**Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
I've followed your build from page 1. You've done an outstanding job of documenting and showing pics..fantastic. I admire your work and dedication as this is not something everyone can do. You said you turned over the engine recently and I see your battery is relocated to the spare tire well. Are you using the same ground that was identified in one of your pics? I believe you mentioned it was a convenient spot with a facotry wing nut. I could not find a reliable ground and I had to eventually route the ground wire to the block. Curious if ended up moving your ground cable. I'd prefer to not to have another wire in the engine compartment and the extra weight of the 15' zero gauge cable. Very nice work. I'd love to see it in person some time. I'm probably 30 mins from you.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
looking good, it's amazing how good the hot side looks all wrapped up, what exactly did you use to color the wrap black?
I know a while ago we were talking about the Turbonetics TC76 vs T76 turbos, I found a great thread comparing the two:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-ind...6-vs-tc76.html
I know a while ago we were talking about the Turbonetics TC76 vs T76 turbos, I found a great thread comparing the two:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-ind...6-vs-tc76.html
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
I've followed your build from page 1. You've done an outstanding job of documenting and showing pics..fantastic. I admire your work and dedication as this is not something everyone can do. You said you turned over the engine recently and I see your battery is relocated to the spare tire well. Are you using the same ground that was identified in one of your pics? I believe you mentioned it was a convenient spot with a facotry wing nut. I could not find a reliable ground and I had to eventually route the ground wire to the block. Curious if ended up moving your ground cable. I'd prefer to not to have another wire in the engine compartment and the extra weight of the 15' zero gauge cable. Very nice work. I'd love to see it in person some time. I'm probably 30 mins from you.
looking good, it's amazing how good the hot side looks all wrapped up, what exactly did you use to color the wrap black?
I know a while ago we were talking about the Turbonetics TC76 vs T76 turbos, I found a great thread comparing the two:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-ind...6-vs-tc76.html
I know a while ago we were talking about the Turbonetics TC76 vs T76 turbos, I found a great thread comparing the two:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-ind...6-vs-tc76.html
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
You have probably posted this else where on this thread but I couldn't find it, anyway what BOV and/or wastegate are you going to be running? I have been doin some research and found that a few issues that a few are having with timing between it and the turbo.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
I'll be going with Tial for both. Tial makes excellent parts at the moment, and thier BOV is by far probably the best on the market. As for the wastegate, I'm not sure if I'll be getting a 38mm or 44mm, but either will control the boost just fine. If you're only running say 5-6 PSI, you def want a 44mm gate, especially if you have a decently sized turbo. Since I'm running 12-14 PSI theres no need for a gate that large though.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
The ground cable I did not change. It is in the same spot that had the wing nut in my previous pics and it worked out great. It was a mounting spot for the spare tire/jack assembly if I remember correctly. I do have a thick braided engine ground cable as well though going from the block to the chassis but it is out of site. I would ditch that long heavy ground cable you have and ground the battery to the chassis by where your battery is. You don't need to go all the way to the block as any spot on the chassis should be a sufficient ground. Just be sure to ground the block to the frame with a seperate cable. And feel free to check it out! I never mind company, and as I said, I'd love to check yours out as well! Thanks for the compliment too.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
do you have any new pictures? this thread is addictive!!!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
It's not much but at least it's something I guess...
Decided to make my own wonder bar. Used 1/4" flat stock for the mounts and I will be using square stock for the main bar itself. The wonder bar will also act as the brace for the turbo, since I plan on "T-ing" a piece of square stock to the top of the wonder bar and then making a bracket setup so that the crossover pipe bolts to it. That way it is very strong, and I don't have to drill any new holes into the frame for a turbo brace. Already measured and the sway bar will fit perfectly. Heres a few quick pics of mockup.
Heres the wonder bar mounts after I drilled the holes and got them in place.
