Our 1985 Trans am Build thread.
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Car: 1985 Trans am
Engine: carberated L83
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 342
Our 1985 Trans am Build thread.
For now, refer here for the beginning story, but I will update this original post when I have time, I just wanted to get it started.
Alright, the project is at a halt(mostly) because of my sister's project(68 beetle) that has to be done before college which is next year.
But just a quick recap of what we've been doing recently.
So far we've ripped out pretty much all the interior, the gfx, bumpers, etc.
We purchased an almost perfect set of tan leather seats from a 2002 camaro, it was weird how easy they bolted right in. Literally easier then putting the originals back in. The only issue with them is a small cut on the driver seat, right bolster. Almost no wear, and on a side that really shouldn't get any, it's like a puncture almost. Not exactly sure what to do with it, the local hardware shop said they sell a glue that you just fill the hole with. Need some opinions on what to do.
We also purchased a 3.43 rear end off of a 2002 camaro, from the same guy as the seats. Both the seats and rear end supposedly have 40-60k miles on them. He also has 40k mile LS1/2/3 setups(Motor, Trans, Computer, Accessories) from 4th gens, GTOs, 5th gens, etc. That he wants us to buy as it would be perfect, but we just don't have the 4000-6000$ for them as of now. Possibly in the future, but we're looking at just getting a SBC 350 to build.(Mentioned below)
One of the issues I'm worried about is getting both carpet and door panels that match the new seats.. Not sure what we're gonna do here.
Now to the engine. Like I said, the project is at a near standstill, but we did take a valve cover off to check the heads, hoping that they'd be 350 heads. Of course they were 80-86 305 heads meaning chances are the engine is original.. Possibly not, but probably. We should be pulling the engine in the near future to be sure. If it's a 305 we can start our hunt for a 350. Not a priority to get one first, but if a good deal comes along..
I think we are probably going SBC 350. Just an old one out of some junkyard truck probably. I think we'll have the most fun with it. I've never openend an engine up before so it lets me learn whilst building what I hope to be a great engine. Not to mention, we're not trying to get but enough power to b̶e̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶M̶u̶s̶t̶a̶n̶g̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶C̶a̶m̶a̶r̶o̶s be able to pass and have some fun. Between me(17 years old) and the weak-ish rear end, we don't need a ton of power or something could go wrong.
EDIT: Also, this is mattbhm, this is just the only PC I have access to right now
Alright, the project is at a halt(mostly) because of my sister's project(68 beetle) that has to be done before college which is next year.
But just a quick recap of what we've been doing recently.
So far we've ripped out pretty much all the interior, the gfx, bumpers, etc.
We purchased an almost perfect set of tan leather seats from a 2002 camaro, it was weird how easy they bolted right in. Literally easier then putting the originals back in. The only issue with them is a small cut on the driver seat, right bolster. Almost no wear, and on a side that really shouldn't get any, it's like a puncture almost. Not exactly sure what to do with it, the local hardware shop said they sell a glue that you just fill the hole with. Need some opinions on what to do.
We also purchased a 3.43 rear end off of a 2002 camaro, from the same guy as the seats. Both the seats and rear end supposedly have 40-60k miles on them. He also has 40k mile LS1/2/3 setups(Motor, Trans, Computer, Accessories) from 4th gens, GTOs, 5th gens, etc. That he wants us to buy as it would be perfect, but we just don't have the 4000-6000$ for them as of now. Possibly in the future, but we're looking at just getting a SBC 350 to build.(Mentioned below)
One of the issues I'm worried about is getting both carpet and door panels that match the new seats.. Not sure what we're gonna do here.
Now to the engine. Like I said, the project is at a near standstill, but we did take a valve cover off to check the heads, hoping that they'd be 350 heads. Of course they were 80-86 305 heads meaning chances are the engine is original.. Possibly not, but probably. We should be pulling the engine in the near future to be sure. If it's a 305 we can start our hunt for a 350. Not a priority to get one first, but if a good deal comes along..
