I know this is probably a silly question but how can I tell if I have a trans am or a firebird. The craigslist posting said firebird but the car itself has no markings that say either way. It does however have crossfire injection and the letter in the vin# says it is a trans am. Are there any other features that were exclusive to the trans am that would help me confirm this in my own head. Thanks.

shawn

 

CFI, stock, was only available on the Trans Am.

 

That is what i've been reading, thanks.

 

What year is it?

Vin will tell you what it is. Nothing else matters.

 

Not 100% correct. Nothing in the VIN identifies a GTA. Only a RPO code does.

 

it is an 83. it is black w/ beige interior. gold 15" rims and 215/65/r15 tires. it has t-tops, power mirrors, power locks, and power windows. also, 4 wheel disc brakes.

 

OP was not asking how to ID a GTA (Y84 on the SPID), he was asking firebird or Trans Am.

 

I think we get so many of those threads that its become an automatic response.

But yeah, you are on the ball with it. In this threads case the VIN# can definitively answer the OP's question.

 

Thanks guys for your replies. Finding out the car is a TA is kind of a bonus for me.

 

A Tran AM is a Firebird... I think people put too much in store with "TA"

 

Check your VIN#. Its not.

Same mechanicals? Yeah. Same performance levels? Yeah.

But is it the same car to GM? No. In fact, before the re-introduction of the Formula in thirdgens the TA was always the better performer.

Insurance rates and average resale prices are higher on TA's vs Formula.

 

I understand the TA is a firebird the same as an IROC is a camaro and while i am not new to thirdgens and not positive i would imagine that the TA being on the higher or more performance oriented end would have some more desirable features over the firebird. brakes and suspension perhaps?

 

Which the in bold part is what matters to me.

 

That reminds me of an old Cars Illustrated article from about 1986. They ordered a Buick Grand National but were actually delivered a silver Regal T-type - with the motor from the Grant National. With a few homemade hot rodding tweeks they were able to get it into 13's - talk about a sleeper!