Heres how it will look. Just have to bolt up the mounts nice and tight and then cut the bar stock to length and weld her up. Then I'll make up the turbo mount section. All this for $26 in materials. Not too bad considering a new wonderbar is $70-$130.
Decided to make my own wonder bar. Used 1/4" flat stock for the mounts and I will be using square stock for the main bar itself. The wonder bar will also act as the brace for the turbo, since I plan on "T-ing" a piece of square stock to the top of the wonder bar and then making a bracket setup so that the crossover pipe bolts to it. That way it is very strong, and I don't have to drill any new holes into the frame for a turbo brace. Already measured and the sway bar will fit perfectly. Heres a few quick pics of mockup.
Heres the wonder bar mounts after I drilled the holes and got them in place.
Heres how it will look. Just have to bolt up the mounts nice and tight and then cut the bar stock to length and weld her up. Then I'll make up the turbo mount section. All this for $26 in materials. Not too bad considering a new wonderbar is $70-$130.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
hey man great looking car, here is some food for the mind. have you thought much about the heat that turbo is gonna generate, and what it will do to that plastic radiator? If it were me i would go all aluminum. I must say you got her lookin good man
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Thanks for the compliments! And I did consider heat in every aspect of the build. Some things are closer than I would have liked, but the pics also make them look much worse. I'd say there is a good 3 inches from the turbo hotside to the radiator end tank. The exhaust side of the turbo will be wrapped in a heat blanket which dramatically reduces heat off the turbo, and all the piping will be wrapped. I don't really think heat is going to be an issue anywhere, but the only way to find out for sure is to fire it up and run it. If something melts, I'll change it haha.
#862
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
I'm sure there's hundreds if not thousands of fwd cars running around with super hot turbos and plumbing much closer to other things and not at all heat shielded. As long as nothing is within an inch or so of the hot stuff it should be alright. Esp the turbo itself, those things can literally get hot enough to glow red, **** is scary...can you imagine popping the hood to check the oil in a car like that, lol....
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
looking great man.. you've done a lot since ive been away at basic.. i come home in 10 days.. but got stationed in korea so idk what im ganna do with my ta now
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
wow just found this thread! 2+ years and 18 pages, impressive!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Thank you! And yes, 2+ years and I still havn't driven it. Hopefully soon though.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Got a ton of work done today.....but no pics unfortunately since I left my camera in a freinds car. But the wonderbar is done and it came out excellent. I also fabbed up a brace off the wonderbar to support the turbo, and got the drain line all buttoned up for the turbo as well. I'll be ordering my Tial wastegate tomorrow so I'll hopefully have it for the weekend and then the entire mid pipe will get wrapped, painted, and be installed permanantly. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like on there all black with the wrap! Anyways, pics coming in the next day or so.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Got a ton of work done today.....but no pics unfortunately since I left my camera in a freinds car. But the wonderbar is done and it came out excellent. I also fabbed up a brace off the wonderbar to support the turbo, and got the drain line all buttoned up for the turbo as well. I'll be ordering my Tial wastegate tomorrow so I'll hopefully have it for the weekend and then the entire mid pipe will get wrapped, painted, and be installed permanantly. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like on there all black with the wrap! Anyways, pics coming in the next day or so.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Finally some pics!
Heres the home made wonderbar in place. Amazing how much better welds come out on clean metal haha.
Heres a closeup of how I made the brace for the turbo. There will be 2 bolts on the bracket there to secure the turbo mid pipe to the wonderbar.
Heres the -4 oil feed line for the turbo in place.
Here you can see how it's run. I just followed the throttle cable with it and it looks nice and neat and barely noticeable.
Heres the home made wonderbar in place. Amazing how much better welds come out on clean metal haha.
Heres a closeup of how I made the brace for the turbo. There will be 2 bolts on the bracket there to secure the turbo mid pipe to the wonderbar.
Heres the -4 oil feed line for the turbo in place.
