Consider you are in 1988...
You will not upgrade or mod this car. that is off the table.
Which would you rather own:

A stock TPI 5.7 Auto or
A Stock TPI 5.0 5-speed

 

Definitely would go with the 5Speed I would drive it once a week for 20 years than sell it for double what I paid. *Evil Laugh*

 

The 5 speed is definitely more fun to drive IMO, and you can get T-Tops to boot!

 

The real 3rdgens (no-TTA) had L98s........

 

I accidentally posted this to the wrong group. could an admin help me relocate it?

 

What group were you trying to post it in?

and yes im pretty sure an admin could help you just spam one of them with messages lol

Just kidding dont spam them thats how you get booted

 

either History / Originality
or Tech / General Engine but I think history would be better.

 

Having an 88 TA with a LB9 and T-5 like you, I'd say that the 5 speed is definitely more fun to drive. The L98 might have a little more collector value though if that's what you're going for? Just a guess but that's my thoughts

 

Normally collector value is based on what people wanted. like a late 80s vette is worth more in standard than auto even though auto almost does the same speed as the standard. when people in the 80s didn't buy the stick it was for practicality. not really because the auto 5.7 was much faster, which it wasn't in stock trim but they sold so many more autos due to people using these a everyday vehicles. a collector wants to drive during nice weather and not gridlock going to work and would rather have the fun we have. just my thoughts. I almost bought a 5.7 but drove this and was blown away by the fun factor. feels like a real muscle car. I truly think ours will be with more and more sought after. a modded wouldn't be my market. I am not selling her but one day my son will own it when I am no longer able to drive or get in and out of it. i just wanted to put it to a vote to see what stock ones people would want now.

 

Even though there aren't any real performance advantages, I would have chosen the 5.7 just for the simple fact that I have the 'bigger is better' mentality, which is not always true. Besides, people just aren't that impressed when they ask you which motor you have and you tell them the 5.0 motor.

 

I was faced with that decision....but in 1989. Easiest decision ever....

 

You do know you could get a 5.7 with T-top.

I voted 5.7

 

But if you were in 1988 buying a 1988 Firebird you didn't have that option unless going with aftermarket T-Tops.

 

unless you happened to live in Canada

 

I don't believe anyone has found firsthand (and more importantly documented) any Canadian 1988 Firebird with the factory T-Tops and 5.7L.

It appeared to be a 1987 deal.

 

I chose the L98 because I've already got a 5spd behind the 502 in my GMC for fun factor, My GTA is getting a auto for the same reason and so I don't have to get out of it to shift......

 

vote: 5.7/auto....although sticks are usually the cars desired by collectors

 

I voted for the L98/700r4 combination. I've got that combination in my 1988 IROC and I really like it - even when my car was 100% factory stock. I know the LB9/5-speed/G92 geared cars are quick but ,I still like the L98/automatic drivetrain. A high stall converter really wakes the automatic cars up.

Ha ha I would have a hard time going back to a 100% bone stock car now. I like the added performance of the mods that I have made.

With a 100% stock car though your real preference would have to be if you wanted the T-5 or the 700r4.

In 1988 with the IROC's you could get the L98/T-Top combination which was a big selling point for me with this car. I like T-Tops, it's just my prefrence though. Can't really beat hearing the engine on a nice summer day at full song when you accelerate at full throttle.

 

I had the same decision.....I chose differently.

 

Had an 82 Z28 in 82, and I stirred my own gears with the Saginaw 4 speed. Had an 88 IROC from 07-11. LB9 auto. Now, have a 92 G92 LB9 T5 Z03 car. The most fun by far!! Make mine a manual! Thanks, Oldtimer.

 

Manual LB9 every time.

 

5.0 T5 for me. Sad the 305s get such a bad rap. Those little guys carried the performance flag for a long, long time and did a darn fine job of it IMHO.

 

Car Craft, March, 1988 on page 88-92
88 Formula 305 5sp non A/C road test
14.52 @ 93.97mph
LOTS of other cool roadtest data on page 91

 

I voted LB9/T5. I have drove a bone stock L98/700R4 IROC and it's fun, but a 5-speed is alway more fun if a play car. I wish so bad that my TA was a T5 car. My Jeep is an auto as it's my DD and will always like an auto better for a DD, but a toy 5-speed is better IMO.

 

Of those choices, the 5.7 Auto for the slight performance edge, top model status, and potential. If GM would have allowed a manual trans as they should have, 5.7 manual it would have been.

 

Agreed. that would be the dream set-up!
but they didnt so the question remains...

 

Back then? The L98. Today, the 5 speed. That is if they're staying stock.

 

Agreed. if not stock.. then shove in a T 5/6 on a 5.7.. but this discussion is stock as in collecting.. if 5/6 mod then collectors wouldn't be as interested as not a true "numbers matching" engine would be right but not trans so not "true". I would fall into collectors but don't have the $$$ to be a true collector but I follow that market since I was a kid. the whole point of this thread is which will be desired by 3rd gen lovers in the collector market. I had a hard time deciding when I made my purchase for the 5.0 T-5. I was really torn between that and an 89 T-top 5.7. I went for lower production numbers and fun. I will never sell but I think my son will when I am gone or he may keep it.. dont know. I hope he keeps it to remember our fun times in it and by that time it will be a real head turner.

