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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
timfitz63,
the codes you are looking for are as follow:
RPO JG1 for aluminum drive shaft
RPO KC4 is for engine oil cooler
as physical inspection: the oiler cooler is attached to the engine block and fits between the block and the engine oil filter. Hoses and lines run across the side of the block and then along the front part of the oil pan area and into side ports of the radiator.
The aluminum drive shaft for the most part don't rust like the steel type, and you can visually see it in it's destinct non painted bare metal (aluminum) appearance.
OK, thanks! I'll check those things ASAP and report back.
Well, unfortunately, mine does not appear to be a G92 car... I checked the RPO codes; mine does have:
GM3/G80 limited slip 3.45 rear axle
J65 four-wheel disk brakes
LB9 5.0L TPI engine
MM5 5-speed manual transmission
N10 dual catalytic converter exhaust
N64 weight-saving spare tire (probably because I have the J65 option)
Mine does not have RPO codes for:
G92
JG1 aluminum drive shaft
KC4 oil cooler
I've not yet bothered to visually confirm that these components are missing on the car, but odds are that they are not there if they're absent from the RPO decal...
I'm at something of a loss to explain why mine was not fully equipped as a G92 car when it was built during the exact same time period (May '89) as "chazman" and "895speedTPI's" Formulas...? I guess that all of the correct boxes didn't get checked on the order/build sheet...? Any group insight/speculation there?
were you the orginal owner of your car? If so do you remember selecting the options for your car before it was built? Otherwise, i'm sure it's still possible that your car can have what you got and still not be equipped with the G92 option...but that i'm not clearly sure about, perhaps other here can chime in.
Either way i like the options you have on your car, can i have your 3.45 rear end?! j/king...
If anything if your interested it's possible you can get a copy of your window sticker and/or dealer invoice from PHS (pontiac historic society)...for the most part will display the base options on top of options selected from the new owner...
were you the orginal owner of your car? If so do you remember selecting the options for your car before it was built? Otherwise, i'm sure it's still possible that your car can have what you got and still not be equipped with the G92 option...but that i'm not clearly sure about, perhaps other here can chime in...
First and only owner. I researched it -- I'd thought -- thoroughly when I was getting ready to order it. I started from the premise that I wanted it equipped with a manual transmission and the hottest engine available with a manual; it is a sports car, after all... After that, it pretty-much equipped itself. The dual converter exhaust (N10) and limited slip 3.45 rear axle (GM3/G80) came more-or-less automatically as a result of the power train selection; and then the four-wheel disk brakes (J65) became a 'mandatory' option, with the weight-saving spare tire (N64) in tow. I honestly didn't know of any other boxes to check to round out a G92 set-up -- frankly, I'd not heard of RPO G92 before coming to this forum. But in my defense, back in 1989, I was working from the Pontiac sales brochure and with a salesman who was a friend of my dad's and mostly acting as a conduit for the sale, rather than someone actually trying to sell me a car...
I still have yet to visually confirm that the oil cooler and aluminum drive shaft are, in fact, not installed. Is there any chance that the RPO decal never got printed with those codes even though the equipment was factory-installed...?
Originally Posted by RockinGTA89
... Either way i like the options you have on your car, can i have your 3.45 rear end?! j/king...
Thanks. Even though the car is ostensibly not a G92 car, I'll hang onto it just the rear end just the same. But if the car -- God forbid -- ever becomes wrecked/unserviceable, you can have the first pick from the pile of parts!
Originally Posted by RockinGTA89
... If anything if your interested it's possible you can get a copy of your window sticker and/or dealer invoice from PHS (pontiac historic society)...for the most part will display the base options on top of options selected from the new owner...
Still have the window sticker. Not sure I ever got a copy of the dealer invoice; I'll have to check my records and see. Once, long ago, I even found the build sheet stuffed under one of the front seats. I'll have to pull that out and review it too...