Here you can see how it's run. I just followed the throttle cable with it and it looks nice and neat and barely noticeable.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Heres the -10 oil drain line out of the bottom of the turbo. Tight fit but it worked out good!
And heres how the return line is routed back to the pan. Has a nice droop to it so there shouldn't be any oil drain issues.
And heres how the return line is routed back to the pan. Has a nice droop to it so there shouldn't be any oil drain issues.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Mail man came with gifts today!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Nice!!! Now fire this beast already!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Aww...you needed a BMR black hammertone wonderbar to match everything else.
Are you going to attempt using the stock fuel rail for this thing?
Are you going to attempt using the stock fuel rail for this thing?
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Well, got the mid pipe all done and buttoned up today. Wastegate is on but not connected to the downpipe yet but thats really all thats left on the hotside. Just need a harness! I'm getting pretty excited and nervous at the same time. Just hope all the welds and heatwrap hold up and we'll be all set. Anyways, heres a few pics of today's progress...
The stock LS6 fuel rails have been known to support 1000 HP with a good fuel system and injectors so I'm giving them a shot. Pretty sure I'll be ok, but if for some reason I need better ones it's not too big of a deal.
The stock LS6 fuel rails have been known to support 1000 HP with a good fuel system and injectors so I'm giving them a shot. Pretty sure I'll be ok, but if for some reason I need better ones it's not too big of a deal.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
This is great man. I may have missed this but where are your electric fans going to be mounted?
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
BTW, hows your project coming along?
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
wow man i just read all 18 pages and i must say that is gonna be one sick TA. I to am doing my own body work and im attempting to paint it as well. i dont have alot of money to have other peeps work on it and i like workin on my own stuff. gives you a sense of job well done when you get done with it and hey if it dosent come out right for me i can always do it again lol.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Painted the wonderbar and finished up the turbo bracket. Heres a few pics of it all installed.
Thanks man! And yea I have done 95% of the work on this car myself. When I look back at pics from the beggining, and then I see where I'm at now, it definately makes me feel a great sense of accomplishment!
wow man i just read all 18 pages and i must say that is gonna be one sick TA. I to am doing my own body work and im attempting to paint it as well. i dont have alot of money to have other peeps work on it and i like workin on my own stuff. gives you a sense of job well done when you get done with it and hey if it dosent come out right for me i can always do it again lol.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
im gonna be both happy and sad when this is done. im gonna be happy because i can see it finished and running and see what she does but im gonna be sad because this is something i look forward to reading and checking everyday
#881
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Then there will be the vids of me racing it and using it for what I built it for! I want to change the turbo set up to all stainless steel piping at some point down the road so maybe I'll have a "continuation" of the build.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
dont worry you will never be done because now you have all the tools and knowledge I forsee a 6.0 built up in the future for you and your own custom setup
I thought I was done with my car with the 383 LT4 but I was wrong
I thought I was done with my car with the 383 LT4 but I was wrong
#883
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Just spent the morning reading this thread. All is can say is wow! Well, that and thank you for your incredible generosity in putting so much time and effort into educating us all on what you are doing. After reading this, I really feel I know and understand these cars better.
Do they give out a member of the year award around here? You sure are deserving of it. Can't wait to see it all come together!
Do they give out a member of the year award around here? You sure are deserving of it. Can't wait to see it all come together!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Painted the wonderbar and finished up the turbo bracket. Heres a few pics of it all installed.
Thanks man! And yea I have done 95% of the work on this car myself. When I look back at pics from the beggining, and then I see where I'm at now, it definately makes me feel a great sense of accomplishment!
Thanks man! And yea I have done 95% of the work on this car myself. When I look back at pics from the beggining, and then I see where I'm at now, it definately makes me feel a great sense of accomplishment!
Two observations on your latest post above:
- I would recommend capping the ends of the wonderbar you made just to keep water and stuff out of it.
- Will the turbo support bracket attached to the wonderbar work if the engine moves (twists) while driving as the bracket had no movement in it?
