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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Also, seeing as how the thread has shifted to me searching for a firebird, do I have to make a new one? Should I? I still don't know the "rules" to forum posting.
So out of all these, the GTA is my best bet? I'll keep looking, of course, but if I were to go with one, that's the one?
it's impossible to judge just by pictures but that would be the one I would go look at. Judging by how nice it us underneath and the body looking straight, its a great candidate to restore/get running. Anything can change when you see a car in person though.
The pics under look good but sellers tend to not take pictures of the bad.You need to safely get under it and litteraly poke around. If it all looks like that you have found the winner.
I think it depends on what you're looking for. The gta looks really clean but the engine has quite a bit of oxidation. It may/may not be an issue. Does it run? That's the big thing. For 6k it should. The formula has a similar engine/trans/rear/brakes and it's almost half the price but has more visible rust and has been painted. Both cars have their issues. You need to look under the carpet for rust and find out if they run. The gta looks cleaner.
the 84 is more of a work in progress in many ways. It's more than a roller but not a lot more.
it really depends on what your looking for. If you want to build an engine and fuel system and go a little crazy w brakes then the 84 will do. But you'll have a lot to do to it.
If you want a car that you can get in and drive, then mess with as you drive its gonna between the formula and gta. If the gta runs well that's probably the best bet. The formulas paint makes me question the body. If the body's good, it runs and its 3k less then that's your best bet. All 3 will need some form of brake work probably. There's more parts available for the formula and gta vs the 84.
Yeah that GTA looks about the best so far and i'd rather have original faded paint than half *** recent paint.
Didnt realize prices were at this level for pretty much parts cars over there.
If you want a car that you can get in and drive, then mess with as you drive its gonna between the formula and gta.
This is more what I'm going for, so I guess I'll leave to see if I can go see them in person. I'm going to keep checking for any other listings that might be worth asking about though.
Although the paint/clearcoat is certainly faded, the underside of the GTA looks the cleanest of any you have shown so far. The cobwebs might tell a story also. I'm pretty familiar with those on my TA.
Sadly life has gotten in the way of me being able to see the GTA. I'll have to wait for one closer I guess. By the way, if you guys see anything promising that's below 4k (lol), let me know!
still very good you posted up the GTA-great discussion material and a member on here more local to it might take an interest in that very cool mid-80s TA .
If thats the case, I'm currently in talks with a guy who's selling up in Ohio. Another one I doubt I'll be able to go look at (8 hour drive), but I believe you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. I'll share what I have so far.
This is one of the cleaner ones I've seen, at least for the $3500. Currently waiting for a better picture of the engine bay. Listing says 160k miles, description is as below.
Last edited by DonFrijole; 01-05-2024 at 08:23 PM.
be careful with this one, someone was posting about it on one of the thirdgen facebook groups, and said the guy was asking them to send money before purchase and was trying to scam.
Seen one that looked promising until I read the full thing. If it's just cosmetic, it might alright, but im scared of all the aftermarket stuff that's been added. Does 5k sound steep for this?
I wouldn't be scared of that one. Damage looks minimal and that list of parts is mostly items that just wear out over time, not a bunch of aftermarket BS (except maybe the CAI). I get the impression he took good care of it.
I got that impression too, and the color matched paint is a nice inclusion, but I know most people say stay away from anything that's been in accidents, even worse if it's been fixed. I hope I'm able to find something like this when my wallet recovers from the holiday season.
Here's one that's actually something within my price range, so I'd like to hear yalls thoughts.. I can already see it's missing passenger side gfx, but I still can't decipher engine bays. Kinda suspicious that he called the engine an "iron Duke" though, I though that was the crappy 4 cyl in the fiero?
He also said he hasn't been able to sell it for 6 months, so he'll start parting it out soon. Id hate to see it gutted if it's able to be saved.
weird lingo from the seller.... that is most certainly a regular trans am and not a GTA, unless someone really tried hard to downgrade their package. Has trans am steering wheel, fenders and wheels. Not sure why he would call it the iron duke either... you are correct.
