My next vehicle project

[Shadow-D]

This is my 1986 Pontiac Trans Am I plan to restore to 1987 GTA.
I plan to repaint her to the darker GTA red.
I am going to use an old motor from a friend of mine whale I build the motor I want. I'm going to keep it automatic for now but I'd like to stuff a Corvette 6 speed under it when I'm done.

These are the only pics I have of her for now, I'll try to get some in the next few weeks.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u25/Shadow-D/TA/Misc022.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u25/Shadow-D/TA/Misc021.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u25/Shadow-D/TA/Misc020.jpg

[Shadow-D]

I need to find a driver side door (rotting on the bottom), nose (cracked in the middle bottom) and maybe a passenger side fender (dent at marker light).

[2001GAGT]

Looks like a good starting point. What do you have planed for a motor?

[Deggy Fresh]

Ls1 Ftw!!!!

[Deggy Fresh]

i love Trans Ams/Firebirds...

my dad used to own an 88 Formula...i miss that car...he sold it right before i got my L's to drive....only drove it once with my temps.

['96GAGT]

You neglected to mention it needed a hood, where the hell is it anyway?

[car audio dave]

looks like a nice project.

so you want a T56? id say build an LS1 or LS2 for it.

[Nighthawk243]

looks like a nice project.

so you want a T56? id say build an LS1 or LS2 for it.

If he has about 13 grand, LS7 ;).

[matts]

If he has about 13 grand, LS7 ;).



awesome motor, but for that price it's really more of bragging rights.

a LS1/2 can be built for a good amount of PSI tolerance and create just as much (probably more) power, in a smaller package, at a fraction of the cost.

if you were going to use the LS7 as a starting point again, grab a LSX block and it'll handle virtually ANYTHING you wanna throw at it.



don't get me wrong, if they start handing LS7s out you bet your chickens i'd be standing in line for one. again, AWESOME motor, but there are better cost efficient choices out there :)

[Shadow-D]

The motor my friend is selling me is out of an old police car, he says it's still strong. I want to build a 500 HP small block naturally aspirated going in to the Corvette 6 speed. I already have the stock possi in the rear (not sure what gears are in it yet but I'd like to put a set of 390's in it).
I have the hood but it's not here now, I have to go get it. I was thinking about getting a Corvette suspension for her but I'm not sure yet. I'm gonna get her road worthy with my friends motor just to see what else I will need to do.
I did think about that 572 crate motor briefly but decided the cost would be too much.

[Rayz]

I wish you a lot of luck and fun doing it. I enjoyed my spider started as a junkyard dog
Before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/RAYZ97/DCP_0304.jpg
After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/RAYZ97/DCP_1466.jpg

[Shadow-D]

That took a lot of work Ray, Looks good. :thumbup:

[car audio dave]

The motor my friend is selling me is out of an old police car, he says it's still strong. I want to build a 500 HP small block naturally aspirated going in to the Corvette 6 speed. I already have the stock possi in the rear (not sure what gears are in it yet but I'd like to put a set of 390's in it).
I have the hood but it's not here now, I have to go get it. I was thinking about getting a Corvette suspension for her but I'm not sure yet. I'm gonna get her road worthy with my friends motor just to see what else I will need to do.
I did think about that 572 crate motor briefly but decided the cost would be too much.

is it an LT1? if so then youll need to stroke it to 383 and even still, 500hp is gonna be tough. if its an LS1 itll be much easier to get to 500 hp n/a, but itll cost you. theres more parts available for the LS1 than just about any motor (except the modular ford motors, damn ford :P )

[Shadow-D]

I know it's gonna be togh to get 500 n/a but I'm gonna try. I'm not sure of the numbers on the motor yet hell I haven't even seen it yet just going by what he said. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow to see if he can get me the numbers.

[92CamaroRS]

500 NA hp out of a SBC is not hard at all. buddy of mine built a 383 that dyno'd 584rwhp and almost 800 lbs. ft. of torque. cost all of $3300 from carb to oil pan(most of the money was the $1800 heads.)

[Shadow-D]

That reminds me of what I did on my race car engine, I built a street stock motor that I used 305 heads that had the smaller cc to get some more compression out of it. maybe I could try that as well.

