My 1980 Pontiac Trans Am

[Yukon Jack]

As of a couple days ago, I'm the proud owner of a 1980 Pontiac Trans AM. A prior owner swapped in a 455 Oldsmobile along with a TH400. The build sheet was sitting in the glove box along with the owner's manual. It originally had the 301 and I'm guessing that went to a TH350. The rear axle should be a 2.41 with a posi, but I haven't confirmed that it is still that ratio. My guess is that it is. The prior owner has installed new door panels and seat covers. It looks like the center console is not original. The vehicle does have a salvage/rebuilt title which helped me negotiate the price, but it drives straight and smooth and so far I'm very pleased with it.

I had a 1980 Camaro in the end of high school and have wanted another 2nd gen for many years.

Here are a few pics of the TA and the build sheet.









The larger engine sets the shaker a little off center - I imagine cutting the base of the air cleaner and shifting it over will get that taken care of.



I've got some plans for things I would like to do to the TA but they will have to wait for funds and time. I like the Weld wheels but am not a big fan of the big and small look. I think I'd like to even out the tire size. I noticed the 17" Honeycomb rims on Year One's site that are set for release - they sure would add the right classic look to this TA. Later on I'd like to drop the stance a touch also.

My first project will be replacing the passenger side exterior door handle, then both windows need to be adjusted. I've already seen the post on adjusting the windows so that will be helpful.

The heater box was cut out by a prior owner to fit the 455 so that is something I have to tackle. I can go without a/c, but gotta have heat!

Here's the build sheet.



And yes I've already been stopped in it - the prior owner let me drive it home with his tag, which happened to have a 2010 sticker on it. The Kansas Highway Patrol trooper didn't like that - I think it didn't help that the prior owner's tag was GOTFAST.

[NONHOG]

OLDS 455

[cam.man67]

Nice car! That thing will run like a raped ape with that 455/400 combo. Cool

[trixter99]

Cool car do you have any larger pics?

[Frizzle Fry]

Nice find! I like the way you are headed with it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Yukon Jack]

Thanks for the compliments - I'm digging this car very much! Stopped by a neighbor's yesterday (he happens to own a 73 TA SD455) and his car is torn apart and I noticed where the blower motor sits. I had assumed it was more in the engine compartment but it is tucked behind the passenger fender. He looked and my blower motor is still there! Looks like I just need to get it powered up and then build some type of ducting to get the air blowing back into the vehicle. That really has me excited as I've been a bit chilly the last few days driving it. Plus will save me from buying a Vintage Air system of some sort to get air. Hopefully the blower motor still works!

[C-10 simplex]

The 70-81 series is my favorite f body and always will be. One thing that blows me away is that the gvwr at 4605 is only 295lbs. less than the lightest duty 1/2 ton pickup---4900lbs.! This is a compact car.

2) Is that an electric fuel pump on the inner fender?

[tcb-1]

Yukon,
If you need any Pontiac parts or advise, I have a friend that may be one of the most well versed Pontiac people in this area. I believe he has a few 79-81 parts cars.

I love these cars. And the market has taken off on them yet (but it will) so you can still pick one up for a decent price.

[Yukon Jack]

Doug, thanks for the offer. I am in need of the seat belt guide parts that attach to the top side of both seats - they capture the seat belt and hold it to the seat presumably to keep it positioned across your body correctly.

Thanks!

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Doug, thanks for the offer. I am in need of the seat belt guide parts that attach to the top side of both seats - they capture the seat belt and hold it to the seat presumably to keep it positioned across your body correctly.

Thanks!

camel interior, correct?

[Jonboy]

It looks like your shaker problem is that the car has an Olds engine, and was originally a 301 (Pontiac) engine car. The Olds (403), Pontiac (301, 400, 455), and Chevy (305) engined cars all have a different shaker and hood after '77 or so.

[dos0711]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

It looks like your shaker problem is that the car has an Olds engine, and was originally a 301 (Pontiac) engine car. The Olds (403), Pontiac (301, 400, 455), and Chevy (305) engined cars all have a different shaker and hood after '77 or so.

Agreed. It also came with a Quadrajet 4bl not an Edelbrock. Find a shaker setup for a 403 and you should be golden.

[Transformula]

Nice piece! I've had the same 77 Formula since high school (18 years). My first car, actually. 5 years ago I did a full Frame-off Resto-mod to it. It has a 400 Pontiac and 4 speed. Was originally a 350 Pontiac and automatic.

