My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Just bought this yesterday. 83,000 miles. Previous owner painted the hood and read deck with what looks like white rustoleum. Project number one is to deal with that and a general cleaning. It's filthy.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 01-23-2016 at 10:29 PM.
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
A convertible stick! Cool car. Good luck with the project.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Yes manual was a stipulation when I was looking.
Tentative plans are to restore to as close to new as reasonable.
Fabricate a hardtop. Yes, I'll actually do it.
Turbo.
In no particular order. This will be a many year project.
Tentative plans are to restore to as close to new as reasonable.
Fabricate a hardtop. Yes, I'll actually do it.
Turbo.
In no particular order. This will be a many year project.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Cleaned up a bit today.
Fog light switch bezel pulled and cleaned. Checked switch to repair, must get a new one.
Wiped dash, gauges, lower dash panel. So damn dirty.
Installed previous owners trash shift plate and pleather boot. Ripped off destroyed shift **** leather wrap. Pulled stereo faceplate cleaned up box ac controls and stereo.
Wiped steering wheel down too.
Interior is now a 1/10 instead of 0.5/10.
Also cleaned and installed e brake handle.
All center console and stereo box must be replaced. Fog light bezel sags. Need to replace. Ac control can stay.
Fog light switch bezel pulled and cleaned. Checked switch to repair, must get a new one.
Wiped dash, gauges, lower dash panel. So damn dirty.
Installed previous owners trash shift plate and pleather boot. Ripped off destroyed shift **** leather wrap. Pulled stereo faceplate cleaned up box ac controls and stereo.
Wiped steering wheel down too.
Interior is now a 1/10 instead of 0.5/10.
Also cleaned and installed e brake handle.
All center console and stereo box must be replaced. Fog light bezel sags. Need to replace. Ac control can stay.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Bought some OEM parts recently:
Rear view mirror.
Headlight switch panel.
Fog light switch
Center console lid. In decent shape. (Temporary until I get a new reman.)
My brother also donated some front cloth seats to ride me over until I can get the OEMs reupholstered.
I also found my stereo bezel from my OG 92 firebird from high school and an OEM near mint condition leather shift **** in my parts bins as well.
Going to wait to fix the paint issue until summer when I have more time.
Installed rear sway bar endlinks so no more bolts jingling under the car.
Found two and hopefully all exhaust leaks that I'll weld up when I get free time.
Rear view mirror.
Headlight switch panel.
Fog light switch
Center console lid. In decent shape. (Temporary until I get a new reman.)
My brother also donated some front cloth seats to ride me over until I can get the OEMs reupholstered.
I also found my stereo bezel from my OG 92 firebird from high school and an OEM near mint condition leather shift **** in my parts bins as well.
Going to wait to fix the paint issue until summer when I have more time.
Installed rear sway bar endlinks so no more bolts jingling under the car.
Found two and hopefully all exhaust leaks that I'll weld up when I get free time.
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Car: 91 Trans Am convertible
Engine: LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: G80/GU2
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
IIRC the fog light panel is convertible specific, as the coupe's T Tops had extra switches for heated window hatch release etc, and a lot of them got drilled for alarm led's or ugly aftermarket switches. Is it actually warped? or just fitting badly? I mention this because mine has 3 small holes drilled for alarm led's and when i see yours with no holes it makes me cringe to think its heading for the bin!
Nice find btw with the manual trans and all, I wish you good luck with restoring her back to original.
Nice find btw with the manual trans and all, I wish you good luck with restoring her back to original.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Do you already have a set of original seats to be re-done?
Project is coming along nicely! I will recommend spending a little money and replacing the interior lighting with LED. It makes a huge difference in how usable the interior is at night. I just bought them off e-bay, 5 smd 194s for the mirror, and 44mm rigid loop festoons (I went with 12 smd ones) for the rear panels.
Project is coming along nicely! I will recommend spending a little money and replacing the interior lighting with LED. It makes a huge difference in how usable the interior is at night. I just bought them off e-bay, 5 smd 194s for the mirror, and 44mm rigid loop festoons (I went with 12 smd ones) for the rear panels.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
IIRC the fog light panel is convertible specific, as the coupe's T Tops had extra switches for heated window hatch release etc, and a lot of them got drilled for alarm led's or ugly aftermarket switches. Is it actually warped? or just fitting badly? I mention this because mine has 3 small holes drilled for alarm led's and when i see yours with no holes it makes me cringe to think its heading for the bin!
Nice find btw with the manual trans and all, I wish you good luck with restoring her back to original.
Nice find btw with the manual trans and all, I wish you good luck with restoring her back to original.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
The guy I bought from gave me the original seats. They need new padding and leather but they are the OEM.
That panel will never see the trash. I am hardcore for keeping as much original as possible. I am going to use a heat gun and some clamps to straighten it out.
That panel will never see the trash. I am hardcore for keeping as much original as possible. I am going to use a heat gun and some clamps to straighten it out.
