Members Firebirds Post pictures and information about your Third Gen Base, SE, Formula, Trans Am, and GTA Firebirds!

1989 GTA project

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-06-2023, 01:53 PM
  #51  
Member
 
Firechicken82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: CT
Posts: 381
Received 109 Likes on 84 Posts
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: 1989 GTA project

Mine has a 3 inch with a mix of thuren/synergy and pure. I have pure performance resi shocks. I swapped to 3.73s w my 37s. It's perfect w my manual trans.
The following users liked this post:
17RamGTA (02-07-2023)
Old 05-02-2023, 12:28 PM
  #52  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

Just got the call, my car is done at the dyno shop. They were able to get the car tuned and I am looking forward to driving it now. I have a cruise this Saturday that I really wanted to take the family to in the GTA. This is will be my boy's first time riding in the car.
It also sounds like the shop had a few issues to contend with on my car, but since I hadn't driven the car much for a shake down run, I'm not surprised.
They also had some issues with the dyno, so they only got horsepower and not torque. It made 10 psi at 5500rpm, The pulley was supposed to be for 15 psi on a stock motor.


Last edited by 17RamGTA; 05-02-2023 at 12:31 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by 17RamGTA:
DynoDave43 (05-03-2023), WildCard600 (05-02-2023)
Old 05-03-2023, 11:05 PM
  #53  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (11)
 
DynoDave43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: MICHIGAN
Posts: 4,640
Received 753 Likes on 579 Posts
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: 1989 GTA project

Nice! Enjoy that first cruise. Take few pics for us.
Old 05-05-2023, 11:12 AM
  #54  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

So I am still having issues with my gauges and I have decided that I am not going to try and troubleshoot anymore. I am going to go with the speedhut gauges. Debating on going GPS or programmable for the speedo, but I am going to go for a "stock" appearance. I also need to work on the audio and get some tunes going for the cruises.
Old 05-08-2023, 08:58 AM
  #55  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project


Had a couple other 3rd gens park next to me.

Overall the car show/cruise was good. Cruising at 70mph (per gps) I was turning 1600 rpms with the 6spd. That got me thinking that I could go to 4.11s and not lose much cruising. The only gauges that currently work are my tach and fuel gauge.
The following users liked this post:
DynoDave43 (05-08-2023)
Old 05-08-2023, 03:51 PM
  #56  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,218
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: 1989 GTA project

Originally Posted by 17RamGTA
So I am still having issues with my gauges and I have decided that I am not going to try and troubleshoot anymore. I am going to go with the speedhut gauges. Debating on going GPS or programmable for the speedo, but I am going to go for a "stock" appearance. I also need to work on the audio and get some tunes going for the cruises.

I am running an autometer GPS speedo and its pretty slick. It has a small magnetic receiver that I have sitting in the middle of my dash pad that looks stock. It only goes haywire in tunnels and the occasional flip out on the highway if you go under a bunch of bridges at once. It is super handy especially if you want to play with rear gears (although I suppose its simple with modern ECM's).
Old 05-09-2023, 12:03 PM
  #57  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

Originally Posted by ShiftyCapone
I am running an autometer GPS speedo and its pretty slick. It has a small magnetic receiver that I have sitting in the middle of my dash pad that looks stock. It only goes haywire in tunnels and the occasional flip out on the highway if you go under a bunch of bridges at once. It is super handy especially if you want to play with rear gears (although I suppose its simple with modern ECM's).

I like that idea, since I am contemplating changing gears. I won't have to worry about messing with anything in the T56 to compensate for that. They aren't that much more expensive than the programmable speedo.
Old 06-13-2023, 11:54 AM
  #58  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

Since I picked up my new wheels, I haven't been enthused with the 4th gen rear axle. I am not a fan of the rear tires sticking out, even with the factory GTA wheels they stuck out. I have been scouring the junk yards and FB marketplace. I looked at a few axles, but they were really rusty and not something I wanted to try and fool with. I went and picked this axle up for $80 bucks. it wasn't to bad, but the downside was the posi left the chat room. Granted the stock 10 bolt is not the strongest, but I wanted to stay more towards stock. I could have done a 9" or 8.8 but the cost was significantly higher. I am looking at 3.90 gears and a track loc, maybe ugprade to 28 spline aftermarket axles. I am going to install my brakes from my 4th gen axle and call it a day.


The following users liked this post:
DynoDave43 (06-14-2023)
Old 06-23-2023, 09:04 AM
  #59  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

On my downtime I search fb marketplace for random wants and I've been on the search for a spoiler since picking up this project. Obviously I would like a Hawks reproduction, but $800 is not in the current budget. While waiting the other day I was searching and came across an add for parting out of a 93' Trans Am. I saw the spoiler messaged the guy and $60 later, I have a 93 TA spoiler. I've never done fiberglass, but I've done a little body work and I'm not against learning. I have been searching TGO for more information on the 4th gen spoiler, but a lot of the pictures are gone.

Old 10-10-2023, 11:11 AM
  #60  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

Still waiting on my spoiler to get redone - going on 2 months. Every time I contact the body shop its the same response. "It's going into the paint booth this week, I'll have it done Friday"... So I either wait or I pick it up, maybe eventually it will get painted..


I decided to take my GTA to the Woodbine Applefest car show. I went with my cousin just for fun. I had no spoiler, my rear decklid is primered and looks terrible. So I was shocked when I heard my name called for 2nd place and the class that I was in was huge 1986 - 2003 modified. My boys share the trophy in their rooms.

The following 2 users liked this post by 17RamGTA:
DynoDave43 (10-13-2023), Scott's 83' Z (10-10-2023)
Old 04-17-2024, 07:56 PM
  #61  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

Well after 8 months I was finally able to get my spoiler back. The body shop felt bad for stringing me along for so long they didn't charge me. The color is off and it will have to get it redone.. but by someone else. I dropped off my axle finally to get rebuilt with some 3.73 gears and a new posi. I picked up some paint from the local autobody paint store and tried my hand at redoing my rear decklid. I still need to wet sand and buff it, but I am happy with how it turned out, the color is a little off but not terribly noticeable.








Old 04-17-2024, 08:00 PM
  #62  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
17RamGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 14
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383/ procharger P1S-C
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: factory axle 3.73's
Re: 1989 GTA project

I set the spoiler on and backed the car out of the garage to see how it would look. Overall I am happy with how it looks.
The following users liked this post:
DynoDave43 (04-18-2024)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
24
07-18-2020 06:45 AM
QwkTrip
Auto Detailing and Appearance
16
03-05-2020 05:46 PM
1MeanZ
Firebirds for Sale
30
08-30-2019 07:51 AM
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
19
02-27-2018 01:29 AM
chevyguy1969
Body
26
08-23-2005 09:14 AM



Quick Reply: 1989 GTA project



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:04 PM.