no more Camaro, may be getting a 3rd gen T/A instead

[skorpion317]

ok, onto the next lead.....

1988 Trans Am
$4500 o.b.o.
T-tops
White exterior, gray interior

Engine/Induction/Exhaust/Fuel
5.7L TPI
2,500 miles on the rebuilt engine
Bored .030-over, flattop pistons
Stainless steel valves
MSD coil
24 lb/hr Motorsports fuel injectors
New fuel pressure regulator
Walbro 340 fuel pump
New MAF sensor
All sensors replaced
K&N filter
3" custom intake piping
Edelbrock T.E.S. headers
3" Flowmaster exhaust

Trans
Borg-Warner T-5
Centerforce clutch

Brakes/Suspension/Rear Diff/Body
4-wheel disc brakes - new
Posi rear, 3.27's installed
New springs, shocks, struts all around
Hotchkis Subframe connectors
1989 GTA wheels (black wire wheels)

the only problems I can see are paint chips on the hood, and some missing paint on the spoiler. That's not a big problem for me, since I'd repaint it black anyway.

What do you guys think? I could probably get the owner down to $3500, maybe $3000. It wouldn't be a bad project car (i'd be changing the intake set-up, adding a supercharger, maybe nitrous, as well as other misc. bits and pieces). I'll try to get pictures soon.

[Savage_Messiah]

Was it a backyard project or does he have paperwork for all the major stuff? (rebuild, trans, gears)

[JL8Jeff]

I'd wonder what computer he is using with the 5 speed and 350 since GM never offered it in the F-body. As long as it runs good and passes inspection it would be a fun car. Ask him if he'll guarantee inspection, theat should give you a good reading on how confident he is of the vehicle.

[skorpion317]

Was it a backyard project or does he have paperwork for all the major stuff? (rebuild, trans, gears)

i don't know, i haven't talked to the guy yet. I got all this info off a sheet in the front window. on the sheet, it said "This is no 'hack job', this is a professionally done engine rebuild." as well as a couple other lines which i forget at the moment. I'm gonna call the owner to see if i can drive it.

[skorpion317]

damn, i just talked to the guy, he says someone is supposedly coming by with money to buy the car. he said if the deal falls through, he'll give me a call.

[skorpion317]

next one up:

1991 Trans Am
$2,895
113,709 miles

Engine

5.0L LB9 TPI V8

Trans

4-spd auto

Options
Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Cassette Player; Radial Tires; Trip Odometer; Tachometer; Air Conditioning; Tilt Steering Wheel; Cruise Control; Interval Wipers; Rear Defroster; Carpeting; Day-Night Lever; Front Bucket Seats; Reclining Seats; Cloth Upholstery; Inside Hood Release; Fold Down rear Seat; AM-FM Stereo Radio; Chrome Exhaust Pipe

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/7/22/181/683/1637903348.181683057.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jp g
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/4/23/181/683/1410774899.181683057.IM1.02.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/4/23/181/683/1410774900.181683057.IM1.03.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/4/23/181/683/1410774901.181683057.IM1.04.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/4/23/181/683/1410774902.181683057.IM1.05.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/4/23/181/683/1410774903.181683057.IM1.06.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

the LB9 platform isn't a bad choice, i've seen several 13-sec NA 305 TPI cars before. Forced induction even quicker (cough cough...boon). not thrilled about the automatic trans, but I could always swap in a 5-spd.

[skorpion317]

and if i'm not mistaken, does the wheel center cap say "WS6"?

[foff667]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=both&make=PONT&model=TRANSAM&start_year=1993&end_year=2006&min_price=1&max_price=5000&distance=75&address=08610&x=67&y=10

found a good handful of lt1 cars for under 5 grand in NJ

[foff667]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=186002391&dealer_id=56614005&car_year=1993&make=PONT&distance=75&lang=en&max_price=5000&model=TRANSAM&end_year=2006&min_price=1&certified=&address=08610&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1993&isp=y&cardist=9

tell me this aint randy's old car though :?

[tastyle88]

that car the blue ta looks like a great deal its in great shape if i had 3000 id buy it of coarse id try to talk them down first

[Fastbird]

That blue TA is nice but I believe that it may be a repaint as I don't remember that color being available in 91. Looks like it does have the WS6 suspension package though.

