87 Trans Am Questions

The way to tell what options your car has is by the RPO codes. RPO means Regular Production Order. These codes are on the decal on the bottom of the consoul lid.

As for Perfromance, there is a pleathra of things you can do. How fast do you want to go, how much do you want to spend, and how far from stock would you want to be?

On the spoiler is it the Wrap around Aero-Wing? Ot the regulaer firebird sytle? Charles

Thank you for the RPO info. That # is on the inside of the center console?

As far as the performance issue, not too many $$ and not too far from stock. I remember checking into this back in 89-90, but there weren't too many options then. I'm thinking of a less restrictive exhaust system to start and maybe some carb mods, but I don't know how that all works with the computer. It used to be that any changes made the computer tried to compensate for and there wasn't much improvement, not to mention that there was very little room for headers and dual exhaust.

The spoiler is the typical 86-90 type, all one piece wrapping around the rear window (definately not the firebird style but I'm not sure what the difference is between the wrap around and the aero wing). The "third" brake light is in the spoiler if that helps.

Thanks again

You car has what is called the Aero-Wing. If it keeps spliting most likely the bolt plates in it are rusting, and its junk.

The best low buck power increase you can do is to swap your 305 for a

The wrap-around spoiler IS the aerowing. ;o)

They're made of a type of rubber (steel cored) and are prone to cracking and rotting out. There is a fibreglass replica available.

Do you have the stock hatch/spoiler? I thought only the GTAs and the Formulas got the aerowing from the factory.

Thanks for the feedback Charles.

Yes, the entire car is stock. Bought it new in 86. I'll look into that fiberglass replacement (do they come in colors or do they need to be painted?) The spoiler I have now doesn't seem to be cracked or split, just the paint. However I am guessing that the temp changes in this area cause the spoiler to expand and contract and no matter how good the paint is it will continue to do the same thing.

Yeah, I've got an 89 T/A with the aero wing. Edrin, as far as I understand the front bumper and the aero wing need paint that has some kind of additive mixed into the paint to reduce the chance of it cracking. I don't remember what it was but I've heard it mentioned before. Hopefully someone can chime in and let you know what it is or tell me if I'm way off base.

-Bruce

Just a flex additive...it allows the paint to bond, and stay somewhat flexible so that it gives and does not crack...but even with it added, over time it will indeed crack.

CBHVAC spilled my beer when they jumped on the table and proclaimed in

Just to add a bit here...

It's similar to 'low cycle fatigue' in metal, where you can bend a metal piece a certain number of times before it, too, cracks. :)

NOI

The Fiberglass units come in gel-coat. So far I have only seen grey, and only seen the 87 thrid brake light style.

On a Trans Am Flex Additive has to be used on: Nose peice, rear bumper, Aero-Wing, factory ground effects. If your car was not painted with these heat cycling will cause paint to crack.

What you really should do is go to a good body shop and have them remove the paint from the wing and inspect it. If the ruberized surface is split, you need a replacement.

Something else being an erly 87, you car had the water basised paint system used at the Van Nuys (LA) plant. So if your wing was painted at the factor, and was not striped before repainting, the factory paint under the newer paint is probably cracking. Charles

Thanks Charles. According to the VIN, this was assembled in Norwood which supposedly had excellent paint results. Can't say for sure if the spoiler was painted there or not but that is the only part that has had consistent problems (been painted twice already by 2 different locations). Probably will try once more before buying the other one. It's been about 11 years since the last paint job (cracked after 5)

Charles:

The Norwood plant still produced '87 F cars, by 1988 to they were all Van Nuys made.

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...

Thanks for the Correction Joe. For some reason my brain though late 85 or 86 was when they closed F-body production down. On first thru erly thrid gen cars around here I always check the Vin or trim tag for a 'N' or 'NOR'. Since the plant was less then 55 miles away.

I remember some nut a few years ago on here posting about 67-69 Firebird being build at Lordstown (where some J-cars are made). I have never seen one.

I do see a good number of Van Nuys/LA first gens out here. Charles

Malleability is the word that you are looking for in the metal sence.

...Ron

--

RSCamaro spilled my beer when they jumped on the table and proclaimed in

Yes! Thank you Ron....

NOI