1978 Pontiac Trans Am FAST EZ EFI Fuel Injection Overdrive Engine Upgrades V8TV V8 Speed & Resto
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- Опубліковано 16 гру 2017
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1978 Pontiac Trans Am FAST EZ EFI Fuel Injection Overdrive Engine Upgrades V8TV V8 Speed & Resto
This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am came to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop more like a lame duck than a bird of fire, so our team went to work adding new rear gears, a 2004R overdrive transmission, a roller cam from COMP Cams, and a FAST EZ-2.0 EFI system for better driving manners. The Pontiac 400 engine even received an unexpected refresh along the way. It's not often to see a Pontiac 400 fuel injected engine, but this car keeps the Poncho power with modern touches.
We sell these parts and can install them on your classic or muscle car, just contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop to talk to our technicians or to schedule your upgrades, transportation services are available.
www.v8speedshop.com 314.783.8325
Online forum thread on this car: goo.gl/PfBgQf
Some of the parts used in this upgrade:
F.A.S.T. - EZ EFI 2.0 Fuel Injection System
Royal Purple - Max ATF and Max Tuff Synthetic Assembly Lube
B & M - Converter Lock-up Controller
Tanks Inc - Fuel Tank, HP Fuel Pump and Sending Unit
Shiftworks - Shifter Conversion Kit
COMP Cams - Roller Cam, Roller Lifters, Push Rods and Roller Rockers
Eastwood - High Temp Ceramic Engine Paint
K&N - Air Filter
Produced by Kevin Oeste and V8TV Productions, Inc.
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V8 Speed & Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
www.v8speedshop.com
resto@v8speedshop.com
#musclecar #v8tv #transam #restoration #restomod
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Pontiac 400 engine rebuild, pontiac trans am overdrive transmission install, pontiac trans am fuel injection install
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Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop if you'd like upgrades like these on your Muscle Car project!
www.v8speedshop.com/contact 314.783.8325
Words of warning/advise: I owned and upgraded a '78 TA back in the day. The frame directly in front of the rear wheels is insufficient to handle the stress applied once you surpass 400hp, and will eventually begin to stretch and twist under the strain. Reinforce that area, the owners will appreciate not having to spend to repair a damaged frame.
great work.
By the way my dream of 42 years came true in December when my 78 Bandit T/A was delivered to my home! All original!! You guys did a great job on this one! She's beautiful. Love that clean engine!!
I'm glad for you !
Enjoy it and try to never sell . missing her isn't easy !
glad you kept the pontiac engine in it
Chris Davis
Yeah. The Rochester should have been modified and left on also.
That EFI looks like a tumor.
My wife and I drove 3 hours south two days ago to look at a BEAUTIFUL low mileage 1977 Black and Gold Trans-Am…well…it’s being delivered to me this week!!!! I can’t WAIT!!!!
Great video. As a 70s motorhead I appreciate someone "fixing" the garbage detuning of the 70s to make a car more streetable and fun without installing a LS. Most mid to late 70s cars had 2.73:1 or worse gears with a 3 speed auto, a strangling Cat Converter, no advance in timing because we had crap gas. You made a video that shows what anyone can do to make one of these old F Body cars a lot more fun to drive...thanks.
These guys are specialists. I was fascinated at the attention to detail. If you drive your car into their workshop you know it's in the hands of true car enthusiasts.
Thanks so much for the kind words! Our team appreciates it, and you're correct, they all really enjoy doing this work with care. Thanks again!
My dream car! Great job making this T/A faster! That’s the way it should’ve been when it was new!
+AMMO 461 Thanks!
I called this shop after seeing this video and while the guy who spoke to me was professional and easy to speak to, he was hard to pin down on the pricing. He said they charge 40 hours labor at $75 dollars an hour, plus almost 3 grand for the system. 40 hours labor for the install is a lot and the price for everything is in the 7K range. Not including me shipping the car down there and back, which add around another $1200 to the bill. I don't know many car guys who can swing almost 10K for this and they make sound so easy on the video.
Do yourself a big favor and use the Holley Sniper EFI.
These guys proved that you dont have to go crazy or be rich to put some pep in youre old car
Wow ! What a beautiful car. I had one when I was in high school . Wish I still had it with the technology's we have today.
