I was in the book store, in the automotive section of course. I found a book from popular hot rodding magazine which was a collection of articles they have done on specific pontiacs. There was an article in which they reviewed the new 92 TA convertible. The review made a reference to the convertibles getting a lower horsepower 305 TPI than the other models. I've never heard this, and thought all the 91-92 TPI engines were supposed to be the same. Has anyone else heard this? I thought maybe the car they had was a test vehicle or pre-production. Anyone know if the convertibles were lower HP?

 

Did it mention if it had the auto or 5-speed??? The G92 option (Dual Cats, 4-wheel disk, performane axle ratio, and engine oil cooler) was not available with the 305/auto combo like it's 5-speed counter part so therefor had only 205 HP VS. 225HP. Alot of people think that that the 305/auto is weaker because of a so called "peanut cam" but I think this is incorrect. G92 is what accounts for the HP difference. I mean think about it, why would GM put 2 differnt cams in the exact same engine? They wouldn't, it's G92. If you read the literature you will clearly see that G92 was not available with the 305/auto combo, I even have my cars original order form and window sticker to prove it was deleted when the buyer ordered the auto tranny.

Let the flaming begin.

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[This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited July 09, 2001).]

 

"Let the flaming begin"

Rofl

Don

 

The article didn't make any reference to an option, it merely said that convertibles received the less powerful engine. I don't see gm, being the bean counters they are, paying to cam two different engines for the exact same car. But that wouldn't be the first time gm did something illogical.

This was a review of the new car, and may have been mistaken on some points. I was just trying to find out if ALL convertibles got a different engine, and have less horsepower. And if the convertibles were going outside gm to be converted then they were just normal cars off the line right. Why would they single out and do the paperwork for individual cars to receive a less powerful engine?

As far as G92, how would this account for 20 HP? I don't know all the research that you guys do, but I was very curious when I read the article as to whether my car has not only more weight but also less power than other 91's. This was a popular hot rodding book about GTO's Firebirds and Trans Ams. This was a one page review that came out after they road tested the new convertible.

 

What do you mean how does it account for 20HP?? I'd think the dual cats VS. the single would be enough convincing for you

 

its more than just dual cats... the 205hp 305 TPI has the entire 305 TBI exhaust, from the manifolds to the exhaust tips. All of it. Swap it out, and you've got an engine every bit as capable as the G92 version.... because it's the same damn thing. A bunch of guys have proven this already, with some nice mid 14 second timeslips on mildly modded SD 305 TPI autos, with the 2.73 gears too.

the peanut cam myth is just that.. a myth

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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
ported TPI setup

Built on Wednesday

 

Can somebody please answer this for me,

When did they stop putting the peanut cam into LB9/700R4's? I know it started in 86 and last year was 89, am I right?

-Max

 

Yeah, I can see 20 horses with that much of a difference. I haven't had a chance to check out a car with the factory duals yet and I didn't realize there was that much difference. I really need to get an exhaust system after finding all this out. I've always seen the later TPI engines rated around 230 HP and this was the first time I heard any mention about the convertibles getting less power. Thanks for the info.

 

Maksik7, you are correct. 90' was the first year for all the LB9's to have the "G92" cam.

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