The 1994 Trans am GT thread to end all questions
07-23-2014, 01:12 PM
#1
The 1994 Trans am GT thread to end all questions It seems that one of the greatest misconceptions and misunderstandings in the LT1 and 4th generation F-body world is the facts surrounding the 1994 Trans am GT. I find many people (on this site and others, as well as cars shows, ect) often share false information pertaining to these cars.
The point of this thread is to clear up any questions because ignorance seems so prevalent whenever one of these cars comes into question. Hopefully we will hammer out all of the facts about these cars so this can be provided as a link when questions arise in the future.
If you have any actual information, please share it. Speculation and questions are welcome, but guessing and spreading misinformation as fact is not. I feel the information below is correct, based on a lot of research and conversations. Feel free to share more notes and I'll add them to the original post as we build information.
Facts about the 1994 Trans am GT package:
#1). The Trans am GT package was offered in 1994 only.
There was the "Trans am", and the "Trans am GT". No GT-specific badges, graphics, or emblems were found on the GT cars. Externally, a base Trans am and a Trans am GT can look identical
#2). There were 6,357 Trans am GT's produced in 1994 (excluding Anniversary cars)
Only 3,852 Base Trans am's built in 1994. Thus, a majority of all Trans am's built in 1994 were Trans am GT's.
#3). Trans am GT's came in both Automatic (5,011 of them) and Manual (1,346 total)
#4). The Trans am GT package consisted of a 155mph Speedo and Z rated tires.
#5). Trans am GT's could be ordered as Hard Top, T-Top, or Convertible cars.
There were 1,800 hard tops, 4,342 T-tops, and 215 convertible Trans am GT's built.
#6). Y83 is the RPO code for the 1994 Trans am GT package.
Myths and misconceptions about the 1994 Trans am GT's:
#1). The side skirts, lower rear bumper fascia, and front bumper fascia with fog lights found on Trans am GT's were standard on all 1993-1997 Trans Am's and were part of the Trans am Package, not specifically the GT package.
#2). Contrary to popular belief, the GT package did not include:
-Leather seats (only 3,975 of the Trans am GT's had RPO AR9 (leather), meaning 2,400 were cloth)
-T43 Highrise "Trans am" spoiler
-T-tops (1,800 of 6,357 Trans am GT's were hard tops)
The options above were all separate options from the GT package, but often get quoted as being a part of the GT package itself. Trans am GT's could also be ordered with cloth seats and the low-level spoiler found on Formulas and V6 Firebirds.
Notes on the T43 spoiler:
The "uplift spoiler" (RPO code T43) is often considered by many to be part of the Trans am package itself. This spoiler was only standard on the 1993 and 1997 model years of the LT1 Trans am. This spoiler was only available on Trans am's (not V6's or Formulas), but was in fact an option on 1994-1996 cars and was thus not standard equipment on all Trans am's.
This is the T43 uplift spoiler:
This is the lower level spoiler often reffered to as the "Formula" or "V6" spoiler, despite it actually being technically standard on all Trans ams from 94-96 as well:
A majority of Trans am's did receive the T43 uplift spoiler from 1993-1997, but it was an option from 1994 through 1996 (standard on all 1993 and 1997 cars). A majority of Trans am's you see on the street will have this spoiler, and it was only available on the Trans am's, but not all Trans am's have it.
Sources:
http://transamworld.com/fbird-history-php4.php
http://www.transamworld.com/1994-breakdown.htm
The point of this thread is to clear up any questions because ignorance seems so prevalent whenever one of these cars comes into question. Hopefully we will hammer out all of the facts about these cars so this can be provided as a link when questions arise in the future.
If you have any actual information, please share it. Speculation and questions are welcome, but guessing and spreading misinformation as fact is not. I feel the information below is correct, based on a lot of research and conversations. Feel free to share more notes and I'll add them to the original post as we build information.
Facts about the 1994 Trans am GT package:
#1). The Trans am GT package was offered in 1994 only.