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Car: 91 Trans Am convertible
Engine: LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: G80/GU2
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
AmorgetRS, thanks for the tip off, i can look further afield now for a replacement panel for mine.
Vanilla Ice, I hope you can save that one.
Vanilla Ice, I hope you can save that one.
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Wow, nice project.
Needs some work but nothing to bad the way it looks.
Interesting that it has a 82-84 dashpad in it.
To me I think the 4thgen seats used a lesser quality leather/pleather seat cover than the 3rds did.
Needs some work but nothing to bad the way it looks.
Interesting that it has a 82-84 dashpad in it.
To me I think the 4thgen seats used a lesser quality leather/pleather seat cover than the 3rds did.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
And fourth gen seats are much lower quality in every way.
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Well, it looks like you have a great start!
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Fixed the HVAC unit. Now I have more than just defrost!
Used my wife's hairdryer and unwarped the fog light panel. There is still a sag to it that's difficult to get rid of without a proper jig. Looks 90% better though.
Need to figure out why my stereo box is crooked as well. Looks intact inside and mounted properly. All components fit correctly. So why does it sit at an angle?
Installed leather shift ****, rear view mirror (which has fallen off twice), fog light switch and checked them.
Also refurbished the headlight switch I just received. The plastic grid trim was too long and kept pulling away so I trimmed it and glued it. Now it sits perfect and is ready for install.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Also refurbished the used console lid I got. Reinforced the screw holes, rebuilt one altogether and reinforced the cracks inside and the upper side of the plastic bottom all with JBweld. Also added some to the spring arm.
As you can see it's still needing work. I'll get at that warped plastic with the blow dryer too. Can't stand it. Even though this is a temporary piece until I get a new one it drives me nuts. I guess thats what happens when you compare it to your near perfect car from 15+ years ago.
As you can see it's still needing work. I'll get at that warped plastic with the blow dryer too. Can't stand it. Even though this is a temporary piece until I get a new one it drives me nuts. I guess thats what happens when you compare it to your near perfect car from 15+ years ago.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Also how solid are the floors? The convertible tops are notorious for leaking. Good looking car.
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Hard top convertible. I don't want a hardtop.
The floors are good to go. Its Arizona. Not the biggest rain and rust state.
The floors are good to go. Its Arizona. Not the biggest rain and rust state.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
The car isn't rust free but it's not a lot either. Battery tray is kinda ugly, that's my only concern for now.
Also, found a Gm parts site that listed some interior parts in stock.
Until they tell me they weren't in stock I scored a new driver side kick panel and fuse cover, a passenger side cover where the performance suspension badge is. New map pocket, new console light lens cover.
And for the exterior a driver side front ground effect.
Also just received my new strut mount.
Also, found a Gm parts site that listed some interior parts in stock.
Until they tell me they weren't in stock I scored a new driver side kick panel and fuse cover, a passenger side cover where the performance suspension badge is. New map pocket, new console light lens cover.
And for the exterior a driver side front ground effect.
Also just received my new strut mount.
#26
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
The car isn't rust free but it's not a lot either. Battery tray is kinda ugly, that's my only concern for now.
Also, found a Gm parts site that listed some interior parts in stock.
Until they tell me they weren't in stock I scored a new driver side kick panel and fuse cover, a passenger side cover where the performance suspension badge is. New map pocket, new console light lens cover.
And for the exterior a driver side front ground effect.
Also just received my new strut mount.
Also, found a Gm parts site that listed some interior parts in stock.
Until they tell me they weren't in stock I scored a new driver side kick panel and fuse cover, a passenger side cover where the performance suspension badge is. New map pocket, new console light lens cover.
And for the exterior a driver side front ground effect.
Also just received my new strut mount.
#28
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restore Project
Only a few more things until I can live with the interior and concentrate on exterior.
...and then come back and finish the interior.
...and then come back and finish the interior.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 01-18-2016 at 02:49 PM.
#29
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Putting a little of my tax return toward the car.
Got a tuning setup. Hdr1/GP1 and prom burner.
Having trouble deciding on what else.
Thinking floor mats, dashmat, 2Bar MAP, wideband, SFCs, and refurb stereo.
But limited to $500. Leaning toward the MAP, wideband, dashmat and floormats. Just so the car is fully tunable and the dash and carpet look nicer.
Got a tuning setup. Hdr1/GP1 and prom burner.
Having trouble deciding on what else.
Thinking floor mats, dashmat, 2Bar MAP, wideband, SFCs, and refurb stereo.
But limited to $500. Leaning toward the MAP, wideband, dashmat and floormats. Just so the car is fully tunable and the dash and carpet look nicer.
#31
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...turbo-bin.html
I did say early on in this thread it will be turbo.
What I don't get is why you'd question my purchase of a wideband. Maybe you've assumed I'm inept due to the map sensor, I don't know.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
I definitely understand you questioning the 2Bar MAP sensor. Seems quite stupid if you haven't seen my thread but this should explain:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...turbo-bin.html
I did say early on in this thread it will be turbo.
