90 GTA Black

I've had both and kept my 90 GTA which is a manual. It's all about the corners. The 5.7 auto was in an 89 Formula and was faster in a straight line but nowhere near as much fun to drive and was slightly unnerving in a hard corner. The GTA felt way better and liked to be pushed hard through the twisties.

sack23

iTrader: (2)

I choose the T5, years back I had a 1989 L98 and now I have a T5 also 1989. I must say the T5 is more fun to take it to the track both 1/4 and autocross. But I must admit the L98 gave me more of a smile when ever I stepped on it.

Jason E

If I buy another third gen, it will likely be an LB9/T5 car...

But that's probably only because I already own a 350 car I know there is fun to be had with the T5...its just hard for me to get over the torque and top-dog status of the big ol' tree fiddy...

mattquerio

5.0 with a 5 speed all day.

Slowridr

iTrader: (1)

I have to tell ya, Ive got both and the LB9/5 speed is way more enjoyable to drive by a long shot. I posted earlier on this thread and knew I liked the 5 speed more but the more I drive it the more I like it better than the auto.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

years ago, I had both the 91z28 with the 305 5 spd combo and the 350 auto. They both ran withing 2 tenths of one another at the track. The 350 had 50k on it and the 305 had 120K on it.

The stick was better to drive around.

IMissMy86TA

I love the discussion and keep em coming!
I just am itching for spring!

Jason E

Same here!

Went out this morning to check on the IROC, which has been tucked away in the garage and covered up for months. I unhooked the battery tender when I had to move it about 3 weeks ago. Tender refuses to charge the battery now...maybe a cell went bad in my Delco??

Leaving for FL in a couple days...when I get back, I'll jump it and see if the battery will attempt to renew itself and hold a charge. I don't know how old that Delco battery is...I think its been in 3 different third gens of mine

IMissMy86TA

Just replaced the delco in mine. didnt get a delco but a costco
it was cheap and I needed power.. I had a cow when it wouldnt start and thought.. VATS oh no.. then I put the key in and let it learn and then the worked the starter and vroom

eseibel67

A little off topic, but I find that Delco batteries have been way off on quality the past few years. Even with careful off season charging, I cannot get more than a year or 2 out of a group 75 Delco battey these days. Went with an Interstate last time, we'll see what happens.

mav75

All of the arguments here are valid, and might I add, respectful of each other's opinions!

If I were ordering a brand new GTA in '88, I would more than likely have gone for the L98 because of its larger size. I probably still would. I just can't get past the numbers: 350 vs. 305, 5.7 vs. 5.0, and the difference in HP and torque.

Besides, traffic in Houston is a bitch!

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Street/Auto-X/Circuit = LB9/M5

Drag/Cruise = L98/A4

L98/M6 > (LB9/M5 + L98/A4)

IMissMy86TA

yup if I had a lot of traffic where I live then auto would be the way to go!

1983LU5TA

Learn how to row a box and you won't have to get out of it to shift

IMissMy86TA

I tend to stay in it when I am rowing

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Pretty much this. Who lifts when a win is on the line?!

*PS, okay I lifted, just a tiny bit.

IMissMy86TA

nice.. I timed your run about 5-5.5 0-60..
wow

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Was about 4.8s at the drag strip according to data logs. The video is on a non-prepped surface and I had to be very nice to the clutch to avoid super spinning.

The G6 run was the same, you can see where i let the wheels spin for a bit, and when it finally catches you can see me give it hell in 2nd.

Once the clutch is broken in on my new 2013 Focus ST I'll probably record a 0-60 video in that car too. Boost is so much fun! Fastest stock time I've seen for the ST was 14.1 @ 101 mph with a 2.2 60'ft. Its got a TPI like power band, MASSIVE mid-range torque due to the small turbo, but the turbo runs out of breath up top. Sometime in the future I may look into a turbo upgrade. Maybe a K04 since thats a farily stock, common turbo.

xendr7wk

I will vote for the 5.0 5sp... I have a 91 z28 5.0 tpi 5speed manual and i really like it like that... Is fun to drive... But im just wondering is there parts that i could change to make the 5.0 tpi motor into a 5.7 tpi motor...

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

There are parts alright. But its not super cost effective to do it just for the short block.

You can do the basic bolt-ons first which work on both 5.7's and 5.0's equally which can then be transferred to a 5.7 Later.

Induction/Exhaust mods like Cold Air Intakes, Runners, Base, Plenum porting, Headers, and a Cat-Back exhaust mods and make a 5.0LTPI outrun a 5.7L easily, though the 5.7L benefits more from the same mods with no weight penalty.

Aka, if you gained about 50hp with those mods, the 5.7L would gain another few ponies beyond that.

