Hi All,
I am new to Third Gen forum, I bought a 89' bird way back in 2002 for 800$ (i am the second owner). I have been having it since then. Still running good. People often ask me if it is a Trans AM or not? In my title it says "Firebird". But when i look pics online i see a lot have them having the same bodykit and all and are called TransAM or sometime being called Firebird TransAM, it gets confusing.

I have a 305 TPI V8 with Auto Transmission with T-top. It was white before with rust on it, say painted it red now. It came with full body kit plus the spoiler. the hood has the 2 front and Side vents. The fenders too have the side vents (I have some online without the side Vents -did they came with or without originally).
Interior on the Dash pockets, it said performance suspension.

here is my VIN 1G2FW21F5KL20****


Please, enlighten me

 

As far as I know you could only get a firebird with a TPI if it was a Formula, a Trans Am or a GTA. Being its a 305 auto its not a GTA. Unless someone went thru a lot of effort to turn a Formula into look like a Trans Am then you have a Trans Am.

 

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Thanks Guys for your Replies.
So if mine is a TransAM, so can it be called "TransAM or Firebird TransAM"

Whats the deal with Fender vents or air extractors? did it come standard or came with some package?

 

Firebird is the model, Trans am is the package. Like Camaro is the model and Z28 or IROC is the package.

Every Trans Am is a Firebird Trans Am

 

I've never seen one. But add that to the list of numerous things that would need to be changed if it was originally a Formula.

I couldn't remember off hand what the letter code was for Trans Am on the VIN was. I really should've but my brain ain't the bestest anymore.

 

Firebird and Formula VINs start with 1G2FS so you don't have either of those. Trans Am and GTA VINs start with 1G2FW so you have a Trans Am or GTA based on the VIN you supplied.

If your next question is if you have a GTA or "just" a Trans Am, look in the center console inside wall for the white SPID and look for code Y84 (GTA). No Y84 and it's no GTA. Based on just your two pictures, you don't have the normal GTA-specific items but you said the car is not original and parts can be changed in 24 years.

EDIT - I made a simple typo by typing 1F2FS instead of the correct 1G2FS. I have corrected the above for future readers.

 

Ok Now I am glad it a TransAm, I will go and check out the center console
Did'nt GTA come with 5.7L V8, mine is 5.0L v8

two things:
1)the only parts that were modified, were A/C conversion (by previous owner), removed the old rear spoiler to install the Wings/Spoiler and the exhaust from singal to dual.

2) does the "performance suspension" dash pocket mean anything?
Thanks again

 

Not really. Formulas,T/As and GTAs could all have the WS6 "performance" suspension.

 

I personally feel that the GTA should never had come equipped with the optional 5.0 motor, BUUUUUUT it did.

 

Was the 'optional' 305 available with an automatic in a GTA? I thought it was only with a 5 speed.

 

Manual and automatic.

 

You engine snob!!!

 

LOL!!! Pretty much. The GTA was supposed to be the top of the line model, so it should have came with the 5.7 ONLY and no rear drum brakes. Sadly, some GTAs did get rear drum brakes.

 

The Performance Suspension badge does NOT indicate WS6.

 

YIKES!!! The second position of the VIN indictes the manufacturer, "G" for General Motors, "F" for some other off brand.

1G2FS - Firebird including Formula
1G2FW - Trans Am

 

It was a simple typo with one character. You can note that I've provided that information (typed correctly) several times on this forum over the years. I've corrected my referenced post for future readers. The answer is still the same - the O/P has a Trans Am OR GTA based solely on their 1G2FW VIN prefix.

 

ok I just checked inside my center console wall, the sticker is missing.. all that remains is an impression of the sticker that used to be there. anywhere else i can check..?

 

I was checking this site too
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/newauthentication.html gives a complete detail of what to check, some check out and some don't
but there is this site too for a small fee of 35$
http://www.phs-online.com/services.htm
that will do the same

 

On my insurance policy, it spells out EXACTLY what my car is:

"1991, PONTIAC, FIREBIRD TR AM/GTA; VIN: 1G2FW......."

What does your insurance policy say?

 

Mine is gieco it says Firebird TransAM..
But dont you select that while filling out quote..
Anyways, mine is not a GTA, according to the article link in my previous post said that the GTA came with gold honeycomb wheels plus gold emblem in the taillights.
mine is white and silver..

 

That's okay, just be happy with the car you got!
I'm still missing my ride...
Besides if you end up getting a GTA, i would recommend getting it with a 350.
or the other, a 305 with a 5spd.
I had a 87 TA with the 305/auto/2.77 combo and it was such a dog. Great on economy though, but still a dog.

 

Actually I am Happy that it is Trans AM..I have kept the car for 12 years and planning to keep it for long time. Thats why it is going in the shop next month for a complete paint job and redoing the interior. gonna cost me 13000$, but it is gonna be good. Attached is something i am trying to go for..