A "toast" interior can get expensive pretty quick, not sure whats going on with the steering column there, too small to see. That being said its 2500 so if the body is truly rust free and in good shape (looks pretty straight but again have to see it in person), and it runs and drives it may be good project car. Expect lots of work though
If it is truly "rust free" as stated, it's probably worth a look.
And yes, the "Iron Duke" was the 151 CID half-V8, and that car has a SBC, albeit missing an alternator. Everything else appears to be present, upholstery notwithstanding.
Also just noticed that these parts should certainly not be red, may have had a questionable paint job already, but again hard to tell from the tiny pics and rain..its possible they just wanted the headlight buckets to be red and just painted those parts. not trying to be a pessimist, just giving you things to look for
There are extra TPI parts scattered in the interior, so maybe an alternator is in it somewhere.
It looks like a possible repaint, with no emblems anywhere, no spoiler, missing wheel center caps, etc. The nose, hood, and fender vents should be body-colored also, possibly hinting at some repairs. The seats look like GTA upgrades, however.
That interior is a mess. The fact that the seller says they have been undoing The prior owners peer work is a red flag. The fact that they have all the parts to make it run but haven't gotten it running is also a red flag. The 84 would likely need less money to get going although not as fast a car. The 84 you could put a crate 350 in w a carb and be done (ish).
when people say they have all the parts to make a car run but haven't, it makes me feel like they are throwing parts at it. Cars sell better when they run and drive. Something's up w that.
Not a unanimous "run away", so that's a start. I'll ask for the RPO sheet and pics of the usual, but the questionable word choice and cosmetic details make me feel like I'm going to have to keep looking elsewhere.
The 84 would likely need less money to get going although not as fast a car.
I've already decided against getting the 84 (mostly). Parts being hard to find and the hack job its been turned into would make it a better project for someone wanting a mean custom ride, and not a nice street car.
I totally hear that about the 84. This red trans am may be a similar can of worms. It looks like the steering column was cracked or missing pieces around the multifunction stalk, it's tough to tell what's going on there. If someone messed with those wires/controls it's a special kind of crap show to fix.
Talked to the black 87 gta again, we got down to 5k. Might see if I can get lower, but he's offering to haul it over to me (6 and a half hours) since I said I'm serious about it but cant go down to see it, and I don't want to push my luck. Not a very skilled haggler either lol.
Settled on 4.5k. Can't pay in full right now, but they're willing to hold since I guess everyone else has been tire kicking. Will probably have it by February if everything goes according to plan. Of course, he can always change his mind, but for now, I might have an 87 GTA soon(ish)
Black GTA has the front wheels on the back and the back wheels on the front. The wheels currently on the front are probably all skinned up on the back side. You'll be very lucky if they aren't
Black GTA has the front wheels on the back and the back wheels on the front. The wheels currently on the front are probably all skinned up on the back side. You'll be very lucky if they aren't
How can u tell, what are u looking at.?
Are they different offsets.
How can u tell, what are u looking at.?
Are they different offsets.
yes they are. Good catch TTOP. Not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things IMO, also in the original ad it looks like one side is correct, the other is swapped. Kind of tempted to go look at it myself, not too far from me. but I JUST bought a black GTA in slightly better condition already. running out of room
How can u tell, what are u looking at.?
Are they different offsets.
Yes, all 3rdgen 16x8 wheels have a front and rear pair or "set".
the wheels are marked on the back side to say front/rear.
you can run 4 fronts but not 4 rears.
Kind of tempted to go look at it myself, not too far from me.
if you do, tell me if it's worth it. I haven't seen anything else that's even worth posting about in here for a while, so this might be my only option for a bit. And about the wheels, the thing is not really perfect anyways, so as long as it's body is fine and it's mostly mechanical sound, im not too worried about it.
Yea you're right! Maybe I can just buy some GTA wheels and make the rest out of cardboard. My imagination is better anyways lol. But in all seriousness, I'll try not to get bummed out too much. I'm sure some people have searched longer.
Might end up getting a vette instead. Family all knows about them, and they're everywhere around here. As much as I'd like a firebird, it seems now might not be the right time for me. I won't give up completely though, and hopefully I'll end up with one one day.
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01-02-2024, 05:36 PM
That GTA actually looks real decent underneath. 
