95ZLT1

I just picked up a 1988 Trans Am GTA for $600. It has issues obviously. It has 160k on it and it wont start, needs paint and a little body work. The interior is actually in really good shape. It's rockin the 305 TPI 700r drivetrain. Ever since i sold my 88 IROC i've wanted it back just for a cruiser and this is pretty much as close as i can get for next to nothin cash wise. Just wonderin if u guys think its a good deal.

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

hell yeah.

get a cap, rotor, plugs, wires, oil change, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter

maybe a trans filter and fluid and replace the rear end lube

97ramsst

iTrader: (162)

305TPI/700R4 GTAs were really rare (but not worth any extra because the 305 isnt as desirable)...are you sure its not a 350? The 350 was standard and the 305 was optional (you got a credit.) Most 305 cars were 5spds.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Rims alone, assuming they're in good shape and 16x8 snow flakes, are worth $300. Tail lights another $100.

Like ramsst said, check to ensure it's a 305, L98 or L05 (I'd assume L05 in that) on the RPO sticker will verify. If no L98 then for sure not a 350.

3.8SFITURBO

iTrader: (10)

Good deal in my book!

1 Bad Ass Formula

iTrader: (7)

Good deal. I would think it has a 305 in it. Would make a nice canidate for an LS1 swap!

95ZLT1

Yeah i thought It was odd but i honestly forgot to look at the vin# to see for sure. It's definitely TPI. It'd be sweet if it is a 350 car but if not it was only $600 anyway.

95ZLT1

Pickin her up tonight so i'll let ya know what it has for sure.

97ramsst

iTrader: (162)

I have never even heard of a L05 in a F-body. I think thats the TBI 5.7L that came in Chevy trucks. The ONLY engines you could get in a GTA were the LB9 (TPI 5.0) and the L89 (TPI 5.7).


Why would you think that? If it does it does, but less than 10% of the auto cars did so it would stand to reason logicaly that MOST automatic GTAs have 350s.

WS6 MIAMI

iTrader: (2)

I will buy the wheels...

rmpitzer

iTrader: (5)

Does it have T-Tops? I don't think you could get a 350 in a T-Top Trans Am until 1989.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

L98 is the 5.7 TPI, and you're right about L05, trying to find which is the roller 305 TBI.

While trying to find the RPO for that roller 305, check out all these that I never knew about, and some I didn't know were recycled.

LS1 : 5.7L GEN III V8 ENGINE
LS3 : ENGINE, GAS, 3 CYL, 1.0L, MFI, OHC, TURBO, SUZUKI
LS4 : 454 CID V8 235HP (4 BARREL)
LS5 : ENGINE, GAS, 4 CYL, 1.6L. I TBI, OHC, ALUMINUM
LS6 : 454 CID V8 450HP (SPECIAL HIGH PERFORMANCE & 4 BARREL)
LS7 : 454 CID V8 (HEAVY DUTY & 4 BARREL)
LS9 : ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, 4BBL

LS3 is that 3cyl in the Geos lol LS6/7 are old school BBC and LS9 is a standard 350! o_0

THEN to top those off heh

LT1 : ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, TPI, HO
LT2 : ENGINE, GAS, 4 CYL, 2.0L, TBI, OHC
LT3 : ENGINE, GAS, 4 CYL, 2.0L, MFI, OHC, TURBO
LT4 : 5.7L GEN III V8 ENGINE
LT5 : ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, MFI, OHC
LT6 : ENGINE, DIESEL, 6 CYL, 4.3L, V6, LONGITUDINAL
LT7 : ENGINE, DIESEL, 6 CYL, 4.3L V6, TRANSVERSE
LT8 : ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL, 4.1L, 2T8I
LT9 : ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, 4BBL, HD

Odd they call the LT1 a TPI, and clearly this is a typo on the LT4 being a GEN III. What's up with LT8? 2 Turbos 8 Inline? I8 twin turbo? >_>

Anyways the roller 305 is L03. It was offered in the base model IROC-Z. And while the Firebirds did get better motor options (RS comparative to the Formula, Z28 to T/A and IROC to GTA), like the RS getting a 305 TBI and Formulas I believe only getting TPI (305 and 350 flavor).

Anyways, if his GTA has a factory 305, I'd bet it's the roller L03 (seen it as LO3 too, but might be called that just due to pronunciation of L03) and if so then upgrades are quite plentiful for it. Like taking a stock LT1 cam and springs and putting it in with a tune to make around 210-240hp (depending on if it's the 170 or 190hp 305)

97ramsst

iTrader: (162)

I will take that bet!

The L03 is true enough a roller cam motor but it was TBI (throttle body injected...like a carb setting on an intake). It replaced the LG4 305 (carbed) as the base engine in V8 f-bodies in 1988. The LB9 is a 305 roller cam motor too but it was TPI (tuned port injection.)

The ONLY engines ever available in any GTA were the L98 and LB9. You could not get a GTA with anything but TPI.

Verify it for yourself if you dont believe me:
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/newauthentication.html
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/87RPOFigures.html

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Yes, I now the L03 was TBI, and I'm also aware TPI motors were roller heh I owned a 91 L98, best year to have a TPI

But yes, you are right, the GTA only had TPI motors (more proof that Firebirds were better equipped cars!!)

97ramsst

iTrader: (162)

I wont even mention how many 3rd gens I have had (11 BWT!)...but thats what I grew up on. My first car was a 88 GTA...thats why I know so much about them. And to top things off I have a fresh L03 out of a 91 RS on a engine stand in my shop (dont ask me what I am ever going to do with it....but I have it! )

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Stock LT1 cam it, throw on some Vette TPI heads (you'll need domed pistons to account for the added cc from the 350 chamber), get an RPM air gap (since they're cheap) and nab a TBI->4bbl adapter plate, snag a 454 TB with the high lb injectors (there's low lb ones for the high flow systems), throw a quarter (as in money) inside the pressure regulator to give it a bit more pressure, gap the injector pod up with a second gasket or a spacer, some 400's connecting rods to make it a 329ci and then get'r tuned! According to Desktop Dyno (which sadly is weird when it comes to cam specs being entered) shows 317fwHP @ 5500 and 350fwTQ @ 4000.

Or with Edel's LT1 cam 415@6000 and 395@5000. (389/392 from the same motor as above as an Sequential Fire Injection motor, so the single plane helps a bit and that BBC tbi should be able to feed that with the higher fuel pressure)

97ramsst

iTrader: (162)

LOL...who said Google doesn't work!

Thats a lot of work to do to a 305 in a $600 car...but if your going to go to all the effort just pull the 305 and put an LT1 into it like was in my old 90 TA. I would go into all the **** it took to get it to work with the 700R4 but it would bore everybody to death....besides a measage board things just "drop in" and get "thrown on" anyway.





You might as well put late modle seats in it too...

blackls1maro

iTrader: (2)

600 is a good deal for a gta! don't forget to seafoam it!

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Compared to getting a used 350 in unknown condition, having it freshened up, and then doing all the same work I mentioned? My idea is a bit cheaper hardest bit would be the Vette heads, but L98 heads would suffice.

And I know all of what is involved in doing what I mentioned. Unless you need to change pistons or clearance the block for the rods, it's all simple work for your average wrench head. Especially being a TBI GEN I SBC!

95ZLT1

Well I picked it up the other day and its definitely an LB9 305. The good news is I got her runnin again. The engines runinng well considering it sat for 4 years. Its not roadworthy yet but in due time it shall be. Tryn to find all these clunks and rattles comin from the suspension...