Hey guys

I'm not quite sure if this is the right place to be asking about 1991 Trans Am's or not, but oh well. I'm totally ignorant when it comes to third gen Fbody's and I would really like a 1991 Firebird Trans Am, so I need some help.

First of all what are the pro's/con's of a 91', and what options should i look for? How many miles will an L98 engine last? How much would a good one cost? How much would insurance cost (17 year old, Iowa)? What color looks the best on this year? and what will it run the 1/4 and 0-60 in stock form?

Thanks to anyone who can shed some light for me

-Kevin

 

Welcome to thirdgen.org

I'd suggest calling an Insurance Agent for cost's.

SBC's will last over 200K miles if maintained properly.

Suggest you go to the main page and look at the Reader Rides section (think that's what it's called) for pic's...noone should tell you what color looks best...it should be up to you.

Cost would be determined by shape, might want to try a fake run at www.kbb.com or www.edmunds.com to get some ideas...realize prices will vary.

There may be some sales brochures on the main page too, could tell ya what GM was trying to sell at the time.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply, I would still really like to know about the performance though....I'm hoping it's at least a 14 second car. So if someone could let me know about the performance specs for a stock 91' TA that'd be great.


Thanks,
Kevin

 

A good running L98 with traction will easily hit 14's probably mid to high like a 14.7. Maybe better, maybe worse depending on weather, track conditions, etc..........I doubt (being 17) you will be dissapointed with how fast it is. I am only 20 and I have enough speeding tickets to last the rest of my life. Not to say that means my car is fast, but cars like this do make you want to go fast.

Good luck car shopping, hopefully insurance doesn't take all of your mod money.

Jonathan

 

I would suggest a Formula Firebird, they can be had with the same options that the T/A's had but cost a lot less to insure. I just picked up a 91 Formula, 350 TPI, Auto trans, power everything but seats, 4 wheel disk, limited slip...the list goes on and on. Metallic green (looks good). It has 203,000 on it and still runs strong. Got it for a mere $1200. Id did and does need some work (new right fender and headlight assembly, anyone got those?)
The pros are the cars are still fairly young, were the latest and greatest incarnation of the TPI system and were very refined.
The cons..VATS (don't loose that key) a lot of body parts only fit 91 & 92 birds (fenders, headlights)

 

I've actually given some thought to a Formula instead of a Trans Am, but one of the reasons I love the looks of the 91' Trans Am is the ground effects. Just out of curiosity how much are you paying for insurance? and how old are you and where do you live?

Thanks:lala:
Kevin

 

Go to the wrecking yards, you can pull the ground effects off of a T/A and they'll bolt right up to the formula (some formulas had ground effects too)
Insurance costs about $600/year, but I am well over 25 (the "magic" age for insurance), married, with the same insurance co for over 10 years and have no accidents or tickets.

 

"RAMBO......DON'T DO IT!"


















j/k




Anyways, I have a '91 GTA myself. Alot of people like the styling yes. Get one in a 350. The body rigidity is tight and so is the WS6 suspension package. It's got "gobs" of torque and is super-tight on traction! Great highway driving and passing power. The recaro seats are comfortable and supportive.

But some of the drawbacks are that they ( I believe ) almost all came in automatic transmissions ( I prefer manuals....more fun to drive in a performance car). There were fewer of them made ( as compared to Camaro's) so I am not sure wether this is a good or bad thing ( certain parts etc ). I don't like the stock front end. I've tried to sell it and it's been pretty tough. I find most people want the Camaro. Also the air intake set-up is pretty f'd up. Not like a Camaro you can gut and essentially make into ram-air. Also, because of it's many options ( most were loaded ), it's a darn heavy car....feels like a tank at times.

Nonetheless I still like the car. Here's a picture ( P.S I had a front end from an '88 put on).

 

Hey Rambo, I also recommend the Formula if you are looking for speed in that year model. The T/As ground effects grabbed too much air and actually slowed the cars down a little. In '91&'92 the Formula was the faster car. I would also suggest a '92 model. The L98 was a speed density motor that year, no mass air to deal with! With just blot ons and 3:73 gears, it runs 13.90 @ 101.3 mph in the quarter! I'll try to show her to you, I hope it works. 1992 Formula WS6: No it is not for sale!!!!!!!

 

1990-1992 were all speed density, 89 was the last MAF car for the thirg gens

 

WRONG!

 

my best mph with just the cat back was 94.7, but the et sucked because i cant launch very good resulting in a 2.4 60', and thats with a 305 . color is more of a personal opinion, or just whatever you find. i found red, and i like it

 

Oh really? What third gen after 1989 had a MAF?