When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Ive just brought home an 84 Trans Am, its been fully repainted years ago and who knows what else, its in a bit of a state at the minute and im trying to get it running and driving at least.
Can anyone tell me what the car used to be in its former life ?
You have one of my favorite engines L69 with the GT4 3.73 rear gears. A nice combination. I don't see G80 for the limited slip differential, but it may have come with J65 4 way disk brakes as a package, not sure for 1984 birds.
According to the 1984 Pontiac Product Book, the 82 color code is called Dark Sand Gray Metallic and looked like this:
The reason why some of the RPO code definitions you researched may not match your car, is because the RPO Decoder (and almost all the ones online) are a master list from GM. Because GM reused RPO codes, an RPO code for 1984 might be completely different for 1994.
Does your SPID sticker's VIN# match the VIN# on the dash? I always thought that the RPO J65 was for disk brakes on all 4 corners? Or has the rear end been changed out at some time for a drum brake set-up?
You sure? That's an honest question. The 1984 Pontiac book shows that's WS7 (Special Performance Package - less 4-wheel disc brakes). No mention of WS5 that I can find. Although the books have been wrong before, that the SPID does show J65 makes me think that part is correct.
Originally Posted by Drew
FWIW WS5 on early cars means the same as WS6, but with drums instead of discs.
So its a 3:73 rear end but its not a limited slip diff and had drums when it came from the factory ? weird.
Well at least i know half the interior is original then. the front carpet is black, the rear carpet is grey and its got the grey rear seats and plastics but someone has put in grey leather seats which have been dyed black, poorly.
it will never be an original car again anyway as it was / is destined to be a KITT replica.
However the engine has had some money spent on it for sure, im trying to get in touch with the previous owner that done all the work as its obviously been out of the car, the oil pan is spotless and looks brand new, its got a new water pump and alternator fitted, id like to know whats been done on the inside of the engine.
It had disk brakes on all four wheels from the factory RPO J65, without RPO G80 so it didn't have the limited slip differential when it was produced. Since it now has drum brakes in the rear it has obviously been changed out at sometime.
The type of gears and differential it now has will have to be figured out by raising the car up in the rear. Rotate the wheels to determine the gear ratio and type it is now equipped with if you want to know for sure.
I actually forgot i made this thread a while back, ive been going through the RPO codes again then remembered a lot of the info is wrong.
So it was dark metallic sand grey originally with the grey interior, even though the rpo thing says cognac. its got discs at the back.
I still dont know what these codes mean that are on my sticker. WS5, WY6, YT9 and E6N ?
WS5-?
WY6-?
YT9- Option package, Fisher furnished parts
E6N-?
Had some back-and-forth correspondence with GM Heritage Center a few years ago concerning some of those 'unlisted' RPOs on the SPID sticker on my '86 IROC. The were unable to identify several of my codes, and the only explanation offered was that sometimes the manufacturer used a code to describe a 'package' of specific options (for example, a group of interior lights, or a particular exterior/interior color combination, etc). Whether these option packages were requested by the dealer ordering the car, or simply generated by the manufacturer was not known.
You gotta remember that RPO codes on the SPID are for ordering replacement parts. That's why it says Service Parts Identification, right across the top. That's one of the reasons why you can have different random codes for a single part on the car being different, because the parts department needed a way to differentiate. We look at the SPID as a cheat sheet to the cool options, but it's really just a key for the parts catalog. Don't read too much into it, or waste too much time searching for those missing codes. If the time comes you ever need them, it'll be because you've got the parts catalog in your hand or up on your screen and it'll tell you which codes to look for. In some cases that's all the codes were ever intended for.
LOL Look long enough and you can find a definition for any RPO. Look in resources that don't apply specifically to your exact year/make/model car, and the definition will probably be way off. Plenty of codes are different definitions on different cars, and GM reuses RPO codes.
12-20-2016, 05:00 PM
I arithmetic'd the wrong way. Disregard. 
