RPO and Technical Data:
**INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE GTA SOURCE.**
***ALL OF VADER's RPO CODES ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN BOLD FONT TYPE.***
For 1988, the GTA was still technically an option package for Trans Am models, but was marketed as a separate Firebird model for the first time. Since the car was bestowed this distinction this year, the production numbers are for GTA models themselves, instead of the previous "lumped-together" totals for 1987. This separation continued throughout the model's subsequent life cycle. Below are the production option breakdowns for 1988*:
* A -- denotes all cars thus equipped
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RPO __ CLEAR TEXT _____________________________________________ PRODUCTION NUMBER
AAA ---- Standard Equipment -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9,765
AA8 ---- Rear Compartment Lid, Notchback ------------------------------------------------- 624
AH3 ---- Seat Adjuster, Manual 4-Way Driver ------------------------------------------------- 7
AK1 ---- Seat Belts, Custom FR and RR ------------------------------------------------------ 8,002
AM9 ---- Rear Seat, Split Fold-Down ----------------------------------------------------------- A
AU3 ---- Door Locks, Power ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A
A31 ---- Windows, Power ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A
B2L ---- Engine Package, 5.7L V8 TPI --------------------------------------------------------- 6,913
BC8 ---- Ornamentation, Interior Door Pocket ---------------------------------------------- 9,758
BY4 ---- Ornamentation, Instrument Panel Name Plate --------------------------------- A
B20 ---- Ornamentation, Interior (Luxury) --------------------------------------------------- A
B35 ---- Floor Mats, FR and RR ------------------------------------------------------------------ A
B84 ---- Moldings, Vinyl Bodyside -------------------------------------------------------------- A
CC1 ---- Roof Panels, Hatch (Removable) ---------------------------------------------------- 2,531
CD2 ---- Indicator, Windshield Washer Fluid ------------------------------------------------ 5,102
C49 ---- Defroster, Rear Window, Electric --------------------------------------------------- A
C60 ---- Air Conditioning, Custom --------------------------------------------------------------- 4,663
C67 ---- Air Conditioning, Electronic ----------------------------------------------------------- 5,102
DD8 ---- Mirror, Inside Automatic Rearview --------------------------------------------------- 5
DD9 ---- Mirror, Outside LH and RH, Electric, Breakaway --------------------------------- 7
DG7 ---- Mirror, Outside LH and RH, Electric ------------------------------------------------ 9,758
DE4 ---- Sunshade, Hatch Roof, Removable ------------------------------------------------- 2,531
D34 ---- Mirror, Inside, Sunshade ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9,764
D3Y ---- Gear, Speedometer Driven ------------------------------------------------------------- 6,913
D42 ---- Cargo Screen, Rear ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9,133
D4D ---- Gear, Speedometer Driven (25513047) -------------------------------------------- 2,043
D5T ---- Gear, Speedometer Driven ------------------------------------------------------------- 809
D80 ---- Spoiler, Rear Deck Lid ------------------------------------------------------------------- 631
D81 ---- Spoiler, Rear Aero Wing ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9,133
D9E ---- Sensor, Vehicle Speed ------------------------------------------------------------------ 809
E5Z ---- Adapter, Speedometer (Delete) ------------------------------------------------------ A
E9Z ---- Key, Speedometer (Delete) ------------------------------------------------------------ A
FE2 ---- Suspension System, Ride and Handling ------------------------------------------- A
GM3 ---- Rear Axle Ratio (3.45) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 809
GW6 ---- Rear Axle Ratio (3.27) ------------------------------------------------------------------ 6,912