 

5 speed, but ONLY because I'm not allowed to mod. We all know that 5 spd = no 350 swap later without changing the trans. I wanted to keep my options open, which is why I bought an auto car.

 

This is my opinion too. 5.7 held the performance and prestige advantage, and has proven to be the more valuable one as time goes on. Without a doubt, a 5 speed LB9 sells for a lot more money than an LB9 automatic. It should.

At the same point, the 350 is where its at in my opinion. I owned both combos at the same time for about a year. Both were 88 models, as well. Even I admit, the LB9 5 speed TA I had was a little more fun to drive overall.

At the same time, the torque and prestige of the 350 is too much to overcome for me. That 700R4 kickdown, with a sudden surge of torque, puts a smile on my face every time Either combo is awesome, but to me the 350 gets the win simply by being the fastest.

 

 

The auto/manual debate comes up regularily on all automotive forums. This question on a third gen only takes an extra split second to decide because the manual required downgrading to the second best engine. It's still an easy answer - manual all the way. When I was faced with this decision, I had my choice of L98 autos that dealers had in stock, but instead waited 3 months for a factory ordered 92 Formula with LB9, 5 speed and 3.42 axle.

For a daily driver, auto is good enough because I'm just trying to get where I'm going. But when I'm out driving a toy car just for the fun of it on a two lane country road, the manual transmission is the key to belting out any V8 pitch I choose.

 

Good assessment. Agreed on the value stuff. I'd imagine an L98 with a manual would be alota fun to drive with all that TQ, but I've unfortunately never had the opportunity.

 

I own 2 5.7 autos and 1 5.0 5 speed. Comparing when they were all stock (1 5.7 and the 5.0 still are) I would take the 5 speed all day any day. It isn't down on TQ all that much and it's just a lot more fun to drive. The 5.7 isn't that much faster either

 

Thats what I always assumed. It is good to hear from someone who owns both! so many on this site say how much faster the 5.7 is than the 5.0 but they are not talking about the 5.0 /T5 combo which is much faster and rear wheel HP is much different between the auto and T5 with same engine.

 

Wish I was home so I could scan in the article I have from the 90s comparing a T5 LB9 B4C to an automatic L98 B4C. The performance statistics were negligible stock vs. stock.

As far as which one is more collectible, it is a toss-up. Historically, the big money muscle cars are always the ones with the biggest motors and manuals. The odd bit about thirdgens is the biggest motor didn't come with the manual. The L98s will command the money from those wanting the big engine, and the rarer manuals will command the money from those who enjoy shifting the gears. Personal preference dictates...

 

My 1988 Trans Am had basically a L98 swapped into it with the T5. It was a blast and the favorite of all my Thirdgens to drive.

There is only one L98 I'd buy, which is a convertible GTA because with it being a convertible, it will be a cruiser. All the other Thirdgens I plan on keeping long term are manuals, except the IROC, but that's an exception due to it's history.

So, without a doubt, 305/5-speed combo.

 

The M5 seems to be running away with the Vote.

30 - 44

But I Vote for the L98 because I have one a 1992, but even if 1992 doesn't count and we are in 1988 I would still get the L98 Auto, because One of my Dream Irocs that I will Own eventually within the next 5 years is the 1988 Hardtop Iroc Z in Medium gray Metallic that oh so ever Elusive Medium gray metallic Iroc with the L98 that since laying eyes on it for the first time when I was just a kid as it Thundered by with the Flowmaster 80's series exhaust took me my Storm


Not to take anything away from the M5 5.0 TPI cars because I do want to get a few to have in my collection because their awesome too but its just that My Vote Favors the L98 A4.

 

I would love to see that article if you can

the split used to be 60/40 now M5 lost a bit

 

That is exactly what I have, met. gray l98 coupe. Soon it'll be a 6 speed w new engine

 

Noooooo !! Save the L98 and 700r4 ! Your talking to an originality Freak !





Save Dracula !

 

Who's car is that? Mine isn't totally original anymore. I changed the suspensio, the brakes, the wheels, the exhaust, the interior and a bunch of other stuff to suit my taste.... it's just too underpowered and I prefer a stick shift (and I have a new retrofit T56 lying around collecting dust)









before... stock... yuck!

 

694 views but only 79 votes.
it feels like a presidential election. lol

 

Remember that views are not unique users while each person can only vote once.

 

well You can't blame me for trying hahaha, I'm actually digging the 4th gen seats in it, and those wheels what are they? only thing i don't dig is the aftermarket Tach, I don't know who owns that particular iroc but i know someone that used to own one.









[/QUOTE]

 

This is my Dream Iroc

 

I don't have an aftermarket tach. That's the previous owners method of fixing the speedo. It's an autometer unit. I replaced everything with new or good as new stuff, dash pad included. Spart from the seats,door panels, armrests, steering wheel and later model gear selector gate it's restored back to original.

 

No Modding allowed,...... I'll pick the Stick !

 

ttt

 

I actually had that delima back in 1988. I choose a 5.7 because I wanted the bigger engine even though I knew the T5 would be more fun to drive. If I had it to do again I would have gone with the T5 instead.

But now I have the opportunity and I got the best of both worlds. 1991 GTA LB9 T5 and 1987 GTA L98 A4.