[enRo]

Do you know how old Autotrader ads are? lol theres still a car there i was gonna buy to part out about 10 months ago, and the guy sold it when i called him... u guessed it... 10 months ago.

But that blue TA looks real good. LB9 is very nice, thats whats in the WS6 im selling. Sounds like a complete power house with tiny mods. Good luck with your search

[84HOtransam]

that blue one looks good...in general if your planning on spending any time/money/effort on a project i would rather have a clean interior,no rust,straight body, bone stock car to start with...

[Tru2Chevy]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=186002391&dealer_id=56614005&car_year=1993&make=PONT&distance=75&lang=en&max_price=5000&model=TRANSAM&end_year=2006&min_price=1&certified=&address=08610&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1993&isp=y&cardist=9

tell me this aint randy's old car though Â*:?

Fits the description, but I think Randy's car had approx 105k in the spring when he got rid of it....128 would be a bit high 5-6 months later.

- Justin

[NJSPEEDER]

that 91 TA is a hot car. a few minor bolt ons and it would be an easy mid 13second runner.

later
tim

[Koll]

Stop dicking around. Buy my car for $1700.

[enRo]

Stop dicking around. Buy my car for $1700.

Ill buy your car, for $75, and a BBC better be included.

[skorpion317]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=both&make=PONT&model=TRANSAM&start_year=1993&end_year=2006&min_price=1&max_price=5000&distance=75&address=08610&x=67&y=10

found a good handful of lt1 cars for under 5 grand in NJ

i'm not driving near trenton to pick up a car. i'm staying within 15-20 miles of my house.

glad to see there's some approval for the '91 TA. I'm gonna talk it over with my dad, and see what he thinks. if he gives the green light, it will become my new daily driver, and the Saturn will most likely go to my cousin (who is getting his license soon and needs a car). I figure I can probably get the price of the TA down a few hundred bucks, and the Saturn's KBB value is over $3K. i should have a few hundred dollars left over to get some basic bolt-ons.

[foff667]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=both&make=PONT&model=TRANSAM&start_year=1993&end_year=2006&min_price=1&max_price=5000&distance=75&address=08610&x=67&y=10

found a good handful of lt1 cars for under 5 grand in NJ

i'm not driving near trenton to pick up a car. i'm staying within 15-20 miles of my house.

glad to see there's some approval for the '91 TA. I'm gonna talk it over with my dad, and see what he thinks. if he gives the green light, it will become my new daily driver, and the Saturn will most likely go to my cousin (who is getting his license soon and needs a car). I figure I can probably get the price of the TA down a few hundred bucks, and the Saturn's KBB value is over $3K. i should have a few hundred dollars left over to get some basic bolt-ons.

im not saying im against the 91'...im actually a huge fan of the nose on the 91-92's...just pointing out early 4th gens can be had for nearly the same price as the $4500k you were willing to spend on an 88 TA. As far as driving more then 15-20 miles to buy a car...if you could save yourself $500 on a car by driving 50 miles each way you wouldnt do it?...my feeling is thats cash in hand at that point...or ask someone in the area if they can beat..I mean test drive it for you to see if its worth the trip down :wink: I know Im not the only one who's taken out cars for test drives just cuz they were bored.

[Savage_Messiah]

Trenton isnt far, unless you think an hour (it would be less for you, you have forther to go west and about the same south) is far away.

Also remind me again why you had to sell a 4th gen v6 because insurance was too high but you are gonna get a 3rd gen v8???

[skorpion317]

Trenton isnt far, unless you think an hour (it would be less for you, you have forther to go west and about the same south) is far away.

Also remind me again why you had to sell a 4th gen v6 because insurance was too high but you are gonna get a 3rd gen v8???

4th gen insurance = full coverage

3rd gen insurance = liability only :D = less money spent on insurance.

[foff667]

Trenton isnt far, unless you think an hour (it would be less for you, you have forther to go west and about the same south) is far away.

Also remind me again why you had to sell a 4th gen v6 because insurance was too high but you are gonna get a 3rd gen v8???

4th gen insurance = full coverage

3rd gen insurance = liability only Â*:D = less money spent on insurance.

depends on if you finance or not...if your financing any part of it even the 3rd gen would require full coverage.

