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[kevinlekiller]

Hi since a long time I want a camaro/firebird/trans am . Anyways , I wasnt looking for one in a good shape.

I dont know much about them but anyways, this is why I came here to ask a few questions.

I found this on a web site for sell ; Its a Firebird 89 automatic, other than that I dont know anything about it. What I want to know is: Does it have a T-Top (I see the top is black so Im guessing yes, but I dont know if its t-top since I also dont know much about these cars.) And I want to know if its a v8 (Im guessing its a v6). The car is 600 can$.  Im Aksing you all this since I cant contact the person because its closed for fathers day weekend or something. I also wanted to know what you guys think of these cars and if they are pieces of crap and not worth buying.



The Next one is a 84 Trans Am T-Top with a 305HO v8(Im guessing HO is the better model of the 305) , a 700 4r Transmission(no Idea what it is) and a 3.73 differential.
The car is 1600 can$ and has 204 000km, This would be my ideal car expect for one thing: Is it auto or standard? Its not mentioned.




Both cars dont look top shape but its nothing that cant be fixed I guess.

This post has been edited by kevinlekiller: Jun 18 2005, 07:59 PM

[kevinlekiller]

Sorry for posting after another post, but I cant edit since the button is not there.

Anyways, Ive looked in to the cars a little bit, this site helped me a litlle :
http://www.thirdgen..../thirdgen.shtml
and z28.com .

The 7004r is automatic, but the t/r / cam / fire that had the 305ho, had usually the manual 5 speed tranny with them. So I guess the guy swapped the tranny. Also some people say the 305ho is crap and some say its very durable so I dont know what to think of these engines, a 350 would be better but Im guessing they must suck gas like hell.

Im not in a hurry so Ill look depper I guess Since this is what I really want:
3rd gen "camaro"(ideally since they are more beatifull to me), t-top, manual , a 350 z-28/iroc(not the convertible crap ) or rs I guess. What I like with these cars is how low to the ground you feel when your sitting. Also they are just fun to be in. Also the t-top is just amazing.

Edit: When I say : 3rd gen "camaro"(ideally since they are more beatifull to me)

I mean: The camaro is more beatifull to me(out of the t/a firebird and cam). Has for the most beatifull Id have to say : 1 gen camaro(1969ish) with the 396 or 454 and red cam covers ; just lovely!

[Rylinkus]

I'm a big fan of the 3rd gens myself. I wanted the performance so I was looking for a 4th gen. I know decent condition 3rd gens are hard to find and the IROC model seems to jump the price a good deal. BUT a 305 is't that bad. Look for Tuned Port Injection over Throttle Body Injection as it's supposed to be more tunable. The Carbed version get HORRIBLE gas mileage. Think 8-10 MPG. My Camaro pulls in 13-15 MPG cept on the High way. 6th gear saves my ass there. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up. I was helping a friend shop for a 3rd gen just a few months ago and he was lookig for the exact car you are, so I may have some insights.

[kevinlekiller]

QUOTE(Rylinkus @ Jun 21 2005, 02:52 AM)

I'm a big fan of the 3rd gens myself. I wanted the performance so I was looking for a 4th gen. I know decent condition 3rd gens are hard to find and the IROC model seems to jump the price a good deal. BUT a 305 is't that bad. Look for Tuned Port Injection over Throttle Body Injection as it's supposed to be more tunable. The Carbed version get HORRIBLE gas mileage. Think 8-10 MPG. My Camaro pulls in 13-15 MPG cept on the High way. 6th gear saves my ass there. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up. I was helping a friend shop for a 3rd gen just a few months ago and he was lookig for the exact car you are, so I may have some insights.

Thanks for the info , 8-10 mpg ; thats horrible!! The carburated engine must have more power than the injected motor? Ill go and look for a list somewhere and post it.

Lets say I get a carbed engine, is it possible to convert it to injected?(I guess it would cost more then getting a injected engine to begin with since then I would have to chnage computer and some other electrical devices)

I read that the 3g is pretty heavy so that must be why its so slow and has bad mpg.

Can you post the other downsides of the car in your opinion.

Thanks again for the helpfull info.

[ChrisBulla]

all about the 79 t/a

[Hercules Q Einstein]

For $600 you cant beat it. The gas miliage as mentioned will no doubt suck though.

If it is a 6cyc i would stay away, my brother had the V8 305 (in a camaro) and it was still kinda heavy for that. So the V6 would probably chug.

PS Yes those are T Tops

[Rylinkus]

QUOTE(kevinlekiller @ Jun 21 2005, 06:42 PM)

Thanks for the info , 8-10 mpg ; thats horrible!! The carburated engine must have more power than the injected motor? Ill go and look for a list somewhere and post it.