Smokie and the Bandit along with Convoy really started the CB radio craze in the UK back in the late 70s it seemed like everyone had a CB eather in there car or house.
It was a worldwide craze for sure!
I love the way a bit of modern tech (Fuel Injection)... , a bit of head work and a sensible cam, and improved gearing can bring those old wheezy v8's alive.
Wrong. The late 70s were much powered down. The 60s and early 70s were god-like power
@@CaptainFALKEN This car probably gained 50 HP , just saying
Gained HP, as many of the new cars do, but at what loss of torque?
I know that this is irrelevant, but had to make a point on another very misunderstood & misleading subjects. Like it makes 500HP @ 7,500 & but barely makes 250 FT/ LBS @ 6,000 (not litterally but more of a point) & this is a great "Street Car". Same misunderstood Cyl head choice, like you want very high flow, 500 CFM plus heads, which are fine for the track, but not the street. Why??? Cuz that high flow makes HP, but in turn kills low end torque. High flow is also less velocity. So how high do you really want your powerband??? Lets be real, have you ever really seen the oh so fast Hellcat on the street? Not to impressive! At all! Sure once it spools up past 4k & is above 60MPH, it starts to go, & it definitely does at that point, just as with the LS & Coyote engines, but i already have truck lengths ahead & are shutting down. I focused in low & mid end & where i want my intended power, instead of all high end, high peak numbers that can be achieved when its 60° out, Dew pt of 32, Baro. Pressure of 28, & with a blue moon on Sunday & 6pm on Friday the 13th........absorb that one..... in other words, how these amazing advertising numbers can happen & most will rarely, if ever see. Lets not forget bragging rights of i have XXXLLL HP!!!
Regardless, EFI in itself doesn't gain HP either. They are efficient, & in many ways make tuning easier & more precise, so achieving higher horsepower while passing emissions is easier, & this is the biggest part of it. They have their pluses as negatives. Heres one, that most EFI systems, both OEM & aftermarket, can barely run on less than 7- 9 inches of vaccuum, i.e... those large duration, narrow LSA, large overlap camshafts.
In general, aftermarket EFI is great, and can really help with gas mileage & with tuning, especially with power adders.
Yeah, don't forget cyl head work, decking the block, a decent crank and pistons, rebalance the block, intake and exhaust manifolds, exhaust, cooling.CAI...damn you like doing shit the hard way!
Really...why don't you just buy a new GM crate engine? Damn...!
@@crankychris2 , a good crate motor and throw a turbo on it?
Great job on the Trans Am! I love all of the slight mods that y’all did to make the car more driveable!🐟
Thanks Catfish!
Great work guys.I had a 77 T/A back in the day, changed the cam which helped a lot but with all that technology out there today the sky’s the limit, one of only a few cars I wish I still had and probably my favourite
I'm really glad to have owned one of them when they came out...Fun car...At the time. Man how things have changed!
Very knowledgeable guys..really admire this model. If I ever had the money, I'd drive the 1st generation to your shop ASAP to make it a 2nd generation- would love to observe the transition-fun part as well ... I'm grateful that you're keeping the beautiful TA alive and well. Thank you sincerely..
My friend and i bought 2 Trans AM's in 1978 mine was red his was white both 4 speed cars with 3.42 gears. We also both ordered the TA 6.6 Pontiac motor rated at 220 HP, The cars were just over $6000.00 new, I believe our only option was the motor. Driving home with our new cars we knew we needed to get these cars breathing better so on went headers, we opened up the shaker hood scoop, we re jetted the Rochester Quadrajet carburetor, added 1.6 ratio rockers, removed the catalytic converters, we also removed the Pontiac cast iron intake manifold and added the Edelbrock Performer intake manifold. we also added booster springs to the rear shocks to raise the rear 1 inch we both thought a little better look. We did not want to beat our cars so we both went to Milan drag way in Michigan and decided to do 3 runs each to see what our cars would do, We both being amateurs at this, out of six runs my friend did the best time i think because he was skinny hehehe anyways, factory tires, 13.9 at 101 mph was our best.
