Brother Al

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RPO "WS3" Here's all I've found on this option:
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> Performance Option Group #2 1986: $709.00 option.
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> It was available on Fieros as well.
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> I've seen that many '82-'84 T/A's had it.
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> My 1986 Firebird LG4 has it, but its not a T/A, nor S/E.
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> I saw something online a while ago that it was only available on V8 Firebirds, but I just saw a 1984 V6 RPO sheet that had WS3. HuH?
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> Here's what's original to my car:
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* "WS" power steering box w/ cooler line.
* 15" High-Tech Alloy rims.
* 2:73 10 bolt.
* Positraction diff. BUT it has NO G80 RPO code & I have the orig "Limited Slip" tag...
* rear iron drums.
* 34mm front sway bar.
* 23mm rear sway bar.
* Spring codes are the same as a T/A's RPO list I saw here on TGO.
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---- MY 1986 Firebird RPO list:
AAA, AK1, AM1, AR9, AO1, A31, BS1, BX5, B20, B34, B35, B67, B84, CD4, C49, C60, D3W, D35, D42, D80, D9A, E9Z, GU2, J50, K22, LG4, MD8, MXO, NA5, NOD, NP5, N24, N33, QYH, TR9, UF6, UM6, UP8, UT1, U21, U25, U29, U66, VK3, V73, "WS3", WX1, YR1, YS1, YT1, YT9, 19Q, 6ZW, 7DB, 8NM, 81U, 82C, 82I, 829, 84P, 9NM....
........Paint Code: top: 8774, bottom: 8774, #81 "Bright Red"
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* Does Anyone have a 1986 or earlier Order Brochure that lists this info? I saw one on E-Bay, but it only listed WS6.
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* Did this option die when the Formula came back in 1987?
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coolram62

iTrader: (2)

Is your car a base or S/E(I'm guessing S/E by the content of your RPO list)?The WS4 was the T/A group so my guess is the WS3 would be similar to the Camaro's RPO-F41.

Brother Al

Coolram!, I knew you'd hit me up on this one! Thanx!
When I first started researching this, I thought it was similar to the F41 Pkg, but this was an option package group. The F41 option cost something like $50. This option group cost $709 in 1986, not cheap even by today's standards. No, She's not an S/E, no RPO Y89 & no "X" in the VIN either. Also, my car is a June production car from Norwood and I don't think the S/E was available that late in the year. I think Pontiac dumped the S/E mid-'86? I searched that route about five years ago. Now that PHS is a big ? I dunno if I'll find out. I've been procrastinating for quite awhile on sending an info request to them. I might be scewed, so thats why I'm posting this.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

You are most welcome Brother Al on what little help I could provide.Okfoz,Wildjeff or someone with more Firebird knowledge will have more information for you when they see your thread.

90TA

"WS3" IS NOT a "Performance Option Group". That is just misinformation that has never been corrected from someone compiling all of the RPO codes together for use as one of the many decoders you see on the internet. They probably thought since WS6 and WS7 were "Performance Packages", so would WS1, WS3, and WS5. They are option packages.

WS1:
S87 (Firebird)
UM7 Stereo/Clock
D80 Rear Deck Spoiler
N33 Tilt Wheel
D84 Two Tone Paint

X87 (Firebird SE)
UM7 Stereo/Clock
B34 Mats, Front
B35 Mats, Rear
CC1 Hatch Roof

W87 (Trans Am)
UM7 Stereo/Clock
B34 Mats, Front
B35 Mats, Rear
CC1 Hatch Roof


WS3:
S87 (Firebird)
UM7 Stereo/Clock
D80 Rear Deck Spoiler
N33 Tilt Wheel
B20 Luxury Trim

X87 (Firebird SE)
Not Available

W87
UM7 Stereo/Clock
N33 Tilt Wheel
B20 Luxury Trim
CC1 Hatch Roof

UM7 Stereo/Clock was eligible for upgrades: UM6 Stereo/Cassette, UX1 Stereo/Cassette/5 Band, or UT4 Stereo/Cassette/5 Band/ Touch Control.