Keep up the good work!!!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Just spent the morning reading this thread. All is can say is wow! Well, that and thank you for your incredible generosity in putting so much time and effort into educating us all on what you are doing. After reading this, I really feel I know and understand these cars better.
Do they give out a member of the year award around here? You sure are deserving of it. Can't wait to see it all come together!
Do they give out a member of the year award around here? You sure are deserving of it. Can't wait to see it all come together!
Sweet project and thanks for all the photos and details around your project!
Two observations on your latest post above:
- I would recommend capping the ends of the wonderbar you made just to keep water and stuff out of it.
- Will the turbo support bracket attached to the wonderbar work if the engine moves (twists) while driving as the bracket had no movement in it?
Keep up the good work!!!
Two observations on your latest post above:
- I would recommend capping the ends of the wonderbar you made just to keep water and stuff out of it.
- Will the turbo support bracket attached to the wonderbar work if the engine moves (twists) while driving as the bracket had no movement in it?
Keep up the good work!!!
And as far as the engine flexing while the mid pipe is bolted to the wonderbar, if you look back through my pics, I put flex pipe sections off of each manifold so that the engine can twist while the merge pipe stays in one spot. I also have poly motor mounts so flexing shouldn't be bad anyways.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Any more updates? I need my fix, man!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
If you don't put any pics up soon, I'm going to have to stop by your place and see the car for myself, ha! I'm still checking back for updates. I just got my t-top and door weatherstripping, and going to install it tonight. talk to you soon brutha.
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
just found this thread and man this thing is insane!!!! great work and detail in the car and you pics!!!! just plain awesome!!!
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
very cool project! here's my 2 cents: when your all done, get some black BBQ paint for the hot side of the turbo....much nicer than surface rust! gotta hear it run when your done! Pat
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Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
And on another note, it's not much but heres an update... Got the downpipe finished up but just have to wrap and spray it. Will be doing that in the morning, as well as picking up a T4 turbo gasket I ordered at a local grand national shop. Turbo will officially be bolted on tomorrow and downpipe will be done. Thats going to be it for the hotside!!
Heres a few pics...
Heres where the wastegate recirculates into the downpipe. That little section of pipe was a PITA to cut since it was so tiny haha.
And I was bored so I re-polished the turbo compressor since it was getting dull from all the handling lately. Also flipped my upper coolant hose around the other way and now it's not touching the turbo compressor! So funny that I never thought of that before and it just hit me tonight while in the garage.
Got a funny story for you guys too. A very good freind of mine that owns a 93 mustang LX 5.0 recently had the itch to build a motor for his car, since the stock 302 isn't cutting it. He's always over my house checking out my build and has owned 2 newer chevy trucks as his daily drivers. He recently sent me a random text that read "so what are your thoughts on a cammed 6.0 LSx in the mustang?" I told him that that would be AWESOME. So he went ahead and did a little research and ordered the conversion LSx tubular K-member, T56 crossmember, and motor mounts LOL. I can't wait to see an LSx powered fox body mustang in person! And he lives 2 minutes down the street from me. Once it starts coming together I'll throw a pic or 2 up. Always love seeing a mustang "built ford tough with chevy stuff!"
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Car: 2012 F350 lariot/1991 Camaro RS
Engine: Powerstroke/6.0
Transmission: 6R100/4L80e
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.42
Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
the 6.0 is finding its way into alot of vehicles because its very available and a badass motor
Welds are definatly looking better cant wait to get home and start into mine got the LQ4 and 4L80 sitting there just waiting
Welds are definatly looking better cant wait to get home and start into mine got the LQ4 and 4L80 sitting there just waiting
#894
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Car: 1988 pontiac trans am
Engine: None
Transmission: None
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
I dont know if you mentioned it or not but what heads and cam are you using?
