If I wanted to buy a '92 Trans Am Convertible with it's 305 cu. engine, then how does this engine perform as compared to a Formula or GTA of the same vintage years?

I was always under the impression that the Trans Am was "the" engine to have, but is it true that the Formula or GTA engines are better performers?

Do I have to sacrifice "performance" for a convertible?

 

They all could have the same V8 engines. Just because it is a performance model, doesn't mean that it has the best performing engine.

 

In that year, the lowest performer was the 6-cyl (duh); the next one up was the TBI 305; next the 305 TPI auto; then the 305 TPI 5-speed and the 350 TPI auto were at the top.

 

Depends on which engines the cars have ?? All you said its a 305, now it could be a TBI or a TPI which is going to make a differens in performance.

 

While "stock" the 305 TPI 5-speed and 350 L98 auto were very close in performance, if you start to build them, the 350 is the more desireable setup.

Unfortunately, GM did not install the 350 in a convertible.