Hello,
I just purchased a TTA and have had it less than a week. The car was a one owner from out west and it has been sitting for the last 15 years until being sold. He did not leave the car original as you can see from these few pictures. He appears to have modified a number of things as seen in the pictures I have attached. In the pictures you will see the set up at the ECU and the chip from it which is impossible to read because the white label is not legible. There is the grey wire that runs under the radio area to the chip and I have not yet traced it to it's source.

Thank you for your time.


The other two chips shown I found in the car. Under the hood are what looks to be a prior alky set up as the nozzle is blocked off and the line no longer attached to a pump but to the windshield washer container area. The turbo was supposedly upgraded. All I know as of now is it is a Garrett, size unknown. The car barely runs, has been leaking fluids for years prior to parking it by the looks under the car.

What I am asking for help on is what kind of set up is this for those who have experience with a TTA? I am familiar with a GN and its engine as I have owned once since 1987. I have never seen anything like what has been done to this vehicle. One of my first objectives is to find out what has been done, what components have been installed and what needs to be done to get the engine running and hopefully not having to replace it. The car has 76,000 miles on it. Appreciate any assistance anyone can provide before I really get into this one





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you stated it's a one owner car, that owner is the only one with the facts

 

Welcome to the forums! Plenty of helpful information. Never had a GN nor turbo car! If it was mine? I would go buy a factory service manual first before doing anything and familiarize myself with the trouble shooting steps. Then I would "re-engineer" whatever the POS did to that poor car. Not to say that I am a period correct guy, nor dislike modifications. But looking at the rats' nest of a mess makes my skin crawl. After obtaining the FSM, I would remove all that "stuff" carefully and then attempt to get the car running. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck with the resurrection.

 

The owner is in a nursing home so I cannot talk to him.

 

Thank you for the message. Where is the best place to purchase the FSM? This car did not come with an owners manual or any documentation other than the original bill of sale, window sticker and that is about it. Glad to have the car but wish it had more that came with it. No question I have a rat's nest on my hands. It had alky on it at one time, I found the ecu has a gray wire running directly to the chip. It starts and runs but barely. I would not want to have to drive it to work if I had to. Gonna be a fun, winter project. Just debating where to start when it comes to under the hood. I have already started work on the seats, carpet, door panels and trunk area since I know what to do there. I am just being cautious before I do too much under the dash and under the hood. We are doing to need a lot of parts so open to those who have new and/or used parts for sale. List as of now are rear hatch struts/shocks, carpet, ashtray cover, map/reading light between t tops cover, perhaps an ECU, T Top black strip that is attached to the t tops (not the body), black trim piece that sits under the front, driver's headlight when down so you cannot see into the cavity, the panels that go under the driver and passenger dash are missing, seat belts, seat belt plastic trim and this is just a start. If anyone has these parts for sale please let me know or if you know of any vendors let me know. Hawks Motorsports is the only place I have reached out to thus for for inventory and pricing and I should hear back by next week from them. Thank you.

 

eBay for the FSM. I know that it has been mentioned in later model cars that there were two FSM, a standard and a supplement.
But other members can confirm. I also know that there are digital reference FSM that you can download (never used them).

My useless two cents (as I am in the middle of an unplanned restoration) start small with the list of things to tackle first (unless you have deep pockets, and plenty of time). I would first get the car running (well), then turn your attention to stopping, along with all the other wear - maintenance needs BEFORE tackling the pretty stuff. Obviously, a good deep bath and interior cleaning won't hurt and go a long way in viewing this new project in a more positive light. And as soon as it is safe to drive (brakes, lights, etc.) a good deep cleaning of the engine compartment and suspension components will make further diagnostics and wrenching a little more tollerable.

Not mine listing but here you go:

1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Service Repair Shop Manual FACTORY Supplement NE | eBay

 

Don't buy that 1989 TTA Service Manual Supplement @ACebell linked above. He meant well but probably didn't know it was a reprint.

It's a reprint and it's way overpriced for a reprint when you can get an original OEM one for way less money.

Are you colorblind? Yes, I am being for real.

Almost all of these reprint factory manuals are in Black & White and not full color. It makes a difference when it comes to vacuum hose diagrams, wiring diagrams, and transmission hydraulic circuits diagrams.

If them being in full color doesn't matter to you then a reprint of the 1989 Firebird Service Manual & the 1989 TTA Service Manual Supplement should be OK.

Note these might be in full color. IDK. You can call and ask them before buying.

Bishko Automobile Literature - 1989 Pontiac Firebird Service Manual - PDF / 1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition Service Manual Supplement - PDF

You can get this PDF with Instant Access for 15, 45, and 365 Days, or a digital copy on a DVD or a USB stick.

 

Nope - had no clue it was a reprint. I was just trying to help the new guy out. And I always want to save cash too!

 

Buy a used original Helms manual from e bay; they come up for sale there frequently. As posted above, stay away from reprints or any aftermarket manuals such as Chilton's, etc.

After you have the FSM, you're going to have to go through all that wiring hackery(!) one circuit at a time, restoring everything back to original condition. When that's done, get the engine mechanicals squared away, and then see where you're at. This is your only option; the only person who might have been able to decipher that mess can no longer help.

Good luck; it looks like it's going to be a real slog to bring that car back from the dead.

 

That is crazy. One of the reasons I’m a sec Gen guy, none of that BS. lol. Good luck. You need to find the exact car and compare.