1979 Trans Am

Update your progress on your various car projects.

Moderators: MostMint, wxo, Fred32v, Basement Paul, ttamrettus

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Basement Paul
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1979 Trans Am

Post by Basement Paul »

Well, it's officially become a project. The '79 Trans Am which was for sale for awhile is going to get some repairs over the winter. What started as a project for Camaro Bob and I, has turned into a project for 32v and I.

It's a numbers matching 301 auto with t-tops. It has a build sheet, and what appears to be a solid motor (except the cam) and good shifting transmission. The odo shows 11k miles and the title 111xxx. The car drove to where it is, the suspension feels good.

The car has a bad camshaft, and after going around and around with different powerplant ideas, the current plan is to replace the cam with a bigger one, fix the transmission oil leaks, maybe do a little port work while the motor is out, and detail the motor and engine bay before putting the motor back in. Somewhere laying around, we have a looser torque converter also.

Once the car is running strongly, the car will need a complete exhaust which I plan to have done in true duals (with T/A tips) in 2.25" or 2.5" with Flowmaster mufflers. That way, even if it's not that fast, it will sound really good.

There's a possibility I'll be able to coax mostmint out of a 3.23 posi rearend, in a trade for the 2.73 posi unit in the car.

After the mechanicals are done, there's some body work that could use some attention, but we'll cross that bridge when ready.

Here's some shots of it when it was first brought from the barn we got it from.

Image

Image


For some reason, it will only let me load these two pictures, so this is all you get for now.

-BP
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Basement Paul
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Post by Basement Paul »

Image
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ttamrettus
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Post by ttamrettus »

Are you interested in a 455 Oldsmobile?
I'll make u a deal and bring it up at X Mas time.


You gotta keep the SUMMIT sticker. It simply LOOKS FAST.
Matt Sutter
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Basement Paul
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Post by Basement Paul »

How much?

The Summit sticker and the rear window treatment was the first thing to go...

-BP
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ttamrettus
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Post by ttamrettus »

PM me ur phone number I don't have it handy.
Matt Sutter
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Basement Paul
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Post by Basement Paul »

So now it seems there's a very good chance, this thing will have 455 olds power before the thaw. :twisted:

-BP
markss327
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More 12 second cars

Post by markss327 »

Hummmm.
The 12 second class seems to be expanding.
-Mark
2012 Impala LT 3.6 VVTDI
300hp - a bit much for FWD!
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wxo
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Post by wxo »

Now that's what you call EXCITMENT! I love the way this pool of hotrod goodies gets passed around.
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Fred32v
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Pinks!

Post by Fred32v »

Maybe we should be gettin' this thing ready for "PINKS"!!! Any takers?! :lol:
Fred32v
GMC Canyon Crew Cab Short Box 4x4 V6!
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wxo
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Post by wxo »

I might have to start thinking about a road trip to Ohio this summer.
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TireSmoker
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Re: Pinks!

Post by TireSmoker »

Fred32v wrote:Maybe we should be gettin' this thing ready for "PINKS"!!! Any takers?! :lol:
I'm in -- I'd donate time/money for a Pinks car. 455 + 250 shot of nitrous -- we should be able to make that thing run low 11s or 10s!

-Dave
markss327
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Empty Trailer

Post by markss327 »

I'm in for donating some time, and towing. Not so much for any $$$
I'm having trouble mustering up a grand for a 700r4 swap in my Nova.

Tiresmoker, have ya asked BP if this is what he's willing to do with this? Heck, we could play this game, but, I could end up pulling an empty trailer home.... -Just gota look at both sides.
-Mark
2012 Impala LT 3.6 VVTDI
300hp - a bit much for FWD!
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Basement Paul
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Post by Basement Paul »

I'd be happy if it made it down the track somewhere in the 13's without too much expense. If the 12's were near, it would be awesome.

I'd be afraid the NOS would tear this old motor and car, into little pieces (assuming all that torque won't already). As it is, once I know it's a runner, I'm going to get frame ties.

-BP
markss327
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T/A Questions

Post by markss327 »

I'll donate a pair of slapper bars. (from the '78 brown Rally Nova)
I read somewhere, stock/cast pistons can handle 20hp/cylinder of NOS if used respectfully. To me, that means hitting the juice, on the 1-2 shift.

OK, my curiosity is up. Need more info on the T/A.
Gears
Tranny
Structural condition of the underbody
Front suspension- Is she OK at 110mph?
Brakes - can she stop from 110mph?
T tops are really not a plus structurally, but whatch ya gona do....
-Mark
2012 Impala LT 3.6 VVTDI
300hp - a bit much for FWD!
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Basement Paul
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Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:27 pm
Location: In the dirt.

Post by Basement Paul »

Currently the car has an 8.5" 2.73 posi and looks like there will be a trade at some point for a 3.23 from mostmint.

I have slapper bars already that I intend to put on the car.

It will have a turbo 350 from either in the car, or from Matt's collection.

It's only gone as much as 65 so far, but all the front end components seem tight.

Once all is well, I intend to tie the frame too. The underside of the car looks real solid, so that should be good.

I don't think a cage will ever be necessary. Heck, the car doesn't even run yet.

-BP
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