You guys are gonna love this one. I recently joined a local F-Body club. During a recent meeting, I met..... Bob. Bob owns two Firebirds. One is a 1984 Trans Am and the other is a 1987 Formula with 305 TPI and 5-speed. Bob likes to talk. Bob likes to talk about his cars. Bob likes to talk a LOT about his cars. Bob doesn't listen too well. (Sorry, went off on a tangent there.)

To get back to the subject matter, I need clarification on a number of points relating to Firebirds as I profess to know very little about them (actually, not much at all). Bob makes a lot of claims to which I believe most, if not all are false. Here goes.

Bob claims his '87 has a World Class T-5. I only know Camaro facts and know on a Camaro, the WC T-5 was introduced in 1988. Is Bob right?

Bob claims his '87 Formula was originally equipped with a "Corvette 305 TPI" (those are his words). Of course, I know there is no such thing.

Bob claims his '87 Formula was originally equipped with 8,000 rpm valve springs AND fully rollerized FACTORY rockers; that this particular engine is one of only 268 produced in Firebirds and Camaros for 1987. I KNOW for a fact that no such engine was ever installed in a Camaro. Therefore, I cannot believe his statement. Oh, and Bob says because of these parts, he regularly revs his engine to 7,500 rpm! Yeah, right. Even if he had super stiff springs, we all know hydralic lifters (roller or not) have an upper limit about 6,500 rpm. Also, no TPI can make any kind of power that high.

Bob claims the person who rebuilt his engine has told him his engine produces ~400 rwhp. I don't think so... not a naturally aspirated 305. I told him if he is producing that much power, he'd be running low 12's. I don't think Bob wants to test his "fact".

Bob claims that Code 43 (EST) always sets above 4,000 rpm because the knock sensor detects knock for more than seven seconds. Not according to my shop manual for 1987 Camaros. I told him that I'd love to hook up my scanner to his car.

Bob claims the one-year only 1987 custom Camaro interior is identical to the 1984 Firebird interior. I don't think so.

Bob claims the aforementioned interior upholstery is available through Classic. I've never seen third gen seating or door panels in Classic's catalog. Is this a new addition?

I know Bob claimed other "facts", but by this time, I was fed up listening... So please set Bob straight (or me) on some of his "facts".

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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Former Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Former Paxton (6-psig) & former 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
ATI D1SC (5-psig):
12.26 @ 113.55 mph
ATI D1SC (10-psig): Projecting high 11's.
Future ATI D1SC (15-psig): Gotta catch them pesky 26-psig boosted TTA's!!

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited June 14, 2001).]

 

I knew I should of bought an '87 Firebird!!

WOW, they sound like awesome cars!! Hehe!

Say, did Bob buy your parts? If so, not a bad evening after all!!

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Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190 heads, ZZ-9 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake, Hooker SC/LT headers, Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), stock T-5, GM 3.42 rear w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, TES, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hyper Chip, gutted MAF & CAT, Jacobs Ign., 53kv coil, MSD wires.

 

It's nice to see that not all of the world's idiots live near me.

No proof here, but my understanding is that the WC T-5 made it into some late 87s. The side of the trans is easy enough to inspect to find out for sure, although I forget the markings that distinguish them.

Umm... shouldn't this automatically eliminate any other potential facts he may try to pose?

Well, I can think of a super-easy way to disprove that comment. Go for a ride! (Just wear your seatbelt and a helmet!

I want whatever medication this guy is perscribed to. Dash, seats, console, door panels, all different, but you already knew that.

They've got the OEM vinal seat covers, but that crap doesn't count.

Hey willie, as long as you plan to have fun with this guy (and I know you do) ask him if he's got a 3/4 race cam in his car, then after he says yes (and you know he will), tell him that you put a 7/8 race cam in your car for a little extra top end power.



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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

 

ignorant ppl suck....my neighbor at my parents house came over a few times when he saw me doing the headers on my iroc last weekend. He was telling me all about his 50-something gm pickup that he wants to put a 440 in to replace his 283. I wasn't even gonna start arguing with him about the 440 being a chrysler engine. He kept trying to talk over my head to impress me, but he had no clue what he was talking about. Definitely amusing, but also really annoying.

 

Hey, Willie, the "stock" TPI engeine in my '84 Berlinetta revs to 80000 rpm - according to the tach...............But, that wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that the tach is calibrated for a 6 cyl & it's receiving input from an 8 cyl, now would it???? (6000 * 4/3 = 8000) Maybe that's the case in Bob's "stock" setup?????

Tim

 

Tell Bob that your supercharger is a west coast only SMOG PUMP and slows it down compared to the east coast cars, or so you've been told. And you would like to compare yours to his.

First ask if you can ride with him and see his car tach up to 7,000+ rpm in "just" 1st and 2nd gear.

Afterall, your "smog pump" chokes your car so much you would really like to ride in a fast car.
jms

 

I'd respond, but I am laughing so hard, I can't type properly.

The ol' mighty "Corvette" 305 capable of revving to 8,000 rpm and developing 400 rwhp? You're lucky you didn't drown in all the bull$hit. Are you sure he even had a Firebird?

PS: There is very little difference between a Firebird and Camaro other than the exterior/interior styling, minor differences in suspension and the intake. Mechanically, they are identical AFAIK.

 

Actually, I did find some mechanical variations from Camaro to Firebird (Ok, I found them when Willie told me about them!), specifically relating to the usage of the 9 bolt rear end from year to year. I forget specifics, but there was a year or two where it was available in the firebird but not the camaro. (Or maybe vise versa, but I think I'm right)

------------------
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

 

Your right Jim, the Firebird got the 9 bolt in 85, the Camaro didn't get it till 87.

 

BTW Willie, you spelt his name wrong. You forgot the second "O".