Guest

Unless they were custom-ordered, they're zero-offset. Summit and Jegs both carry these.
In the sub-forum for wheels and tires, the sticky says a 17x9 with zero offset should fit the front.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

My front wheels are 17X8 with 4.5" of backspacing with Hankook Ventus tires that are 245/45/17. The rears are 17x9 with 5" of backspacing, Hankook Ventus tires that are 275/40/17.

All together with all 4 wheels, center caps, all new lug nuts, tires, mounting, and balancing was about $1k even.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Mine aren't special order, and they're not 0 offset either. Make sure you're looking up the wheels in 17" diameter.

Guest

Summit will get different offsets from Cragar, but that's special order, and is drop-shipped direct from Cragar.
Cragar's website is down, but these Summit links will prove the zero offset, and the Jeg's links show the same backspacings as the Summit links. The thing is that they include the rim lip in the backspacing, which is why a zero offset 8" is reported as 4.5" BS rather than 4", and a zero-offset 9" is reported as 5" instead of 4.5".
Educational, huh?
Since you do have a pair of 17x9 with zero offset, I am again asking, how about kindly test-fitting one to the front, please?
I would like to see a pic if you do, but either way, I won't bother you again. Peace!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Ugh, I mixed up my terminology again! I mixed up "backspacing" and "offset", my fault... lol

I have never swapped front to rear, and I don't think it would quite work with the larger tire being even closer into the fender-well. There is something wrong with the placement of my wheels on the front of my car, they seem to sit a bit too far back and that gave my tires rubbing problems. I am not wure what is causing this but it wouldn't happen with another thirdgen that has proper front-end alignment..

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Went to a small car show at a dairy queen down the road from me, which is the first car show I have ever had my car at, which was cool. A few people were digging on my car but not many. I guess most people don't understand us third-genners, lol! Despite an engine fire a few weeks ago shes still up and running strong with several exhaust leaks, something loose in the catalytic converter or something that makes a disgusting pinging noise, and a dying lifter. I still love my car and dont ever want to get rid of her!

Here are the pics I took (I forgot my camera, but had my phone on me):

I'm parked next to my friends 89 T/A, we were the only third gens there, and actually the only t/a's as well.





And this is my favorite picture:



I am also picking up a 350 motor tomorrow and plan on building it up just a little with a new cam/intake, 416 heads, etc..

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

My fav picture too. Cool looking car dude. I like how you used later model nose
grills and avoid the delicate 82-84 grills.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Well those are 82-84 grills, they're just from an 82-84 with the aero gfx package. I think they match well with my grey/black theme and you're right, they aren't near as delicate as the grills.

Thanks!!

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

hey brad awesome car my KARR has the aero package and does not have those grilles just a flat panel

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

can i ask why you spell it karr insted of car?

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

Have you ever seen Knight Rider 1982?

Can I ask why do you care ?

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

no i havent i was born 12 years after it. and i was just asking...no need to get moody...its not like i asked in a rude way or anything it was just a simple question.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Enough of that. KARR is from knight rider, just like KITT...

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Do you happen to have a pic of your grills? My car had some plastic panels the PO cut out of something and screwed into the bumper. I got these from a fellow TGO member for free, which was pretty awesome of him!

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

the grills were on 1982 firebirds
http://www.oldcarmemories.com/content/view/49/1/

maks10

Nice man!!! always nice to see 3rd gens at shows, some reason i never see too many...what dairy queen had a show??? trying to imagine whats down in tampa/west chase area

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

It was across from citrus park mall off of gunn hwy.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

KITT, I don't understand what your trying to show me, those are the grills that I have on my car, that came from the 82-84 aero package.. ?

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

this is what i meant
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-...-/350386451731

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

@bradley23150 i would recommend you keep your panels. The grills look cool
but as i said earlier they are very delicate and break easily. Trust me i have
replaced mine 3 times in the past 16 years. Of course my car no longer sits
outside in the sun which causes the grills to bake hard and become brittle but,
even washing and not being careful while wiping each fin, it is easy to break
the bridges between each fin and then the fins start sagging. You can see the
little fin bridges in this pic...

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Yes, I know that those are what originally came on my car, what I said was I replaced what the PO used instead of those with the wero type. I do not have the original finned grills that the car came with. You guys made it sound like there was a thrd style grill that I didnt know of... lol

Anyway.. just picked up a 350 that I will be building up a litle bit and eventually swap into my trans am:





She's dirty/greasy now but she will be like new when I'm finished with it..

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

what are your plans for power ?

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

I am shooting for somewhere around 350.. Trying to to get a solid parts list up, and then I will start building.

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

thats awesome keep us informed on your build

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Of course!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Scored an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake for my 350 off of craigslist for $30!



And here is the rundown of what I am doing with the 350 before dropping it in:

355 Small Block
Aluminum heads: 190cc Runners, 64cc combustion chamber, 2.02/1.6 valves
Howards Camshaft: Dur 296/302, Lift .480/.480, 108 LSA, 2500-6500 Powerband
Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake
Holley 670 Double Pumper carburetor
MSD Streetfire Distributor
Roller-Tipped Rocker Arms: 1.5 Ratio
Hedman Long-tube headers: 1 5/8" primaries, 3" collectors

Should be looking at somewhere around 375 horses.