G80 ---- Axle, Rear Limited-Slip ------------------------------------------------------------------ A
JG1 ---- Shaft, Propeller (Aluminum) ----------------------------------------------------------- 6,913
J65 ---- Brakes, Power FR and RR Disc ------------------------------------------------------- A
KC4 ---- Cooler, Engine Oil ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A
K34 ---- Cruise Control, Electronic -------------------------------------------------------------- A
K68 ---- Generator, 105-Ampere ----------------------------------------------------------------- A
LB9 ---- Engine, 5.0L V8 TPI ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,852
L98 ---- Engine, 5.7L V8 TPI ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 6,913
MD8 ---- Transmission, Automatic Overdrive ----------------------------------------------- 8,956
MK6 ---- Transmission, 5-Speed Manual ------------------------------------------------------ 809
MM5 ---- Transmission, 5-Speed Manual Provisions -------------------------------------- 809
MXO ---- Transmission, Automatic Overdrive Provisions ------------------------------- 8,956
NA5 ---- Emissions, Federal Requirements -------------------------------------------------- 9,511
NB2 ---- Emissions, California Requirements ----------------------------------------------- 254
NK4 ---- Steering Wheel, Sport Leather-Wrapped ----------------------------------------- A
NN5 ---- Emissions, California Override ------------------------------------------------------- 1,117
N33 ---- Steering Wheel, Tilt ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A
N64 ---- Spare Wheel and Tire, Aluminum Space Saver --------------------------------- 6,913
N65 ---- Spare Wheel and Tire, Stowaway ----------------------------------------------------- 2,852
PB4 ---- Lock Kit, Aluminum Wheel ------------------------------------------------------------- A
PW7 ---- Wheels, 16" Aluminum Diamond-Spoke ----------------------------------------- A
QDZ ---- Tires, 245/50-VR16 Radial ------------------------------------------------------------- A
R1E ---- Package, V.I.P. Plus ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
TR9 ---- Lamp Group, Courtesy ------------------------------------------------------------------- A
T93 ---- Lamps, Tail and Stop, Smoked Lens ------------------------------------------------ A
T96 ---- Lamps, Front Fog -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A
UA6 ---- System, Theft Deterrent ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6,440
UK3 ---- System, electreonic, Accessory Controls ---------------------------------------- A
UQ1 ---- Radio, Stereo Installation Provisions ---------------------------------------------- A
UQ7 ---- Speaker System, Subwoofer ---------------------------------------------------------- 2,276
UT1 ---- Buzzer, Tone Generator Warning --------------------------------------------------- A
UT4 ---- Radio, AM/FM, Cassette, Equalizer, Clock, (Steering Wheel Controls) -- 9,764
UW1 ---- System, Diagnostic Checks --------------------------------------------------------- 5,102
U21 ---- Cluster, Instrument (Oil, Coolant Temp, Volt, Tach) ----------------------------- 5
U29 ---- Lamp, Interior, Instrument Panel Courtesy -------------------------------------- A
U52 ---- Instrument Cluster, Electronic ------------------------------------------------------- 5,102
U66 ---- Speakers, Dual FR Dash, Dual Extended-Range RR --------------------------- A
U75 ---- Anntenna, Power Automatic ---------------------------------------------------------- 9,760
VAN ---- Van Nuys, CA Assembly Plant ------------------------------------------------------- A
VK3 ---- Mounting, Front License Plate -------------------------------------------------------- 7,406
VG8 ---- Label, Notice To Buyer ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1,731
WS4 ---- Merchandising Option Package, Trans Am ------------------------------------ A
WS6 ---- Suspension, Special Performance ----------------------------------------------- A
YS1 ---- Seat, Custom Rear ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A
Y11 ---- Ring Gear, 10.50 Diameter, Dana Rear Axle ------------------------------------- 3,308
