New Owner - Center Console Questions
#1
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New Owner - Center Console Questions
Hey Everyone!
I just purchased an 86 Trans Am and I’m beginning my long journey turning it into a KITT replica!
I’ll have parts to sell in the future (hood, wrap around spoiler, recaro seats) but for now I have an interior question.
Being my center console is shot and I need to replace it, I want to be “screen accurate” and obtain a good condition or refurbished 82-84 center console and glove compartment. My question is will this properly fit in my 86? I know the power mirror switch is not on that console and no big deal for me, but before I hunt one down I want to make sure it fits my interior.
Also I’ve found an 82 style NOS shifter but no stick, would I be able to install that in my current shifter stick?
Thanks!
Joe
I just purchased an 86 Trans Am and I’m beginning my long journey turning it into a KITT replica!
I’ll have parts to sell in the future (hood, wrap around spoiler, recaro seats) but for now I have an interior question.
Being my center console is shot and I need to replace it, I want to be “screen accurate” and obtain a good condition or refurbished 82-84 center console and glove compartment. My question is will this properly fit in my 86? I know the power mirror switch is not on that console and no big deal for me, but before I hunt one down I want to make sure it fits my interior.
Also I’ve found an 82 style NOS shifter but no stick, would I be able to install that in my current shifter stick?
Thanks!
Joe
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dmccain (07-06-2020)
#2
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
Stop the KITT genocide. Turning a Recaro Trans Am into the gayest thirdgen ever to grace celluloid is a crime against humanity. You should be ashamed of yourself for even considering what you're talking about.
Edit: To answer your question, everything on an 86 Trans Am is different from an 82. You're not even close. All the gfx, bumpers, hood, fenders, seats, dash, console, door panels, all of it is dead wrong for an 82 T/A clone. You'll have to completely destroy that car in order to make it a convincing KITT clone.
Edit: To answer your question, everything on an 86 Trans Am is different from an 82. You're not even close. All the gfx, bumpers, hood, fenders, seats, dash, console, door panels, all of it is dead wrong for an 82 T/A clone. You'll have to completely destroy that car in order to make it a convincing KITT clone.
Last edited by Drew; 06-14-2020 at 01:40 PM.
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#4
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: sp357
Transmission: T-5
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
I'll echo the other's statements, that car is too nice and too wrong year wise to hack into a KITT.
I think a well done KITT replica is kinda cool, but it's been so overplayed at this point I would rather see a nice original or restomod T/A any day of the week.
I think a well done KITT replica is kinda cool, but it's been so overplayed at this point I would rather see a nice original or restomod T/A any day of the week.
#5
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
Glad you guys like the car but at the end of the day it’s my decision to make what I wish and I rather have an answer than opinions.
I thought the point of the forums were for assistance and community vibes, but I guess I’m wrong.
Thanks anyway.
I thought the point of the forums were for assistance and community vibes, but I guess I’m wrong.
Thanks anyway.
#6
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: 305 H.O. TPI
Transmission: Auto 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
I agree it's your car and you have the right to do with it whatever you want, but I also agree it really would be a shame to hack up such a nice car, if it was a total basket case it would be easier to watch. I wouldn't get offended from others opinions, it's just really hard to find these in nice shape anymore. Good luck with whatever direction you take it.
#7
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: sp357
Transmission: T-5
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
You got an answer in the second post from Drew. You have the wrong car to do what you want to do without throwing a lot of money away trying to make an '86 into an '82.
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#8
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
I always liked KARR better.
#9
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Thread Starter
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
Just to be clear I am a huge Trans Am fan and would’ve done an 82-84 but I wanted a newer one with better suspension, latch t-tops, and better motor. I’ve been looking for a long time and as you all know it’s been harder and harder to find a decent shape car. I rather use this and do what I need then a junkyard find and ground up restoration. This car has had the engine and transmission remanufactured and so much work put into it already that it would be a shame not to take it for the offer that I got it.
So back to my original question, is it easy to swap the console that desperately needs replacement and can I just use the 82 style **** and use my stick from shifter?
Thanks
#10
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
Your car has the 4th gen console. You need the 3rd gen style. Yes, it will bolt right in.
#11
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
#12
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
KITT is the best looking thirdgen to ever have existed, PERIOD. The reason it gets so much hate is all the half-assed, inaccurate "replicas" out there that are hacked up abominations owned by clueless nerds who want everything as cheap as possible.
