I am looking for a Firebird to buy, and I have a GTA in mind. Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's of the GTA's or where on the Internet I can go to to get more information on it?

I want to get a GTA because the newer Firebirds are up there pricewise. GTA's look good and have those fast 5.7L TPI Engines in them.

 

well sending you to the General Tech board will help.

 

For more information u can go to our Tech Data section and www.transamgta.com

 

www.gtasourcepage.com

No better information on GTA's than there.

 

pros:
-will be collectable although they're not that pricey right now
-they're a gta and get all the goodies like posi, aluminum driveshafts, 4wdb, rims, tpi, power everything, etc etc

cons:
-they're heavy
-they're hard to work on (change ALL 8 sparkplugs and you'll know what i mean...................)

 

not all gta's have the 5.7 liters in them also

And i have had bad experiences with the spark plugs too.

 

-they're hard to work on (change ALL 8 sparkplugs and you'll know what i mean...................)

That goes for any 3rd gen F-body not just the GTA. btw try changing the plugs on a 4th gen.

 

I think changing the plugs is pretty easy. Not easy compared to changing the plugs on a DOHC four banger, but easier still than even attempting a 4th gen. The plug wires on the pass. side are a pain though.

 

Woah.. is it just me, or did the GTA's really come with aluminum driveshafts? I have one, and mine looks pretty much like it's steel..

Jon

 

I have 2 GTAs, both 89.
My L98 350 / Auto has the aluminum.
My LB9 305 / 5-speed has the steel.

I believe the consensus is that the 350s got the 1LE aluminum driveshaft.

 

Kills: '94 Z28, Olds Aurora V8, bunch of Mustangs, T-birds, ricers, and others who assumed a 13 year-old car would be too slow


Methinks the '94Z was toying with you unless that 305 of yours is putting out more than 275 horses... That momo wheel must add like what 30-40 hp?


edit... Alum. driveshafts were optional on 305 TPI cars. I would like to find a 88-89 Formula 305 TPI 5 speed with Aluminum driveshaft.

Put out the same numbers as 350 TPI GTA, and weighs less.

 

I believe I am correct when I say the quickest 3rd gen car tested (TTA, Firehawk excluded) was a 5 speed 305 Formula that was a $12000 list price base options car...no pwer seats, etc.
I can look that up if anyone wishes

However, I personally love the visual appeal of the GTA, and it can be put on a weight loss program to become comparable weight wise to the formula.

 

Yeah I get that reaction from everyone who has ever bothered to read my sig. I beat the 94 Z fair and square. This was way back when I had just got my car. The motor was completely out of tune and guzzling gas like a ****, but it way fast then. I was at a gas station filling up and these 3 big country boys rolled up in their Z. The driver wanted to race me for $100. I said hell no. I knew that besides packing about 45 more cubic inches, it was also an LT1. Their was no way I was gonna race for money knowing fully well that he would have handed my *** to me. Finally we agreed to race for fun only. I had a full tank - he didn't fill up at all. We hit it from a roll and were pretty much even all the way to 60. I managed to get a fender on him by 70 where we cut off. It was a good race. Too bad he chose to race weighed down with about 400 pounds of dead weight. He would have destroyed me if he didn't have passengers. The surface we raced on was also on a slight incline. Weight clearly played a critical role here.

BTW, that last ***** remark about the Momo wheel was pretty ignorant, FRMULA .

 

.

Stick a magnet up to it.... that will tell you right away.

Seriously, the aluminum is more of a silver color, the steel ones are usually pretty dark from all the surface corrosion over the years.

 

the 5 speed 305 was not the quickest tested. the best numbers i've seen is from the 92 5.7 tpi Z28 model. best time's i've seen from the 305 5 speed is 14.6.

 

What was the times for the 5.7 liter z28?

 

i'd have to go back to the files to check, but as i recall the lastest test i have was from 92 with a pair of 1LE car's. from memory, it was a 14.3 to 14.6. it may have been a 14.2 even, but i don't remember.

 

I love my 89 GTA. Parts are around but can cost. (like everything else right) Changing spark plugs takes awhile but can be done from under the car. My car cost 25,000.00 in 89 and can be had now for less than 8000.00 in good condition. The 305 engine comes with the 5 speed. No 5 speed with a 350. These cars are a quick car not lighting fast. However with some work they will go. I feel these cars will be a great thing to own in the future. Unlike these new rice sh--t boxes. Good luck and go american.

 

Just saw a riced out Accord pulling out of the dorms on my way home, must puke