Did GM just want to wait to debut the new LT1 w/ the 6spd instead of putting it on in the last few years of the 3rd gen? I know it was on the corvette in the early nineties. The 350 TPI woulda been a terror to the blue oval gang if it woulda had somethin other than the slushbox. or maybe it wouldn't fit? I don't know, just wanted to see if anyone had some tech about it.

 

I suspect it was a combination of things:

1. The C4 Corvettes used the ZF 6 speed,
and it likely was exspensive.

2. The Camaros performance would've been too
close to the Vettes. Corvettes are GMs flagship car.

3. Why bother? A new gen was debuting soon that was designed for a 6 speed. They just
would've spent more money on a obsolete generation.

Although they should've made that 25 th anniversary car with the 6 spd L98, white with black stripes.

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Dare to be different-
build a 305! <gasp!>

 

Technically GM did make a 3rd Gen with a L98 and 6 speed - the Firehawk.

 

add the 89 Firefox GTA to that list

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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
Previous thirdgen
1986 Camaro IROC-Z
PearlGreen/Gray
305 TPI
15.1@93

 

No GM did not make a third gen the firehawk was not a GM built car. you could order it , BUT SLP did all the modifications to them. the reason they didnt come with a 6 speed ,, would be to close if not out perform the corvette , which is why the f-body is going away.

 

Pino, that is why I said "technically". No, the Firehawk is not considered regular production. But I do consider it as close as you can get to a "regular" production car without it being "regular" production. Firehawks have "special" status IMO.

 

The 3rd gen Firehawk was as much of a production option for the Firebird as the new 4th gen Firehawk and WS6 (and the SS option for the Camaro) are. It was a regular production option (RPOB4U), and it was covered under the same warranty terms and conditions that the new Hawks and WS6s are. It was every bit a bonafide option package. There have been several high performance cars over the years that could be ordered with special packages from the factory that were installed by outsourced vendors.

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jimbo

Mosquito Coast F-Body Association (MCFBA)

1991 Formula SLP350
1999 Trans Am Firehawk

 

As 871LEIROC said, the reason why the ZF 6 speed was never offered is because it was (and still is) VERY expensive...way too expensive for the Camaro market. Also, a ZF 6 speed is far from being a bolt-in, even for GM.

One of the big reasons why the 4th gen got the Borg Warner T56 is because BW happened to be working on that tranny when GM was finalizing the 4th gen layout, and grabbed it too. Why was BW working on a 6 speed? Two words...Dodge Viper Without the Viper, there may not have been a 6 speed available at a reasonable price for awhile.

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Jason E
The former third gen...
'89 Camaro RS 2.8

The future third gen...
'87-'92 IROC, GTA or Z28

The driver...
'95 Grand Am SE 3.1 Coupe
Alpine swing face 60x4 CD player

Long Live #3...

 

I totally agree its a special status , but the 6 speed wasn't something you could get if you didnt want the firehawk. and that it was a fully warranted car But the reason they never came with it , zf was too expensive and would be to clse to performance to the vette

 

Expensive it right. If I remember correctly, the 91-92 Firehawk was between $40-$50K depending on engine and brake options.....I mean damn, my GTA was only $28K and it was like one of the most expensive "factory" thirdgens....

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www.TransAmGTA.com
1992 GTA (226 made), 1 of only 18 "Dk. Jade Met." 92 GTA's, My Window Sticker, LB9, 700R4 4-Speed, T-Tops, Grey Leather, every available option except G92, J65 and U1A.
Current Mods/Upgrades: 80 Series Dual Outlet Flowmaster, TPIS Air Foil, K&N Air Filter, and Mobil 1.
Future Mods/Upgrades: None but a complete restoration.
Best Track Time: 14.6sec@96.6mph

"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is!"
Webmaster www.TransAmGTA.com
My 3rdGen Firebird Message Board!

[This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited March 15, 2001).]

 

$28 grand? are you joking man? My T/A was $18 grand in 1990 when it was bought.

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91 Trans Am WS6
Bright White
5.0 TPI auto
Flowmaster 3" 2 chamber catback
Trans Go shiftkit
2000 stall converter

Built on Wednesday