But thats not the point of this thread. The point is if you bought brand new today, would you choose a 5.7L TPI Auto, or a 5.0L TPI 5 Speed manual? And the 5.0/M5 combo is leading the poll by a good margin.

The M5 option just offers alot more car control in high performance driving as long as its simply not straight line. The auto has it in traffic jams, but owning 2 manual cars as I do I simply accept the fact that it sucks to have to clutch in/out during bad traffic as it doesn't comprise a significant time of my driving hours.


This is pretty much how i feel.

xendr7wk

Thanks for this information I really appreciated.. An if I had to make a decision on a brand new third gen I would choose the 5.0 TPI 5sp manual... An do you know like how much it would cost to make it a 5.7 TPI.... Or do you think I should just live the car stock with the 5.0 tpi or put something on it to get more horsepower... I just don't want my car look like a loser, and you probably already know this, because you know a lot of people always ask you what motor you have on it an you are like, well I have a 5.0 TPI and they just laugh or say something stupid about it..

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

This is not the thread for this. You should make a new thread in the tech general engine forum. Its been beaten to death

IMissMy86TA

GTA50

Can I vote twice? I have two 1988 Bright Red GTA's - both LB9/5 speeds. When I first started looking for a GTA that is what I wanted.

However, I do have to agree with others above - when I do have to commute in one of the GTA's, that clutch is a "beeeeeyotch" to deal with in traffic.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

I can't imagine the clutch is much different than the 4th gen stock setup in my LT1/T56 swap. That thing is like a feather compared to some I've driven.

Though the pedal in my new Focus ST is like blowing on a feather to get it to move.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I'll gladly accept the suckitude of a clutch in bumper to bumper traffic in order to have that same clutch on a twisty road.

carlos64030

iTrader: (1)

My 4th gen WS6 has a 6-spd and I don't see it as being a big deal to drive in traffic.

GTA50

The car currently has a Centreforce clutch (came that way from the previous owner), which has very stiff feel and requires some effort. Prior to the new bridge crossing being completed, I literally had 30+km of bumper-to-bumper to deal with on days when I drove the GTA.

Perhaps a stock clutch is not a problem, but stiffer aftermarket may be.

IMissMy86TA

Iroc-EZ

iTrader: (1)

10 hp + 40 ft/lbs. I'd buy the 350/auto.... o wait i already did.


However I do miss driving a 5/speed, damn corvettes. :middlefinger:

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

yah and real hotrods don't shift your gears for you. Unless you're bracket racing or physically disabled, automatics suck for any and all purposes and have no place in a performance car, especially in a street car.

I can't believe anyone in here is defending the 700R4 of this era. It's calibration is absolutely terrible and completely ruins these cars. They shift too early at part throttle, they won't kick down with anything less than near WOT, the 1-2 shift is too big of a spread, they won't even shift into 4th gear at WOT, should I go on? The trans absolutely ruins the performance these cars had otherwise. Their strong suit was supposed to be superior handling, yet the trans in stock form is the absolute worst thing for corner carving I can think of. On the street the T5 car is better at EVERYTHING than the auto is, coming off a corner, accelerating from a roll and you can select high gear at WOT, what a novel idea!

Iroc-EZ

iTrader: (1)

Just wanted to add NO F*****G WAY would i trust that pos m/5 with a v8, when i destroyed one with a v6.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

I think GM, Ford and Borg Warner know a little bit more about transmissions than you do, and they trusted the T5 behind hundreds of thousands of V8s. Don't let driver abuse and/or a severely worn transmission cloud your judgement. The T5 is just fine for modest power levels. The fallacy that T5s are weak junk will never die around here will it?

Iroc-EZ

iTrader: (1)

Your right I'm sure they have more insight to transmissions than I do.
Do you really trust everything auto manufactures do?

IMissMy86TA

yeah.. the 700R4 being case in point I guess

I had an auto with my 2nd 3rd gen and it sucked (86TA). sloppy shifting. Only great to cruise in I do trust my M5 and my right arm/left foot more... hellofalot more fun too! Just my 2cents.. all its worth too but yeah.

when I was in college I was a lot boy for a local chevy dealership. moving cars around... I could take out to lunch what I wanted as long as not high end stuff (read Vette or Iroc) and I used to take out a carbed v8 M5 RS.. that was fun. I knew it wasnt as fast but It was more fun than my 5.0 auto TA. it just had a bad *** swagger to it. rough and ready I guess. When I found my TPI 5 speed I knew what I had to get. it can roll with the 350 autos and much more fun. over all I know a 350 will roll past me in a 1/4 mile... do I bring it to the strip? no..
If I want to get into it I can, if I want to cruise I can. if I want to enjoy the Twisties I can. I enjoy ever precious moment. it changes the entire character of the car. it feels like a late 60s muscle car.