#895
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Car: 1988 Iroc
Engine: 5.7L
Transmission: '96 T56, Hurst Shifter, Mech VSS
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
#896
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Car: 1988 pontiac trans am
Engine: None
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Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
awesome trying to figure out everything for my ls1 build up
#898
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Car: '88 Trans Am GTA; '84 Trans Am
Engine: L98 350TPI; 5.3 LSx built
Transmission: N/A; T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt; 3.73 10 bolt
Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Been a while since I've posted here, but I've been keeping up in the background. Awesome work once again. I did notice one thing though. In my case, I had to bolt the wonderbar (its a factory one) sandwiched between the sway brackets and the frame. You'll be unbolting that nice piece of work to put the sway bar on.
On my build up, I decided to abandon the bodywork for the time being. Just get the car running, driving and sorted before doing bodywork. Even though I might have to disassemble most of the car again to have it done. Rear end is reinstalled, rear LCAs and rear springs as well. Have a set of PBR rotors on the rear. Driveshaft is in, and the T56 is in. Now for the motor and to finish the chassis work. I know a guy who builds second gen TAs. He restores the chassis and driveline, but leaves the bodies unrestored (for the time being) I'll probably do the same thing. Til I get a welder at least.
On my build up, I decided to abandon the bodywork for the time being. Just get the car running, driving and sorted before doing bodywork. Even though I might have to disassemble most of the car again to have it done. Rear end is reinstalled, rear LCAs and rear springs as well. Have a set of PBR rotors on the rear. Driveshaft is in, and the T56 is in. Now for the motor and to finish the chassis work. I know a guy who builds second gen TAs. He restores the chassis and driveline, but leaves the bodies unrestored (for the time being) I'll probably do the same thing. Til I get a welder at least.
#899
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Car: 1986 Trans am
Engine: 5.3 LM7
Transmission: T56 6 speed
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 w/ 3.55's
Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Been a while since I've posted here, but I've been keeping up in the background. Awesome work once again. I did notice one thing though. In my case, I had to bolt the wonderbar (its a factory one) sandwiched between the sway brackets and the frame. You'll be unbolting that nice piece of work to put the sway bar on.
On my build up, I decided to abandon the bodywork for the time being. Just get the car running, driving and sorted before doing bodywork. Even though I might have to disassemble most of the car again to have it done. Rear end is reinstalled, rear LCAs and rear springs as well. Have a set of PBR rotors on the rear. Driveshaft is in, and the T56 is in. Now for the motor and to finish the chassis work. I know a guy who builds second gen TAs. He restores the chassis and driveline, but leaves the bodies unrestored (for the time being) I'll probably do the same thing. Til I get a welder at least.
On my build up, I decided to abandon the bodywork for the time being. Just get the car running, driving and sorted before doing bodywork. Even though I might have to disassemble most of the car again to have it done. Rear end is reinstalled, rear LCAs and rear springs as well. Have a set of PBR rotors on the rear. Driveshaft is in, and the T56 is in. Now for the motor and to finish the chassis work. I know a guy who builds second gen TAs. He restores the chassis and driveline, but leaves the bodies unrestored (for the time being) I'll probably do the same thing. Til I get a welder at least.
#900
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Car: '88 Trans Am GTA; '84 Trans Am
Engine: L98 350TPI; 5.3 LSx built
Transmission: N/A; T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt; 3.73 10 bolt
Re: **Project PITA** 86 TA frame up restoration
Actually, maybe I'll keep it with the flaking paint, rust and everything. People's reaction, "what a piece of #($*!!" Then either ride in it or see it run, and think "Ok I take that back" lol.
No, I'll finish it eventually. It needs floors and rocker panel repair pretty bad, my battery tray is rotting out to the point where I'll probably have to replace it before I drive it. Now, will you fire this beast already? LOL
No, I'll finish it eventually. It needs floors and rocker panel repair pretty bad, my battery tray is rotting out to the point where I'll probably have to replace it before I drive it. Now, will you fire this beast already? LOL