Lets say I get a carbed engine, is it possible to convert it to injected?(I guess it would cost more then getting a injected engine to begin with since then I would have to chnage computer and some other electrical devices)

I read that the 3g is pretty heavy so that must be why its so slow and has bad mpg.

Can you post the other downsides of the car in your opinion.

Thanks again for the helpfull info.

Carbed engines simply arent as effiecient as EFI ones. The gas mileage on the fuel injected 305 is probably around 12-15 mpg. No more or less power. Just different gas mileage. Some people like tuning carbed motors better as theres no electronics to worry about. I'd rather be EFI all the way.

The HP difference between a 350 and 305 is only like 20 hp. Not a HUGE deal. The 350 definately has more potential, but from a starting point both are right around 200 hp. (200 and 220 respectively I think)

The 3 G is pretty heavy and in Stock form the 350 doesnt make dazzling HP numbers. Thats why I opted for a 4th gen when I was Camaro shopping. Granted, It's still RWD. T Tops are cool. And @ 600 bucks if it's running and not a total rust bucket it's probably well worth the fun. I could get 600 bucks worth of enjoyment out of a 5 speed 305 in a few weeks.

[kevinlekiller]

Thanks for again for the help

I think Ill take my time to shop around , I dont want to buy some crap that I end up spending more fixing then if I would have bought something decent to start with.

Theres a pretty nice camaro with a good price (2995$ canadian) Its a 87 with the best engine for its year (L98 ; 350 with tpi 225 horses and 330 foot pound of torque).
But like you said the 5 Litre is more interesting weight wise since theres only 10 hp difference and 35 torque difference. Its t-top, iroc-z but it is automatic 4 speed overdrive. And it "looks" in good shape(it might be in horible condition).







Anyways I still have lots of searching and money making to do so For now I just want to collect information on the vehicle.

[Rylinkus]

As I said check Z28.com and if you need anything feel free to hit me up on AIM...
Rylinkus13

[thesideinguy]

to answer you question about the white 1 being a T top , it is.

if the white 1 runs, decent its a prety good deal. the 91 tail lights is a dead give away that a litle efford was put into the car.

on to the 84.
those old 84's do have a pep in their step.
i wouldnt consider buying it unless it has a 10 bolt rear end.
the wing looks like its missing wich is a big draw back, and the oridanl hood has been replaced. the 84 TA came with a raised scoop portion on the drivers side.

btw, you can order brass gears to replace the nylon ones in the headlights so they will work again.

i'v been driving T-A's and formulas for quite a wile.
i curently own a Gen 4 Formula. its much quicker than any of my old gen 3's and gen 2's.

but you couldnt ask for an easyer car to work on. and parts are cheap as shit. exept some can kinda be pricey, like those vented fenders on the black T-A.

but what ever you choose to do, GO F-Body!!  

[Hercules Q Einstein]

Firebird Generations

Here is a great link that will detail the changes made from year to year on firebirds. Should be of some use.

[kevinlekiller]

Thanks thesideinguy ; Hercules Q Einstein , Im not a fan of the spoilers. Thats why I like more the camaro; it has a more roundish shape. And I also like the front lights and the rear end of the car. In your opinion is the camaro a better choice then the firebird/trans-am ?(if there are any differences except for the body). Like I said: Im not a fan of the 4th gen but its still a nice car and looks pretty fast. But I just want something that looks and feels good.

[Rylinkus]

Same car. Different body styles. Nothing more. I prefer the looks of the 3rd gen, but the speed of the 4th gen, which is why I bought one. But i totally understand the looks thing.

[thesideinguy]

QUOTE(Rylinkus @ Jun 22 2005, 01:26 PM)

Same car. Different body styles. Nothing more. I prefer the looks of the 3rd gen, but the speed of the 4th gen, which is why I bought one. But i totally understand the looks thing.

atualy the unibody is the same. its the fenders, hood ,tail lights, and bumper covers that are difrent. and the interior is alitle difrent. on the gen 4 the dors are difrent only becaus the mirror starts on the front fenders.

i'll take a firebird over a comaro any day. dont realy car for them,
but basicaly the same car. just cosmetic difrences.

[Rylinkus]

QUOTE(thesideinguy @ Jun 22 2005, 11:27 PM)

atualy the unibody is the same. its the fenders, hood ,tail lights, and bumper covers that are difrent. and the interior is alitle difrent. on the gen 4 the dors are difrent only becaus the mirror starts on the front fenders.

i'll take a firebird over a comaro any day. dont realy car for them,
but basicaly the same car. just cosmetic difrences.

So what part of my post are you trying to correct???