The fact that you actually put this turbo system back together and made it work properly is amazing. Nice work. I salute you, because I would’ve ended up aggravated and just swapped it.
I just bought an 81 turbo trans am with 45k miles in mint condition, a guy had it in a collection, it was delivered on Monday, I put it in the garage and then we had 15inches of snow, so i haven't driven it yet, i can't wait to drive it
V-8 301 Turbo = Turtle mode !!! Far cry from the 455 SD's that use to terrorize the blacktop !!! Don't get me wrong, I love all of Pontiac's creations, but when GM pulled the plug, it left me with a queezy feeling !!!! Sad days..........
I had one of those back in the early 90s. It had t-tops and was just great to cruise around in listening to the radio. Thanks for posting. Brought back some good memories.
Burt drove the Turbo model (like this) in the sequel and hated it. While it was faster in the mid range RPMs but because it was turbo it had no low it end torque making it almost impossible to do burnouts.
I loved these early 80’s cars, that technology transition era had some really complicated and funky stuff, but I love it. This turbo induction system made about as much sense as a Crossfire injection.
As I further think about the factory emissions messes from that time it occurred to me that my Z28 is also an 81... and has no factory wiring, exhaust, engine or drivetrain in it still. Most of that was all swapped before I got it anyway. Having a 40 year old F body so stock is really amazing!
I had a white 81 turbo with mirrored T-tops, some kind of special edition with the turbo wheels or whatever they were called. I bought it because I was missing my old 79 Trans Am with the Olds 403 motor, and that 81 turbo was all I could find locally (this was around 1990, long before the internet made shopping for cars easier). And yes, while it was supposed to have 200 HP, it certainly didn't feel like it. In fact, my old 79 with the 403 only had 185 HP, and that car actually felt and sounded powerful, and had tons more torque. Anyway, while both cars were in excellent condition with low miles and looked fantastic, I much preferred my 79. In fact, I'm still trying to find a 79 T/A with the Olds 403. I know the Pontiac 400 was more powerful, but I'm trying to keep the cost reasonable. Unfortunately, while I can find lots of T/As that fit the bill, ALL of them are getting far too expensive. I'm not looking for a show car either. Just a well-maintained driver. I'll keep on looking, but I'm beginning to lose hope. :-( BTW, you two are genuinely funny. This is the first video I've watched of yours, and you seem like cool folks. Kudos!
I had one and I miss it so much that I occasionally have dreams that I got it back or found another one just like it! Mine was midnight blue with gold pin stripes all around.
Just a lil history about good ole GM and how NO other car is supposed to be faster then the all mighty corvette. You guys are 100% correct. Chevy went to the top GM brass and basically 'narked' on Pontiac about their plans on running a 1982 (3rd gen) Turbo Trans Am. We all know the outcome. But what most people don't realize is Chevrolet also went to the top GM brass in late 1985 when car magazines started printing articles about how the 'new' 1986 Turbo Buick's (T-Types and Grand Nationals) were faster then Chevy's Corvette for the 1986 model year. Well, Chevy couldn't stop Buick as the G-Body was going away for the 88 model year because the new front wheel drive platform was being introduced. So yes, Chevrolet has a history of crying to the GM brass if anyone threatens to take the 'performance crown' away from the corvette. You guys did an awesome job on that T/A as most people just changed out the 301 for a 400 or 455 for better performance. Great job!!
Draw thru means that the air fuel mixture is drawn thru the carb, into the compressor and then pushed (boost) into the intake manifold. So carb first - then turbo (compressor side) - then intake manifold.
I have a 1981 Turbo Trans Am Daytona pace car edition. I've had these cars since the 70's & love the F-body platform! They look good, handle good, & were the fastest thing on wheels (during their time). But this is a great platform for a resto-mod!
No, the six used in 1982 was a 2.8 and was Chevrolet derived, although by then they were considered corporate. 1989 would have the Buick turbo six which came from the Grand National.
Just awesome.. Elena's review of the red eye brought me here ( and convinced me to buy one) and I was defiantly a Pontiac fan back when you could buy 1. I owned a 78/ 95 ,2000 ,2001, 2004 and 2005 T/a's or GTO's..
