gczj13

i have started work on a 87 gta that is in need of some major TLC.

88TransAmGuy

iTrader: (3)

Nice GTA, looks like youre in for a fun project! The top of the rear quarter panel looks like a blast

gczj13

Yeah its going to be lots of fun. the car has surface rust but i haven't seen any rot.

navy02ws6

LOL, pretty sure that was the $800 one advertised on CL in Decatur -- not a whole lot of Flame Red/Red 87 GTA's for sale in that shape in GA. I called on that car as well, but passed on it since I was looking for something closer to a driver. It just seemed like my '91 actually needed less than that car (cosmetically at least), and I don't really need two projects at the same time.

So, apparently it needed a transmission, interior work, and had what the guy described as 'minor rust'. Were you able to get the title thing straightened out? That was another reason I passed....apparently the previous owner died, so getting the title transferred might have been difficult. Also I was thinking about buying it for the engine to swap into my '91. The guy said was an L98, but the VIN says it's an LB9, so I scratched that plan as well.

Overall though, for $800 (assuming you didn't negotiate), you got a pretty good deal.

Any plans for the seats? Finding a good set of used cloth ultima seats is damned near impossible at any price, and I can't stand incorrect seats in a 3rd gen. Kind of a problem since no one makes cloth seat covers for them. But if you don't mind recovering in leather, or having different color 4th gen seats, then no big deal.

gczj13

yes this is the exact same car. Im not one to pay full price on anything so yes we did negotiate. the engine according to the vin is a 305. i havent yet figured out if it is the original engine or not. the body overall(exept suface rust) is in good shape but the paint and interior are not.


Alot of the stuff on the car seems to work minus the headlights they dont go up. For the interior i plan on finding the original style seats or having these redone. Hawks has an 87 gta that may still have the seats. i asked for a price on those and some other items but they have not answered me back yet.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I have basically the same car, except mine is hardtop. Mine was in about the same shape when I got it, it looked awful. Before I had it painted a tree limb fell across the front, so I had to replace all of that. Got a new fiberglass spoiler from Hawks too. My paint still looks a bit wavy on the doors, so I'll probably have those painted again, sloppy prep work.

Here's my before,








Here's my after,

80schild

iTrader: (5)

My seats are being redone now and I should have them back (hopefully) by the end of the week. That carmine interior is a pain to match, the closest thing I have found is 'Portola Red' from SEM, although it's still a little lighter. I was able to get the stock Carmine pallex fabric from Larry Dennis Company, but I'm not sure if they still have any.

Here's my before pic, I'll post another after I get them back.

gczj13

that is a great looking gta. how was the quality of the aero wing from hawks? did it require alot of prep or was it more or less ready to go on the car? I was also wondering if what replacement fender you used was it nos or was it an aftermarket reproduction?

gczj13

"LOL, pretty sure that was the $800 one advertised on CL in Decatur -- not a whole lot of Flame Red/Red 87 GTA's for sale in that shape in GA. I called on that car as well, but passed on it since I was looking for something closer to a driver. It just seemed like my '91 actually needed less than that car (cosmetically at least), and I don't really need two projects at the same time.
" - navy02ws6



yeah probably could be a little complicated

80schild

iTrader: (5)

The spoiler was primed and ready to paint. It was easier to put on than I thought, although it helps to have another person helping. The fenders came from a salvage yard, one is from another GTA and the other is from a base Firebird and had to have the gfx holes drilled, not a big deal really. You just can't use regular TA fenders because of the vents.

gczj13

that is good to hear about the wing. i have heard about some people getting the fiberglass repros and having to spend alot of time on prep. i knew you couldnt use a reg. trans am fender but was unsure about the firebird fender. thanks for the info.

navy02ws6

At least yours have engines/transmissions in them and look like they're mostly assembled...

navy02ws6

Well I'm glad someone on third gen got it, and it's getting fixed up instead of parted out. Sounds like you made out pretty good overall, I was thinking extensive frame/suspension rust when the guy said it had rust. Nothing more than surface rust on the body it looks like, which I had to take care of on my '91 as well.

Good luck with the project, and keep us updated!

gczj13

I got it running today i had to put a new sending unit in it. which was a pain in the *** but at least its progress.




sorry for the crappy pics they are from my phone

"At least yours have engines/transmissions in them and look like they're mostly assembled..." -navy02ws6

they are pretty complete. the 84 is getting a l31 vortec engine that my dad and me are in the process of rebuilding. the 87 is missing some stuff but nothing that important like the stock exhaust is cut into different sections (was planning on replacing anyway) but otherwise they are both complete cars.

mintz1239

I recently purchased a 1987 GTA myself. Mine has side vents, which I understood did not come on GTA's. It does have the Y84 code, which is suppossed to be the yeah or nay for GTA's, 5.7 litre engine with B&W rearend, the correct seats, GTA on passenger side pocket, GTA markings on exterior. I think you've picked up a great project with a lot of potential. Good luck on the rebuild. Anyone with any info about side vents, please drop me a line.

gczj13

thank you. no the gtas did not come with the vents. you can go to the gta source page and find out just about anything that you need to know on these cars.

http://www.gtasourcepage.com/

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Are those drum rears?

gczj13

Yes it has the factory aluminum drums

86T/A_Ram_Air

tell-tale sign that it was hit and the fenders were replaced with the wrong ones....or someone wanted the vents so they swapped the fenders out

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Hmm, I thought all 87 GTAs came with 3:27 9bolts w/ rear discs. Maybe the 305s got a different rear than the 350's?

gczj13

that i dont know but it is the factory setup on this car.