[skorpion317]

Trenton isnt far, unless you think an hour (it would be less for you, you have forther to go west and about the same south) is far away.

Also remind me again why you had to sell a 4th gen v6 because insurance was too high but you are gonna get a 3rd gen v8???

4th gen insurance = full coverage

3rd gen insurance = liability only :D = less money spent on insurance.

depends on if you finance or not...if your financing any part of it even the 3rd gen would require full coverage.

i wouldn't be financing it. i'd be buying it outright.

[Savage_Messiah]

why does 4th gen have to mean full coverage?

[Fastbird]

You know, if you're looking to spend $4500 like someone said, you can EASILY plop into a 4th Gen LT1 car for that amount. Heck, I've seen some needing minor work (opti, plugs, ect) for at little as 2K in great shape.

[Tru2Chevy]

You know, if you're looking to spend $4500 like someone said, you can EASILY plop into a 4th Gen LT1 car for that amount. Â*Heck, I've seen some needing minor work (opti, plugs, ect) for at little as 2K in great shape.

Yea, but 4th gen = heavy......3rd gen = light :D

- Justin

[Tru2Chevy]

why does 4th gen have to mean full coverage?

Because he had to take out a loan to get the car, whereas he has enough money to buy the 3rd gen outright.

If you get a loan, you must have full coverage, because the car doesn't technically belong to you.

- Justin

[Savage_Messiah]

yea... I dunno, I got my 4th gen for 3k so we werent gonna go putting full on it. Good thing too, becasue then I'd have been looking for another 3.8. And everything i've done so far and will do till the end fixing it will total less than the extra amount I would have paid for full coverage.

[Fastbird]

You know, if you're looking to spend $4500 like someone said, you can EASILY plop into a 4th Gen LT1 car for that amount. Heck, I've seen some needing minor work (opti, plugs, ect) for at little as 2K in great shape.

Yea, but 4th gen = heavy......3rd gen = light :D

- Justin

:funny: Since when??? I've always been under the impression that the opposite is true.

[PDubs87Z28]

Trenton isnt far, unless you think an hour (it would be less for you, you have forther to go west and about the same south) is far away.

Also remind me again why you had to sell a 4th gen v6 because insurance was too high but you are gonna get a 3rd gen v8???

4th gen insurance = full coverage

3rd gen insurance = liability only Â*:D = less money spent on insurance.

Yeah well on my own insurance: 21 year old male, Zero points (unless they give me any point from that ticket) i pay $1800/yr on a 87 Z28 with a 305 4bbl that i bought for $400 and with min. liability :roll: (**** collison my dad does auto body for a living and i went to school for auto body) and the best part about it is i don't have an inspection sticker and that ****ing **** box sits in my driveway!

[skorpion317]

You know, if you're looking to spend $4500 like someone said, you can EASILY plop into a 4th Gen LT1 car for that amount. Heck, I've seen some needing minor work (opti, plugs, ect) for at little as 2K in great shape.

i'm not spending $4500....that T/A got sold. The '91 TA i'm looking at is only $2,895. I can probably get that price down to $2500.

[skorpion317]

You know, if you're looking to spend $4500 like someone said, you can EASILY plop into a 4th Gen LT1 car for that amount. Heck, I've seen some needing minor work (opti, plugs, ect) for at little as 2K in great shape.

Yea, but 4th gen = heavy......3rd gen = light :D

- Justin

:funny: Since when??? I've always been under the impression that the opposite is true.

since always:

3rd gens:
IROC-Z 305 5.0 5-Speed - 3250 lbs.
Formula 305 5.0 5-Speed - 3383 lbs.
IROC-Z 350 5.7 Automatic Overdrive - 3341 lbs.
GTA 350 5.7 Automatic Overdrive - 3476 lbs.

4th gens
3324 lbs. - Coupe (w/3.8L V6)
3437 lbs. - Z28 Coupe (w/5.7L V8 )
3459 lbs. - Convertible(w/3.8L V6)
3571 lbs. - Z28 Convertible (w/5.7L V8 )

even the IROC-Z was only about 20 lbs. heavier than a 4th gen V6 coupe. from what i have heard, most 3rd gens weigh around 3500 lbs. w/driver + full tank of gas. the 4th gens are usually close to 3800 lbs.

