so i picked up this 85 firebird for 1000 last week. I was told that it is an SE but it has trans am fenders and rims, it also has a v8 with a 4 barrel and if i ran the vin right it is suppose to have a v6. anyways, im confused and was looking for a little guidance. i tried to post pics but it wasnt working, here is the vin. 1g2fx87116fl203843.

 

I am 99% sure it's an SE. The X in the 5th location denotes SE, plus it's a V6, so basically no way it's a Trans Am.

 

ok thats what i was thinking too. so why the v8 then? being in cali do you think i can still get it to smog if its had a motor swap?

 

Why the V-8... the car is around 27 years old, a lot can happen in that time.

If the V-8 came from a 85 and newer and has all the emissions stuff, you should be able to get it to pass, but you'd be better off asking in one of the California regional boards as they will know more about getting cars past Cali emissions.

 

thats a good point about the age. My friend has an 84 camaro and they match perfectly as far as smog equipment goes. thanks for your help!

 

Yeah the TA did not come with the v6 and why would someone sway in a v8? well it is very common as most want a faster, better sounding car.

 

Even though engines, interiors and wheels get swapped out guys usually don't swap out the gas filler lids on the SE. They came with a locking lid and were completely flat. I would bet that yours still has one on it.

 

'85-86 S/E's are pretty $%&* rare !!!

 

Nice! I had an '82 SE and would have loved an '85-'86 in the updated body style!

 

ok so something new i noticed on the car, it has a 9 bolt rear end and HUGE sway bars. it does have the locking gas cap also. did SE's ever come with 9 bolts? can that tell me anything more about the car?

 

how rare?

 

here is a pic of the car.

nvm it wont upload

 

As Long as it has the stock exhaust manifolds, and smog equipment and The catalytic converters you should be able to pass smog very easy, but just as a precaution, change the Sparkplugs oil & filters before going to get it smogged

 

Take a picture and try to upload it again its easy

 

Vin: 1g2fx87116fl203843

Check the Vin again, a digit is wrong somewhere because I can't find it on carfax.

 

Ok so I checked the vin again and I did have it wrong, instead of "11" its and "H" (it was at night when I wrote it down) haha.

 

Still didn't work

 

Well if it's an H instead of the 11, then it means it came with an LG4 305 4bbl V8...

 

According to the GM VIN card for 1985, it shows that 1G2FX prefix is for Firebird S/E (X being the SE - as AmorgetRS stated above - while a W would be for a Trans Am) so that would appear to be a clear indicator.

 

82-86
S = Base Firebird
W = Trans Am
X = S/E (Special Edition)

87-92
S = Firebird OR formula
W = Trans Am OR GTA