With that said, while a KITT replica CAN be made from '85-'92 Trans Ams and Firebirds, the '82-'84 is the easiest. It is a lot more work and expense to convert a '85-'92. You're gonna spend a LOT of time (and money) looking for the correct year parts in good condition; they are not as plentiful as they were 20 years ago. Do what you want with your car, but be aware of what you're getting yourself into.
Guys here are urging you to keep your car original, but I urge you not to build a deplorable looking KITT. In other words, do it right, or not at all. Talk to Don Colie at Advanced Designs in Virginia (540-484-0753). KITT replicas is his full-time business for the past 20 years...
With that said, while a KITT replica CAN be made from '85-'92 Trans Ams and Firebirds, the '82-'84 is the easiest. It is a lot more work and expense to convert a '85-'92. You're gonna spend a LOT of time (and money) looking for the correct year parts in good condition; they are not as plentiful as they were 20 years ago. Do what you want with your car, but be aware of what you're getting yourself into.
Guys here are urging you to keep your car original, but I urge you not to build a deplorable looking KITT. In other words, do it right, or not at all. Talk to Don Colie at Advanced Designs in Virginia (540-484-0753). KITT replicas is his full-time business for the past 20 years...
I've heard of Don Colie and I’m glad you gave me his
contact info. I’ll reach out to him with questions.
I might do a separate post explains my conversion and what I have or what I need, maybe I’ll get less hating haha.
Thanks,
Joe
#13
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
That car is way too nice to do this to in my opinion. It will be a ton of work to turn that 86 into an 82. This forum is not a Knight Rider forum. Those forums are all gone. You will get very little respect here. You can find some information pertaining to replica building on here, but not much. You are far better off seeking out the hundreds of Facebook groups in your quest. Good luck.
If you do decide to take that car on, I'd be interested in the hood.
If you do decide to take that car on, I'd be interested in the hood.
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Drew (07-05-2020)
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#15
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
That car is way too nice to do this to in my opinion. It will be a ton of work to turn that 86 into an 82. This forum is not a Knight Rider forum. Those forums are all gone. You will get very little respect here. You can find some information pertaining to replica building on here, but not much. You are far better off seeking out the hundreds of Facebook groups in your quest. Good luck.
If you do decide to take that car on, I'd be interested in the hood.
If you do decide to take that car on, I'd be interested in the hood.
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Drew (07-05-2020)
#17
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 liter V-8
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
If you do the exterior exactly right, it'll look good as a KITT. To me, it's just been done to death, but it's your car. To each his own. IMO, even done exactly right, it doesn't really look any better than a stock early 3rd gen Trans Am. And not as good as an 1987-1990.
Personally, I think duplicating the KITT interior would get old very fast. In that case, I wouldn't go for an exact replica. You could probably put together a really nice, functional, electronic interior. But the KITT look is going overboard. I wouldn't want a lot of non-functional crap in the car. Heck, I didn't even want to get a new radio for my GTA because the steering wheel controls then have been just a dead set of buttons in front of me. (Unless you can push a button and really make the car launch off the ground or zoom up to 300 mph.)
Personally, I think duplicating the KITT interior would get old very fast. In that case, I wouldn't go for an exact replica. You could probably put together a really nice, functional, electronic interior. But the KITT look is going overboard. I wouldn't want a lot of non-functional crap in the car. Heck, I didn't even want to get a new radio for my GTA because the steering wheel controls then have been just a dead set of buttons in front of me. (Unless you can push a button and really make the car launch off the ground or zoom up to 300 mph.)
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CKone (06-19-2020)
#19
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
In 2003 someone sold me a nice, running and driving, 86 Trans Am with a 305 TPI, WS6, etc for $200. Go find me one now for $200 and then tell me the values aren't already on the way up.
The problem isn't so much liking or disliking KITT or the show, it's that Trans Ams are made to be DRIVEN, and that stupid gullwing steering wheel makes them into a really shitty to drive car. It defeats the entire purpose. It's turning a functional vehicle into a movie prop. It's fiction. You can add all those lights and buttons, the tv screens, etc and at the end of the day you don't have the hero car from the show, you have a visual representation without all the special effects, camera people, writers, etc that made it look good on screen. I mean if that's what you want, then that's your choice, but it goes against what 95% of the users on this board are into these cars for. They're great, affordable, and performing cars. We appreciate their heritage, the value, etc. KITT may be a part of that, but it's pretty far removed from a lot of typical thirdgen owners interests. I'm not so much telling you that your opinion is wrong, as much as I'm suggesting you might learn to appreciate the car the way it is, or pass it on to someone who would, and keep looking for a more appropriate car to destroy... er, I mean turn into a clone.