B20 Luxury Trim was eligible for upgrades: AQ9 Lear Siegler Seats, or AS5 Recaro Seats.


WS5
Not Available for Firebird, SE, Trans Am. Used on 1000, 6000, and Sunbird.

Brother Al

Where'd you find that info? I'm not trying to sound rude but, why'd it cost $709.00. It seems like a lot of cash for a few basic things like trim groups and a spoiler. It also doesn't explain my suspension. WS4 is the Trans Am code, WS6 is the HD susp., WS7 is HD minus rear disc due to shortages, WS9 is Formula pkg.
Found on an old post:
Firebird Performance value package #1 WS1 $265.00
T/A Performance value package #1 WS1 $839.00
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These were RPOs for "package deals" on various option bundles. In other words, if you ordered a WY6, your car was built with a WS6 suspension, and the various RPO codes that it entails. WS5 is a special offer savings discount for the L69/WS6 package, I believe. If you ordered a WS6/L69 performance package, the WS5 would net you a couple hundred dollars off the retail price in the form of a discount. I think Pontiac's term was "Excitement Plus" performance discount.

90TA

“Pontiac Option Program for 1986” booklet that was distributed to the dealers.

Where did you get the $709.00 figure from? That is more like the total of each option separately. The package price was like $200-$250 less for a Firebird. Individually, B20 Luxury Trim was around $350, radio $200, spoiler $70, tilt $115. WS1, WS3, and WS5 had nothing to do with any “Performance” options, suspension or otherwise, nor was WS5 a used RPO on a 86 F-Body. Going by the RPO’s you have listed, QYH and N24, your suspension is the Rally Tuned Y99.


Firebird Performance value package #1 WS1 $265.00
T/A Performance value package #1 WS1 $839.00
Is what someone listed for an 88. Again, “Performance” shouldn’t even be in the description. The “WS1 Value Option Package” listed in the post above it is correct.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

So the Firebird's RPO-Y99(wasn't it the suspenion option code then for other Pontiac model's)would be the equivalent to the Camaro's RPO-F41(this I know was used through out the Chevrolet line).

And the WS3 was an early version of the 1Sx packages that GM began using in the late '80s.

Brother Al

90TA: Thanx for clearing that up. The amount I got was from a local Pontiac Dealership....My Uncle's the Head Tech there and he found that price in the GM system somewhere.
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So now I've got a new issue: if I have Y99 components but no "Y99" RPO and a Posi but no "G80" code, what gives? The car was purchased originally in '86 by an older gentleman who owned a small business. I bought it from the second owner,a woman that got it as a present from her husband. She sold it to me 'cuz they were having a baby. I went from top to bottom on this car and have never found any signs of modifications or additions by anybody but me. The only exception is that she had biffed the nose and had it repainted. It still has its original nose cone and fenders. It still had its original Firestones on it when I bought it. They lost the original paperwork from the 1st owner but gave me some of the info about him. I've owned the car for almost 6 1/2 years. Any Ideas? I doubt the posi was a dealer addition and why not order Y99 and save the extra $$.

90TA

The Y99 Rally Tuned Suspension was Standard on 86, no RPO code needed.

As to why you have a Posi and no G80 code, a dealer install upgrade is a possibility. If it was, your uncle may be able to help you out. It would be in the warranty service records. It would be there also if it was possibly installed later due to some warranty work.

The car was 15 years old and two owners when you got it. Who knows what was done or what the car went through during that time without all of the service records or history.

I would check the numbers stamped on the rear axle and post them. Seeing what you listed in your “My Garage”, I suspect it was replaced. You list “Stock: GU2 2.73 Posi, 7.5" axle”. 86 GU2 2.73 would have a 7.625” axle.


coolram62- Yes the Y99 was also used on other Pontiac models. It was the equivalent to the standard F41 Sport Suspension used on Camaro. For 86, WS3 was an additional option package along with option packages 1SA, 1SB, 1SC which appeared same year.

