Ok,

I went on the Autotrader.com site and did some research on the TransAm and came up with 2 seperate results for the 5.0L which I listed below. What I want to know is how can I find out which one is mine. I already made the mistake of filling up the tank with Regular unleaded so if its the second one how can I boost the octane so that I don't blow my engine into the next millenium

Engine, 5.0L 8 Cylinder 170 hp Gas (STD)
* Cylinder Number: 8
* Valves per Cylinder: 0
* Cylinder Configuration: Vee
* Compression Ratio: 0
* Camshaft: OHV
* Engine Size: 5
* Engine Type: Gas
* Coolant Capacity: 0
* Oil Capacity: 0
* Stroke: 3.48
* Bore: 3.74
* Horsepower: 170 @ 4000rpm
* Torque: 255 @ 2400rpm
* Fuel Capacity: 15.5
* Fuel Type: Unleaded Regular
* Fuel Delivery Type: Throttle Body Fuel Injection
* Fuel Delivery: Throttle Body Fuel Injection


Engine, 5.0L 8 Cylinder 205 hp Gas (OPTION)
* Cylinder Number: 8
* Valves per Cylinder: 0
* Cylinder Configuration: Vee
* Compression Ratio: 0
* Camshaft: OHV
* Engine Size: 5
* Engine Type: Gas
* Coolant Capacity: 0
* Oil Capacity: 0
* Stroke: 3.48
* Bore: 3.74
* Horsepower: 205 @ 4400rpm
* Torque: 285 @ 3200rpm
* Fuel Capacity: 0
* Fuel Type: Unleaded Premium
* Fuel Delivery Type: Electronic Fuel Injection
* Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection

 

The first one is for a 5.0L throttle body injection engine (code LO3). The vin number of the vehicle will have an E right in the middle. That will tell you which engine you have.

The second is for a 5.0L Tuned Port Injuction vehicle (code LB9). The vin number will have an F right in the middle if you have this vehicle.

Another way to tell is visual. If you have a circular air cleaner assembly and something similar to a carbuerator them you have the throttle body infection (LO3). These were mostly only availibable in the Camaro RS and the Firebird.

If you have a flat, long, wide metal piece sitting on top of your engine with 4 tubes coming off each side them you have the tuned port injection (LB9). The were available on Z28's and Trans Ams.

Hope that helped.

Bill

 

Ok...this is weird then

I have a 1988 Pontiac TransAm however it has the circular air cleaner on top?

 

If you have the round air cleaner on top and your car is not a carbed car you have the 170 hp 5.o l lo3 engine. if you take the air cleaner off you will see to injectors above your thortle body.

 

You won't blow your enigne and regular fuel should be just fine. Do you have 2 cars for sale and you forget which is which? I geuss I am confused.

 

think hes using the autotrader thing to get car specs. Dont worry too much about what type of gas you ahve in it. Even on regular either car will do ok.

 

I know there were some year where T/A's and IROCs got the LO3. But I did not want to cloud the issue.

Just my luck....he had one.

 

Yeah those specs were just pulled from Autotrader.com's used car research page.

Well this L03 should do the trick...only thing I am worried about is that 16mpg...car is gonna kill the bank with gas milleage...but should be a fun summer car none the less.

 

It should do better then that, its an lo3. At least 18 mpg in the city.

 

I can live wiht 18mpg in the city..hell my tempo only gets me 19mpg in the city. For a four banger the tempo sure is a gas guzzler. I figure the first thing I am gonna do with the T/A is a full fledged tune up. That way I am sure that the car is in tip top shape prior to the summer.

 

That is a really good thing to do and basic maintanence is ofter neglected on these cars over time. When my LO3 was stock (well open element only) I pulled 30mpg on the highway. That is not to shabby if you ask me.

 

30MPG on the highway is damn awesome if you ask me. Fuel economy was my first concern when I bought this car. V8 being a bigger engine then my current cars I4 would be a gas guzzler as people have told me...but if 30mpg is possible then maybe I will take this car on long trips.

 

i only get about 10 mpg with my lo3. and that doent matter what kind of gas i use.

 

I usally get 23 - 25 mpg on every tank. That is with about 75% highway and 25% city driving.

Ofcourse it getting zero at the moment cause its not running!!!

 

i get about 30-32mph freeway, and about 15mpg around town geting over 30mph is all in the tune.

92 Bird. you have something wrong with your car. 10mph is HORRIBLE.

 

deffinately something wrong. i have a stock chip and 65# injectors and get a little over 20 mpg on the highway