Where can i find a drivers side battery tray i wanna install a factory original piece for my 88 gta and every vendor only sells the passenger side

 

Off any carbed car. They had the batt on the right and evap canister on the left. Left side batt trays are the same and usually in excellent shape.

 

Thats gonna be tough to find since there are barely any 3rd gens in my area i was hoping i could just buy it new

 

Fixed it for you. All cars have provisions for the battery on either side. (at least my 86 will accept either side) Passenger side repops are plenty, but I haven't seen any drivers side.

 

I'd look for one off a carbed car. With their battery mounted on the right, the left battery tray is much more likely to be in good condition.

There was a thread a while back on this same topic. Don't think a new one was identified then.

 

My bad NAF, I misread what you wrote. My car was originally TPI and the battery on the right so not just carbed cars. Could be where my confusion set in on your post.

 

We should clarify...
AFAIK
Carb & TBI Firebirds, and All V8 Camaros - Battery on the RIGHT (Passenger side)

TPI Firebirds and I believe MPFI Firebirds were on the LEFT (Drivers side)

Since there is no clearance for the hood on the firebird with the TPI like the camaro, and the top radiator hose runs on the Left side of the car, they moved the battery from the Right side (where it is closer to the starter) to the Left side for the air box.

They did a lot of odd things like this, For example the 4BBL cars had the fuel lines start on the drivers side, run around the transmission hump, and then end on the Right side (obviously for the mechanical fuel pump)... The TPI cars ran the fuel lines all the way down the drivers side... IT makes sense why they did it, but it would seem it would make just as much sense to try to make things as consistent as possible...

John

 

Interesting.

My thinking was that the battery moved with the introduction of the serp system in 88. I know the 87 (Camaro) TPI had the batt on the right. It's been a while since I was around different year TPIs though.

 

AFAIK (I could be proven wrong) no (3rd gen) camaro had the battery on the Drivers side.

 

True, however the original poster is referring to a 88 Firebird.

Further, I personally have never seen a original right side tray in any 3rd. gen F body.

 

I realized that, The OP was looking for a good LH battery tray.. Thus when he goes looking for a tray, look for a Camaro, because chances are they will have less rust than what he has, I think was the point.

This does however create a question of how the tray technically attaches. I believe it is part of the inner fender, so the OP might have to cut and then weld the section into his car. Depending on how much he needed...

(It has been a while since I looked at how it assembles)

Your car should have the Right side tray, and a Left side tray. It appears you have an RS or a Z, not sure, But the Battery should be on the Right side of your car...

John

 

Ops.. Correction. A LEFT Side battery tray.

 

I agree 100% John. Good info Sir

 

This does however create a question of how the tray technically attaches. I believe it is part of the inner fender, so the OP might have to cut and then weld the section into his car.



You Are Correct,It Would Have To Be Cut From The Donar Car And Welded To His.

 

The trays are spot welded to the frame-rail, Radiator support, and inner fender-well; pretty much spot welded all along the outer perimeter of the tray. I find a spot weld drill bit works best to remove them.

Not a real good look - but you get the idea:

 

Ewww.

 

Also Has That Support Bracket,Here's A Pic Of My Left Hand Tray.

 

It was a before pic,... Here's the after !

 

My 92 V-6 Camaro did. I suspect 90-92 V-6's all did since I believe they used the same intake setup as the V-6 Firebirds.

For years I had no idea that the battery was on the passenger side in any Thirdgens since my first Thirdgen was a 92 Camaro and then it has been all TPI Firebirds after that.

 

Hmph.. did not know that... I guess that might make sense...

Wonder why they did not use the Camaro TPI CAI... maybe cost...

John

 

Looking at V6 Camaros...
88 Passenger side Battery
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...3158/overview/

I will add other years I find below:

91 Drivers side
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...76182306&Log=0

My Educated guess at this point is thru 1989 Camaro V6 had battery on the Passenger side, and 1990 - 1992 on the Drivers side...

Veerrrry interesting.

 

Makes sense. I see a ton of driver's side batteries in the yards and most of those are likely V6's. I pulled a good right hand tray from one years ago. It was a bit of work with the spot weld cutter, lots of corners.

 

Ok so here is the deal everyone all local bone yards around here have no 82-92 f bodies anymore i was wondering if anybody is parting on decent camaro/firebird with a fairly decent drivers side battery tray so i can get my car up and running and also have a hold down setup for when i go to autox track

 

Also to add im in new bedford ma 02740 ill pay shipping cost and whatever u want for the battery tray

 

Have you tried Hawks? or one of the vendors?