After researching this topic a bit more on this site, it seems that G92 is strictly a Chevy thing, while Pontiac handled their RPO's for the performance axle/package differently. No? Any thoughts?
After researching this topic a bit more on this site, it seems that G92 is strictly a Chevy thing, while Pontiac handled their RPO's for the performance axle/package differently. No? Any thoughts?
I just received my factory invoice. No G92 listed although the car is equiped with N10/GM3/G80/J65/MM5/N64 codes. I have the original rear end tag that shows the 3.45 ratio, the weight saving spare, but not the original SPIS sticker to clarify this.
I would have to assume that G92 is not a valid RPO code for 89 birds.
The firebirds got all the g92 equipment without having to have the rpo cause they're that cool lol, but yes the g92 rpo is a chevy thing for sure.
Cool!! Thank you for confirming that.
Can not wait to see some pics of your new bird.
I have always owned camaros in the past, but the styling of the Firebirds and T/A's seems to have stood the test of time better. Although I could just be partial to that since now I own one. Definitely an agressive looking car (with a wide stance) that is always drawing complements. Even from the younger crowd! They are that cool.
The firebirds got all the g92 equipment without having to have the rpo cause they're that cool lol, but yes the g92 rpo is a chevy thing for sure.
Hmm. Well, that explains why my '89 Formula wouldn't have the G92 RPO on the decal... But it doesn't explain why mine ostensibly didn't get the other equipment (JG1 aluminum drive shaft and KC4 oil cooler) when it seemingly qualified...?
Hmm. Well, that explains why my '89 Formula wouldn't have the G92 RPO on the decal... But it doesn't explain why mine ostensibly didn't get the other equipment (JG1 aluminum drive shaft and KC4 oil cooler) when it seemingly qualified...?
JG1 wasn't part of the G92 package. It only came on 1LE and F-cars which were in danger of going up another EPA weight class.
JG1 wasn't part of the G92 package. It only came on 1LE and F-cars which were in danger of going up another EPA weight class.
OK. Not familiar with the 1LE code and what the entails; you'll have to educate me some more there.
And what would have caused an F-Body car to breach this EPA weight class boundary? I'm trying to understand why some Formulas -- built during the same period of time as mine and essentially equipped with the same set of powertrain options (LB9/MM5/N10/G80/GM3) -- received the JG1 and/or KC4 options (e.g., yours and "895speedTPI's"), and some (mine) apparently didn't...? No changing what is at this point as far as my car is concerned; just trying to understand...
Correct if you had a g92 camaro that automatically triggered the 1LE option. Hey our birds have the most important options hell with an oil cooler and aluminum driveshaft!
Actually you could have a G92 code car with out the 1LE, and the majority of G92 cars were not 1LE. Order a TPI 5 speed, with the performance axel, without AC, and I believe that would tigger the 1LE package. Also for 89 you had to be a licensed SCCA driver to purchase one.
Too much confusion about these cars equipped with the performance drive train. I think we need a definitive and reputable source to clarify all this. Especially on the Pontiac side of the coin.
It should be easy to confirm that G92 is a Chevy-only RPO code (which is what I suspect). It's common for Firebirds to have all the "G92" goodies (GM3, J65, JG1, KC4, N10) without the code.
In order to disprove, can anyone post a pic of a SPID that includes BOTH a VIN that starts 1G2FW (Formula or Trans Am) and also has G92?
My 90 GTA doesn't have the G92 code but has MM5, G80, KC4, N10, N64 but no Aluminium driveshaft which is odd because most 1990 GTA's had them. I should mention it's a Z49 export code.
After researching this topic a bit more on this site, it seems that G92 is strictly a Chevy thing, while Pontiac handled their RPO's for the performance axle/package differently. No? Any thoughts?
Correct,
1986 was the last year that the G92 was an option as a performance axle on the Firebird line.
in 1988 thru 1992 G92 ended up making the car into a 1LE on the Firebirds, as the performance axle ratio was tied with the Engine/Trans/Series...