Great numbers for a basically stock car, these are pretty heavy as you know. Thanks for sharing the story!
Newton - Yep! Thanks for sharing your story. I really admire you dedication at the time to releasing so much more power from the engine and performance from the car from what was the best spec you could possibly get stock from the dealer. I suppose you're going to make us even more envious & tell us the $6,000 incl. WS6 suspension package with 8" rims & Fischer T-tops...?!
Hi jeff, hehehe,.... later i was sad i did not order the WS6, The 8" rims i did like. i did not want the T tops back then there was leaking problems. my friend did find a set of the 8" rims and we sand blasted them to match his white car and anodized them. I worked in Aviation and we had free use of a sand blasting cabinet and anodizing tank.
V8TV Thank You! Also thanks for the video of fine build on this TA,....
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a beauty, my dads friend had 1 when I was a kid
You all did great on this classic T/A!!!!
Thank you!
It's nice not seeing something over done or the same old thing.
yah mean an LS swap.
@@Alolan.Vulpix.Getting.Railed yes it’s gotten boring but can’t beat the LS for an upgrade
Saw this baby and Challenger in ""Upgrade"" movie...superloved it..
I love these guys honest and humble suggestions and recommendations..guys like these are rare.
I worked on Muscle Cars for 40 years and you Guys do some nice work! This Trans Am is a 10 point Car out of 10 Points... hands-down. I'm a Big-Block Chevy Guy but this could be my next Muscle Car.
I wish this stuff existed back when i got my license mom and dad bought me a 79 trans am,, it had the same stuff this one has and needed everything this one needed aswell..sure would have brought mine to life had this stuff been around then....nice car and nice job guys.
If you had really know what was up you would have sought out a recked judge with circle port exhaust Chambers.
@@jimmypatterson9854 the things we didnt know then.
Exactly what I would do to one! I would call that "Resto-Upgraded" and love that it still looks completely stock! Glad to see folks that give them some modern love under the hood and stay true to the spirit of the car. Great job!
Thank you!
OWNED 2 OF THEM...1977 & 1978..."MISS THEM BOTH VERY MUCH"...!!! 1ST Car I Bought After I Sold my 1970 OLDS 442
Jesus... that sounds like my father. He had a '69 Olds 442, which got t-boned, got a Plymouth Duster, hated that, then got a '78 Trans Am. I learned how to drive on that, and took my date to the prom in that.
got my 72 in the works right now.... cant wait ! love the video
Good luck with it!
You have no idea how happy I am to know there are actual real people that really do know more about cars than me rather than fast talkers. Because they all talk but few of them know.
+wayne nahuy ha, thanks Wayne!
Excellent! At last, some guys who don't do any drama, know their stuff, and get it done!
Thank you, that's what we're all about.
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'
Thanks for an awesome video......Some fresh muscle in a old classic........Gorgeous car
That was a superb tour and fantastic results.
You guys do wonderful work this Bird looks great. Awesome job and kudos to the owner for listening to And deploying your upgrade ideas. Great video.
Thank you sir!
Love the car and love to set up guys thanks for sharing with me
Beautiful car !
Thank you!
Very nice!!..my hats off to yall!
Thanks John!
Love them Trans Am"s great job kevin and the V8 speed and resto shop
Thank you Pete!
My favorite car of all time the Pontiac Trans Am. I plan on getting one sooner than later. I haven't decided on a classic or a late model LT1 or LS1 car.
I love the torque and sound of my LT1, but LSs are soooooo much easier and have more potential :)
I love Second gens!
me too, i just bought one a little bit ago (80) and i just put in efi as well
My dream machine!
when I rebuilt my brothers t/a built the engine and made sure to port and polish the heads toped it off with summits efi system which woke the engine and have a 200r4 with a shift kit in it as well as a better posi in the rear
Did you have to modify the factory crossmember? I'm looking at doing the same thing for my Mother's 79 TA and trying to figure out the odds and ends that I'll need.
I was waiting to hear the solution for the lock up torque converter control and you nailed it! Thank you
Manual control will not be bad !
or a combined command from O/D pressure switch in tranny and speed sensor like speed meter buzzer and brake lights pedal switch.
Fantastic as always and one of my all time favorite cars!
