New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
07-23-2013, 04:17 PM
#1
New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Hi, this is my frist Trans Am, period. I got her for $1500, all she needs is a tune up, paint, and new/ recovered seats. So out of curiosity, is there anything people may be able to tell me about it that I may not already know? It also says "Fuel Injection" on the door handles and still has the leather T-Top bags.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps9c720f71.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps9c720f71.jpg
07-23-2013, 08:46 PM
#2
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Car: 1987 TA GTA, 1987 IROC 1988 Formula
Engine: 350 tpi/305 tpi/350 tbi
Transmission: All have 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3:73's
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Every option can be decoded with the rpo sticker in the console. Other than that it just looks like a trans am that needs some love. The fuel injection decals on door handles weren't very common as far as I know. I'm assuming it has the 305 tbi then. Looks to be in good shape other than the clear is gone, how is the spare tire well? (those tend to rot out a lot)
07-23-2013, 11:32 PM
#3
Senior Member
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Every option can be decoded with the rpo sticker in the console. Other than that it just looks like a trans am that needs some love. The fuel injection decals on door handles weren't very common as far as I know. I'm assuming it has the 305 tbi then. Looks to be in good shape other than the clear is gone, how is the spare tire well? (those tend to rot out a lot)
Look for rust spots if there are any if just so happen to tear the carpet apart or look under neath the car. 85 was basically the first year of the restyled body ground effects, gauges a few interior changes.
I'd check the fluids and change them, no telling how old the fluids are, if the rear differential needs fluid change, transmission filter kit/fluid etc...
I'm sure we can answer questions you may have
07-23-2013, 11:50 PM
#4
07-24-2013, 01:05 AM
#5
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Car: 1987 TA GTA, 1987 IROC 1988 Formula
Engine: 350 tpi/305 tpi/350 tbi
Transmission: All have 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3:73's
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
No TBI option for 85. Only fuel injection offered with the TPI 305 engine.
Look for rust spots if there are any if just so happen to tear the carpet apart or look under neath the car. 85 was basically the first year of the restyled body ground effects, gauges a few interior changes.
I'd check the fluids and change them, no telling how old the fluids are, if the rear differential needs fluid change, transmission filter kit/fluid etc...
I'm sure we can answer questions you may have
Look for rust spots if there are any if just so happen to tear the carpet apart or look under neath the car. 85 was basically the first year of the restyled body ground effects, gauges a few interior changes.
I'd check the fluids and change them, no telling how old the fluids are, if the rear differential needs fluid change, transmission filter kit/fluid etc...
I'm sure we can answer questions you may have
07-24-2013, 11:38 AM
#6
Supreme Member
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
The wheels/tires/exhaust tips would have to go for me, but looks like it should make a decent car otherwise. Assuming it runs and it is actually is a TPI car, $1,500 is not bad at all.
07-24-2013, 05:45 PM
#7
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I will be doing a tune up and changing all fluids as soon as my next pay check comes in. I haven't been able to find any rust other than a little bit of surface rust on the body, but this is nowhere near a coastal area so I guess I'm lucky for that. I'd really like to get my hands on some old GTA wheels to replace these.
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07-24-2013, 06:31 PM
#8
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
That spoiler made me think it was a v6. What an oddity.
07-25-2013, 10:51 PM
#11
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Just noticed on the motor it does read "Tuned Port Injection". So I guess that's a good thing? haha.
07-25-2013, 11:09 PM
#12
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Car: 1987 TA GTA, 1987 IROC 1988 Formula
Engine: 350 tpi/305 tpi/350 tbi
Transmission: All have 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3:73's
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Yeah they are good old engines and have tons of torque, but run fall on their face pretty quick lol.
07-25-2013, 11:15 PM
#13
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Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355 tpi
Transmission: 5 speed
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Trans Am, That is a very good buy you got on that car,
07-27-2013, 12:06 AM
#14
Senior Member
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Atleast won't have to deal with a carburetor. 85 was the first year of the TPI cars they have there pros and cons but your living with 215 HP considering it's stock.
08-04-2013, 10:54 PM
#15
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
The 85 TPI was a pretty 'strong' 305 engine.... They rev higher and are more powerfull than the TPI cars from the next couple years of production. I thought that claim was BS when I heard other say it, but then I bought an original 85 TPI Z28 and will NEVER look at an 85 TPI the same way again after owning one.
That 85 Trans AM should also have a very limited issue stock suspension. It was the only year a solid 34mm front and 25mm rear sway bar were factory installed. Should have some pretty firm springs too; probably NNM rears and BZY fronts.
If the car is solid with little / no rot and has an inspection sticker on the windshield,...... IMO you stole it for $1500 !
That 85 Trans AM should also have a very limited issue stock suspension. It was the only year a solid 34mm front and 25mm rear sway bar were factory installed. Should have some pretty firm springs too; probably NNM rears and BZY fronts.
If the car is solid with little / no rot and has an inspection sticker on the windshield,...... IMO you stole it for $1500 !
08-08-2013, 09:19 PM
#17
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Car: 99 WS6 / 00 SS / 11 CTS-V / 13 300
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Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Small correction from above...85 TPI Camaros were 215hp. Trans Ams were 205 due to the more restrictive air intake.
09-14-2013, 07:14 PM
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09-14-2013, 07:28 PM
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09-14-2013, 08:43 PM
#21
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Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Engine: V8 5.0L HO (L69)
Transmission: B&W T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 limited slip
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
Those rims ruin the fresh paint job, they HAVE to go quick !!! 
09-14-2013, 10:50 PM
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01-06-2014, 11:54 PM
#23
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Car: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 305 V8 5.0L
Transmission: Hydra-Matic 4spd Automatic
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
You lucky dog, I have some paintwork that needs to be done on mine, but its soooo expensive! My hood needs new clear coat, and my ground effects need touch up. She looks great!
01-07-2014, 12:38 PM
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: New to Trans Ams. Just picked up a 85.
The "Fuel Injection" door handle emblems were on 82-87 Firebirds with Fuel Injection. In 1988 all F-bodies came with FI, so I assume they decided they were no longer needed.
You can buy replacement stickers from hawksthirdgenparts.com and they are very very close to the originals. The originals varied in color from one car to another, theirs is in the middle from what I can tell.
As mentioned before the spoiler was technically the standard spoiler, the aero spoiler was an option in 1985, but not many came with it. 1986, the Aero spoiler became standard, with the optional straight wing.
The car looks great, If it was me, I would pass on the 2nd gen wheels and try to get some 16" rims minimum IMHO... the GTA rims would look killer, in a gold or Black.
Also get some semi-gloss paint, mask off your T-tops and paint the little metal strip...
Looking good, keep up the good work.
You can buy replacement stickers from hawksthirdgenparts.com and they are very very close to the originals. The originals varied in color from one car to another, theirs is in the middle from what I can tell.
As mentioned before the spoiler was technically the standard spoiler, the aero spoiler was an option in 1985, but not many came with it. 1986, the Aero spoiler became standard, with the optional straight wing.
The car looks great, If it was me, I would pass on the 2nd gen wheels and try to get some 16" rims minimum IMHO... the GTA rims would look killer, in a gold or Black.
Also get some semi-gloss paint, mask off your T-tops and paint the little metal strip...
Looking good, keep up the good work.
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