[Fastbird]

You know, if you're looking to spend $4500 like someone said, you can EASILY plop into a 4th Gen LT1 car for that amount. Heck, I've seen some needing minor work (opti, plugs, ect) for at little as 2K in great shape.

Yea, but 4th gen = heavy......3rd gen = light :D

- Justin

:funny: Since when??? I've always been under the impression that the opposite is true.

since always:

3rd gens:
IROC-Z 305 5.0 5-Speed - 3250 lbs.
Formula 305 5.0 5-Speed - 3383 lbs.
IROC-Z 350 5.7 Automatic Overdrive - 3341 lbs.
GTA 350 5.7 Automatic Overdrive - 3476 lbs.

4th gens
3324 lbs. - Coupe (w/3.8L V6)
3437 lbs. - Z28 Coupe (w/5.7L V8 )
3459 lbs. - Convertible(w/3.8L V6)
3571 lbs. - Z28 Convertible (w/5.7L V8 )

even the IROC-Z was only about 20 lbs. heavier than a 4th gen V6 coupe. from what i have heard, most 3rd gens weigh around 3500 lbs. w/driver + full tank of gas. the 4th gens are usually close to 3800 lbs.

OK, I stand corrected. Although I had a GTA and moved to a 4th Gen Hardtop, so mine IS lighter. :P

[skorpion317]

here's my plan so far. in terms of bolt-ons:

1. Edelbrock T.E.S. headers - these are a popular choice among 3rd gens, and the price is good. they sell kits with a y-pipe included.

2. Carsound (Magnaflow) hi-flow catalytic converter - again, i've heard good things about these. a universal fit cat would be my choice, since i can have some freedom in choosing inlet/outlet size.

3. Flowmaster cat-back - for some reason, they always sounded mean to me. I'm not a huge fan of Flowmasters, but the price is right, and I can enjoy the sound.

4. SLP cold-air induction - i could probably make something similar to what they sell, but it's just to give an idea of what I plan on doing.

5. LSD (if not already equipped) and 3.73's - this should really wake up the car.

6. Weight reduction - back seat? gone. as well as several other useless accessories. I plan on replacing the seats with lightweight ones from Summit. the possibilities here are endless....

If i'm not mistaken, this combination should have me in the 14's. a few tweaks here and there, as well as some more mods (an LT4 HOT cam may be in this car's future) should have me in the 13's.

...and don't bother saying it. I know i shouldn't count my chickens before they've hatched, but it's always good to have a plan :wink:

[GP99GT]

why Slowmasters? go with a dynomax or magnaflow system if you want something cheap. blowmasters suck.

[enRo]

why Slowmasters? go with a dynomax or magnaflow system if you want something cheap. blowmasters suck.

Blowmasters have a nice purr when you let off the throttle, but yes yes yes.... Blowmasters just blow. If you wanna go with a flowmaster sound, lemme suggests Pypes. They got that tone, makes me wanna :drool: They sound sick I mean SICK

And my theory, don't plan on a car that you haven't purchased yet. I've done that so many times and they've sold before I got to them. It makes the "depressing factor" at large :lol:

Screw 3.73's... go 4.10's!!!

[karr95]

That blue third gen you posted looks great, have you gone and seen it yet? Looking at the pictures, I wonder if the hatch pull down is on its way out...

[JerzLT1]

i still have my 86 forsale for $2,000. might be farther then your willing to drive but the body has the same amount of miles and the engine has less. and its a L98

[skorpion317]

i still have my 86 forsale for $2,000. might be farther then your willing to drive but the body has the same amount of miles and the engine has less. and its a L98

camden is a hike for me.

[skorpion317]

That blue third gen you posted looks great, have you gone and seen it yet? Looking at the pictures, I wonder if the hatch pull down is on its way out...

no, but i am going to see it sometime during the week. it's still on the lot.

[Tru2Chevy]

I wouldn't go with the TES headers (unless you find them very cheap like I did). They suck. Plug access is ok, but the collectors are junk.

- Justin

[skorpion317]

I wouldn't go with the TES headers (unless you find them very cheap like I did). They suck. Plug access is ok, but the collectors are junk.

- Justin

thanks for the tip. i'll keep looking.

[Savage_Messiah]

why Slowmasters? go with a dynomax or magnaflow system if you want something cheap. blowmasters suck.

Exactly what matt said.