Thank you Sir!
You guys did a superb job on this beautiful TA 😍
dream car right there, when i sell my house maybe ill contact these guys!
I think you hit a winner here V8TV, while not a classic muscle car (64-71). It's still a classic and obtainable. You guys do great work.
Thank you so much! Our team enjoys the work, and we're lucky to have great customers who like these kinds of projects. This formula can be applied to all kinds of cars, and it is reversible should one want to make it 100% original again. Thanks for your positive feedback!
I had a 74’ TA and put 3.73 gears in and kept the turbo 350 trans. The car accelerated sooo much better but it was brutal on the highway. I think it got about 8 or 9 mpg cruising 65mph.
Magnificent legendary Trans Am, with Burt Reynolds in the film The Bandit.
I love this Pontiac Camaro, a dream of youth.
Very Impressed. I have always loved the 77/78 Trans Am. These guys done the perfect upgrade to this car. Well done 👍👍.
Thank you sir!
This is how Pontiac, needs to build trans Am.
Thanks for the clear concise video !
I wish I could my truck into y'alls shop. That would be a one thing off the bucket list.
You guys at V8 Speed and Resto are good. I retired an ASE Master Tech and specialist in automatic transmission. I was trained at the GM Training Center in Atlanta back in the 1990's, and I agree with your choices 100% in this project.
However I would have added one thing: a Torsen T2 differential. I bought a 2004 Mercury Marauder after I retired and now positively HATE any kind of lockup differential in a car that's supposed to be about good handling on the street. When I converted "Quicksilver" and replaced her 28 spline axles with 31's and installed the Torsen the handling improvement was *dramatic!* No more losing my line when kicking down 1 or 2 gears coming out of curves. I highly recommend the Torsen to anybody who enjoys a bit of aggressive cornering, as I'm sure this young man would have.
Thanks for the kind words! We'll check out the T2, thanks for the tip!
Yeah. Think about it. When you kick it coming out of a curve in a Traction-Loc or Positraction car, the rear wheels turn at the same speed and the inside tire will lose most of it's traction. The T2 keeps on differentiating and you can kick it earlier and come out with a lot more speed. I routinely outrun modern two seater BMW's and Mercedes with a lot more horsepower than me in the twisty's because of that and of course the 14" front rotors that let me wait until the last microsecond before I brake for the turn.
For me your choices were no brainers. Many guys think that the 200-4R wasn't all that strong but it served the Turbo Grand National quite well. When you mentioned the gear ratio as to why you chose it I went - "Of course. Yeah, these guys know what they're doing alright."
An insignificant tip you may use someday since you work on some older stuff. There were a bunch of 700-4R trannys back in the early 90's coming in under warranty that had this complaint. *"Hard 1-2 shift; only in the morning when cold, happens only one time, after that it's fine for the rest of the day."* I was the one who identified the cause and came up with a correction that you can do in 15 minutes. Hydramatic found out what was causing it from me. Until then they were saying, "We don't know what it is exactly. Just replace the valve body."
I waited until the next day to verify the condition and it was exactly as described, and it wasn't just a hard 1-2, it was a rip-tearing bang you worried would beat out the U-joints. So at the end of the day I got the car up to operating temperature and left it up on the rack. The next morning I removed the valve body and found the 1-2 accumulator valve was stuck tight. Upon removal I discovered the little window that the roll pin went through was a lot wider than I remembered it to be, the tooling at Hydromatic had worn out a bit. There's a plug the pin holds in place there and it is what is designed to stop the valve when there's no pressure in the circuit.
Anyways this larger window allowed the valve to bottom further in the bushing bore and at the bottom of that bushing was a chamfer that the valve was now bottoming on. Being hot when the car was shut down, *that bushing was a little bit bigger* and the valve would stop with it's last land firmly in that chamfer. Then overnight as the bushing cooled off *it shrank and grabbed the valve tight!*
You can fix this problem with a 1/2" long piece of coat hanger without even removing the valve body. Just fold it into a small V shape and slip it in between the roll pin and that plug. lol!
That's just one: I got a million of 'em.
another in-expensive add on : sub frame connectors.
Lol a GM man driving a Ford product?!