I think we are probably going SBC 350. Just an old one out of some junkyard truck probably. I think we'll have the most fun with it. I've never openend an engine up before so it lets me learn whilst building what I hope to be a great engine. Not to mention, we're not trying to get but enough power to b̶e̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶M̶u̶s̶t̶a̶n̶g̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶C̶a̶m̶a̶r̶o̶s be able to pass and have some fun. Between me(17 years old) and the weak-ish rear end, we don't need a ton of power or something could go wrong.
EDIT: Also, this is mattbhm, this is just the only PC I have access to right now
Last edited by johnbhm; 04-16-2016 at 07:02 PM.
#3
Member
Re: Our 1985 Trans am Build thread.
Well, we finished the plastic model with the color that we want the car to be, here it is!
Like I said in the thread I made about the model, the color does pop a lot more if you're actually looking at it.
Now it's time to actually start making this model the reality I hope?
+18/19" Corvette rims, lowered a bit and T-Tops of course.
Like I said in the thread I made about the model, the color does pop a lot more if you're actually looking at it.
Now it's time to actually start making this model the reality I hope?
+18/19" Corvette rims, lowered a bit and T-Tops of course.
#5
Member
#7
Member
Re: Our 1985 Trans am Build thread.
It's actually hard to tell from these pictures. It's something to with the settings on the camera, but my phone shows it better. I'll take a picture with that later and it'll show amazingly.
We actually found it at the Alabama Car Show on a Dodge Ram.
We actually found it at the Alabama Car Show on a Dodge Ram.
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#9
Member
Re: Our 1985 Trans am Build thread.
Well, slowly yet surely we're making progress.
Since the last post not a ton has happened, we moved the seats upstairs to get the little repair done, and we're hopefully pulling the engine and rear end over the course of the next week.
Not sure if anyone here has done business with them, but we took a ride down to Retired Rides LLC in Alabaster. No one was home, which we later found out was because they're currently moving their shop to Pelham. Which is good as that's even more convenient than Alabaster. But either way, we talked to them about building our engine to about 400 Crank HP. The owner said he'll give us some options and ideas, still waiting for him to get back to us but it's only been 2 days and moving the whole shop has to be pretty hectic.
We also talked about doing air ride which he said is something they do a lot of. They use all of ridetech's stuff which I heard is pretty high quality.
Do you guys think the 2002 10 bolt Camaro posi rear end we got will handle 400HP with an auto? We hope to just have to get one of those T/A reinforced diff covers, but I won't be surprised if it needs more..
We also found that Hawks will make a 3rd gen carpet with a 4th gen color for no extra charge which takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. Only real issue left with the interior is the plastic. It's going to ALL need to be painted.. Just hope it comes out good.
Since the last post not a ton has happened, we moved the seats upstairs to get the little repair done, and we're hopefully pulling the engine and rear end over the course of the next week.
Not sure if anyone here has done business with them, but we took a ride down to Retired Rides LLC in Alabaster. No one was home, which we later found out was because they're currently moving their shop to Pelham. Which is good as that's even more convenient than Alabaster. But either way, we talked to them about building our engine to about 400 Crank HP. The owner said he'll give us some options and ideas, still waiting for him to get back to us but it's only been 2 days and moving the whole shop has to be pretty hectic.
We also talked about doing air ride which he said is something they do a lot of. They use all of ridetech's stuff which I heard is pretty high quality.
Do you guys think the 2002 10 bolt Camaro posi rear end we got will handle 400HP with an auto? We hope to just have to get one of those T/A reinforced diff covers, but I won't be surprised if it needs more..
We also found that Hawks will make a 3rd gen carpet with a 4th gen color for no extra charge which takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. Only real issue left with the interior is the plastic. It's going to ALL need to be painted.. Just hope it comes out good.
#10
Member
#12
Member
Re: Our 1985 Trans am Build thread.
Ripped out the whole dash and surrounding areas, also ripped out most of the wiring. Will post pics very soon. I hope.
Sorry for not keeping this thread updated with pics.. Keep forgetting. Although this isn't the fun or pretty part anyways.
Also picked up a set of Alston SFCs from a member here and will be putting them in soon enough.
Sorry for not keeping this thread updated with pics.. Keep forgetting. Although this isn't the fun or pretty part anyways.
Also picked up a set of Alston SFCs from a member here and will be putting them in soon enough.
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