travisgold

At the end of this month I start my 1986 Trans Am Restoration project.
Some little info about the car: The car has Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Mirrors, Power Seats, Alarm System, GTA Rims and front nose badge. This car is not a true GTA since the GTAs came out in 87, 350 Engine possibly a 4 bolt main, Posi rear end, Auto tranny...

I picked up the car for $1750 and I am still owing 650 on the car, sold my 88 Camaro as a down payment.

Things that need to be done on the car....
I need to repair the drivers side seat bolt holes since the seat sits crooked
I need to install tapet covers according to my dad
I need to install the set of headers that were given to me with the car
Fix the power mirrors, there is no power to them I am thinking maybe a blown fuse
The car needs paint but I found a local guy that owns a professional paintbooth that is 15mins away from me and he said he will give me a stage 1 paint job no clear coat or lacer for 1000 its an acrylic based paint and he painted all his tow trucks with the stage one and it looks very good
I am going to paint the car the original red it has on it now front of the car was painted red but the back was never finished im also going to paint the grill outlines on the hood black and the rear wing black.

The car also needs a set of tires (to much burning rubber) a oil dipstick (how the hell do you install a motor without putting in the dipstick!!!, new hood and hatch supports, fuel tank door lock, rear hatch lock, t top weather stripping, and the head unit surround plate.

I am also planning on changing the speakers based on there sound, if they sound good enough I will keep them, no point fixing what is already good, I also wanted to find the original radio for the car but the owner doesn't have it the original owner might still have it so I am going to have to try to trace it back.... soon enough I will be doing this

cbrown

Well, I see that you haved been on this site a bit so you probably already know how helpful these guys are. I have only been a member for a couple of weeks and I have had excellent advice from experienced people. I would recommend this site to anyone that has questions about 3rd gens or anything else. It looks like you and I are working on similar vehicles except I have to also do an engine swap. My '86 TA does not have the power windows and such but I have to do some minor interior work and weather strip replacement as well. Have you ever looked a 1aauto.com? If not, you should look it up. They have many "how to" videos related to some of the things you will be working on and it should be very helpful to watch and refer back to as you go. Maybe we can share information as we go and help each other out too. Oh yeah, as far as the radio goes, I will be replacing mine because I'm fresh out of Van Halen and Bon Jovi cassetts and if you haven't found your original I may be able to hook you up.

travisgold

Hey you sound like my kinda guy! and that would be awesome I want my car to have the original radio because it looks sick to have original stuff and I like your choice of music, we let the pontiac thirdgen legend live on, I need to borrow a few bon jovi and van halen cassettes from my parents so I can drive around listening to Jump and Living on a prayer. What size motor are you planning on putting in, 350 is the best fuel economy and power wise, ironically the 305 got the same fuel economy as my 2.8l got, and the 350 gets only 2 less fuel economy on the highway and does the same in the city as the 2.8l and the 305s, if you want more power go for a 400 but then you will hurting for gas. Also try not to buy from hawks third gen I noticed most of there parts are off the wall for prices, Third Gen Ranch and Rick's Camaros are awesome and Fbodywarehouse. Rick's Camaros is geared only for Camaros but im positive the weatherstripping is the same, and its helluva lot cheaper then Hawks.... I also need to repair my Headlight Motor, it works fine until you turn off the lights then the Drivers side motor will go down but the motor continues to spin I can't figure out why I have asked a few people and I posted a thread on the board here but nobody responded, As for the guys on this forum they are truly amazing, they have saved my *** so many times!

cbrown

Thanks for the info, as far as the headlight motor goes I dont have a response either. I am suprised no one responded though. Sounds like a wrecking yard may be a good place to get another one fairly cheap. I have never replace one of those motors but maybe it's not too difficult. 6-pack and a warm sunny day, should make for a fun project. LOL By the way, if you do repair/replace that headlight motor let me know just in case I have to do the same with mine. I only have one that works but for now I am pretty sure its just a wiring issue. I have dug out a 55 gallon drum of rat and mice "nest" from my engine compartment and I noticed that the wiring to the motor in question fell victim to there destruction. Anyway, 305 is almost out (I'm not in any rush) and I have my eye on a Vortec 350.