I saw a 1980 turbo TA at a car show and the owner had swapped a 505 Butler Pontiac crate engine, similar to mine, under the hood, but kept the body stock, factory turbo wheels, and the same factory hood with the turbo bulge on it. It was definitely a sleeper and was able to run low 11's at the track with ease. I'm a fan of the 2nd gen TA's, but never cared for the turbo versions, but think they make a perfect candidate for a modern blown LS or LT5 swap.
Cool video! Personally, I never imagined I’d have a TTA but somehow I ended up with a 1981 pace car. And I have to say.., that engine performs better than I thought it would..
My wife likes to wear her wedding dress as well, after 1 child 16 years ago she still fits in it! I love the Eighties cars looks, technology not so much!
Great car and video guys, these cars got such a bad rap but they are awesome, the Turbo TA actually did better than a camaro on the Road &Track test back in 1980
Put the shifter down in 1st gear. Push shifter over to the right while manually up shifting. Shifter will lock up thru each gear. Car came factory with a built in ratchet shifter. Most people don't know that about their own car. Also, find assembly line build sheet under rear seat.
Love those doggies! We've had up to four at one time, though down to only one remaining now. A Frenchie, and a mixed (up) mutt keep the old guy company nowadays.
My friend here in New Zealand has a totally stock 1980 BF Goodrich edition. Factory 295/50 15 tires. The LU8's a great engine; reliable and strong, his turbo lights still work and the GoPop company still makes a turbo kit for the TO3 turbo. But the engine only came equipped with moon shoot CAFE axle ratio and close ratio gearing, a 3 speed THM 350, no wide ratio THM 200R, and it never regukarly put down the 16.3 second quarters like one magazine claimed. Just 16.7 second quarters, when some year old 1979 L72s with four speeds were doing 14.6s. That's 42 horsepower less, and with the auto only narrow ratio auto transmission..it feels like it takes off another 63 hp. Because the 4bbl 185 hp 301 with a 4 speed did the same quarter mile time. The 301 engine was totally designed around the turbo, with a huge amount of deck height and engine weight taken out verses the 400, and with siamesed intakes to stop mixture bias, and all the ALDL wiring still works on his computer for the Feedback carb and HEI. GM were busy "exhuming McCarthy" on this car. They had Deloren bailed up, and no way was a dag yum Pontiac gonna upstage a Vette. Great work E, T and the Weiner dogs. Very slick info, and after 31 years, my wife fits her wedding dress too, but she don't have a Smoky and the Bandit top, and its my mate who has the Turbo TransAm, so you all win!
Sweet wheels...I've had about 8 of these Gen2 TAs & Formulas, currently have 3 and will N-E-V-E-R figure out why they put the hood release on the outside!?!
I always thought the 301T was a cool, interesting engine, lack of output asside. To its defence on the power side it made the same hp as the 400 it replaced.
I bought a new Mustang in '81.I got the four banger with a manual because the little v8 didn't have enough power to be worth the extra money and weight.
The last of the V8's..... I don't know what can be done with a Pontiac 301, it'd be interesting to know what can be done to bump up that horsepower without blowing it up
Last of the "PONTIAC V8's"... soldiered on with Chevy 305" V8's... mid1987 series (Jan. '87) got 350" V8 back with still TPI... I still have mine: i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/6e/92/0a6e925d76ea7b8a50b40ef04eb7a4b5.jpg In late '76 I got a '77 Gran Prix with first of the Pontiac 301" V8's (actually 302")... they brought good MPG back after the horrible early 1970's... they did 16 MPG city and 23 MPG highway... nearly double the earlier '70's... and without overdrive yet...
Hello Tom and Elana, I'm considering buying an 81 turbo, but after seeing all the work you did, I'm not sure now. After all the work to repair, are you still happy with the car?,
The car is great and very reliable. Of course you have to have a good baseline and get all the systems working to spec. Our advice is to try to buy the very best condition Trans Am in your price bracket and then fix everything as time and budget allows. These were new cars at one time and can be again with some work. - T
In California, there's no smog legal fuel injection system for this car. Also, the carburetor works perfect so there's no reason to change it from a practical point of view. Thanks for watching!
i had one great looking car loaded but spent 3 months at dealership they gave me a ford tbird while waiting finnaly x mas got it back total pos lasted a week till it blew up i called the bank told um its lemon i want out of this pos they got me in to a brand new toyota 4x4 1981 palm pontiac in fort lauderdale i was 16 my first car !pos!