[wiggins]

Yeah these guy are correct about your shaker and while we are showing off Pontiac's here are mine. 77' T/A w 29,000 original miles, unrestored and a 28' Pontiac Phaeton. Got her running bit she needs a lot more work than what the pic reveals. One of these days I will win the AACA with this one, fingers crossed, lol

[Yukon Jack]

Those are all nice! 29,000 original miles! Wow that is too cool. Feel free to post more pics of any of them in this thread.

[wiggins]

Hey thanks, didnt mean to steal your thread but I never get to show those cars off.

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Those are all nice! 29,000 original miles! Wow that is too cool. Feel free to post more pics of any of them in this thread.

[Yukon Jack]

Yep, it is what I call the camel interior but the build sheet just calls it tan I believe. Also on the look out for an automatic trans console to get rid of this homemade one :-)

Wiggins, no worries and I would enjoy seeing more pics of both vehicles. I've never seen a Phaeton before - very cool.

How long have you owned the TA?

[wiggins]

About 7 years or so. It was Originally out of Michigan and was owned by a lady who only drove it when she could take the t-tops off and then it set for about 10 years. A guiy from Texas spoted it in this ladies garage when he was visiting family in Mi. braught it home got it bach to roadworthy and sold it to me a few years later. Very nice car and runs great. They say these cars are rated at 220hp but man will they go!
You have never seen one of these Phaetons before bc they really dont exist in the America. Pontiac/Oakland sold most of these Phaeton cars in Europe in the 20's. If you do a search on the internet you usually find pics of them in Canada or Europe, mostly Europe. makes no since bc they have no windows but that where they are? This particular car came from the Netherlands in the early 90's. I have had it for about 5 years now.

[68,69 K20]

Nice car, looks real solid too. How many burnouts have you done
I would never be able to keep tires on that if I owned it...

[C-10 simplex]

i said, is that an electric fuel pump on the inner fenderwell?

[Yukon Jack]

Whoops, missed responding to that question - yes it is an electric Holley fuel pump.

No burnouts yet but when it's time to replace the rear tires (soon) the rear tires probably need a little abuse :-)

[C-10 simplex]

So, are you running an elec pump AND a mechanical pump or just the electric?

Either way, probably not the best place to put it, but you probably already knew that.

Others could/should probably chime in here.

[Yukon Jack]

The mechanical pump is gone so just electric. I'd actually prefer the mechanical I think. Am I assuming it should be placed closer to the tank and being out of the engine compartment helps safety-wise?

[C-10 simplex]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

The mechanical pump is gone so just electric. I'd actually prefer the mechanical I think. Am I assuming it should be placed closer to the tank and being out of the engine compartment helps safety-wise?

i don't know about being safer--- fenderwell vs. near tank. (Actually, the safest place would be inside the tank--- best protection in the event of a collision). But elec pumps like to push fuel rather than pull as jonboy stated. The fenderwell is a good place to burnout an elec pump. Really stressing it out by putting it there.

[Yukon Jack]

A couple days ago I noticed the front end feeling a little different when I was driving and I thought I was hearing some tire squeeling when turning. Nothing major. Well the next time I drove it the feeling was more pronounced and as I was driving home I wondered if one of the windows was slightly rolled down as I was hearing some odd noise. Got home and looked at the front tires and the tread was severely worn on about half of the width of the tire. Drove to the alignment shop the next morning a few miles from home and by the time I arrived, the front tires were much worse.

Turns out the adjuster sleeve for the tie rod was stripping out for some reason and had pulled out quite a bit resulting in a severe toe out condition.

Got the tie rod replaced and the shop mentioned one lower control arm bushing needs replacement. He also mentioned, what I had suspected, that someone had put in taller than stock front springs and some sort of odd ball shocks. Since the lower control arm bushings are going to be replaced the timing is right to replace the front springs and shocks.

So, I've ordered a set of Year One's newly released Honeycomb rims along with a set of Nitto 555's, 285/40 for the rear and 255/45 for the front.

I've had a couple conversations with Dave at PTFB and have decided upon the GT suspension kit along with subframe connectors, solid body mounts and front sway bar bushings and end links.

I'll tackle the rear springs, body mounts and subframe connectors, but let the alignment shop put in the new front springs and shocks while they are doing the lower control arm bushings.

Hate to do this all at once moneywise but should be quite the performer and get me where I wanted to be at some point in the future anyway.

I'll post some pics of the work in progress. The rims and tires are both supposed to be in some time tomorrow, but expect the suspension kit to arrive some time next week. Now I've got to find some free time so me and the TA can bond.