I'm looking at buying an 89 GTA for a good price. Only problem it seems is the clearcoat coming off, and the L98 is ticking on the drivers side near the back. Its quite loud and when driving the car around the block, it didnt seem to have much power. I'm wondering if this is a common problem and how much is it to fix? Could it be an injector or a rocker?

 

Plug wire. I drove my 86 WS6 330 miles home and #1 wire was off. It sounded dead on a dead lifter.

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86 T/A 5.0 A4 & 2.77 gear
15.62 @ 86 mph
93 Civic 1.6L
13.5 @ 100 mph

 

My injectors do tick, but it is not that loud and you cannot hear it when you are in the car. Basically, you have to have the hood up and its very gentle.

From what you describe, it sounds like its in the valvetrain...weak/broken spring, rocker, lifter (though roller lifters don't collapse as often as regular).

I had one motor where the previous owner had "cross threaded" the spark plug so it did not make a good seal into the head. It too made a ticking sound.

 

Do you think I should get this car mechanically inspected then? The guy wanted $4500 for it and I got him down to $4000 (CAN). It also needs paint.

 

I would, especially given the "ticking sound". Also, take the car to a body shop and find out what it will cost to repaint it. Also, have the underside and body work checked for rust.

Get prices to fix it the way you want it, then you will know the total price to fix the car. Do you plan on modifying the engine or will you be happy with the stock engine?

In 1989, many of the automatics would not go into 4th in WOT. Just another fact you should know. What type of rear end does it have? 9 bolt or 10 bolt? 9 bolts are stronger (but not much), but they are EXPENSIVE to change gears. The 10 bolts are weaker (especially the 7 1/2" 26 spline) but gears are cheap and plentiful. It was around 1989 that GM started using the large 7 5/8" 28 spline rears. But GM just didn't switch over all at once. GM is notorious for using up "old parts" first before they start to use the new ones, just to warn you.

 

ur clear coats coming off too, small world for us GTA owners

 

My car did that too(except it didn't lose power) and i found out that it was just that the exhaust manifold wasn't screwed down all the way. I guess the nut vibrated loose...but after i tightened it was just fine.

 

CLEAR COAT SUCKS...... mine does anyway

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1988 Trans am GTA
stock, only mods:
flowmaster exaust.
in process of getting more

 

I second this as well, could be an exhaust leak. Also, exhaust leaks are notorious for causing false knock readings at the ECM, which will cause your timing to be way retarded giving you poor performance.
...ed

 

Ahhhh,
so maybe it's that huge exhaust leak a foot away from my knock sensor pulling out timing.

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'88 RS (originally 2.8)
-350, .040 over, vette alum. L98s, stock tpi.
-305 injectors & chip
-TES headers & edelbrock cat back
-3.73 gears, 700r4.
Best with 2.8-17.4@77mph
Best with 305-15.0@93mph
Best with 356-13.7@101mph
on a 2.050 60 ft.
(Damn the 2.8!)