Not to be too picky about details but I'm pretty sure Smokey and the bandit did not use an 81 Trans am whatsoever. The first movie was the 77 like you said. But Burt Reynolds said in an interview that they actually used a 1976 car and they put a 1977 front clip on the car. That was for the first Smokey and the bandit. The second movie they used a 1980 Trans am. And by the time the third movie came out they were using the third generation Firebirds...
I have to say at that time your transmission had a problem. However, you do have cute sausage dogs, I hope they love tummy rubs, earflops (humans just love to play with floppy ears on dogs) and lots of attention.
My friend had that 301 trans am, that's the biggest dog motor with fleas, the car was so slow couldn't get out of its own way, I can't believe they think that car is fast it's a dog
There is no good reason for those vehicles’ performance to be controlled/limited by the Government. The decision-makers need to be tracked down today, while we’re on the subject.
Think how powerful this motor would have been with proper intercooling and a higher boost levels... I think these things capped out at 4-7psi (if that).. On an engine with compression low enough to run higher boost (14psi), would've easily made 350+hp.
That is a wet turbo (compresses fuel / air mixture, not just air). I have a 1980 Formula. Her name is Maggie! www.hotrod.com/articles/hppp-0707-1980-pontiac-firebird-turbo/ Nice job on that '81. Congrats
This makes me so HAPPY!!! TURBOCHAAAAAAAARGE!!!!
Stealin' from the best!
The fact that you actually put this turbo system back together and made it work properly is amazing. Nice work. I salute you, because I would’ve ended up aggravated and just swapped it.
I just bought an 81 turbo trans am with 45k miles in mint condition, a guy had it in a collection, it was delivered on Monday, I put it in the garage and then we had 15inches of snow, so i haven't driven it yet, i can't wait to drive it
V-8 301 Turbo = Turtle mode !!! Far cry from the 455 SD's that use to terrorize the blacktop !!! Don't get me wrong, I love all of Pontiac's creations, but when GM pulled the plug, it left me with a queezy feeling !!!! Sad days..........
takes me back a few yrs , i used to have one in the uk it was silver with white leather
I had one of those back in the early 90s. It had t-tops and was just great to cruise around in listening to the radio. Thanks for posting. Brought back some good memories.
Just watching you two makes me happy. +1 that you are talking cars, trucks, racing and projects. Thanks for the videos, please keep them coming.
Love the jacket Elana!
I'm from the UK, and watching Smokey and the Bandit waaaaaay back in the very early 80s is probably what got me into American cars :)
Burt drove the Turbo model (like this) in the sequel and hated it. While it was faster in the mid range RPMs but because it was turbo it had no low it end torque making it almost impossible to do burnouts.
I loved these early 80’s cars, that technology transition era had some really complicated and funky stuff, but I love it. This turbo induction system made about as much sense as a Crossfire injection.
Another stupid idea buy junk Motors
You two were cracking me up! 🤣 I am amazed at how well you are able to get that complicated setup to run, nice job! 👍👍
As I further think about the factory emissions messes from that time it occurred to me that my Z28 is also an 81... and has no factory wiring, exhaust, engine or drivetrain in it still. Most of that was all swapped before I got it anyway. Having a 40 year old F body so stock is really amazing!
I had a white 81 turbo with mirrored T-tops, some kind of special edition with the turbo wheels or whatever they were called. I bought it because I was missing my old 79 Trans Am with the Olds 403 motor, and that 81 turbo was all I could find locally (this was around 1990, long before the internet made shopping for cars easier). And yes, while it was supposed to have 200 HP, it certainly didn't feel like it. In fact, my old 79 with the 403 only had 185 HP, and that car actually felt and sounded powerful, and had tons more torque. Anyway, while both cars were in excellent condition with low miles and looked fantastic, I much preferred my 79. In fact, I'm still trying to find a 79 T/A with the Olds 403. I know the Pontiac 400 was more powerful, but I'm trying to keep the cost reasonable. Unfortunately, while I can find lots of T/As that fit the bill, ALL of them are getting far too expensive. I'm not looking for a show car either. Just a well-maintained driver. I'll keep on looking, but I'm beginning to lose hope. :-(
BTW, you two are genuinely funny. This is the first video I've watched of yours, and you seem like cool folks. Kudos!