What I don't get is why you'd question my purchase of a wideband. Maybe you've assumed I'm inept due to the map sensor, I don't know.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...turbo-bin.html
I did say early on in this thread it will be turbo.
What I don't get is why you'd question my purchase of a wideband. Maybe you've assumed I'm inept due to the map sensor, I don't know.
#33
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
To tune the car properly.
A tune and ability to tune is the single best modification to any car ever. It makes the car drive better, get better MPG, and increase power. A wideband is an absolute necessity to complete a tune and is where half or more of the power increase comes from. Proper fueling. No car is optimum from the factory.
SFCs will improve the car no doubt. But a tune is always first. Again, 2bar isn't needed for the car as it is.
The thread I linked is documenting the custom code I'm writing. If you didn't read the thread you can look at the last 3-4 posts by me in it to get up to speed. The 2 bar MAP is for the code I have written to run boost on AXXD ($8D). Without it I cannot implement the code or finalize it.
SFCs will improve the car no doubt. But a tune is always first. Again, 2bar isn't needed for the car as it is.
The thread I linked is documenting the custom code I'm writing. If you didn't read the thread you can look at the last 3-4 posts by me in it to get up to speed. The 2 bar MAP is for the code I have written to run boost on AXXD ($8D). Without it I cannot implement the code or finalize it.
#35
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
I haven't made up my mind.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 02-13-2016 at 12:24 AM.
#36
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
I am sorry that my comment came off as tactless and belittling, it was never meant to be. I wanted to know why you felt you needed those things on your currently limited budget on a stock engine. I fully disagree that a tune is the best modification you can make to a stock engine, but that is an opinion and not something worth arguing over but it does offer insight into why you are choosing the route you are going.
I will unsubscribe from your thread now and not offer any more opinions.
I will unsubscribe from your thread now and not offer any more opinions.
#37
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Received gp1 adapter proms and hdr1. Should have prom burner tomorrow. Time to start loading some custom code.
#38
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Ordered a few things.
Headlight(s) repair kit
OE(R) floor mats
82 Dashmat to cover cracked 82 dash until I get oer replacement.
Wideband O2 sensor
Door hinge pins. To correct sag.
New headlight switch.
Next round is SFCs and stereo.
Headlight(s) repair kit
OE(R) floor mats
82 Dashmat to cover cracked 82 dash until I get oer replacement.
Wideband O2 sensor
Door hinge pins. To correct sag.
New headlight switch.
Next round is SFCs and stereo.
#40
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Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Thinking of going black (probably plastidip, just bought a sprayer) with Gold OEM style decals until I can get paint equipment or afford a real paint job. At this point anything is better than what I have to look at now. I'll photoshop it before I do it. Should be posted up here if I ever get around to it.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 03-30-2016 at 04:31 PM.
#42
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
I want it to look decent until I can paint it right. You're talking about leaving it looking godawful for a couple years. This isn't an option. It'll look like a newer edgy recaro or smokey bandit car.
$2-300 is easy. $1500-$4,000 on my car in one shot when I have a wife daughter and house to invest in? It'll have to wait 4 years for when I sell this house.
$2-300 is easy. $1500-$4,000 on my car in one shot when I have a wife daughter and house to invest in? It'll have to wait 4 years for when I sell this house.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 03-31-2016 at 09:23 PM.
#43
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Bought a formula hood. Couple body fixes and it's ready for paint in a month or two.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
I see. I wondered about that as all the convertibles I've seen had the ZQ2 power options package.
THose CD players are hard to find. Buttons from a similar year Buick (orange power button, others are black) or Grand Prix cassette player will interchange and i see those pretty often.
THose CD players are hard to find. Buttons from a similar year Buick (orange power button, others are black) or Grand Prix cassette player will interchange and i see those pretty often.
#47
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
I see. I wondered about that as all the convertibles I've seen had the ZQ2 power options package.
THose CD players are hard to find. Buttons from a similar year Buick (orange power button, others are black) or Grand Prix cassette player will interchange and i see those pretty often.
THose CD players are hard to find. Buttons from a similar year Buick (orange power button, others are black) or Grand Prix cassette player will interchange and i see those pretty often.
#49
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Just bought this off eBay:
Installed it a bit ago, simple job.
Only problem and it's a bit of a huge one for me is that the faceplate looks like it's Chevy and is too light to be acceptable. I'll deal with it for now but I will at some point have to replace it.
Installed it a bit ago, simple job.
Only problem and it's a bit of a huge one for me is that the faceplate looks like it's Chevy and is too light to be acceptable. I'll deal with it for now but I will at some point have to replace it.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 05-28-2016 at 08:26 PM.
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Re: My 92 Trans Am Convertible Restomod Project
Excited to watch this project. Mine has come a long way and started in similar, or worse, condition. I've swapped so many parts I've lost track.
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!