So you guys know by now I've been looking for a new toy recently...


there's a blown 89 GTA with 66k miles on it on CL right now. Guy says its in good shape, but needs a rear main.


From my (very limited) experience with the 350 in the fbody, it seems like it could be one of a few things:

-rear main
-oil sender on rear of engine
-adapter gasket


Anybody had experience with these things? I'd imagine replacing any of that stuff requires at least the trans to come out....

blown as in broke or blown as in supercharged? If the RMS is bad then yes, the trans must come out. You would have to look close at the back of the engine to figure out where the oil is leaking from. Best case is a leaking sender.

CJ had a 91 GTA, very cool car but the biggest pain in the ass EVER to work on and teh aftermarket for TPI cars isn't really there. I would honestly say to stay away from it man.

I say go for it. They're awesome cars. Like said the trans has to come out.

Nelson, I think you just got a bad apple with that car. I have had 5 Fbodys and cant complain at all.

yeah i have had a couple and never complained. there just not big power houses. well this one has a blower so it should be decent

i miss my firebird

theyre alot of fun. cant wait to get another one someday.

yeah this one looks like it's got a vortech on it. Looks pretty damn clean, but I'm not completely sold on it yet. I've got a few different little tasty treats i'm looking at so we'll see. Thanks guys!

so its got a blower and not a blown motor. Ok thats a lot better. I bet that blower aint helping to keep those seals in place.

yeah it's a tpi 350 with what looks to be a vortech.

Let's be honest, Most cars suck to work on!

well, just got an email back from the kid. Said he used oil dye to figure out it was the rear main. Wouldn't be able to drive it home without ruining the clutch. HA there goes that one.

well that depsnds on the sellers price. Offer him a lower price and see if he bites or sleeps on it. This car have a T5 in it?

i believe it does. he's asking 3500. t5 with a spec stage 3 clutch.

His ad says:

New L98 350, Supercharged, cam, BBK58mm t/b, Headers, Exuast, chipped.Tremec 5 speed w/Spec stage 3 clutch.


That's well over $3500 in parts alone right there. Says its in Raynham. He says he's FIRM on the price in the ad, which I know is never the case. He says it also needs a tune.

You would have to get more specs on the engine to make it worth while investment. Cams specs, head specs, etc. I wonder if its an aftermarket trans or if he just put Tremec to make it sound better. Last I heard Tremec and Borg Warner were one company now. I could be wrong. Also would want to see whats up with that chip he says he has. mail order chips never work 100% and even custom mail order chip are not what they say. Been there before. Do yo uhave a link to this cars ad?

a leaking rear main won't destroy the clutch

depends how bad. I had a RMS leak on my camaro a while back and over time it just made a mess inside the bellhousing and the disc ended up getting coated in oil. The clutch was no good after that. Obviously, you shouldnt drive like that but I had no choice in my situation.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/1597612499.html


Thing does look in pretty good shape from the pics, but you never know until you see it.