 

You insurance company doesn't know any more if your car is a Trans Am or a GTA than anyone else. Many people have come to this site saying "my insurance/title says my car is a <insert model here>, but I think I have a <insert model here>. They use generic descriptions that vary per company and state and it's a 100% completely inaccurate way to identify package you car has.

Here is on such thread about an IROC:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...roc-z-not.html

 

I agree with AmorgetRS. You take two VINs - one from a Trans Am and one from a GTA - of the same year, same plant and same engine (305TPI, 350TPI). You won't be able to tell the GTA from the Trans Am by looking at those two VINs. You'd need a connection to GM to pull up the records on those VINs.

 

or as stated before, just look for the SPID (service part identification) label and look for the RPO code that's signify what you have. Especially you can decode the rpos using sources like Thirdgen.org

 

Kinda... I know from 1989 - 1990 all GTA's came with either the 5.0/M5 or a 350... The only that the 5.0/A4 was available was 87, 88, 91 & 92... From 89 & 90 the dealer order worksheet shows that the GTA was NA with the LB9/A4...

(This does not include Export cars US only) - I put this disclaimer because I know someone will find a car to be outside my statement, it would be an export car.

John

 

My 1991 GTA with a 305 and an AT would disagree with you. I also believe that Alex (92GTA) also owns a 1992 GTA with a 305 and a AT.

Also, from the gtasourcepage for 1991:

LB9 5.0 MPFI V8 (NA Firebird & Firebird Convertible; requires G80

Limited Slip Differential; Requires R6P Performance Enhancement Group

with MM5 Manual Transmission on GTA & Formula)

Formula 745

Trans Am & Trans Am Convertible N/C

GTA (300) (Delete For Credit)

B2L 5.7 MPFI V8 (NA Firebird, Firebird Convertible, Trans Am Convertible,

Trans Am W/CC1 Hatch Roof, GTA W/CC1 Hatch Roof; Requires MXO

Auto Transmission, R6P Performance Enhancement Group, G80 Limited Slip

Differential, and QLC Performance Tires)

Formula 1045

Trans Am 300

GTA N/C


http://www.gtasourcepage.com/91optionspriceinfo.html

 

Apparently it was 1989 & 1990 only... I will correct my statement. I did a little more digging...

Thanks for correcting me.

J

 

I had thought the same and when I seen this thread and that question, I was going to reference GTASourcepage. Their data definately supports that the 1989 GTA 305TPI only came with the 5-speed:

LB9 -- Engine, 5.0L V8 TPI -- 366
MK6 -- Transmission, 5-Speed Manual -- 366
MM5 -- Transmission, 5-Speed Manual Provisions -- 366

So that adds up.

But looking at the 1990 data, it shows:

LB9 -- Engine, 5.0L V8 TPI -- 289
MK6 -- Transmission, 5-Speed Manual -- 78
MM5 -- Transmission, 5-Speed Manual Provisions -- 78

Which does not add up.

 

once again it looks like in 1989 they got options aplenty over previous years and later years. Kinda scratches my head still! As i mention about options, weight issues, etc. as i said in other posts...hmm! No matter, happy that model year got it. Wish others did to!..

 

I seriously wonder if it had to do with the weight of the car... I am not sure what would have made it so much lighter than the previous years... They did drop many things for cost savings for 1989, like they stopped painting the cowl area in front of the windshield black, it was now body color. On the Base Firebird & Formula they stopped painting the upper air-dam, they were all now black. The removal of the 9th injector was a cost savings... Not to add up to a significant weight savings... 200# is like removing the rear hatch, and hood, its pretty significant. Of course the optional aluminum driveshaft would have helped a little too..

JT... my order sheets say that 1990 the GTA was NA with the 305/A4.. so that is interesting indeed. I wonder if all of the 305/A4 GTAs had T-tops...

John

 

Wow..something wrong with that...drum rears on the top of the line firebird?? That's crazy!!

 

Actually, the reason was due to some Union strike where they were making the Disc brakes (that is the rumor) so GM decided to install the Aluminum drums instead.

Little known factoid, take Drums and disc brakes of the same diameter, Drums will work better - one time. The Aluminum drums cool much better and will not fade like Cast Iron Drums, but they will fade...

I believe that the 1LE cars still got the Disc Brakes through the period in 1990/1991 when they were NA for other cars, I guess they must have kept them aside for those few 1LE cars that were made during that period.

John

 

The 1990 Pontiac order sheet that I have shows first print and I believe I got that one from you. I see that it does say N/A w/LB9 on the GTA for the Auto Transmission code.

I found a Pontiac bulletin on Frankie's GTASourcePage that adds further information to show that it was a change during production:
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/Pontiac...0cdbs/90F1.jpg

 

I parted out a low mile 91 or 92 GTA with a 305 tpi, single cat exhaust, aluminum drum/driveshaft/spare and auto.
The downgraded motor was a credit to offset the ttop, leather and cd player cost.

 

You think that's bad, '87 GTAs could have almost anything you wanted. A/C delete, crank windows, etc.

 

Thank y'll for the information

 

At least you could not get a LG4 with the GTA...