For example:
Formulas & GTAs with the LB9/M5 or L98 almost always got the performance axle, (the exceptions are typically for export cars, only a few exceptions out there)
Trans Ams had an extra "option" that was not standard it was R6P IIRC "Sales Control Item number 20" which got you the performance axle... This started in 1991. It was typically only available on the LB9/M5 & L98 IIRC.
Furthermore, the only way to get the "performance Axle" on earlier Trans Am (87-90) was to either order the GTA, or get the 1LE package from what I can tell.
Correct,
1986 was the last year that the G92 was an option as a performance axle on the Firebird line.
in 1988 thru 1992 G92 ended up making the car into a 1LE on the Firebirds, as the performance axle ratio was tied with the Engine/Trans/Series...
For example:
Formulas & GTAs with the LB9/M5 or L98 almost always got the performance axle, (the exceptions are typically for export cars, only a few exceptions out there)
Trans Ams had an extra "option" that was not standard it was R6P IIRC "Sales Control Item number 20" which got you the performance axle... This started in 1991. It was typically only available on the LB9/M5 & L98 IIRC.
Furthermore, the only way to get the "performance Axle" on earlier Trans Am (87-90) was to either order the GTA, or get the 1LE package from what I can tell.
Hope that makes sense.
Thanks for the info, and help clearing up this G92 thing for us. Still a bit confusing, but not really a big deal. Just trying to figure of the history of these birds, since too many things get mixed in with what Chevy offered.
Just happy to have one to enjoy. Nothing better than rolling it off the line then mashing the gas and watching people reactions to the tires going up. Good times!
Thanks for the info, and help clearing up this G92 thing for us. Still a bit confusing, but not really a big deal. Just trying to figure of the history of these birds, since too many things get mixed in with what Chevy offered.
Just happy to have one to enjoy. Nothing better than rolling it off the line then mashing the gas and watching people reactions to the tires going up. Good times!
Think of it this way... From 1987+ the Firebird never got G92 Without also getting 1LE. More or less the performance axle was a packaged with the Formula and GTA when equipped with the LB9/M5 or the L98... In 1991 the R6P option appeared which kind of was the Firebird version of the G92.
Post up some pictures when you get it. What shape is it in now and how did you locate it ?
About 3 weeks ago I got a coupon code for a free Autocheck report so I plugged in the VIN not expecting it had survived the 25 years since it left me. The most recent registration events showed up in the same town in Wisconsin from 1998-2007. I posted a wanted add on craigslist & the rest is history.
3 owners out there in that time the last one has had it for 13 years with the interior out of it for the last 4. Here are a couple of pics from the owner in 1998 and some timeslips he had from the track.
Last edited by PurelyPMD; 02-19-2014 at 08:51 AM.
Reason: Wrong dates
The time slips are cool... He got faster every run...
If memory serves me those times are not bad for a stocker ? Anybody confirm ? And check out how hot a day it was.
1) Iroc
2) RPO code for black with red strip but it is black with blue strip it was repainted under warranty so not sure what was original here. interior grey leather
3) Has N10s
4) Built March of 89
5) 3.45
Last edited by Zeroeagle13; 05-27-2014 at 12:28 PM.
Not mine but I thought I would share this potentially really cool car. Decal delete?, g92, black on black 5 speed. Reminds me of chazman's iroc although the ground effect swap probably suggests a repaint without decals being reinstalled.
The Pontiac owners need to look for RPO code R6P - it is the G92 equivalent in the Formula & I believe in the TA as well.
There's lots of speculation in this thread that needs to be cleared out.
Correct... kinda... R6P RPO was released on April 6, 1990 in a Distribution Bulletin. The early 1991 Model Year Formulas and GTA from February thru April 6 did not get the R6P RPO, but they got the equipment.
R6P was an OPTION on the Trans Am only, it was standard on the Formula and GTA with the LB9/MM5 and the B2L (L98).
