add weight. My point is, GTAs are highly optioned cars that were not available with the plethora of low power motors that a lot of Trans Ams came with. All of them were TPI cars, they all had Posi, they all had the WS6 suspension with 4 wheel disk brakes, they all had more comfortable seats, etc. In general, it was just a more highly optioned car.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

Jim's correct..... again.

The GTAs were the only Firebirds to be fully optioned "right out of the box", and most collectors typically look for the "top line" model in a car line when they go to buy any car that they think might be collectible in the future.

Again, not to disparage anybody's car AT ALL, but most people discover the GTAs first when they want a "loaded" 3rdGen Trans Am. I've seen plenty of Trans Ams optioned out identical to the GTAs, but most people know by now that the GTAs came with everything. It makes picking a used T/A much easier..... a buyer doesn't have to wonder if the car has this option or that option. It's the easiest choice for a fully equipped 1987-92 performance Firebird.

Basically, you buy a GTA, you get..... everything. And I think that's a big part of the allure of these cars, even after all these years.

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Frankie Rider, 2
The GTA Source Page
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1988 GTA Red 5.7L Hatchback
1988 GTA Black 5.7L Notchback
1988 GTA Gunmetal Metallic 5.0L Hatchback
1981 Trans Am WS6 5.0L..... slated to be replaced by Chevy SB400
1980 Turbo 4.9L Trans Am WS6

Got to love the badging. The beautiful gold badge on the front gfx is great. They also have fewer badges on them than the T/A.

They weighed more, but were much more liveable on a daily basis and were still faster than almost any other third gen out there.

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1989 Camaro Convertible
dark silver w/black top
305tbi, auto, all stock
posi
Check out Phil's Rice Boy Page

I even would disagree with this "weighing more". Mine weighs 3,410 lbs with minimal fuel and no driver. Not much heavier than any other L98 powered car, except the Formula (which was a stripper). And I think the difference is 50-100 lbs. A whopping .05 to .10 at the track. Your "launch" can cause a greater difference in times.

Just want to mention that you could order a GTA with a 5-speed , but you got the 305 with it , other than that its just a full optioned TA

Doesnt the GTA also have different swaybars? beyond the cosmetics of it the only superior thing that the GTA has is its slightly suspension if im correct...which i may not be.....

Besides the other points,its those side "GTA"emblems.They sure are purdy.

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1990 Trans Am GTA
Black/Black leather
350 auto 3.23 dual cats
SLP package
SLP torque converter
SLP shift kit
Fastchip PROM
245/50/16 GSC's

G-Tech
0-60 5.1 1/4mile 13.6@104

I do like the GTA emblems better than the decals on my TA!

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1989 Trans Am, 305 TPI 5-speed, T-Tops(love 'em),4-wheel disc, 3.73 posi

yeah good question does anybody know if ther is a difference between the ws6 suspension and the iroc suspension (f41 i believe). i have heard rumors that the sway bars were different and shock valving was different

I believe that the springs may be different as well. Much to my surprise, my GTA and my friend's WS6 TA both ride SUBSTANTIALLY stiffer than my IROC. When I put my lowering springs in the IROC, it rode stiffer than the stock springs, but still not nearly as rough as my GTA. My GTA is downright unpleasant on bumpy roads.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

The only difference between a Firebird with WS6 and an Iroc are the sway bars (smaller on the Iroc), the shocks and struts (iroc got bilsteins), and the Iroc has the wonder bar. The springs are exactly the same springs.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6Sold
92 S10FOR SALE!
98 Grand Am GT