Brother Al

Huh, I never knew there was a third ring gear size in the 80's for the 10-bolts. I figured it was a 7.5 because that seems to be the norm for GM RWD cars n trucks. The only others I knew about were the Buick GN & Turbo Regal's 8.5 axle that every G-body owner hopes to find. The only two other axles that I knew about are the Borg-Warner 9-bolt "Aussie unit" and the high perf. Dana 44. Thanx, I'm glad I posted this. I'm learning something new.

Brother Al

OK, here's what I was able to read. Not sure of each number or letter but here's what it seemed to read: "2HT" (gap) "C" or "O" (gap) 254 (gap) "Z" or "2". The (gap) is not much, but noticable enough. I gotta give it another shot of PB Blaster, but thats the best I could make out of it. I don't know much about 3rd Gen axle codes, but I compared it to my '68-'72 "A"-body info & my '78-'88 "G-body info. I'm sure GM changed it 'cuz the '78-'88 stuff kinda made sense, but no matches. Funny I never noticed this, but a Monte SS book I've got states that the 7.625" axle was used on some late 1986 Monte's and most SS Monte's in 1987 & the 1988 extended production cars....Hmm, I just learned something else. I thought they all had the 8.5".

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

They have changed the coding somewhat over the years but not so much you won't recognize it;
2HT - 2.73 ratio
C - Buffalo plant
254 - 254th day of the year
2 -Night shift(would be a N or 2 for night shift and D or 1 for day shift)

EDIT:The '82-'88 Camaro parts catalog list the 2HT as a 7.625" ring gear non- positraction rear end RPO-GU2.

The 2nd Gen S-Series are odd when it comes to having the 8.5 rear gear or not(most came on 4WD with ZR2-Chevy or Highlander-GMC).

Brother Al

Huh, well she's got a posi. I've used it and seen the unit inside, looks like a Gov. Lock type. I dunno, seems odd B'cuz it only cost around $100 bucks extra back then, right? Why ask why! Just enjoy what I've got. Who knows what happened. Maybe I misread the code? Its a bit hard to read through the surface rust, minor but annoying.
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Thanks for the info, Now I'm fixing my garage...

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

As 90TA pointed out maybe it was a service addition when she didn't come from the factory with it.Or possibly it was added along the same lines if the rear needed service.The 7.625" ring gear is listed for all gear rations in the book I have.The weird part is none of the axle ratios listed in the parts catalog list the code for the ratio with positraction.

90TA

Hmmm. All of the listings I have, has 2HT* for 2.73 GU2 (* indicates positraction) used 86-88

Non-posi for 86 were 2HD, 2HV, and 2HP.

Going by the build date on the axle, your car would have either a low VIN or a high VIN. 254th day would be around Sept 12 and parts were used within a month of the car build date.

82-84 were 7.5". 85 and up were 7.625", or 7.75".

Another possibility for having a posi without having a G80 RPO would be a dealer installed tow package. G80 was recommended with it. Do you have a hitch on the car?

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

The '82-'88 parts catalog the information came from uses the asterik to denote positraction also.But this maybe a misprint of the page(page 47)of my catalog because none of the ratios listed on the page(includes '86 and '87 ratios)have an asterik behind them.

It's interesting you mention a hitch because my '83 has one and I'm thinking it maybe dealer installed.But that would be a good example of having positraction without G80 being on the SPID.The code on my '83 denotes positraction and ratio is the G92 for '83(3.23 ratio 7.5" ring gear).

Brother Al

Nope, no tow bar. Had I seen a tow bar on this car or saw any hint of something having been attatched to the rear underside, I never would've bought her. I really didn't care much for Third Gens when I bought her. Like I said in my garage, "I'm a recovering Chevelle guy". I also have a huge sweet spot for any '68-'72 GM "A"-Bodies. Finding a towbar on a uni-body would've made me walk. Kinda like buying a truck with a plow for the daily commute.

jdhh74

iTrader: (2)

Realize it's an old thread but was looking this up for my car.

I think "WS3" changed year to year and model to model.

According to the Standard Catalog of Firebird book, in 1984 WS3 consisted of:

N33 tilt steering wheel, AU3 power door locks, A31 power windows, D42 cargo security screen and CC1 hatch roof for discount price of $1,114.

Hope that's helpful. Probably more info in the book too....