You guys do good work
Damn that thing is stupid clean
Great work, guys!! Kudos for keeping it as original in look as possible!
As a kid I saw a new 1977 and I have never forgot that .
Incredible job guys, thanks for sharing. I’m retiring within a few years and I’m hoping one of these babies will be a gift to myself. I had a ‘78 when I was a kid. I babied it but eventually sold it. If I only knew back then what I know now. I promised myself that when I retire and move, one of these will be in my garage. The only place I know of right now that restores them is a place in Florida. If anyone else has information, please let me know. I didn’t read any description. I came straight to the comment section so forgive me if I missed the obvious. Thanks!
We at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop are happy to assist you with everything from performance upgrades like we showed in the video to complete restoration services. You can learn more about our shop at www.v8speedshop.com or by calling 314.783.8325. Thanks!
Cool video. Learned a lot. Thank you
That's awesome!!!
Hey guys, I watched the video hoping you’d go into a little more detail about the shaker hood fitment. Care to share what you did, I’m planning the same thing this spring.
Very Nice.
Thank you! Cheers!
I had a 74 400 4sp w3:23 in the rear end. It got 15mpg at highway speeds and ran 13:70's @ 101mph in the quarter. I had a lot of fun in that car. Sold it to a friends brother. He had it two weeks and a guy in a pickup truck nailed him in the rear at 40mph and totaled it. :O(... I still have my 69 GTO 400 with a Turbo 400 Auto in it. I watched this because I would like to do something similar to make it more of a highway cruiser yet still have some get up and go. Thanks for sharing your great insight guys, you gave me some good ideas. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
Great Video of a Great Car in under 20 Minutes. You Spanned the Gamut without over elaborate Details of The Modifications.
very nice
That’s proper gentlemen
Nice video! Very informative. Like the camera work too. Thanks for the work. Your guys are great! As a former 78 TA owner (Gold Edition), these cars are a blast to drive. They get looks and turn heads wherever you go. Plus, their handling in their day was ahead of their time, so nowadays, they still drive and handle quite well even compared to modern cars. I can almost imagine how it must have transformed the driving experience of that car. That's the reason to do a mod like this. Classic cars generally don't get driven all that much, so yer going to spend way more on the upgrades than you'll ever save in fuel costs, but if the modern 'driveability' inspires the owner to drive it more, enjoy it more, than it's achieved something great right there. Also, from an environmental standpoint, I'm sure it burns much more efficiently than a 40 year old de-tuned engine. Good idea to have it rebuilt.
I'd like to know more about the transmission swap and the controls. Here's a funny story: back in the 80's when the 200-4R were in use just about every mechanic and parts store guy would tell you they were 'Junk'! "You want to put in a TH700-R4!". I heard that from almost everyone. The old-school guys would say, rip it out and put in a TH350. Yet the Caprice I had had 250k miles on a 200 4R and it ran great and so did a couple other cars with the same tranny. Now they're all the rage. Funny how things go! Oh, younger readers have to remember that one of the reasons these cars run high RPM's down the road are because the speed limit was 55 back then ....even on the interstates. And the engines were detuned to about 200 hp (depending on which engine you had) because it was only 4-5 years from the super high gas prices of the Arab Oil Embargo. Those were the highest relative fuel prices ever many say. Higher fuel economy cars were the trend in the late 70's (as well as better emissions), so the ways to achieve that were to go with smaller engines, de-tune an existing engine (with more emissions equipment), and lower gearing. None of those were great for performance. Fortunately modern technology has provided a lot more options. Gee wiz, my pickup has over 400hp with a smaller engine!!
Ultimately, if yer a 'Purist' you'd probably gain a lot of driveability by spending money on a good comprehensive carb rebuild and making sure your car's engine and emissions are in good condition and live with the gearing and high RPMs (knowing you still have a numbers-matching 'original' car). Those old carb engines 'could' run idle down to 500 rpm or lower and just sit there and purr if properly set up. There's something fun, unique and charming about driving a classic car as it was in the day. Most guys are lucky to put on 2,000 mi per year going to shows and the occasional joy-ride. When's the last time anyone took a TA on a cross-country drive?! For one thing they're not nearly as safe as newer cars ....and T-top cars are so squeaky, water-leaky, and flex like you can't imagine going into an out of gas station driveways (but they still kick 'butt'!). But that charming feeling does get kind of old pretty quick, so if you're looking for smoother, snappier performance, and a much better driving experience than the only way you're going to get it is by doing some modern upgrades like this owner did. I was really thrilled you kept the engine compartment so it look stock. Nice work!