Y84 ---- GTA Option Package -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9,765
The following are the codes and corresponding production numbers for each exterior color available for the 1988 Trans Am GTAs:
40U ---- Exterior Color, White -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,957
41U ---- Exterior Color, Black -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,129
74U ---- Exterior Color, Flame Red Metallic ------------------------------------------------- 2,809
81U ---- Exterior Color, Bright Red ------------------------------------------------------------- 1,940
87U ---- Exterior Color, Gunmetal Metallic -------------------------------------------------- 930
The following are the codes and corresponding production numbers for each interior color combination available for the 1988 Trans Am GTAs:
19D ---- Trim Combination, Black Cloth ------------------------------------------------------ 1,231
192 ---- Trim Combination, Black Leather --------------------------------------------------- 532
66D ---- Trim Combination, Beechwood Cloth --------------------------------------------- 3,060
662 ---- Trim Combination, Beechwood Leather ------------------------------------------ 1,404
82D ---- Trim Combination, Medium Dark Grey Cloth ------------------------------------ 2,717
822 ---- Trim Combination, Medium Dark Grey Leather ---------------------------------- 821
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PERFORMANCE DATA (STOCK):
RPO B2L / L98
Engine Type: Eight-Cylinder, V-Design
Valve Design: Overhead Valve
Bore/Stroke: 4.00 inches x 3.48 inches
Displacment: 350 cubic inches (5.7L)
Compression Ratio: 9.3 : 1
Fuel Injection/Manufacturer: Multiple-Port Style, Bosch-Rochester
Fuel Requirements: 91-Octane Unleaded
Brake Horsepower / Torque Ratings (FWHP/TQ):
230 HP @ 4400 RPM / 330 FT/LB @ 3200 RPM
BODY, INTERIOR, and SUSPENSION:
Curb Weight: 3460-3530 pounds
Weight Distribution: 57% (front) - 43% (rear)
Wheelbase: 101.6 inches
Track: 60.7 inches (front) - 61.6 inches (rear)
Overall Length: 191.6 inches
Width: 72.0 inches
Height: 49.7 inches
Rear Storage Space: 5.8 cubic feet (rear seat up) - 9.1 cubic feet (rear seat folded)
Fuel Tank: 15.5 U.S. Gallons
Vehicle Lay-out: Front engine / Rear drive
Body/Frame: Unit Steel Construction
Brake System: Four Wheel Power-Assist Disc**
** Some models were equipped with the RPO J42 disc/drum brake system. **
Rotor Size:
10.5 inch (front and rear)
Wheel, Type and Size:
Cast aluminum alloy, 16 x 8 inch
Tires:
Goodyear Eagle VR50 Radial, size 245/50-VR16
Steering: Recirculating ball, with power assist
Wheel Turns, lock-to-lock: 2.4
Turning Circle, Foot-in-diameter: 37.6
Suspension Components (front): Modified McPherson struts, lower A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
Suspension Components (rear): Live axle, with trailing arms, torque arms, and Panhard arm, coils aprings, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
PERFORMANCE DATA (MODIFIED):
RPO B2L / L98
Engine Type: Eight-Cylinder, V-Design
Valve Design: Overhead Valve
Cylinder Head: Aluminum, Corvette 113 Casting (56cc chambers), 1.6 Aluminum Roller Rockers
Bore/Stroke: 4.030 inches x 3.750 inches
Displacment: 383 cubic inches (6.3L)
Compression Ratio: 10.5 : 1
Camshaft Duration:
--Intake: .520 @ .050 - 212 degrees
--Exhaust: .528 @ .050 - 218 degrees
--Lobe Seperation: 110 degrees
Fuel Injection/Manufacturer: Multiple-Port Style, Accell 26-lbs./hr.
Fuel Requirements: 93-Octane Unleaded
Brake Horsepower / Torque Ratings (RWHP/TQ):
273 HP @ 4300 RPM / 397 FT/LB @ 2900 RPM
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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: RPO and Technical Data
Page 3: How RARE is it?
Page 4: Photography of Vader...part one
Page 5: Photography of Vader...part two
Page 6: Photography of Vader...part three
Page 7: Vader's Heart
Page 8: Inside Vader
Page 9: Modifications, Upgrades, and Repair...part one
Page 10: Modifications, Upgrades, and Repair...part two
Page 11: Modifications, Upgrades, and Repair...part three
Page 12: Modifications, Upgrades, and Repair...part four
Page 13: Literature and Awards
Page 14: Car Shows and Events
Page 15: The Track and at Play
Page 16: My other Firebirds
