Ok I found a 84 Firebird with VIN Number 1G2AS87L5EL217825 Now how do I know that this is not a TransAm (body is to gone to tell) does the VIN decoder tell if its a TransAm, SE, or what? Also I know that 84 has a lowest gear ratio of 3.08 which means no matter what this must be better than my 89 Formula with a 2.73 open? Thanks for any advice. Also how do I distinguish between posi and open on the tech boards? https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml


Thanks for any help

 

I threw the Vin in the Decorder and heres the info:

Made in: United States
Manufacturer: General Motors
Make: Pontiac
Restraint System: Manual belts
Carline Series: Firebird
Body Type: 2 door coupe
5 is the CHECK DIGIT.
Model Year: 1984
Assembly Plant: Van Nuys
Production Sequence: 217825

If you could get your hands on the RPOs it would make your life a lot easier, course probably not to easy if body is gone.

Does the Carline Series tell if it's a Firebird/Formula/Trans Am? I don't know. I guess I could get my VIN off my formula and plug it in and see but I'm working atm.

 

Where do you find this decoder?

 

it's on the thirdgen.org home page...
Vin Decoder
RPO Decoder

 

Yes, I know how to decode the VIN, but it really doesn't tell you anything about the rear end. Or if the car was a SE or a TransAm would the VIN Decoder tell you that? Any opinion on an 84 rear end? Also my car only has 81k miles on it..

Also where is the RPO Code located?

Thanks for any help.

 

My RPOs are inside the center console on the side of it.

 

There is a stamping on the rear axle that will tell you the info on the assembly (ratio, posi/non-posi).. I think it is on the drivers side axle tube toward the front of the car (it has been a while)... I don't remember where I got the chart of all of the numbers though, maybe someone else knows??

 

i have a picture of the chart

 

thank you so much that will help me out alot. But arent I right, any rear end in the 84 Bird has to be better than my 89 Formula's 2.73 open right?

 

It all depends, in 85 they switched to borg warner. supposed to be stronger. Plus over the years someone coulda changed the 84 internally. You never know untill you check.

 

Was the car a 6 or an 8? with a 6 it will have steep gears (typically 3.42) and an open carrier. If it is an 8 the gears will be tiny and it might or might not be posi, To tell if it is posi you need to pop the cover and look into the differential's inspection hold and look for springs. Springs + POSI no springs = open.

I believe that firebird means a base model IE not a T/A or SE.

 

AS i said b4 read above