Prior to actual production of the R6P, the GTA & Formula received the equipment when ordered with the LB9/MM5 and the L98, but there was no RPO.
Keep in mind that the Car distribution Bulletin was written on April 6, and it would not have gone into production later that year. The First instance in the Dealer Order Worksheets the R6P was introduced on 5/90.
So it was not until 5/90 that you could order the R6P on the Trans Am (it was always standard on the Formula and GTA as noted above) It took about 4-6 weeks to actually make a car, so the first cars to actually get the RPO was probably not possible until late May, June or July of 1990...
OK. Not familiar with the 1LE code and what the entails; you'll have to educate me some more there.
And what would have caused an F-Body car to breach this EPA weight class boundary? I'm trying to understand why some Formulas -- built during the same period of time as mine and essentially equipped with the same set of powertrain options (LB9/MM5/N10/G80/GM3) -- received the JG1 and/or KC4 options (e.g., yours and "895speedTPI's"), and some (mine) apparently didn't...? No changing what is at this point as far as my car is concerned; just trying to understand...
The 1LE was the G92 combined with AC delete, which triggered components like bigger PBR front brakes, foglight delete, baffle gas tank and Al driveshaft, etc. It was the road race package.
And if you loaded your car with heavier options, ie, auto trans, T-tops, etc., it was possible to load up your car into the next highest EPA weight class. GM would usually automatically add the JG1 Al DS and Al spare wheels to these cars in order to keep their mass within the EPA's weight class.
The 1LE was the G92 combined with AC delete, which triggered components like bigger PBR front brakes, foglight delete, baffle gas tank and Al driveshaft, etc. It was the road race package.
And if you loaded your car with heavier options, ie, auto trans, T-tops, etc., it was possible to load up your car into the next highest EPA weight class. GM would usually automatically add the JG1 Al DS and Al spare wheels to these cars in order to keep their mass within the EPA's weight class.
Built in April '89. Late '89 N10 Dual Cats. No Power Windows and Door Locks. Just Power Hatch. Huge Cam. J65 Rear Disc Brakes. White Exterior with Black Custom Cloth.
1) IROC-Z
2) White with Black Custom Cloth
3) N10 Dual Cats
4) April 1989
5) 3.45 Performance Axle
1) 1989 Formula
2) Bright Red with Gray Custom Cloth Interior
3) N10
4) Not sure. where can I find the build date?
5) 3.45
Build date I think is on one of the Drivers door stickers will have the month and year... No specific day... I remember on of my cars having 04/90 or something like that... All my cars are stowed away and I am 20 miles from them right now.. If you want the actual day, you can go to gmmediaarchive.com and get your dealer's invoice for $50
Build date I think is on one of the Drivers door stickers will have the month and year... No specific day... I remember on of my cars having 04/90 or something like that... All my cars are stowed away and I am 20 miles from them right now.. If you want the actual day, you can go to gmmediaarchive.com and get your dealer's invoice for $50
Thanks Okfoz. Door sticker is still there and now the date is updated.
Build date I think is on one of the Drivers door stickers will have the month and year... No specific day... I remember on of my cars having 04/90 or something like that... All my cars are stowed away and I am 20 miles from them right now.. If you want the actual day, you can go to gmmediaarchive.com and get your dealer's invoice for $50
I had a thought, and yes this is way out there. The GM Archives website lists that they have Pontiac invoices back to 1987 on Microfiche. If you send your vin, they will email a PDF of your cars original invoice. Do you know if those records are available to the public? Could I arrange to go there and search all 1989 Formulas and count the ones that have the LB9-MM5-N10 combination? Once you know where they have those options listed, it would be fairly quick to scroll through and determine which ones fit. Yes, I am crazy!
01-21-2014, 11:21 AM
I'll check those things ASAP and report back. 
I guess that all of the correct boxes didn't get checked on the order/build sheet...? Any group insight/speculation there? 
