When did the black valve covers and blank throttle plates start in 1992? Anyone have a VIM or a date? Have a 1992 built on 1-9-1992, what should it have? Thanks in advance. I have already done a search and could not find a date or a vin.

 

How about some help, surely someone knows the change over date or VIN? for cars to go to black valve covers and blank throttle body plate?

 

Very good question, 1992 was the only year the plate on the front of the tpi was blank my 92 formula is blank as well.

 

I'll post my VIN when I get home but I know this. The blank plates started months before the textured Vette TPI runners and the black valve covers. Also, I've never seen a car with the black valve covers without the textured runners.

Off the top of my head, blank plates in September/October 1991 and black valve covers with textured runners in about April 1992.

EDIT: 205279 is my VIN, door decal says 10/91. My car has the blank TPI plate but smooth f-body runners and the silver valve covers. Also, even though I have the full leather interior, my original automatic shift handle is NON-leather. Seems they ran out of those too, or perhaps it was just a temporary shortage.

 

The last six of my VIN are 1233XX. Would be good to know as I need to be sure I have the correct color valve covers, I know my plenum is an early 87 plenum and is incorrect for my '92 so I am not sure about the plate and valve covers.

 

Have a org 92 formula 350 with blank plate, smooth runners and silver covers.
last 6 of VIN 202301
And its still the same blank plate, smooth runners and silver covers at this VIN
204033
By this VIN, 219664 the cars have smooth plate, ruff runners and black covers.

These are some of my 92 birds, which they are all JY cars..

 

So with all 3rd gens being produced in Van Nuys I assume that the 1992 Formula 350 has a pproduction date after 1-9-92 as it starts in the 200,000 VIN range or did the Firebirds all start production in the 200000 range?

 

Birds started at 200,000 IIRC.

 

hey TTOP350, what is the production date of 219XXX VIN fbird?

 

219,664
was born on 05/92

 

Thanks, sometine between Jan 22 and May the change took place. That is as narrow as I can get for now.

 

Its a start !

 

Well my guess would be the change happened during the last week of January 1992.

I factory ordered a 92 Formula TPI 5 speed in November 1991, and picked it up on Feb 14th, 1992. To my chagrin, it was equipped with black valve covers and a blank TB cover. These cars were manufactured in California, and I picked it up near Toronto. If I had to guess, best case scenario for shipping that distance would be 2 weeks. Then add one day for dealer prep.

 

Great info