Thanks for the kind words! You touched on a lot of the points that were considered for this build. And that's a good description of t-tops... "queaky, water-leaky, and flex like you can't imagine going into an out of gas station driveways (but they still kick 'butt'!). " Great stuff!
This is the poster I had in my wall in 7th grade. I was still afraid to talk to girls, lol.
SWEET!
Very cool I always loved and wanted one of those cars totally awesome
Never forget my girlfriends blue 78 TA back in 1990.. Good Times!
I'm big fan 2nd Gens of the Trans Am with the Overdrive transmission plus with 6.6l 400 series
Haven't read the comments yet,but how bout that LTD Classic in the dash?Best radio I've ever had. And use everyday.
This was like turning Frankenstein's monster into a fast, hungry machine. Nice!
I would love to do the same but with a 455 72cc aluminum heads & intake with ram air four exhaust manifold. A good MSD ignition.
Amazing work all around 👌
Thanks Grump!
Yes! I need one!
Haha a 3 speed to OD transmission and carb to fuel injection an even flat crappet to roller cam....these guys get it 👏
+Jeremy Brewer right on Jeremy! Thanks!
Brilliant! :)
Rip Burt Reynolds we lost an icon today Sept 6 2018 the reason why Trans-Am is my favorite car great show guys
Trans am's of this era were so cool looking but truly lacked any muscle especially with the automatic. Nice upgrades to bring this car up to muscle car caliber.
Thanks Matt!
The w72 Trans Ams were the only performers of the era.
rare to find three guys that all know how to properly convey what they are trying to. Good build, but my 77 Formula is getting a twin turbo LS
Nice to see it has been kept powered by Poncho. Thumb up just for that.
AWESOME VIDEO!!!👍
Thank u for not doing an ls swap! I love ls series engines Pontiac power is my first true love. While they may not haul a$$ like an ls there is just something awesome about Pontiac power. That is not to say a 400 or 455 is slow by any means
I hope I need you guys one day👍
Mean looking cars. I had an all black ‘77 TA. It handled like a dream. Poor 400 motor got tired. Sold it for $500 in ‘91. We traded and sold hot rods like baseball cards. Good ‘ol days.
great episode!!
Nice job! Love these F body GM's.
The only issue I have with this is the loss of the big quadrajet kick down. When you whomped the gas to the floor those big secondaries would open with a bawaaahhh sound that really was nice with the rear facing scoop. Not the same with fuel injection. Definitely an improvement for operation but not as cool of sound when you drive it
Know the sound well... but the crisp response is nice, too!
I love everything about the LS and modern EFI but I do miss the kick and moan of a quadrajet
I'd argue with you on the efficiency of the efi vs. A Qjet done right
@@byronmcelfresh2380 You'll lose that argument unless you constantly tune a carb due to changes in air temp, humidity, etc. An EFI will tune much, much faster without even opening the hood. This is why we don't build new cars with carburetors anymore.
Very Nice!
I loved these when I was a little kid! Swore I'd always have one, but then I "grew up" and became attracted to cars like the Porsche 911. I would LOVE one of these OG Trans Ams with a 6-speed, a modern fuel-injected engine (~400hp), a top-notch brake and handling package (Wilwood or Brembo and coil-overs), and a custom leather interior. Something that looks like a Trans Am, but is as luxurious and quiet as a Rolls to cruise across country in, and handles the twisties like a Porsche. Is that too much to ask?!
Kevin - I totally enjoyed and have been inspired by this vid. here in UK, having subbed & enjoyed your MCotW vids for some months now. I had a 79 Olds auto T/A here in UK from '84-89 & at the same time hired a 3rd gen Firebird in US with lock-up converter when in the US one time. I'm now starting to build a head of steam to acquire a 78/79 Formula/TA & introduce some contemporary features along your lines. I think the production totals of 78/79 Trans Ams coupled with what history has proved one of the best all-round cars of that era makes the 78 & 79 Trans Am a good choice. Thanks again for the presentation & content of this vid - well done!
