1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM PACE CAR COUPE

Details

1989 Turbo Trans Am Anniversary Indy pace car. Very rare and one of only 1,500 produced. This particular car has less than 7,000 original miles and is totally original without any modifications. It even still retains original Goodyear Eagle Gatorback tires and Lexan T-Tops. Turbo Trans Ams received the famous Buick Turbo V6 engines assembled by PAS who was located close to the Van Nuys GM assembly plant. Except, unlike the turbo Buick motors, the TTA received a cross drilled crank for better lubrication and a different set of heads that were required for proper clearance of the shock towers in the F-body. Reaching into the GM parts bin, PAS modified a set of transverse FWD 3.8 Liter heads for improved combustion chamber design and exhaust flow. Subsequently a different set of pistons was required to maintain an 8.0:1 compression ratio. To make the TTA especially potent, the larger GNX intercooler was added along with more boost, totaling 16.5psi. Stainless steel three to one headers and exhaust along with a Bosch fuel pressure regulator and recalibrated ECM were also used by PAS to squeeze a little more juice out the 231cid LC2. Rated 245hp flywheel, the motor reportedly made 301hp on the PAS to squeeze a little more juice out the 231cid LC2. Rated at 245hp flywheel, the motor reportedly made 301hp on the PAS engine dyno. Torque was also reportedly 10 to 16 ft/lbs higher

than the advertised 340. PAS installed the 1LE brake package which included vented 12' front and 11.7' rear rotors to ensure fade free performance. Aluminum dual piston front and single piston rear calipers were borrowed from the Corvette. The rest of the '89 Turbo Trans Am is nearly identical to the GTA on which it was based. Aluminum 16x8 wheels along with a good set of Goodyear rubber were standard equipment. The Australian BorgWarner 9-bolt with Limited-Slip differential and 3.27 gears, as well as the suspension, was also shared equipment with the GTA. From the Michael Jenkins Collection.