[matts]

is it an LT1? if so then youll need to stroke it to 383 and even still, 500hp is gonna be tough. if its an LS1 itll be much easier to get to 500 hp n/a, but itll cost you. theres more parts available for the LS1 than just about any motor (except the modular ford motors, damn ford :P )

LS1 has quite the parts list. i think it might have maybe passed the SBC.

either way, the SBC, LS1, and modular furds all 3 are close ranking


if it is an LT motor look into a LT4 kit...if you're wanting to stay with fuel injection. that'll get you into the lower 400s pretty easily

[TA^Guy]

The motor my friend is selling me is out of an old police car, he says it's still strong. I want to build a 500 HP small block naturally aspirated going in to the Corvette 6 speed. I already have the stock possi in the rear (not sure what gears are in it yet but I'd like to put a set of 390's in it).
I have the hood but it's not here now, I have to go get it. I was thinking about getting a Corvette suspension for her but I'm not sure yet. I'm gonna get her road worthy with my friends motor just to see what else I will need to do.
I did think about that 572 crate motor briefly but decided the cost would be too much.
Darrin let me tell you that you are in good hands buddy.

Go ahead and take a look at the screen name... Oh yeah thats right. Not only am I your man for TA information, but 3rd gens are some of my favorites.


Find out what motor you are getting. If its from a Police cruiser it could be a LT1. However I purchased and resold a very stronge 305 from a police cruiser before. Wish I kept that motor as rebuilt by Jaspers race engines.

Either way if it's a LT1 as stated I'd drop it off to the machine shop on Broadway (forgot the name right now) have it bored and stroked to a 383, LT4 intake and heads, headers, and run it into a T56 gear box. Forget the Corvette suspension. If it doesn't have reardics we an go find the discs from a TA or Camaro to swap on and then build up from there. For handling first places to start shocks, struts, and springs. Then and adjustable pan rod bar and trailing arms. ANd of course all new poly bushings.

[Shadow-D]

Thanks John, I kinda thought about your name in the past but never put it together :lol:
I know it does have rear disks, one of the first things I saw when I got it a couple of years ago.
Currently the car is at my cousin's race shop for a couple of weeks so I can get the roof done. He wanted the block (sb400), tranny and headers out of it that was part of the deal for me getting it.
If this motor I'm getting is a LT1 then I might just keep that as the power plant and do the mods to that.
First things first, I want to get the GT where I want it this winter. As time and money permits and when I'm happy with the GT I'll work on the GTA.

[Shadow-D]

Ok well the motor I'm getting from my friend isn't much just your every day run of the mill Chevy 350 from 87 - 94 that came with either a 2 or 4 bolt main. It's NOT an LT1.
Casting # 14093638
If it did come out of a police car then I will assume it's a 4 bolt main but I won't know that till I get it and pull the pan. I just have to come up with the $200 for it.

[kody]

Nice car, should do a KITT or KARR look alike.

[TA^Guy]

Darrin you ready to start digging into that TA this spring? Some GA door handles, shaved side markers... Mmmmmmm

[Shadow-D]

GA Handles FTMFW! Markers still not sure yet but I might go for it.

I still have to get those damn race cars out of the garage :( I've been sick for the last week :(

Once they are out I have 2 GA's that need to get in there before I can get anything else in.

one has a coolant leek and a leak at the windshield somewhere and the other one needs to get it's new nose painted and installed along with the hood scoops.

[TA^Guy]

Um don't forget about those 'other' body modifications were were talking about. :)

For the TA I'd suggest some mild mods to clean it up. Like GA door handles, shaved side markers, mold in the heat extractors. Clean it up, quick coat of paint and ready to roll. :)

[Shadow-D]

Oh yea, I think those will have to be put on hold till next winter, that way we have plenty of time to figure out the best plan of action for those. I forgot we talked about the heat extractors, that too should be done. Maybe if we use LEDs in the marker area?

[TA^Guy]

LEDs are a option.

[Shadow-D]

I totally agree! I'm keeping an eye out for that hatch so I can move the brake light.

[Shadow-D]

I'm even thinking about sealing the glass somehow and moving the light down under the spoiler where it belongs

[TA^Guy]

If you move it pick up a LED bar like on my truck... :sunglasses:
14"s and 50 superbright LEDs FTMFW!

However I would put it inside the glass if you could.

Check out ClassicIndustries.com for 3rd Gen parts.

[Shadow-D]

If you move it pick up a LED bar like on my truck... :sunglasses"
14"s and 50 superbright LEDs FTMFW!

However I would put it inside the glass if you could.

Check out ClassicIndustries.com for 3rd Gen parts.
If I get rear ended with that you have got to be STEVIE FU*KIN WONDER! :lol:

[Gagt518]

Nice project car Darrin

[Shadow-D]

Thanks Tom :thumbup: