TODAY I saw a GTA Firebird, look pretty good, what is the engine inside there, and is a GTA the one that is turbo charge??? It was a nice car, it had been repainted but it was RED with the GTA wheels. I'm just wondering if that was a V6, didn't sound like a V8.

 

GTAs had either a 3.8L Turbo(1989) or they came with 350 V8s, most likely it was a V8. You sadi it didn't sound like a V8, it might have just been his choice of muffler.
(Most TTA(Turbo-Trans Am) The GTA) are painted White, only a comeplete dork would change the color do to the fact it makes it less valuble.

Rob

P.S. the "GTA wheels" can be bought anywhere. Most trans Ams could be bought with "GTA" Style wheel. There called Diamond Spoke Wheels, they came in 14,15 and 16
inch sizes. A true GTA would have 16s and a Raised GTA Emblem.
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Chevy 2.8L 60° V6
Mods:
•K&N Filter Lid
•87 Formula Hood
•Bosch Platinum +4
•Hi-Flo CatCo CAT
•Flowmaster 80 Series Muffler
•83 Trans Am 15x7 Turbo Fin Wheels
•B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A 225/60-15
•Chevy 2.8L Heddman Headers (Going on soon)


http://www.geocities.com/fiream/Robs...l?994187591828

[This message has been edited by fiream (edited August 11, 2001).]

 

i think you could get a GTA with a 305 also, just like many IROC's were known to come with 305 with TBI on em, not all of em were tuned port, or 350's. was the 89 TTA considered a GTA, even if it is, it wouldn't have had GTA tags on it, they all had Trans Am tags and Turbo badges. I saw one about 3 months ago, god i almost nutted in my pants. And of all places, it was pulled up infront of a mustang dealer. huh. what a joke, he left the tops off, i shoulda boosted it. just to see what cop could catch me. jk. and give it a better home.

 

The 20th Anniv TTA was not considered a GTA. GTAs (1987-199?) came with a 305 TPI latched to a T5 or 700r4, or a 350 TPI latched to a 700r4. A few special orders (very special orders) may have had the 350/T5 combo. Almost noone repaints TTAs, while GTAs were available in just about any color. You'll know a TTA when you see one.. not only will it not sound like an 8, but there's no mistaking the trademark sound of that Garrett T3 sucking in all the air it can get its grubby little impeller on. Also, TTAs have their own gold 'Turbo Trans Am' badges.

Does this mean the GTA you saw didn't have a turbo 3.8 under the hood? Nope. Engine swaps are beautiful, and the 3.8 turbo is a highly sought after engine for swapping. Even heard of 'em going into 2001 Trans Ams.

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4 /w special 2nd gear delete option
In search of new v8 engine & transmission, now contemplating t5 swap to get me out of this mess.
Misc Mods: Cut air box, '83 Firebird spoiler.
Performance Parts: MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers.
Audio Mods: Pioneer DEH-P3000, two 12" Optimus Pro Audio subs in hand-made enclosure each powered by a 260 watt Optimus amp. Working on shaving the box for weight.
My Homepage, with pics.

 

WOW ok guys, I bet this was just a GTA with the 305 in it, BUT YOUR SAYING they had a 3.8L turbo in a 3rd Gen. HOW COME THAT we can't fit a 3.8L engine into our cars?????

 

You CAN fit a 3.8 in our cars. But the 3.8 is a 90 degree engine. If you are gonna take the time to get a 90 degree tranny, you might as well put a V8 in front of it. By swapping in a 3.4, the 60 degree trans can still be used.

 

Well, the "normal" 3.8 won't fit in our engine bays. The heads will hit the strut towers. GM used special heads on the '89 TTA, and Jason E mentioned that they're front-wheel-drive 3.8 heads.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

"You CAN fit a 3.8 in our cars. But the 3.8 is a 90 degree engine. If you are gonna take the time to get a 90 degree tranny, you might as well put a V8 in front of it. "

What are the #'s on the ls1 birds? Unless I'm wrong, the TTA are still the quickest T/As from the factory, firehawks may be a different story, but still, a 3.8 killing a 5.7 is something to snicker at. Just ack all those grand nat'l & gnx owners if they'd rather have 8 than 6. This my opinion, and as such, I am completely right in my own universe

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85 Firebird. $150.00
2.8 Auto.
Blown Head Gasket.
Mods Galore to Come....

 

The 2001/2002 Firehawk's are the only F-body's faster stock.