Just going to take me a little while to gather all the parts.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

I gots me some parts!



Gotta get some gaskets, bolts, and some odds and ends, then hopefully I can put'er together! Getting excited!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Ordered some more parts yesterday, and am going to place an order for more parts at gearhead performance. Getting closer and closer every day.

I got the engine torn down a bit, and am going to clean, wire-wheel, and paint it. I bought a can of "Cast-aluminum" colored engine enamel, but I may go black instead. I am going with a black/silver theme throughout the entire car which includes the engine and engine bay. If I paint the block silver, than the accessories/brackets will be painted black. If I paint the block black, than my accessories and such will be painted silver. I will decide once I get it all cleaned up.

Pics to follow.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Spent around 3-5 hours degreasing/scrubbing/wire wheeling and cleaning with acetone, but I got her all painted up. I decided to go with the aluminum color which means I am probably going to paint the accessory brackets/pulleys black. I am going to be assembling the engine next saturday because I should have all the gaskets and parts that I need to do so.

It would look much better with the new oil pan installed and the top-end put on, but that will be in 7 days!

Pics:





I tried to mock up the heads but it seems that the head guide pins are a hair too far apart to allow the head to totally slip on. I am going to file a little on the pins to see if I cant get the 1mm of clearance that I need. Other than that I dont forsee any problems building the engine up.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Valve covers and timing cover came in:



I guess I am on some sort of "aluminum kick"... lol

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

aweseome bradley

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

You know it!

Even though my t/a left me stranded on the side of the road 2 days ago for 2 and a half hours in the blistering hot sun, I still love it! I am still so happy to have an 83 T/A, and to have the opportunity to build it up the way I want it!

Got the intake and head gaskets yesterday as well.. Felpro 1003 HG's, and Felpro 1205 IG's. I just want to know what justifies $40 each for head gaskets?!

87Kitt_210

gotta luv the early third Gens. thats why i converted my 87 Bird to 82' Trans Am (Knight Rider) kItt

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Got the engine mostly put together today. I still have to do the lifters, pushrods, adjust the valves, torque the heads, and install the intake but here it is.

Went from this:



To this:

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Coming together nicely Bradley. Am digging your choice
of valve covers.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks man!

I have always like the tig welded fabricated covers so thats what I chose. It goes well with the black/silver theme.

Another angle:

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

thats a beauty dude we need more power!!!

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Indeed it's gonna look GREAT. Maybe do the headers in black. I used the VHT
and baked it in the oven about 1.5 years ago and they still look like i just did
them. You can see in my pics on my website. link in my sig.

P.S. hell that same VHT 'FlameProof' would work nicely on the manifold as well.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks KITT!

The headers I have are coated from Heddman, but I doubt it will hold up. I may paint them with some black paint but IDK how to bake them? They're Longtubes.

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Well you can do the on car curing process as per VHT. I had to touch up one
of my header tubes when i got oil on it and used the 'On the Vehicle' curing
process. It seemed to work. The paint is cheap and available at your local
autoparts. Look here for 'On the Vehicle' curing instructions to see how easy
it is...
http://www.jegs.com/p/VHT/VHT-Flame-...49303/10002/-1

SKELITOR117

iTrader: (3)

Who was the guy who lived next too you in that BMW Z3? may have been an uncle of mine haha.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

I am going to look into that, thanks for the tip!

The person who owned that car was actually a lady, so probably not the same person.. lol!

SKELITOR117

iTrader: (3)

Wow, somehow I missed this whole second page. WOW. Very Nice!

n1ffer

Bradley - very nice job adding some personal touches without sacrificing the uniqueness of the 82-84 model.

Any chance you could use some extra cash and would like to sell off your original shifter and console cover? I would be interested if they are in good shape!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks! I love the things that make the 82-84's different from the rest so I am trying my best to keep all of those differences so you still know its an early bird. I do have the original shifter parts but the shifter is broken, which is mainly why I changed it out. I am not ready to part with the plate though, just in case I want to go back to stock. Those plates are too hard to find.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Not much of an update but, I finally got the head bolt-washers in the mail becuase I didnt notice they werent with the bolts, and got them installed and torqued down today, and dropped in the lifters that have been soaking in oil for 5 days.. lol

In regards to screw-in rocker studs, what is the reccomended sealant to use on them when installing them? I read to use "High-temp thread sealant", but what kind should I get?

conlinj

iTrader: (3)

I always used the indian head shellac stuff. It's made by permatex and comes in the brown bottle. It has a brush built in too.

-Jim

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

I've seen that stuff before, I also heard my dad mention it calling it gasket shellack or something lol. Is that thread sealant?

Edit-

Looked ip up and it says it is for mlow temperature purposes and on paper gaskets and hose connections. Are you sure this would be the right stuff?

http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...c_Compound.htm

conlinj

iTrader: (3)

That's what I was told by the guy who did the work on my dart heads. It has worked fine for me.

-Jim

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Yeah it would work fine, I just have to be 100% sure of everything.. lol

Thanks!