Gosh! My monitor moved when you stomped on the gas pedal. Well, actually, I fell out of my chair laughing!
Finally someone that knows
how to close the hood correctly‼️®™️
I had one and I miss it so much that I occasionally have dreams that I got it back or found another one just like it! Mine was midnight blue with gold pin stripes all around.
i wish i had neighbors as cool as you two............thanx for sharing.
Just a lil history about good ole GM and how NO other car is supposed to be faster then the all mighty corvette. You guys are 100% correct. Chevy went to the top GM brass and basically 'narked' on Pontiac about their plans on running a 1982 (3rd gen) Turbo Trans Am. We all know the outcome. But what most people don't realize is Chevrolet also went to the top GM brass in late 1985 when car magazines started printing articles about how the 'new' 1986 Turbo Buick's (T-Types and Grand Nationals) were faster then Chevy's Corvette for the 1986 model year. Well, Chevy couldn't stop Buick as the G-Body was going away for the 88 model year because the new front wheel drive platform was being introduced. So yes, Chevrolet has a history of crying to the GM brass if anyone threatens to take the 'performance crown' away from the corvette. You guys did an awesome job on that T/A as most people just changed out the 301 for a 400 or 455 for better performance. Great job!!
Love the firebird my parents took me home from the hospital in a 1976 firebird....love this 81 so much as well....
Yessss!!! The Cowboy Hat and the Wedding Dress for THE WIN!!! GREAT JOB you two!!!😄🙌🏼
I was hesitant to comment on how much I like Tom... then he popped out with that hat! And I said out loud "I frikin love Tom!"
Me too! - Elana
You two got her all back together again!!
Nice looking car very 80s!
Love the car,I had one back in 84. No power it was a dog but I loved that car. I have an 83 trans am now. Great video.
Draw thru means that the air fuel mixture is drawn thru the carb, into the compressor and then pushed (boost) into the intake manifold. So carb first - then turbo (compressor side) - then intake manifold.
My Grandmother Loved Dauchunds BTW!
I have a 1981 Turbo Trans Am Daytona pace car edition. I've had these cars since the 70's & love the F-body platform! They look good, handle good, & were the fastest thing on wheels (during their time). But this is a great platform for a resto-mod!
No, the six used in 1982 was a 2.8 and was Chevrolet derived, although by then they were considered corporate. 1989 would have the Buick turbo six which came from the Grand National.
nice trans am love them trans am great video guys keep posting i have a 79 z28 im now working on cant wait to have it on the road👍🏻🇺🇸
Just awesome.. Elena's review of the red eye brought me here ( and convinced me to buy one) and I was defiantly a Pontiac fan back when you could buy 1. I owned a 78/ 95 ,2000 ,2001, 2004 and 2005 T/a's or GTO's..
She looks AWESOME!! Great job getting her all cleaned up!!
Great vid. Would like to see more of this car. The puppies look calm. So do the hosts👍👍
Haven't seen a huffed TA in years!! Nice!!!
"This car can't do a burnout, this is ultimate traction set-up". Now Tom, you made me spit up my coffee!
I had a 1980 Turbo TA Indy Pace Car edition. The turbo died, and oh man was that 301 a dog without it.
They were disappointing but at least for some reason the 301s sounded really nice with a little bit of lope to the exhaust note.
I saw a 1980 turbo TA at a car show and the owner had swapped a 505 Butler Pontiac crate engine, similar to mine, under the hood, but kept the body stock, factory turbo wheels, and the same factory hood with the turbo bulge on it. It was definitely a sleeper and was able to run low 11's at the track with ease. I'm a fan of the 2nd gen TA's, but never cared for the turbo versions, but think they make a perfect candidate for a modern blown LS or LT5 swap.
Love the “Sonny Hooper” jacket!
I liked watching you two. You were very pleasant
My 18 year old daughter daily drives a 79
Great job getting that thing rolling Tom! Beautiful car-certainly a little more complicated than an old school 455 Pontiac. Cheers to both of you!
I like it. Some folks are really into those things.
Cool video! Personally, I never imagined I’d have a TTA but somehow I ended up with a 1981 pace car. And I have to say.., that engine performs better than I thought it would..