There was the "Trans am", and the "Trans am GT". No GT-specific badges, graphics, or emblems were found on the GT cars. Externally, a base Trans am and a Trans am GT can look identical
#2). There were 6,357 Trans am GT's produced in 1994 (excluding Anniversary cars)
Only 3,852 Base Trans am's built in 1994. Thus, a majority of all Trans am's built in 1994 were Trans am GT's.
#3). Trans am GT's came in both Automatic (5,011 of them) and Manual (1,346 total)
#4). The Trans am GT package consisted of a 155mph Speedo and Z rated tires.
#5). Trans am GT's could be ordered as Hard Top, T-Top, or Convertible cars.
There were 1,800 hard tops, 4,342 T-tops, and 215 convertible Trans am GT's built.
#6). Y83 is the RPO code for the 1994 Trans am GT package.
Myths and misconceptions about the 1994 Trans am GT's:
#1). The side skirts, lower rear bumper fascia, and front bumper fascia with fog lights found on Trans am GT's were standard on all 1993-1997 Trans Am's and were part of the Trans am Package, not specifically the GT package.
#2). Contrary to popular belief, the GT package did not include:
-Leather seats (only 3,975 of the Trans am GT's had RPO AR9 (leather), meaning 2,400 were cloth)
-T43 Highrise "Trans am" spoiler
-T-tops (1,800 of 6,357 Trans am GT's were hard tops)
The options above were all separate options from the GT package, but often get quoted as being a part of the GT package itself. Trans am GT's could also be ordered with cloth seats and the low-level spoiler found on Formulas and V6 Firebirds.
Notes on the T43 spoiler:
The "uplift spoiler" (RPO code T43) is often considered by many to be part of the Trans am package itself. This spoiler was only standard on the 1993 and 1997 model years of the LT1 Trans am. This spoiler was only available on Trans am's (not V6's or Formulas), but was in fact an option on 1994-1996 cars and was thus not standard equipment on all Trans am's.
This is the T43 uplift spoiler:
This is the lower level spoiler often reffered to as the "Formula" or "V6" spoiler, despite it actually being technically standard on all Trans ams from 94-96 as well:
A majority of Trans am's did receive the T43 uplift spoiler from 1993-1997, but it was an option from 1994 through 1996 (standard on all 1993 and 1997 cars). A majority of Trans am's you see on the street will have this spoiler, and it was only available on the Trans am's, but not all Trans am's have it.
Sources:
http://transamworld.com/fbird-history-php4.php
http://www.transamworld.com/1994-breakdown.htm
Last edited by MasterTomos; 07-20-2020 at 11:18 AM.
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Jacob Landon Garcia (06-30-2019)
07-23-2014, 01:17 PM
#2
Questions I'm still seeking answers for:
1). Could you order a T43 spoiler on a 1994 non-GT car? (I believe you could, but I'm uncertain)
2). Could you get a hardtop Trans am GT that wasn't a 25th anniversary car? Confirmed, yes you could.
3). Did the non-GT 1994 Trans am's have 1st gear selectability in the automatic transmission cars? (I don't believe they did, you could only shift down into "2" I think. I think that 1st gear selectability in the automatic was part of the GT package, but I'm uncertain)
4). Did the non-GT 1994 cars have the "transmission perform" button in them on the center console? Confirmed. Even with the lack of 1st gear selectability, Trans am's could have the "transmission perform button"
5). Was 1st gear selectability an option for both Trans ams and Trans am GT's, or was it exclusive to the GT package?
6). Were 3.23 gears exclusive to the GT cars? Could you get a 2.73 GT car, or a 3.23 base Trans am?
7). Is Y83 the RPO code for the Trans am package? Yes, Y83 is the RPO code for the Trans am GT package.
Also, I know I've looked at a few RPO code and build list websites in the past to find this information but I can't seem to find the decent ones right now. If anybody knows of a credible website for the build numbers and RPO codes for these options, please share it and I'll include it in the original post.
