Trans-am or not?
#1
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Car: 87 Z28 and 90 Grand Prix STE
Engine: Z28-project 454, STE-turbo 3.1L
Transmission: Z28-4l80e, STE-4T65
Axle/Gears: Z28-truck 12 bolt posi 3.73
Trans-am or not?
Ok, so next week I'm buying an 85 firebird, or at least they guy said it was an 85. Now I've looked around on here, and it says that in 85 the Trans-am was the only way to get a 305 with a 5spd. This car is all origional, but it has the low out put 305 and a 5spd, along with 4 wheel disk brakes. The guy said it has the ws6 package, but I haven't looked at the rpo codes yet. What I'm trying to figure out is if this car is a Trans-am with out the deacals, or if it is some strange custom order firebird with all the important trans-am stuff? Btw, the guy I'm buying it from is the origional owner. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
#2
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Re: Trans-am or not?
Ok, so next week I'm buying an 85 firebird, or at least they guy said it was an 85. Now I've looked around on here, and it says that in 85 the Trans-am was the only way to get a 305 with a 5spd. This car is all origional, but it has the low out put 305 and a 5spd, along with 4 wheel disk brakes. The guy said it has the ws6 package, but I haven't looked at the rpo codes yet. What I'm trying to figure out is if this car is a Trans-am with out the deacals, or if it is some strange custom order firebird with all the important trans-am stuff? Btw, the guy I'm buying it from is the origional owner. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Car: '88 Trans Am GTA; '84 Trans Am
Engine: L98 350TPI; 5.3 LSx built
Transmission: N/A; T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt; 3.73 10 bolt
Re: Trans-am or not?
Look at the SPID sticker on the underside of the center console lid. That should tell you for sure. If it has WS6 among any of the codes on there, or WS4, you probably have a real Trans Am. The WS4 is the model code. The WS6 is as previously mentioned the suspension package that includes 4 wheel discs, also another indicator for WS6 I believe is if it has 16 inch wheels.
#5
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Re: Trans-am or not?
The SPID should be on the inside wall of the center console. Looking for WS4 would be the best way to know if the vehicle is a Trans AM, but since the author hadn't looked at the codes yet, it is informative to know that WS6 was only available on the Trans AM in 1985 but the drivetrain was available for Firebird, SE or Trans AM. You are correct that the 16" wheels were only available on the WS6, and thus Trans AM, alteast according to the order sheet I have for 1985.
#6
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Re: Trans-am or not?
Look at the SPID sticker on the underside of the center console lid. That should tell you for sure. If it has WS6 among any of the codes on there, or WS4, you probably have a real Trans Am. The WS4 is the model code. The WS6 is as previously mentioned the suspension package that includes 4 wheel discs, also another indicator for WS6 I believe is if it has 16 inch wheels.
#7
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Re: Trans-am or not?
Some time after, WS6 no longer included J65.
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#9
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Re: Trans-am or not?
Are you sure the S/E was not available with WS6?
#10
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Re: Trans-am or not?
I read that to conclude WS6 is available only on the Trans AM. However, I see that some have said the S/E was available with WS6. This several page order sheet for 1985 does not support S/E having the WS6 as an option. It only shows the Y99 (Rally Tuned) suspension as being available on the S/E or Trans AM.
Of course we know some publications from GM are wrong, and can change, so this is all I can go by. If someone has some documents to show otherwise, I'm sure we'd all be interested in seeing it.
#11
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Re: Trans-am or not?
The SPID is always the best place to look when documenting a car. Just make sure the VIN on the SPID matches the VIN on the car. It should be pretty easy to visually spot a Trans Am vs a Firebird. Look for ground effects, hood with louvers at the front and rear, and grid tail lights. It's possible the parts could have been changed, but that's usually pretty easy to spot.
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