Every now and then I've looked for original documentation and service manuals for my '88 Trans Am and I've currently got the original owner's manual and the service manuals from Chilton's and Haynes.

I also have the Clymer shop manual, although only the 1982-1985 version. Either all versions of those have had the same ISBN or Amazon's and eBay's info is wrong since I ordered the 1982-1988 book but received the 82-85 version - the ISBN is still the same.

Clymer apparently also had the Super Shop Manual 1982-1987. Anybody know if this is anything more helpful or if it's just a 82-87 version of the "regular" shop manual?

There's also something like this:

http://www.booksontheblvd.com/?page=...eda6d5ec50375f

Never seen or heard anything about that. Anybody know what that is?


Anyway, I'm most interested in the original shop manual. I've been offered the original GM service shop manual (the "phone book") for a reasonable price considering its condition. I've also been offered the Helm manual which would be way more expensive.

A simple question: Is the Helm manual actually the same as the GM manual? Just a reprint of it?

Helm also sells something called "Do-It-Yourself Manual" for '88 Firebird and Camaro. Any experiences on that? That might be the same as the one in the link above?