What model Sony is installed? (6:36)
My wife likes to wear her wedding dress as well, after 1 child 16 years ago she still fits in it! I love the Eighties cars looks, technology not so much!
It took so long to pick the right one, good to get to wear it again! - E (Hi to your wife!)
Great car and video guys, these cars got such a bad rap but they are awesome, the Turbo TA actually did better than a camaro on the Road &Track test back in 1980
And the puppies think they are Fred... 😆!!
U guys are the best, I'm surprised the car moved as good as it did. I have a couple of 79's luckily not with that motor.
Put the shifter down in 1st gear. Push shifter over to the right while manually up shifting. Shifter will lock up thru each gear. Car came factory with a built in ratchet shifter. Most people don't know that about their own car. Also, find assembly line build sheet under rear seat.
And you've got a TRANS AM Jacket like The Bandit wore during Smokey And The Bandit II... 😎!!
Turbo Charge!
Thanks for sharing. Love the F body.
What a beauty I saw a yellow one last year for the first time I’m 22 and I didn’t even know the name of the car until I investigated. They’re so sick
Love those doggies! We've had up to four at one time, though down to only one remaining now. A Frenchie, and a mixed (up) mutt keep the old guy company nowadays.
My friend here in New Zealand has a totally stock 1980 BF Goodrich edition. Factory 295/50 15 tires. The LU8's a great engine; reliable and strong, his turbo lights still work and the GoPop company still makes a turbo kit for the TO3 turbo. But the engine only came equipped with moon shoot CAFE axle ratio and close ratio gearing, a 3 speed THM 350, no wide ratio THM 200R, and it never regukarly put down the 16.3 second quarters like one magazine claimed. Just 16.7 second quarters, when some year old 1979 L72s with four speeds were doing 14.6s. That's 42 horsepower less, and with the auto only narrow ratio auto transmission..it feels like it takes off another 63 hp. Because the 4bbl 185 hp 301 with a 4 speed did the same quarter mile time. The 301 engine was totally designed around the turbo, with a huge amount of deck height and engine weight taken out verses the 400, and with siamesed intakes to stop mixture bias, and all the ALDL wiring still works on his computer for the Feedback carb and HEI. GM were busy "exhuming McCarthy" on this car. They had Deloren bailed up, and no way was a dag yum Pontiac gonna upstage a Vette. Great work E, T and the Weiner dogs. Very slick info, and after 31 years, my wife fits her wedding dress too, but she don't have a Smoky and the Bandit top, and its my mate who has the Turbo TransAm, so you all win!
Ny dad just bought a 1980 indy 500 pace car trans am all original 72k miles all the factory paperwork
Sweet wheels...I've had about 8 of these Gen2 TAs & Formulas, currently have 3 and will N-E-V-E-R figure out why they put the hood release on the outside!?!
MoodyblueMotorsports would like to have all Pontiac Powered friends!
It is sad that 82 third gen trans am almost got this eng.but to saddle for the hood bulge only thx to been counters,and Corvette.
They did have a good suspension setup if you lived in an area w good pavement. 4 wheel disc, too. Pretty high tech!
The Trans Am in Smokey And The Bandit II was an 80 Turbo Trans Am so yours is pretty close...
I always thought the 301T was a cool, interesting engine, lack of output asside. To its defence on the power side it made the same hp as the 400 it replaced.
Restoring one of these that had an engine fire years ago. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure it out. There’s so much under the hood.
I've watched TTA Performance channel and did get some good tips on what to inspect for. Do you have any tips for me to look for, please share. Thanks,
I do believe that this firebird is the one doing a burnout in Elena's column in the current car and driver issue
Late to the video!
I had a 1980 Indy Pace Car..you know the saying wishI had kept it !! 😂
I love it!
I bought a new Mustang in '81.I got the four banger with a manual because the little
v8 didn't have enough power to be worth the extra money and weight.
And Tom is wearing a Bandit Cowboy hat... 😎!!
One day I'll get one
The last of the V8's..... I don't know what can be done with a Pontiac 301, it'd be interesting to know what can be done to bump up that horsepower without blowing it up
Last of the "PONTIAC V8's"... soldiered on with Chevy 305" V8's... mid1987 series (Jan. '87) got 350" V8 back with still TPI... I still have mine:
i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/6e/92/0a6e925d76ea7b8a50b40ef04eb7a4b5.jpg
In late '76 I got a '77 Gran Prix with first of the Pontiac 301" V8's (actually 302")... they brought good MPG back after the horrible early 1970's... they did 16 MPG city and 23 MPG highway... nearly double the earlier '70's... and without overdrive yet...