Just little background, best friend & me more chanced on our '77 & '79 Trans Am's having graduated from '73/'74 Ford Capri GXL's (3L V6 138hp/128mph). I'm afraid we were more influenced by Smokey & the Bandit than by Bullitt and paid more attention at first the the sound system to belt out Madonna & Cyndi Laupa until our ears bled... We did get to clean up the exhaust by restoring a full custom dual system, tho'... And whatever the reason we chose Trans Am, most enjoyed driving these cars either on our own or together year round as our only daily driver or in a wider group of UK/European car enthusiasts during the summer for a few years.
Great story Jeffery, these cars are wildly popular and so many of us have fond memories of them. We didn't play much Cyndi Lauper, but we cranked up tunes in my buddies '79 all the time. Thanks for the kind words, please let us know if we can be of assistance with your project with parts or anything else. Thanks again, best of luck on yours! Thanks for watching!
V8TV - thanks for quick response & your thoughts. I'm starting from a long way back & haven't yet got a clear plan. When I have do, I will run it by you! I can't be taking too long; I'm 63 y/o & ATM without enough resources (cash, premises, etc), but I'm beginning to 'see' the steps required. Subbing to MCotW and the manner you present this has been very instructive and inspirational.
Just to add a little to my story/memories; one other piece of 'luck' was friend and me held junior management roles in railroad track maintenance vehicle manufacturer in the 80's where we made the fullest use of railcar exhaust tube bender & raw material to yield 2 sets of dual exhaust systems built around Thrush boxes. We settled on 2 1/4" 14 gauge seamless steel tube off the original cast iron headers, which made the most beautiful, deepest sound...!
That probably sounded fantastic. You can't have a cool car without a great exhaust note! Interesting source of materials, glad you were able to take advantage of it!
V8TV - it sounded even cooler when I decided to try it for one day with just the front section(s) up to where the Thrush boxes should be... I had to get a move on fitting the boxes and rear sections which fortunately were finished, before I upset the neighbours/got fired/locked up...
Awesome video
I too had a Y88 Trans Am. That was my favorite car I ever owned. I kept it looking all stock from the exterior dnd as stock under the hood, but she made about 860hp at the crank out of a 455ho. It had BME aluminum rods, 10.5:1 pistons, solid lifter cam (I can’t remember the specs), Port and polished ram air 4 heads. The best run was 10.42 @ 138 mph.
That's moving! Cool car!
Nice job guys
Thanks Richard!
They really know their stuff and did a fantastic job. When I retire in approximately three years, I’m hoping to snatch up a restored trans am as a gift for myself. If so, I’d love to get these guys to beef it up a bit. Had a ‘78 back when I was 20 years old. I wish I never sold it. Fantastic work gentlemen.
Yea mind had a high speed shift converter, made a world of difference
Agreed bro.
@@jeodee We'd be happy to help with yours! Thanks!
Nice... I put a 200 4r in my 78 also over 20 years ago. Huge difference. I have to say I like the 3.23 ratio better though. You had to know how to take it off the line without smoking up the tires even with 10" wide tires. No power breaking touch the throttle to quick and light em up sitting still. 😆 I may have had a bit more power but the rear is light and the torque would break the traction every time if your not careful.
great work
My mom had on just like the white on tin the background when I was a kid. White on red.
Nice car. Nicely done project. I especially liked that you made the shaker hood functional. That it wasn't from the factory has always been a real sin. I was shocked to see someone putting a 200-4R in something on purpose, but then I suppose if they're good enough for a Grand National, they're fine behind a 78 Pontiac 400.
Nice upsell on the roller cam. There's just no good excuse for using flat tappets these days. Roller cams do everything they can do, better. Including high ramp acceleration leaving you with more time under the curve for the vales to be open. Plus they're nearly bulletproof.
Now all it needs are subframe connectors, a brake upgrade, and some mild suspension work.
Alot of people race them too
Cool whip