The problem isn't so much liking or disliking KITT or the show, it's that Trans Ams are made to be DRIVEN, and that stupid gullwing steering wheel makes them into a really shitty to drive car. It defeats the entire purpose. It's turning a functional vehicle into a movie prop. It's fiction. You can add all those lights and buttons, the tv screens, etc and at the end of the day you don't have the hero car from the show, you have a visual representation without all the special effects, camera people, writers, etc that made it look good on screen. I mean if that's what you want, then that's your choice, but it goes against what 95% of the users on this board are into these cars for. They're great, affordable, and performing cars. We appreciate their heritage, the value, etc. KITT may be a part of that, but it's pretty far removed from a lot of typical thirdgen owners interests. I'm not so much telling you that your opinion is wrong, as much as I'm suggesting you might learn to appreciate the car the way it is, or pass it on to someone who would, and keep looking for a more appropriate car to destroy... er, I mean turn into a clone.
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WildCard600 (07-05-2020)
#20
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
Who's to say? I look at the prices that nice original 3rd gens are currently bringing at some of these nationally-televised auctions, and it makes me wonder where the ceiling might be.
The mid-'80s- era performance cars are the bridge between the pitiful smog-era cars of the late-'70s and what is on the market today, and that gives them a place in the history of the automobile in the US.
It's your car, OP. Do with it as you wish, but give it some consideration first.
The mid-'80s- era performance cars are the bridge between the pitiful smog-era cars of the late-'70s and what is on the market today, and that gives them a place in the history of the automobile in the US.
It's your car, OP. Do with it as you wish, but give it some consideration first.
#21
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Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
In 2003 someone sold me a nice, running and driving, 86 Trans Am with a 305 TPI, WS6, etc for $200. Go find me one now for $200 and then tell me the values aren't already on the way up.
The problem isn't so much liking or disliking KITT or the show, it's that Trans Ams are made to be DRIVEN, and that stupid gullwing steering wheel makes them into a really shitty to drive car. It defeats the entire purpose. It's turning a functional vehicle into a movie prop. It's fiction. You can add all those lights and buttons, the tv screens, etc and at the end of the day you don't have the hero car from the show, you have a visual representation without all the special effects, camera people, writers, etc that made it look good on screen. I mean if that's what you want, then that's your choice, but it goes against what 95% of the users on this board are into these cars for. They're great, affordable, and performing cars. We appreciate their heritage, the value, etc. KITT may be a part of that, but it's pretty far removed from a lot of typical thirdgen owners interests. I'm not so much telling you that your opinion is wrong, as much as I'm suggesting you might learn to appreciate the car the way it is, or pass it on to someone who would, and keep looking for a more appropriate car to destroy... er, I mean turn into a clone.
The problem isn't so much liking or disliking KITT or the show, it's that Trans Ams are made to be DRIVEN, and that stupid gullwing steering wheel makes them into a really shitty to drive car. It defeats the entire purpose. It's turning a functional vehicle into a movie prop. It's fiction. You can add all those lights and buttons, the tv screens, etc and at the end of the day you don't have the hero car from the show, you have a visual representation without all the special effects, camera people, writers, etc that made it look good on screen. I mean if that's what you want, then that's your choice, but it goes against what 95% of the users on this board are into these cars for. They're great, affordable, and performing cars. We appreciate their heritage, the value, etc. KITT may be a part of that, but it's pretty far removed from a lot of typical thirdgen owners interests. I'm not so much telling you that your opinion is wrong, as much as I'm suggesting you might learn to appreciate the car the way it is, or pass it on to someone who would, and keep looking for a more appropriate car to destroy... er, I mean turn into a clone.
#22
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: New Owner - Center Console Questions
Who's to say? I look at the prices that nice original 3rd gens are currently bringing at some of these nationally-televised auctions, and it makes me wonder where the ceiling might be.
The mid-'80s- era performance cars are the bridge between the pitiful smog-era cars of the late-'70s and what is on the market today, and that gives them a place in the history of the automobile in the US.
It's your car, OP. Do with it as you wish, but give it some consideration first.
The mid-'80s- era performance cars are the bridge between the pitiful smog-era cars of the late-'70s and what is on the market today, and that gives them a place in the history of the automobile in the US.
It's your car, OP. Do with it as you wish, but give it some consideration first.
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WildCard600 (07-06-2020)
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