History / Originality Got a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!

Trying to figure out what i have

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2007 | 12:44 PM
  #1  
86recaroTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
Car: 1986 Trans AM
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Trying to figure out what i have

First i would like to say hi to ya 3rd gens. Great site been reading a lot and learning a ton.

I have a 1986 trans am. I have no rpo code sheet that i can find for the car, ive looked in the center console and in the locked trunk compartment, but heres a list off what its got:

305tpi/700r4
hi tech cast alum. wheels w/ p245/r60 15 tires
aero wing
performance suspension and sound tags on the dash
140mph speedo
4 wheel disk brakes
dot fade strip on the bottom of the car(as far as i know this only came on black and gold TAs, my car is all white and again as far as i can tell has not been painted)
recaro seats
flip up rearview mirror
factory fade switch for amp in the dash
T-tops
fuel injection door handles
thumb notched steering wheel
auto pull down hatch
gold interior


lately ive been thinking of doing the ls1/t56 swap, but since i havent seen/found other TA's like mine i wasnt sure if i should keep it original since its seems to be a rarer bird

*edit*also is there anywhere i can get an rpo code sheet for my car
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2007 | 07:36 PM
  #2  
RPM WOT L 98's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 887
Likes: 3
From: Chicago, IL
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

As for a list of RPO codes, you can bring the VIN to the parts dept of your local dealer and they can get you a list of RPOs.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2007 | 09:52 AM
  #3  
TAdan's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 1
From: NJ,USA
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: GMPP 350 V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Sounds like you have a very well optioned 86 T/A. I am surprised it has 15" wheels, with all the other high-end options I would have almost expected to see the 16" wheels. However the person that ordered it likely went after the luxury items and saved some $ by not ordering the 16" wheels/ WS6.

The performance suspension badge was used on all T/A's, not just WS6 cars.

The dot-stripe was used on many T/A's, not just black and gold ones.

Recaro's were the top of the line seat for 86.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2007 | 10:59 AM
  #4  
85 T/A WS6's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 3
From: Washington
Car: Recaro Option T/A
Engine: 305 Tuned Port Injection
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:27 Borg Warner
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Welcome.

All the 85 / 86 Recaro optioned cars I have seen have been WS6 equiped. You have an unusual car. The slider in the dash is part of the performance sound package, its for gain control. The thumb notch is part of a leather option, you get your parking brake handle and shift **** treated the same. You may have a cowl tag by the top of the radiator, if you do it should have AS5 on it, thats the option for the seat, but I recall that the cowl tags were not used after 85? Im not sure when the auto pull down hatch was introduced, I thought it was later on.

How are the seats holding up?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2007 | 11:34 AM
  #5  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Thats identical to my 86 except the Recaro seats. That and the mirror are about the only things on your car I would consider 'unusual'.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2007 | 03:46 PM
  #6  
86recaroTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
Car: 1986 Trans AM
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Thanx for the replies,

The seats are holding up good except on the driver seat a couple years ago i jumped into the car and slide down into the seats cuz the T tops were off and it looked like fun, except the part where the jeans i was wearing had reverse rivots and ripped the side of the seat as i slide down into it. i threw the jeans away as soon as i got home. the back seats are starting to get a little water damage from /gasp leaky T-tops... who woulda guessed right, anyway winters just about here so i started tearing down the inside of the car and am bringing all the interior parts inside for the winter so they dont get ruined and im also thinking about having the seats recovered in white/gold leather. im also considering rewiring the whole car since i will have the interior all out and my dash/gear lights arent working, and i cant find that little peice ppl were saying to replace with a part from radio shack.
The only real problem as it sits now is it keeps blowing the module inside the distributor and i cant figure why.

as for the options on the car when i bought it i was told it had every option except the block warmer.

*edit* also i mistyped b4 they are 16inch rims

Last edited by 86recaroTA; Nov 5, 2007 at 03:51 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2007 | 11:34 AM
  #7  
okfoz's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 197
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

The "Fade" dot stripe that went around above the GFX I believe were used on all of the two tone Trans Am's. My friend has a n 86 TA that was Red with the Silver GFX and his has the stripe. Basically the stripe covers the line between the two colors to hide painting problems during manufacturing. Although some people argue, I have yet to find an all original car with the 2 tone that did not have the stripe from 1985 & up. Keep in mind that 91 & 92 were all monotone.

As for blowing your module in the Distributor, might be a ground problem or a coil problem or some other external electrical problem.

Sounds like a really nice car. Unusual one at that too.

John
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2007 | 07:36 PM
  #8  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

There's one without the stripe on ebay now.

If you look at your 1987 full line brochure on page 31, you'll see a two tone car sans stripe. I think it was fairly common in 87.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 07:57 AM
  #9  
okfoz's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 197
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Well I never noticed that before...

I stand corrected, I like learning something new...

thanks madmax

JOhn
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 08:24 AM
  #10  
ND4SPD86's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Car: 87 Buick Regal T
Axle/Gears: 2.56 blah
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

My 86 has the stripe and it monochromatic.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2007 | 08:46 AM
  #11  
okfoz's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 197
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

I know you could have gotten the stripe without the 2 tone from 85-90, especially on the Camaro's, not as sure on the Trans Am...

John
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2007 | 10:12 AM
  #12  
TAdan's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 1
From: NJ,USA
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: GMPP 350 V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Yes, you could get monochrome and the stripe.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2007 | 01:09 PM
  #13  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Most if not all of the 85 and 86 TA's I've seen have the stripe, two tone or not. Seems like in 87 more came without than with. I'm pretty sure you could order it either way but it may have been standard in 85 and 86, and optional in 87.
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2007 | 09:36 AM
  #14  
okfoz's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 197
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Trying to figure out what i have

Its possible as GM was beginning to cheepen the cars up by this time. For example the Black painted part in front of the windshield etc...

Its not that they were any worse quality wise, actually I think as the 80's went on and into the 90's the quality was probably getting better year by year.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sheachopper
Cooling
11
Jul 31, 2019 11:27 AM
RedLeader289
Tech / General Engine
10
May 28, 2019 01:47 PM
mrbird
Electronics
5
Oct 20, 2015 03:43 AM
aaron7
Interior
1
Sep 30, 2015 09:15 AM
Zell1luk
TPI
0
Sep 29, 2015 10:36 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 PM.