1). Could you order a T43 spoiler on a 1994 non-GT car? (I believe you could, but I'm uncertain)
2). Could you get a hardtop Trans am GT that wasn't a 25th anniversary car? Confirmed, yes you could.
3). Did the non-GT 1994 Trans am's have 1st gear selectability in the automatic transmission cars? (I don't believe they did, you could only shift down into "2" I think. I think that 1st gear selectability in the automatic was part of the GT package, but I'm uncertain)
4). Did the non-GT 1994 cars have the "transmission perform" button in them on the center console? Confirmed. Even with the lack of 1st gear selectability, Trans am's could have the "transmission perform button"
5). Was 1st gear selectability an option for both Trans ams and Trans am GT's, or was it exclusive to the GT package?
6). Were 3.23 gears exclusive to the GT cars? Could you get a 2.73 GT car, or a 3.23 base Trans am?
7). Is Y83 the RPO code for the Trans am package? Yes, Y83 is the RPO code for the Trans am GT package.
Also, I know I've looked at a few RPO code and build list websites in the past to find this information but I can't seem to find the decent ones right now. If anybody knows of a credible website for the build numbers and RPO codes for these options, please share it and I'll include it in the original post.
Last edited by MasterTomos; 07-28-2014 at 04:03 PM.
07-23-2014, 02:46 PM
#3
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I had a relative that had one for about 10 years, it was an automatic with 2.73 rear axle, no select for first, but had the performance button. Formula style wing. 5 spoke painted wheels, t-tops, and one thing I always though peculiar is that it had a "GT" graphic on both doors. The car was white and the graphic was grey.
07-23-2014, 06:22 PM
#7
I pretty sure the rpo is y83. I have a GT also, nothing really special. From what I gathered the high spoiler was what made it a GT. And then the spoiler became standard on TA from then on.
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07-23-2014, 08:17 PM
#8
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i owned a black one for awhile. t-tops, m6, highrise spoiler, grey leather, and chrome 5 spoke wheels. pretty sweet car, but the previous owner just about ruined it by painting all the trim panels smurf blue and his uncle parked it halfway hanging out from under a lean-to with the windows cracked. for about 2 years. i should have scrapped it, but im hard headed.
07-24-2014, 12:11 AM
#10
EDIT**** I found a source that confirms Trans am GT's could be hard tops.
I had a relative that had one for about 10 years, it was an automatic with 2.73 rear axle, no select for first, but had the performance button. Formula style wing. 5 spoke painted wheels, t-tops, and one thing I always though peculiar is that it had a "GT" graphic on both doors. The car was white and the graphic was grey.
Any chance you have pictures of the graphics?
Is yours a '94 GT?
Last edited by MasterTomos; 07-24-2014 at 12:45 AM.
07-24-2014, 12:44 AM
#11
http://transamworld.com/fbird-history-php4.php
Found some great numbers here guys. Turns out:
Both base Trans ams and Trans am GT's could be ordered with leather or cloth, hard top or t-top or convertible, and manual or automatic tranny.
Answered questions #2 and #4 above in the 2nd post above. Added #5 and #6.
Found some great numbers here guys. Turns out:
Both base Trans ams and Trans am GT's could be ordered with leather or cloth, hard top or t-top or convertible, and manual or automatic tranny.
Answered questions #2 and #4 above in the 2nd post above. Added #5 and #6.
Last edited by MasterTomos; 07-24-2014 at 01:11 AM.
07-25-2014, 12:31 AM
#17
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What about blue tinted side mirrors? I always thought that was an easy way to tell if was a gt? Also perhaps not a gt question but when did they stop making the dotted array for the t-tops. Seems like the older cars have it.
07-25-2014, 02:16 AM
#19
This is the kind of information and sources we need all in one place
Does your 1994 sales literature mention the specifics of the T package at all?
Does anybody happen to know if there is an RPO code for dot matrix T-tops or the blue tinted windows?
Last edited by MasterTomos; 07-25-2014 at 02:22 AM.