GTA50

Both of my '88 GTAs came with LB9/MM5 and rear ratio of 3:45 (rpo GM3). On my '89 Firebird, 2.8L/MM5, the ratio was 3:42 (rpo GU6).

Interesting thought, I believe the difference in the rear ratio could be due to the different input shafts and therefore differnt rpo's - any comments?

Not to steal the thread - apologies

86T/A_Ram_Air

from what i have seen is that 350 got the better rear in every third gen...the early 305's really got the shaft with a baby cam and a terrible rear end ratio...ALOT of 305's in different years with different combonations got a posi rear with drums

edit...i just found something interesting on the tech data sention on this board. apparently in 87 if you had the GTA the G92 option was not availible because all the 350 cars got the borg-warner rear 3.27 ratio

the standard 305 rear was a 2.73 and the option was G92 3.23 ratio

the only better ratios were had with a manual, and we all know the manual's got a 305 that had a little more power

Jason E

^^Wrong about 350s always getting the better axle ratio. As the proud, bitter owner of an '88 IROC with 2.77s, I can assure you there are plenty of 2.77 350 cars floating around. In '87, 3.27s were standard...but not '88+

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Well I stand corrected.

Jason E

I wish the OP the best of luck with his project...flame red GTAs are beautiful when restored. Looking at this one makes me realize the good deal I got when I bought my '86 TA with 32k on it...I've been debating on painting it vs. selling it for 6 months now.

I think a respray may be in order

gczj13

hopefully soon ill be able to start sanding it down. i think i am going to pick up a mobile soda blaster and start cleaning up some of the items that are in rough shape like the t-bar.

Duane's 91 Z/28

iTrader: (1)

Looks like a nice project. Once I get my Camaro done, I'd like to find a running/driving GTA to restore. Years down the road. LOL

gczj13

i started the process of removing the surface rust.


vs.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I just wanted to show how good these seats can look if they're done correctly. These are mine that have just been reupholstered in the stock carmine pallex. I'm going to pick them up Monday.




(I dont mean to jack your thread with pics.)

gczj13

Those look great. If you don't mind how much did it cost you to have them done

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I think it was under a grand total. I bought the fabric about two years ago so it has probably gone up since then, Larry Dennis was the lowest price for it though.

If you'd like contact info for the upholsterer feel free to send me a PM.

gczj13

i did get some more of the rust removal done but i still have to do behind the t tops and the decklid.

navy02ws6

SWEEET, now I'm not the only 3rd gen T/A in Georgia with green primer!! LOL, I did the same exact surface rust removal job on my car. Didn't have to go onto the tops of the quarter panels on mine, but had to replace the t-top bar and primered that entire area and the roof itself.

navy02ws6

Ummm, what? I didn't think anyone was reproducing GTA seat covers in cloth, especially Red. Where did you get these? They look awesome BTW!!!

80schild

iTrader: (5)

NavyWS6, they were redone by a member here called TheCoverGirl. She lives only about an hour from me so I took my seats to her. It takes her a little while since she makes them by herself, but it's worth the wait. She even puts new foam in them to make them nice and firm.

Here's the whole set after I got them home. My camera takes crappy pics, so they look much better and deeper color in person.

yo soy el warg

Has anybody else noticed that the front GTA emblems on 87-90 models tend to break the glass cloisonné around the center post of the emblem that holds it to the front nose of the car? Mine looks just like the pictures of yours! It is broke out. Could it be that the plastic nose flexes on these third gens and the post area stays stationary since it is bolted in, thus breaking the glass cloisonné about the size of a penny on this glass surface of the emblem. Anybody else got this same problem?

gczj13

the t bar on this car has to be replaced it is way beyond being salvagable

88TransAmGuy

iTrader: (3)

GIVE ME YOUR WRAP AROUND SPOILER OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!

navy02ws6

WOW, those seats look AWESOME!! Nicely done. Now, if TheCoverGirl would just start reproducing and selling these covers...

gczj13

I cleaned up the surface rust on the a pillar around the windshield and behind the t top. ill post some pics soon.

thecovergirl

As far as making the GTA seat covers to sell, that is no problem. I can do that, but the only thing I would advise if I made a set, is that the customer would send me just the front seat bottom sections so I can put the covers on because you have no idea how difficult those front bottoms are to get the covers to fit right no matter how perfect you make them from the original pattern itself. I had those front bottom covers on and off over two dozen times to get them to fit properly.Plus I add extra foam as well for more comfort since the original foam is worn to start with.The most difficult part is that center section that goes up and down because of how the cover fits with hog rings way down in the cracks of the seat and the seams have to be in the exact position or they will not fit right. They are very time consuming, but they turned out beautiful. If you have ever taken apart the front seat only on the GTA, then you know how much time is involved.
The back seat covers are no problem to install.

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

It is really nice to see people getting to redo their cars the right way. I see so many cars that never get finished or done half way.

thecovergirl

Your absolutely right. That is what I love about what I do is helping others make their cars look nice. It makes a big difference.

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

We all thank you for what you are doing for us.

thecovergirl

You are all very welcome

gczj13

here are some pics of the a pillar and behind the t top.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Do you do mechanic/bodywork for a living?

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

It sure looks like you have great prep work I cant wait to see how it looks when painted

gczj13

no i dont. i work at an auto parts store. I am going to school for automotive tech.

thank you