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#1
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1978 Trans Am Survivor Project
Hey Guys,
New to the Trans Am forum. I am in the 66-67 GTO section and completed a couple of frame off restorations in the past I am diving into new territory and recently bought a 1978 TA with 26K original miles It’s a true time capsule but unfortunately the original owner passed away and the car has been kept outside the past 5 years and the elements really did a job on paint and interior. I don’t plan on doing a ground up restoration on this car. It’s too original to take apart. I only plan to disassemble as little as possible to restore to like new again Here are the details on this car Y72 400 4 speed manual 3.42 Posi rear No A/C, Power windows, door locks, etc. This was a customer order car and apparently he wanted a street performer I am sure I will have plenty of questions for the Trans Am Gurus on here Thanks! |
The Following User Says Thank You to RedDirtRoad For This Useful Post: | ||
#2
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Guessing that the person who left it to rot was cutout of the will?
Great find.
__________________
"At no time did we exceed 175 mph.” Dan Gurney's truthful response to his and Brock Yate's winning of the first ever Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea... Still have my 1st Firebird 7th Firebird 57 Starchief |
#3
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Very cool TA !
Good luck with her. Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I believe the rear would be a 3.23 ratio. |
#4
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Love it! Im not a rat rod guy, but IF that were my car, I would refurbish the mechanicals/drivetrain, and the interior, control the rust somehow and drive the out of it!!
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#5
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nice car! should be an easy mild restoration. i have a hardtop 78 4 speed with no other options as well... used to have one back in the 90's as well that was silver with red interior & t tops. the 78-79's with no air or power windows etc & a 4 speed were the best performance T/A's you could get at that time.
& im sure it was just a typo but, the engine is a W72, not Y72. |
#6
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I was told the car was left to the guys grandson. The young man was more interested in buying a new Subaru. The Subaru got the garage and the TA was put out to pasture.
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#7
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Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I believe the rear would be a 3.23 ratio.[/QUOTE]
From what I read online the axle code on the build sheet is 2PY and that comes up as 3.43 posi. The highest gear ratio you could get. |
#8
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Quote:
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#9
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78 4 speeds were 3.42 ratio. 3.23 was for the automatic trans.
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#10
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So did you get my emails and PM's?
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#11
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Thanks for the info !
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#12
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Yes Sir
Thank you Ben! The info you sent is invaluable and I really appreciate it I did email you too Thanks! |
The Following User Says Thank You to RedDirtRoad For This Useful Post: | ||
#13
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Nice!!!
Looking forward to the direction you take and how you go about it. What part of the country do you hail from? ( if you care to say. Red dirt sounds like Oklahoma or Texas, LOL) Carry on! Thanks for saving this one! I’m amazed to see the factory rubber floor again it!!!
__________________
1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... |
#14
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Quote:
3:42 posi was standard (correct)...for 78 W72 4-speed only... All other 77-79 W72's got 3:23....(stick or auto) |
#15
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Quote:
All other 77-79 W72's got 3:23....(stick or auto)[/QUOTE] I wish my 77 woulda came with 3.23’s! Instead of the Salt Flat 2.41’s!
__________________
1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... |
#16
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Year Down Day
Spent the day tearing down the TA
Fully documenting the whole tear down with photos for reference and factory markings |
The Following User Says Thank You to RedDirtRoad For This Useful Post: | ||
#17
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Interesting dolly for under the firewall!
Yea my 180 HP 78 came with 2.56s. I could run most of the Texas World Speedway road course in second! And only pull 4000 on the long straight with the stock motor, about 130.
__________________
Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#18
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Its been a while since I updated the tread but the work has continued.
The sub frame has been disassembled, sand blasted and painted. The suspension components have been cleaned and painted. Engine was cleaned and painted but since this is a 26K orig mile car no major engine parts were removed. Original carb was rebuilt and emission parts cleaned Sub frame is now complete |
#19
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Brake rotors, calipers and spindles are all original.
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#20
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T-10 detailed. Phosphate linkage. Cad mounting bracket
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The Following User Says Thank You to RedDirtRoad For This Useful Post: | ||
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