My 1988 GTA project
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
My 1988 GTA project
Picked up a new project a few weeks back. I've already put a ton of work and its in for paint. So far its been a long two weeks at the shop and I've gotten all the interior pieces cleaned up and ready for reinstall. Bought a nice dash pad from thirdgenranch and new ACC carpet and floor mats.
I've been looking for another project and its been almost 2 years since I sold my '87. Picked this up pretty cheap and its only got 62k miles!! I will post more pics when I get it back from paint, hoping for it to be only another two weeks but we will see.
I've been looking for another project and its been almost 2 years since I sold my '87. Picked this up pretty cheap and its only got 62k miles!! I will post more pics when I get it back from paint, hoping for it to be only another two weeks but we will see.
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Stopped by and took a few pics of the progress at the shop. Hoping for end of next week but who knows I just want it right.
Last edited by mwill316; 04-06-2019 at 11:02 AM.
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
And now I'm sitting here trying to decide if I want to put the moldings back on or keep them off...
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Looks good! I'd put the moldings back on...but that's just me. I think they tie in the body lines on a GTA
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Oh, and be sure to get the sail panel emblems in the correct location. I actually laughed out loud when I saw your sail panel picture.....you can clearly see where the emblem was, and yet somebody still thought they needed to be in the center of the sail panel for some reason lol.
Looks like you'll end up with a super nice, low mile car. I'm anxious to see more pics as it comes along!
Looks like you'll end up with a super nice, low mile car. I'm anxious to see more pics as it comes along!
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Yeah I've been trying to get a template or something for the location of the emblems so I can put them back in the proper spot. Has been difficult to find at this point oddly. I did get an email response from Frankie @ the gtasourcepage yesterday and he is supposed to send me the template now.
I've spent way too much money on this this week alone lol. Its like a snowball effect. New carpet kit and floor mats, dash pad, paint. Bought headers last week, y-pipe and all tune up stuff today. I'm going to buy a borla s type adjustable cat back off a guy here locally that I know for suuuuper cheap.
When I bought the car the PO had new in box ring and pinion and master install kit for 3.70 gears. After reading on the forums that doesn't seem like a good idea to swap to so if anyone is interested in those for cheap PM me.
The more I look at the car the more I agree with leaving the moldings on. Will update with more pics as I move along.
I've spent way too much money on this this week alone lol. Its like a snowball effect. New carpet kit and floor mats, dash pad, paint. Bought headers last week, y-pipe and all tune up stuff today. I'm going to buy a borla s type adjustable cat back off a guy here locally that I know for suuuuper cheap.
When I bought the car the PO had new in box ring and pinion and master install kit for 3.70 gears. After reading on the forums that doesn't seem like a good idea to swap to so if anyone is interested in those for cheap PM me.
The more I look at the car the more I agree with leaving the moldings on. Will update with more pics as I move along.
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Congrats on the purchase! Looks like a really solid car.
Painting it the factory color?
Painting it the factory color?
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Yes sir! Wouldn't want it any other color. When I had my '87 it was black.. Could never keep it clean enough and always wanted a gunmetal one.
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
That web site doesn't seem to come up as anything for me. If you speaking of gtasourcepage.com they only have the ones for the side GTA embelm on the fender not the ones on the sail panels.
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Car: 1992 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Oh the memories. I had a gunmetal metallic 1988 GTA with the digital dash back in high school. Found one locally a few weeks ago but the time just isn't right. Congrats on the purchase!
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Picked up my headers today from Jegs! Deleted exhaust pics cause I didn't use it.
Last edited by mwill316; 04-06-2019 at 11:04 AM.
