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To save or not to save, 91 GTA

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Old May 27, 2017 | 02:32 PM
  #1  
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Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Looking for some realistic direction on this one. Also unsure where this post would go so I chose originality.

First I have to say thanks to the people here that helped me sort out this car's wiring and get it running.

Now the hard question do I at least save, then should I keep this 91 GTA. I picked it up for $700 with 126k the wrong nose, terrible wiring, mold, maybe a bad motor, a little rust and some dents.



I've been able to get it to run but not under load, I think the cats were bad, and the distributor hold down screw is too tall and does not keep it in place. There is rust all the way through kick panels on both sides.

I've swapped on a new bumper, correct nose with lights and fixed the head lights. I've saved most of the interior and it looks much better. I've also picked up correct wheels.


Dents
I've never had rust fixed or dents pulled so I'm unsure how much I'll be paying and if it would be worth selling after or just keeping. Not to mention the fact I have to get it driving. What do you all think? Also I will be getting rid of a lot of the parts that came on it that were from the wrong nose.

Last edited by legend71; May 27, 2017 at 02:34 PM. Reason: Spelling
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Old May 29, 2017 | 11:16 AM
  #2  
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Car: '02 T/A WS6, '91 T/A, '91 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1, LB9, L03
Transmission: T56, 700R4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.10 10 bolt, 2.73 10 bolts
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

I'd save it if it's not rusted out too bad. What's wrong with the motor?
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Old May 29, 2017 | 01:12 PM
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From: Washington
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Not sure is there really is anything wrong with the motor now. Put a washer on the distributor hold down screw and it fully tightened and was able to drive the car around. Once I put exhaust on it I should be able to tell better.
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Old May 29, 2017 | 09:00 PM
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From: NJ
Car: 90 formula, 89 formula 350 vert
Engine: 305, 355
Transmission: T5, t56
Axle/Gears: 3:45 9 bolt, 8.8 3:73
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Save it. That rust spot pictured is common and not too bad to fix. Looks pretty good in the pictures overall
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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 11:31 PM
  #5  
legend71's Avatar
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From: Washington
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Well after taking this thing all over town and being turned down at every shop. I've gotten body panel bonding agent and a sealer and made my own patches. Finally riveted them in and now I'm putting the body panels back in before Maaco to have dents pulled and maybe a repaint.
Have to clean up the sealer.
the next step is to paint it all with POR. Once the dents and paint is squared away carpet and interior will go back in then hopefully it'll find a new home
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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 11:58 PM
  #6  
legend71's Avatar
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From: Washington
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Im sure this is not the ideal way to fix this but I figure it'll work till someone want to replace the entire floor pans
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 09:44 AM
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From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Not the most desirable way to fix rust, since it will still continue to rust, but if you're not driving it in the salt and rain, it should hold up for a while. It is certainly better than no repair.

I would continue to fix the car, it is a low production year, plus a GTA and it is well optioned.
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 04:17 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS B4C
Engine: 5.7 TPI Crate Motor
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.42
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

I would save it. It’s a 91 GTA with an L98. I dont remember seeing too many of those when they were new.
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 04:25 PM
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From: Houson
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 SBC
Transmission: 700 R4 TCI
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

fix
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 08:20 PM
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Car: 1984 T/A
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Ford 8.8 4.10 gears
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

FIX!!
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 09:08 PM
  #11  
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Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Cool car id save it for sure!
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Old Aug 20, 2018 | 03:29 AM
  #12  
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From: Washington
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Finished on side as best I could and put some correct and nicer fenders on. Went to put the t/a hood on that i found for it and a bolt broke off in the aft passenger side mount. Drilling it out has not gone well and this is a nice hood. Anyone know if the bolts for the T/A hood are smaller than the regular hood?
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Old Aug 20, 2018 | 06:00 AM
  #13  
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Car: 88 Sport Coupe
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Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.56
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Good deal,I am glad you decided to fix it and sounds like you are making good progress.
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Old Aug 21, 2018 | 08:04 AM
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Originally Posted by legend71
Anyone know if the bolts for the T/A hood are smaller than the regular hood?
They are all the same size
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Old Sep 2, 2018 | 10:46 PM
  #15  
legend71's Avatar
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From: Washington
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: To save or not to save, 91 GTA

Hood is on. Ready the timing to 6 BTDC today and the car ran much better bust still no low end power. Grabbed some carb clean and found two decent vacuum leaks. Ordering a new gasket set and one that's one this thing would at least run like a tight 128k mile car.

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