Pontiac sub-contracted the job of engineering the TTA engine modifications to PAS. The narrow engine bay of the Trans Am required the use of different cylinder heads, which happened to have better flow characteristics than the old Buick heads. Special stainless steel headers were made specifically for the project as well. The heads, headers, along with more refined tuning of the boost and fuel curves, all added up to a more powerful package than the older Buicks. PAS was also in charge of testing and assembling the engines. Most TTA's came with T-tops and leather interior, but there were also hardtops and cloth-interior cars. And every TTA had an automatic transmission – the TH200-4R, equipped with overdrive and a torque converter clutch. The three actual pace cars were randomly selected from the production run, and sent to Indianapolis to pace the race. Thus, the pace car replicas were closer to the actual pace cars than any replica previously offered; the only difference between the replicas and the three actual pace cars was the addition of strobe lights and safety equipment to the latter. In addition, the TTA was relatively economical to drive; it returned 24 mpg on the highway, while the only cars (besides the Lotus Esprit Turbo SE) that could approach its performance at the time (Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc.) were far more costly, and providing only around 10 to 12 mpg. As has been proven to be the case in subsequent years, relying on a small engine for cruising, and a turbocharger for power, provides an exciting driving experience while returning impressive fuel mileage.
Firebirds optioned with T-tops received new acrylic plastic tops made by Leximar for GM. The new tops were lighter in weight and tinted darker, but were more dome shaped and aged rapidly. GM replaced many sets with tops made of glass under warranty, but the acrylic tops continued as standard-issue through 1992. All Firebirds optioned with rear disc brakes now received PBR brake calipers and larger brake rotors, which resolved issues encountered with previous-model rear discs and increased stopping power. Introduction of GM's Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS) or PASS-Key made all Firebirds more theft-resistant. The system was adapted from GM's higher-end Corvette and Cadillac vehicles in response to an escalating trend among car thieves to target the Camaro and Firebird. VATS incorporated a small resistor into the ignition key shaft which was read by a sensor when the key was inserted. VATS-equipped cars also displayed anti-theft system warning decals in the lower rear corners of the side windows. A new CD player was offered, shoulder belts were added in the back seat, and the convertible model carried over.
TTA production figures:
- 1,323 T-Top & Leather Interior
- 187 T-Top & Cloth Interior
- 24 Hardtop & Leather Interior
- 15 Hardtop & Cloth Interior (Base)
- 3 Test Cars / T-Top & Cloth Interior
- 1 ASC Convertible Leather int
- 1 Test Car / ASC Convertible Cloth int
- 1 Test Car / Hardtop & Leather Interior
1989 Firebird Convertible production figures From 1989 ASC order logs
- 2 – TURBO TRANS AM (V6 Turbo)
- 141 – GTA or Trans Am -w/L98 (350 TPI)
- 42 – FORMULA 350 – w/L98 (350 TPI)
- 9 – GTA or Trans Am LB9 "F" (305 TPI)
- 16 – FORMULA – W/LB9 (305 TPI)
- 4 – Trans Am LO3 "E" (305 TBI)
- 58 – Firebird or Formula – W/LO3 (305 TBI)
- 37 – Firebird – W/LB8 (2.8L V6)
- 10 – Exported
- 5 – Unknown
324 Produced (Data from 1989 ASC order logs)
As a side note there are a known 4 L98 Powered Camaros made in 1987, making the total number of L98 Powered Firebird and Camaro Convertibles produced some of the rarest and sought after third Gens made with a total of under 200 produced for both lines all years combined.
SOURCE: Pontiac Firebird (third generation)
No comments:
Post a Comment