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
I have the Borla exhaust on my car too, I love the sound. I plan on putting one of these on in the future with it https://loudvalves.com/
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Car: 1987 TA GTA, 1987 IROC 1988 Formula
Engine: 350 tpi/305 tpi/350 tbi
Transmission: All have 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3:73's
Re: My 1988 GTA project
You must be from Illinois? I really considered buying that car when I saw it pop up. It was listed for a great price! Glad to see it went to a good home
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Interesting that the muffler is the "two on the left" design, with twin tailpipes out the drive side. I think I've only seen these with a 3" single out the driver side. Then of course, the 3" bypass on the passenger side, and twin tips for both.
Great minds think alike, scooter. Or at least along the same lines. I have a Quick Time Performance electric that I'm hoping to use with mine. With a momentary switch, I should be able to move the valve in rough "steps", and approximate the sound levels of the Borla factory diffusor plates.
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Car: 92 Firebird
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Great minds think alike, scooter. Or at least along the same lines. I have a Quick Time Performance electric that I'm hoping to use with mine. With a momentary switch, I should be able to move the valve in rough "steps", and approximate the sound levels of the Borla factory diffusor plates.
#21
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
I'm from Indiana actually. i bought it from a "flipper" that didn't know how to fix the vats issue. Still feel like I got a super good deal on it and I'm not sure what he paid for it either. My issue is, my wife tends to forget that the initial purchase cost is only a small amount compared to the restoration lol.
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Should sound great! These Borla systems have an excellent reputation. I know a fellow who chose one of these too.
Interesting that the muffler is the "two on the left" design, with twin tailpipes out the drive side. I think I've only seen these with a 3" single out the driver side. Then of course, the 3" bypass on the passenger side, and twin tips for both.
Great minds think alike, scooter. Or at least along the same lines. I have a Quick Time Performance electric that I'm hoping to use with mine. With a momentary switch, I should be able to move the valve in rough "steps", and approximate the sound levels of the Borla factory diffusor plates.
Interesting that the muffler is the "two on the left" design, with twin tailpipes out the drive side. I think I've only seen these with a 3" single out the driver side. Then of course, the 3" bypass on the passenger side, and twin tips for both.
Great minds think alike, scooter. Or at least along the same lines. I have a Quick Time Performance electric that I'm hoping to use with mine. With a momentary switch, I should be able to move the valve in rough "steps", and approximate the sound levels of the Borla factory diffusor plates.
#23
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: My 1988 GTA project
That was my thinking. There may be fall color tours, trips with the wife, etc., where I might want it a touch more civilized. Other times, not so much. A little 3 position, center off, momentary switch like this ought to do the trick (with a relay). I don't expect it to be infinitely adjustable, as there will be some lag with the relay. But if I can get 3 positions out of it (closed, open some, all the way open), I think I'll be happy.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/On-Off-on-M...V/282743248983
https://www.ebay.com/itm/On-Off-on-M...V/282743248983
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Well I stopped by the shop today and they told me they were done other than having to fix a spot that came off when they pulled the tape off the windshield. I must say it was looking pretty good until deeper inspection of the hood which I'm making them redo (still had a few dents that they couldn't see until it shined up again. Bad finish/block sanding work.. get what ya pay for i guess lol) So now I'm told it will be done Friday and brought most of the trim work home. A few updated pics from my stop. I know I suck at taking pictures.
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
On a side note.. What are these nuts called and where would be the best place to pick them up?
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Speed nuts. McMaster may have them, or maybe clipsandfasteners.com I would just tap the studs to a machine thread and put regular nuts on them
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Car: '88 GTA
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
COMPNINE FAILED ME
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It may be that we don't have it in the database yet, but be sure to check that you have typed it correctly.
Nothing found for 1G2FW2187JL222614
It may be that we don't have it in the database yet, but be sure to check that you have typed it correctly.
#29
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Well the shop is telling me they should be done Monday now. Couple issues I saw are being corrected so I’m good with it. Cleaning up seats and sail panels today. I guess my sail panel material is finally giving up they didn’t like the scrub brush I used. So my headliner is sagging in a few spots and I figured since the sail panels are shot I might as well replace it all. After market through rock auto will be about $270 shipped. So I’m thinking go that route or by the materials and redo them myself what you all think?