If I get into a stop light rumble and lose a shift I can blame myself and not a 700R4

Iroc-EZ

iTrader: (1)

I never said the manuals aren't more fun and exciting to drive. I completely agree, in overall driver satisfaction a manual wins hands down. But, my late 80's firebird(don't remember the exact year, had it almost 15 years ago) was a completely stock v6 5speed. It was actually fairly well taken care of and in good condition. I was slowing down to pull into a gas station, downshifted to second from third while pulling into the gas station. Got the clutch halfway engaged and BOOM, grenaded the tranny. Gears where mangled to hell. So would I ever trust another one, no way. The 700R4 may not be as fun to drive or perform as good but is built to withstand a lot more than the T5.


P.S. I am ASE certified(although the test are a joke), GM certified and
AM General certified. Not some douche (not calling you one) that read a book or a website about transmissions.

IMissMy86TA

I also know people who have had to have their BMW M5 engines replaced due to total failure... (I worked for BMW for a while) would I still get one? yeah I would if I wanted to spend that kinda money on a new car! where the engines junk or abused? no.

ok.. the GM M5 tranny must be junk... moving on...

5 speed votes are almost double auto!

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

So you are just ignoring all of the problems people have had with the 700r4 then.

Both transmissions wear a weak spot with thirdgens. However, for the cars purpose as a 2+2 Sports car the 5 Speed makes much better considering its purpose. If you want a cruiser, sure the 700R4 is fine, but thats one rough riding cruiser. The WS6 suspension was considered brutal.

11ellswray

iTrader: (1)

I like my camaro, has the 5.7 and a BUILT 700r4. But even with all the upgrades to the automatic it still doesn't give the same control and connected feel you get with the manual so. I vote manual. The Auto can be made to work well at the strip but seeing how these cars and more emphasis on handling when they were produced I would take the happy reving 5.0 paired with the 5spd.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

No doubt if Cruising or Drag racing is your thing then an automatic is the better of the two.

But honestly, I find it so much more rewarding to drive a manual, even though I'll be slower at the strip because there's more things for me to screw up. But for daily life, I'd rather be rowing gears, because its just that much more fun for me.

IMissMy86TA

plus.. well you have an LT1 with a T56 LOL yeah I bet it is fun!

IMissMy86TA

ttt in case others haven't voted

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

5.0 5spd all the way. I would love to own one but they are pretty rare around where I live.

FirebirdUSX

oh wow thats damn fast for a 80's car.Thats pretty fast even for a modern car.I want to see those who keep saying these cars are slow...that time back in the 80s would beat all Ferraries.

Pyroviking

iTrader: (4)

5.0 5-speed, hands down, no question. Heel & toe is neither as fun, nor as effective, with an auto trans.

midge54

just had this decision to make to decide which car of my to keep, the hard top automatic with 350 or the t top 5 speed 5.0, took some time but i chose to go with the 5 speed

RamIt

Voted.
5 speed only.
I'll leave the auto's for my Grandfather.

scottakacrash

Having owned or driven most of the desirable powertrain combos on Third Gen cars, I would have to vote for the 5spd manual. My first new car was an '83 Z28 305HO 5spd purchased in late 83 on my 21st birthday. Even if it wasn't the fastest on the street, I enjoyed the ability to row through the gears and still do to this day. Fast forward to 2015, after looking at several cars, I just picked up an '89 GTA 5.0 5spd T-top. The rarity of the 5.0 5spd combo seems to erase the horsepower desirability of the 5.7 auto combo, at least by asking prices I saw. By modern standards, none of the 3rd gen cars are "fast". The 5.7 has a good torgue feel, but in all honesty my daily driver 2014 Jeep SRT8 would put them both to shame. It's still a blast on a warm sunny day to take a drive with the T-tops off and work the shifter and clutch through the turns, upshifts and downshifts. Makes all the right sounds and takes me back to a simpler time....Gotta got for the stick.

IMissMy86TA

well said. The sounds, feel and response with a 5 speed I believe changes the entire character of the car. my 86 was a auto carbed 305 but was smooth. the 5.0 tpi 5 speed has the feel of a muscle car. I know its not super fast but it will not get easily embarrassed. I drove a modern car (Genesis coupe) with a 6 speed side by side. my GTA "feels" much faster. since it is less refined and has a eagerness about it that is hard to explain. When I started searching for my GTA I was wanting a black 89 5.7 with t-tops due to I wanted a GTA with t-tops but wanted the quickest one for its year. I wanted the 89 due to t-tops and the 350. I found this one in cleveland and with low miles and couldnt resist after a drive. pretty night and day.

erik69&85

iTrader: (1)

well the ONLY third gens I have owned are:

85 Z28, 5 speed, LG4
92 Z28, 5 speed, LB9

and I only buy 5 speed cars........!