"Since their inception, Pontiac Firebirds have been designed with a variety of people in mind. With numerous options, they can be ordered to suit just about anyone’s taste, from dove to hawk! Keeping in mind our passion for performance here at CAR CRAFT, our most "reasonable" choice would be a Trans Am. Yet our need to go beyond reason led us to test not one, but two versions of this seasoned ‘Bird.

The name Trans Am has been a familiar one ever since Pontiac licensed the name from the Sports Car Club of America in 1969. Since that time, many changes have taken place in order to maintain its lofty roost. This quest for improvement brought a new member to the flock for ‘87, the Trans Am GTA, and both varieties are in full flight again this year.

Visually, the GTA differs little from the Trans Am, with the only difference being the gold and red GTA emblems versus more subtle decals for the Trans Am. Both cars incorporate two sets of louvers on the hood along with vents behind the front wheels and a rear wing, which helps in creating their aggressive image, emphasized by a throaty sound in back.

While each version can be obtained with a variety of like components, our two test cars were equipped differently. The GTA was powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 with tuned port fuel injection and dual catalytic converters developing 235 horsepower at 4400 rpm and 340 lbs.-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. It transfers this output to a limited-slip, 3.27:1 rear drive via a TH700 R4 four-speed automatic transmission.

The Trans Am housed a 5.0-liter V-8 with tuned port injection and single exhaust producing 215 horsepower at 4400 rpm and 285 lbs-ft. torque at 3200 rpm. An M39 five-speed manual gearbox makes use of the power through a 3.08:1 posi traction rear end.

A comparison of the two cars produced somewhat surprising results. Although the GTA was equipped with an automatic transmission, its additional 20 horsepower and 55 lb-ft of torque translated into better acceleration, especially at higher speeds. Braking was also slightly better for the GTA, even though both cars were fitted with four-wheel disc brakes. Our braking tests delivered 60-0 in 128 feet for the GTA versus 136 feet for the Trans Am. These systems utilize a tandem vacuum-assisted booster and 10.5-inch-diameter rotors front and rear to produce fade-resistant stopping power.

Each car was equipped with a performance-oriented WS6 sport suspension package and P245/50ZR16 Goodyear tires, so handling characteristics were very similar. These cars exhibit very high limits in areas such as braking, cornering, and acceleration, and it is the driver who is put to the test in discovering them. Our tests revealed 0-60 times of 6.72 seconds for the Trans Am and 6.44 seconds for the GTA with cornering capabilities in the 0.88g realm for both cars. Ride quality was firm but comfortable in most cases, except over abrupt surface changes. So stay away from cattle crossings and speed bumps.

Both Pontiac F-bodies share contemporary interior styling including a sleek dash panel with numerous instruments in full view of the driver. The instruments, like the center console, feature a black grid-like pattern to add some class not found in similar-level Camaros. The steering wheel in both cars houses numerous remote controls for a premium audio system, allowing the driver to make his selections without reaching for the center console.

Seating and comfort are also top rate, in front at least. Those in back have plenty of room, as long as they’ve passed the test as certified contortionists (e.g. see "Street Freaks" section). After all, this is a 2+2! (Or was that 2+ 0.2?) Another sore spot, at least for a size 13 shoe was the bottom lip of the dash panel. When releasing the clutch pedal, the tip of the shoe would get caught behind the panel. Keeping the pedal under the toes cured the problem, although a better solution should be worked out.

Today’s Trans Am, while greatly refined in the past 20 years, still echoes its original purpose, to suit the needs of a variety of people. And for those interested in high performance, the Trans Am and Trans Am GTA have what it takes. They may even have too much for some; perhaps they will be put on a weight loss program in the years to come, along with Chevrolet’s Camaro.

Once our comparisons had been completed we were left with a difficult question. Which did we prefer? From a comfort and convenience standpoint, the GTA with its automatic transmission was a natural, especially here in traffic-ridden Los Angeles. Still, it was the five-speed-fitted Trans Am that won in the end. There’s just nothing like slicing up and down through the gears, allowing just a bit more control of power application. Either one would suit our needs just fine."

1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM and TRANS AM GTA

                                                                        TRANS AM                                                  GTA

PRICE

Base:                                                                   $15,299                                                     $20,339

As Tested:                                                           $18,210                                                     $20,877

ENGINE

Type:                                        C-P-C  90 degree V8, iron block/heads, w/ five                       Same

                                                                    main bearings

Bore/Stroke:                                                        3.74 x 3.48                                                4.00 x 3.48

Displacement:                                                       305 c.i. (5.0 liters)                                    350 c.i. (5.7 liters)

Compression Ratio:                                               9.3:1                                                         9.3:1

Horsepower:                                                         215 @ 4400 rpm                                      235 @ 4400 rpm

Torque:                                                                285 @ 3200 rpm                                       340 @ 3200 rpm

Valvetrain:                                                            Pushrod, hyd. roller lifters                            Same

Fuel Metering:                                                      Normally aspirated, MPFI                           Same

Recommended fuel:                                              91 octane, unleaded                                    Same

Max. engine speed:                                              5700 rpm                                                    Same

Total dressed engine weight:                                656.7 lbs.                                                    627.3 lbs.

CHASSIS

Front:                                        Indep. MacPherson strut, coil springs, A-arms                        Same

Anti-roll bar:                                                        36 mm                                                         Same

Rear:                                        Live axle, torque arm, coil springs, tube shocks                        Same

Anti-roll bar:                                                        23 mm                                                         Same

Front Brakes:                                                10.5 inch vented discs                                         Same

Rear brakes:                                                 10.5 inch vented discs                                         Same

Assist:                                                                    Vacuum                                                     Same        

Anti-skid system:                                                    N/A                                                            N/A

Steering:                                                Rack and pinion, power assist                                      Same

TRANSMISSION

Type:                                                        M39 Five-speed manual                                   TH700R4 Automatic

Gear Ratios:  1st.................                                2.95:1                                                             3.06:1

                     2nd...............                                1.94:1                                                              1.63:1

                     3rd................                                1.34:1                                                              1.00:1

                     4th................                                1.00:1                                                               0.70:1

                     5th................                                0.63:1                                                              

Ring-and-pinion ratio:                                          3.08:1                                                              3.27:1

TIRES AND WHEELS

Wheel type and size (in.):                        Cast alloy, 16 x 8.0  inches                                            Same

Tire type and brand:                                Goodyear Eagle ZR50                                                  Same

Size:                                                                245/50ZR16                                                        Same

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase:                                                        101.0 inches                                                        Same

Length:                                                                191.6                                                                 Same

Width:                                                                  72.4                                                                   Same       

Height:                                                                 50.0                                                                    Same

Curb Weight:                                                    3298 lbs.                                                             3519 lbs.

PERFORMANCE

Acceleration (sec.)

    1/4 mile:                                                        15.64 @ 92.8 mph                                     15.13 @ 94.3 mph

    0-30 mph:                                                        2.61 seconds                                                2.43 seconds

    0-60 mph:                                                        6.72 seconds                                                6.44 seconds

Braking (ft.)