I am looking to purchase a 88 GTA With the 5.0 tpi and believe it or not it has a 3.27 9 bolt, oil cooler, dual fans, and ws6 suspension. The car has a f 8th digit on the vin. Is it rare for a 5.0 tpi to have these type of options or is this thing a complete fake??? I thought the 5.0 5 speed was the only GTA other than the 5.7 to have this package RIGHT?

 

According to Frankie's GTA production figures for 1988 GTA, the KC4 (engine cooler) was standard on all 1988 GTAs: http://www.gtasourcepage.com/88RPOFigures.html

WS6 was also standard on all GTAs. The dual fan system is also normal.

If you're wondering if it's original or not, look for the SPID on the inside wall of the center console as it will show the option codes the vehicle came with.

 

There was no SPID in the console, and is the 9 bolt also a normal thing?

 

Is it auto or 5spd??

 

Automatic

 

I own an '88 GTA also and CAN NOT find a SPID anywhere. Wonder if they put build sheets under the seat covers?

 

I looked everywhere and could not find a spid or build sheet either! I want this GTA but i think its a fake because nothing seems to match up with auto 5.0 combo. Disk brakes, 3.27 9 bolt, oil cooler, on a small cam 305??? It just does not seem to add up

 

Like I said, Frankie's website shows all 1988 GTAs having the oil cooler as well as all 1988 GTAs having the 4-wheel disc brakes. Frankie was able to look at the records and record the figures for the GTAs - though they don't include export models.

If the SPID is missing, and given the build sheet may or may not be included in the car, the only other way to know for sure is to contact GM Archives and order an order sheet. That sheet, while it won't contain all RPO codes, will show if the car is a GTA or not as well as some of the larger options the car was ordered with.

http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/

 

From the SPID or the Build sheet, the rpo code you are looking for is Y84. That specified the complete GTA package. All of the individual components that make up a GTA were avaiable on the T/A as well. To get them all together as I said, required Y84.

In Canada you can run your vin through a dealership and get the rpo codes. However, I have not had any success with US cars.

So, that leaves you with the following option from the GTASourcePage:

http://www.gtasourcepage.com/newauthentication.html

Hope that helps.

 

I don't see why this is so hard to believe. My 86 TA had a 9 bolt with rear discs...it could've also had WS6 (which is standard on a GTA anyway) and a 3.27 gear. It was also a small-cammed 305.

 

That is all normal stuff for a GTA with G92.

 

JasonE provides a good case-in-point that the options were available on a T/A.

If you have them all together (as suggested from my reference) then that is a pretty good indicator of a GTA. Really, given the current economic environment I could not understand why anyone would want to build a clone. For proof of a GTA, Y84 is the "money on the table"., but is it worth the cost of making a clone?

By the way, if present, fender vents were not part of the GTA package.

 

I have done a vin # check on my GTA and it is a GTA titled, it has drum rear brakes, regular dash not digital, and was told only a few were white body and red interior with black trim is this true?

 

1987 was the first and only year for the GTA to have the red interior. No GTAs in 1988 came with the red interior. However, red interior was still available on the Trans Am in 1988.

Additionally, all GTAs came with the gold PW7 rims. Black/charcoal would rims would be another indication of a Trans Am and not a GTA.

Regarding the title stating it's a GTA, both Trans Am and GTA share the same VIN prefix of 1G2FW, and therefore, you'll often see a title that states Trans Am/GTA. However, the agency does not know if the VIN is a GTA or Trans Am.

Unless the interior was swapped, I suspect you will find you have a Trans Am.

 

I have never seen a white over red GTA. Mine has red interior, but it's flame red on the outside like all the others I've seen.

 

I believe it, what I'm going to do is order the package where I can get the window sticker and documentation for $65.00, because I am wanting to check out what it is supposed to have. It has been repainted and some emblems were never replaced including the hood bird and the wheels. Here are a few pics. Oh yea how do I post pics of my car in the gallery?

 

Appears to be a Trans Am. GTA did not have those style of seats, 1988 GTA did not have the carmine red interior, and you have the Trans Am map pocket. You most likely have a Trans Am.

As far as the Gallery, that's tied to the Photo Album section. You need to create a Photo Album in your account.

Go to UserCP: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/usercp.php
Click on Pictures & Albums under Networking section
Click on Add Album
Create a Public Album and upload photos.

 

So just from the few pics, every one says I stole it at $600.. All I did was stuck a battery in it and drove it home? Was it a good deal and the value, I have no idea?

 

Looks good for $600, but I doubt it's a GTA. It addition to the indicators outlined by JT above, it also has the wrong steering wheel and wrong fenders.