1979 Trans Am

ttamrettus · Post by **ttamrettus** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:56 am

You need to get Studly or someone over there to video it.

Fred32v · Post by **Fred32v** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:10 pm

There are no words that can explain the exuberance and satisfaction that you have
when your project fires up for that very first time. When I looked at BasementPaul
after this beast growled to life, he had this shit-eaten grin on his face and I know
he had that same feel that I had. Been a while since I felt that way. There is still much
to do, but things are looking positive. Can't wait until next weekend.

Custom Valve Covers and engine pictures with new fuel pump.

I'll try to video it running next week and try to figure out how to post it.

Basement Paul · Post by **Basement Paul** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:44 pm

Another session got us installing the hood and after some measuring with different air filter assemblies we had laying around, we bought a 10" air filter assembly that should fit under the non shaking shaker hood scoop. We modified the scoop by cutting out the rear facing part to make it functional for cold air, drilling out the rivits to remove the old mounting plate, and sprayed it flat black inside and out. The goal is to use some two sided tape and affix it to the underside of the hood. It doesn't weigh much so it should work ok. If it fails we'll come up with something else...
I installed a 160 thermostat and found a decent functioning overflow tank at AutoZone and got that mounted to satisfaction.
Then we replace the fuel line from the pump to the carb which was leaking from the last time.
Nothing left to do but take it for a test drive....

32V will be posting a video, or at least forwarding the video to someone to have them post on youtube.

The long and short is that the trans shifts well, the motor runs great, and the car was hazing the tires at what I'm guessing was about 40 mph in first gear (the speedo cable is still broken). We were driving through the neighborhood with open headers and probably a little too fast (considering the brakes haven't been used in a long time, the LF tire isn't the same as the RH tire and is low, and I haven't driven this car with the manual steering yet).

The car will brake torque to about 2000 rpms too.

Things to do:

Get exhaust done
Install drag shocks
Replace rearend / install traction bars / subframe connectors
Replace speedo cable
Misc painting trim pieces

-BP

Fred32v · Post by **Fred32v** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:16 pm

Try this link for a ride along on our Maiden voyage. What a thrill!
http://www.youtube.com/v/k4X5_rTtdZs
Plenty of oil pressure, gauge readings come and go,
grounding problem or something?.

wxo · Post by **wxo** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:20 am

Whew! Good camera work, Fred. Sure did enjoy the video. Just like ridin' with ya. Hey, what's with the helmets? Just keeping your ears warm? Also, there's some conflicts between the text which states "plenty of oil pressure" and the "uh Oh, no oil pressure in the video". What gives?

Post by **TireSmoker** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:38 am

I got a good laugh from the helmets too.

Congrats on the test drive.

markss327 · Post by **markss327** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:52 am

The helmets were a nice touch.

"... like a dump truck.. loaded..." I love it. !!!!

Personally, I prefer mechanical gages. But I understand, ya use wutch ya got.

Sounds nice. Tie up the few loose ends, and she'll be 1320 ready.
Any predictions on ETs????

Fred32v · Post by **Fred32v** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:46 am

I think it will be able to travel the whole quarter of a mile.
OK, anywhere in the 13's would be a great beginning.

Basement Paul · Post by **Basement Paul** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:19 pm

I really believe if something depended on it, it would go down the track like it is. The best thing is that there's really nothing to break in on this car, so there's no reason to not be able to drive it hard right away. I would expect the way it sits in the garage right now, the car would run about a 13.6 or so, but with a big top end, maybe around 104 with the 2.73 gear. "Time" will tell though. I've only driven the car for less than a mile, and floored it twice...

Needless to say, I'm excited to get it to where I can really drive it and so far the weather has kind of sucked, so that's good to keep me working on it.

-BP

markss327 · Post by **markss327** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:27 am

I agree, the top end will be huge.
Sheeesh, 2.73s.... I think you'll be closer to 110, and still in second. 13.6 sounds valid.

Trailer service is available for the maiden voyage to Thompson.

Fred32v · Post by **Fred32v** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:54 am

I'm not so sure. The '78 Olds 88 had 3.23 gear with a fresh motor and on its' best day ran 13.97 @100.22mph.
The 60 foot times were 1.9's. With a 2.73 gear the 60's are going to be in the low 2's, I'd guess it will finish in
second gear but only slightly over 100, if it gets there, and the et will be closer to 13.9 than 13.6 and closer to
100 than 106. Anyone want to make a serious wager, taking the best run of the first day, like for a hot dog?

ttamrettus · Post by **ttamrettus** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:40 pm

Did you ever weigh the 1978 88? What was it?

Fred32v · Post by **Fred32v** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:10 pm

Yes, my 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale weighted in at 3940 pounds with a quarter tank of gas.
What would you say that 1979 T-Top Firebird weights with the big engine in it?

Post by **TireSmoker** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:12 pm

PASS TIME comes to Tiresmoke! Name the time, win the hotdog!

I'll take that hotdog wager. Closest guess wins? (either over or under)

Headers open? What tires will be run?

-Dave

Post by **TireSmoker** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:18 pm

Fred32v wrote:Yes, my 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale weighted in at 3940 pounds with a quarter tank of gas.
What would you say that 1979 T-Top Firebird weights with the big engine in it?

At least 3500lbs w/o driver.

-Dave

TireSmoke.org

1979 Trans Am

Unexplainable satisfaction

First Drive!

Maiden Voyage Fun!

TA

T/A 455 Rocks

HMMM!

Weighty Situation

Re: Weighty Situation