Unfortunately so many of the 301 powered Trans Am engines were replaced with engines that are not original to the car.
Hello Tom and Elana, I'm considering buying an 81 turbo, but after seeing all the work you did, I'm not sure now. After all the work to repair, are you still happy with the car?,
The car is great and very reliable. Of course you have to have a good baseline and get all the systems working to spec. Our advice is to try to buy the very best condition Trans Am in your price bracket and then fix everything as time and budget allows. These were new cars at one time and can be again with some work. - T
Do those Turbo Boost lights actually work or are they just ornamental?
They function although the camera didn't really pick them up. They light up progressively with boost. T
Hey elena why do you make a fuel injection swap on the turbo trans am?
In California, there's no smog legal fuel injection system for this car. Also, the carburetor works perfect so there's no reason to change it from a practical point of view. Thanks for watching!
i had one great looking car loaded but spent 3 months at dealership they gave me a ford tbird while waiting finnaly x mas got it back total pos lasted a week till it blew up i called the bank told um its lemon i want out of this pos they got me in to a brand new toyota 4x4 1981 palm pontiac in fort lauderdale i was 16 my first car !pos!
My first car was an 81 turbo trans am pace car. What a glorious piece of junk 😂. Crazy to see them selling for halfway decent money these days.
Oi!! Is that a Burt Reynolds Trans Am jacket? Where can i get one?? ) Great video!
5:45 I think you mean “fine cinematography” haha
200 4R swap time!! New Posi and better gearing for burnouts!!
And a higher gearingand some more hps inches 301.
Jeeze I thought computers in cars was the first year for mine or at least 1986 Monte Carlo SS's had computers and electronic carburetors
Ok, now I have to get a "Turbo Charge" light accessory for my '69 Nova. Forgive me for being just a little jealous.
You two look like The Bandit and The Snowman... 😆!!
When are you slapping the CB antenna on the roof? Tom needs something to hang his hat on!
Not to be too picky about details but I'm pretty sure Smokey and the bandit did not use an 81 Trans am whatsoever. The first movie was the 77 like you said. But Burt Reynolds said in an interview that they actually used a 1976 car and they put a 1977 front clip on the car. That was for the first Smokey and the bandit. The second movie they used a 1980 Trans am. And by the time the third movie came out they were using the third generation Firebirds...
I have to say at that time your transmission had a problem. However, you do have cute sausage dogs, I hope they love tummy rubs, earflops (humans just love to play with floppy ears on dogs) and lots of attention.
Tom... I can't read your buttons... how am I supposed to know which one's to push.... ( love these two... )
Put your glasses on old man!
😁👍
My friend had that 301 trans am, that's the biggest dog motor with fleas, the car was so slow couldn't get out of its own way, I can't believe they think that car is fast it's a dog
Not wearing seatbelts lovely dachhound dogs very cute
There is no good reason for those vehicles’ performance to be controlled/limited by the Government. The decision-makers need to be tracked down today, while we’re on the subject.
I like the coat and boots
Think how powerful this motor would have been with proper intercooling and a higher boost levels... I think these things capped out at 4-7psi (if that).. On an engine with compression low enough to run higher boost (14psi), would've easily made 350+hp.
The 80s were a sad time for american cars
That is a wet turbo (compresses fuel / air mixture, not just air).
I have a 1980 Formula. Her name is Maggie!
www.hotrod.com/articles/hppp-0707-1980-pontiac-firebird-turbo/
Nice job on that '81. Congrats
You guys are the best! One of the wiener pups needs to be renamed "Fred" for this video. And welcome to the Pontiac gang!
Maybe Elana could get a hair doo?
What??? No T-Tops?
210 horse power
I like the wedding dress and trans am jacket
I really like how fast and natural she says.. quicky
extremely powerful?...hmmm.
Noticed a crack on the left side of the dash ...
Hey Elana test drive a Peterbilt 389 or Mack Ch
What a beauty but I hate it when people call the the birds screaming chicken it’s the phoenix