#30
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
I recovered my hard top headliner, it wasn't very difficult, and I wouldn't hesitate to do the sail panels. The reproduction sail panels and headliners don't have the mounting clips, so you have to get creative to install them
#31
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
I had my headliner redone at an upholstery shop for $150. He also "tightened" the original material on the speaker covers. I took them out and reinstalled, he just had the recovering labor and the material. It was a perfect match to factory, too. I didn't do my thing with the sun visors and you cant even tell
#32
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Well today I decided to recover my speaker box with the old hatch area carpet since I’m replacing it anyways. Thinking a about trying to find a paint to match the interior and paint the speaker covers too. For some reason I couldn’t stand the thought of putting a big black speaker box in.
#33
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Too much time on my hands today I guess. I been thinking about the pinstripe that was on the car when I bought it. I wasn't gonna put it back on knowing it wasn't like that from the factory but I really like how it breaks up all the gray. Thoughts? I was thinking instead of sweeping up the sail panels I'd just run it all the way down the quarters.
#34
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Pin strip is so hit or miss. I am not a fan, but it doesn't look terrible on the Firebirds because of the body line
#35
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Car: '88 GTA
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Decided to tackle the sail panels myself. One down one to go. I’m pretty sure a monkey could do this.
#36
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Got my double din bezel painted and radio fits well. My son talked me into putting these stickers on but I’m on the fence about keeping them on or taking them off.
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Looks good man!
I am also not a fan of the pinstripe. I stripped the pinstripes off of my brothers GTA a while back, and had to sand and buff that entire area to get rid of the lines where the stripes were.....you could still see where they were. I guess I'm an originality nerd...
I am also not a fan of the pinstripe. I stripped the pinstripes off of my brothers GTA a while back, and had to sand and buff that entire area to get rid of the lines where the stripes were.....you could still see where they were. I guess I'm an originality nerd...
#41
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Hi guys, this may a bit off topic but I think it will fit. I have a 1987 gunmetal grey GTA, analog dash sadly, but it seems to have this very rare option. It has a factory gm alarm system. Anyone have any info on that. Was it actually a factory option. How many GTA have this system etc
#42
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Car: 92 Firebird
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Hi guys, this may a bit off topic but I think it will fit. I have a 1987 gunmetal grey GTA, analog dash sadly, but it seems to have this very rare option. It has a factory gm alarm system. Anyone have any info on that. Was it actually a factory option. How many GTA have this system etc
#43
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Car: '88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Looks good man!
I am also not a fan of the pinstripe. I stripped the pinstripes off of my brothers GTA a while back, and had to sand and buff that entire area to get rid of the lines where the stripes were.....you could still see where they were. I guess I'm an originality nerd...
I am also not a fan of the pinstripe. I stripped the pinstripes off of my brothers GTA a while back, and had to sand and buff that entire area to get rid of the lines where the stripes were.....you could still see where they were. I guess I'm an originality nerd...
I ended up taking the stickers off the radio bezel.... Looked way to cheap and I'm back to NO on the pin stripping. I have an obsession issue.. so I'm told
#44
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Car: '88 GTA
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Hi guys, this may a bit off topic but I think it will fit. I have a 1987 gunmetal grey GTA, analog dash sadly, but it seems to have this very rare option. It has a factory gm alarm system. Anyone have any info on that. Was it actually a factory option. How many GTA have this system etc
#46
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Car: '88 GTA
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: My 1988 GTA project
Got all the exterior back together and started on the sound deadening today. Probably about 75 percent done then I will be moving on to amp wiring and building a mount for the amp in the spare tire area.
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Re: My 1988 GTA project
Ok well got my headliner material in today. To my surprise they sent me 10 rolls instead of one LOL. Can’t even make this **** up.