I am proud to admit that I am the owner of an 85 Trans Am. Please help me by listing anything that you suggest I could do to it. Engine modding it is a no-no for the moment as it is my transportation to school (gotta love the gas milage, huh?) I know a new paint job is in order, and I am trying to figure out a way to get the dent in the fender fixed that wont cost me up the wazoo. PLease Post any comments, questions, praises, or flames you want. I accept all criticism. Thanks





More Pics Later!

 

Looks like you have a nice one to start with,,at least its a T/A
Taks care of her.

 

Nice car. I know you said no modding, but a free flowing exhaust would actually help MPG. Headers and a cat-back.

 

looking at the pic it looks like you have a crease right on the body line. there is no real way to fix it w/o replacing the fender. head to a junkyard, replace it, then get it painted.

 

nice car. Of course new rims is a option. Like mark said, a free flow exhaust and headers will help performance, and mpg.

good luck.


PS. you might look into a ramair II hood and a 4 th gen rear spoiler. Alot of guys on this sight have them. I think they look fitting on a 3rd gen.

welcome to the board.

 

the fenders toast. nearest pick a part. You could also try www.car-part.com they have hella good prices on there. Looks like a good body to start with though.

Headers and Exhaust will get you another 1-2 MPG usually. and add a few ponies to boot! and a Nice tone.

 

Is the paint completely hosed or is it just a little bit of oxidation? You could see if some tender loving care will bring it back like Mark does, claybar, polish, wax, the whole ShEbAnG. And just like he said, a free flowing exhaust will actually help free up horsepower and increase your mileage.

On a side note, I'd ditch the stock wheels and go for some 16x8 GTA wheels or something if you can afford it.

 

SUB FRAME CONNECTORS and NEW BUSHINGS ALL AROUND!!

Those are the FIRST things any virgin thirdgen should have done.

 

Thanks for the input....keep the suggestions coming....I will work on getting the freeflow exhaust, and new rims are a definite must. The fender is toast...i know....I've found another one, same color to replace the one on it....but to replace it, is there any welding involved? Thanks again




oh....the paint is only dull on the hood and roof...the rest sparkles up after a good waxing.

 

Bump

 

It sounds like if you do what Mark does your car should shine up nicely. I think this is what he does.. Meguiars step 1-3, if I remember right 1 is a cleaner, 2 is a polish, and 3 is carnuba wax. Also, run over it with a claybar before you start to wax. It's alot of work, but your car will look schweet.

I don't think there's any welding involved in replacing the fender as far as I know...

 

Ok...to anyone that has done it....how hard is it to replace the fender and get it to align right...please help.

 

FENDER IS NOT HARD TO LINE UP. THEY GO ON PREETTY EASY. YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO LOOSEN THE NOSE UP ENOUGH TO GET FENDER IN/OUT. THE NOSE BOLTS ON THRU THE FENDER. BASICALLY THE WAY YOU TAKE IT OFF IS THE WAY YOU PUT IT ON. HOOD HAS TO COME OFF 4 TO 6 BOLTS TOTAL. FRONT GROUND EFFECTS COME OFF 3 BOLTS ACCESSABLE ON INSIDE OF FENDER, AFTER WHEEL WELL LINER HAS BEEN REMOVED. AFTER THAT 5 SCREWS REMAIN 3 ON BOTTOM AND 2 ON SIDE (VERY STRAIGHT FOWARD). GROUND EFFECTS UNDER LOUVER (VENT) MUST BE LOOSENED UP AND PULLED AWAY. IT BOLTS ON IN PART THROUGH THE FENDER. NUTS FOR THIS ARE FOUND ON INSIDE OF FENDER. THERE IS THEN TWO BOLTS AT THE BOTTOM REAR OF THE FENDER UNDER EDGE OF THE CAR THAT HOLDS IT TO THE BODY. FENDER COMES OFF BY SLIDING FOWARD AND LIFTING. DONT FORGET TO DISCONNECT ANTENNA MOUNTING HARDWARE. IF YOU HAVE A POWER ANTENNA DOOOOO NOT PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND USE ACCESSORY FOR SAY YOUR RADIO UNLESS THE STOP NUT FOR THE MAST IS PUT BACK OR YOU WILL BE REMOVING AND REBUILDING YOU ANTENNA AFTER YOU SEE THE MAST RISE, FALLOVER, AND POP OUT. IT WILL TAKE YOU ALMOST AS LONG TO THAT AS IT WOULD THE FENDER(TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE 2X). NOT HARD AT ALL. YOU WILL NEED HELP WITH THE HOOD. WHEN YOU PUT THE NEW ONE IN IT IS ONLY THE BACK THAT NEEDS TO BE ALIGNED. JUST PUT THE REAR TOP AND BOTTOM BOLTS IN PLACE KEEPING THEM LOOSE. ALIGN TOP AND TIGHTEN TOP BOLT. DO THE SAME WITH THE BOTTOM. MAKE SURE DOOR SEEM IS WIDE ENOUGH AND LEVEL. I JUST DID TWO OF THESE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUEST.. EMAIL ME. GOOD LUCK

 

HEY 85TPITRANSAM I FORGOT TO ASK YOU HOW IS TIFTON GA. IM IN NJ RIGHT NOW BUT MAY BE MOVING THERE FOR A NEW BUSINESS VENTURE. I LIVED IN ATLANTA FOR 5 YEARS. GIVE ME THE SCOOP ON TIFTON. THANKS

 

88TRANS, THANKS FOR THAT DOSE OF CAPS LOC. But anyway, it appears you have the 16X8 trans am wheels. They will do decent performance wise, but dont look the greatest. If your tires are good and you found a set of gta rims, you could just put your tires on them. I would suggest that you do subframe connectors as soon as you can afford to avoid problems with body twist/stress fractures in the body and so on. Nice car

Ben

 

Yeah, the boneyard is the way to go. You might even find a fender the same color. Well its worth a shot. Dont buy the first one you see. Dont know about where you are but here in Texas the F body is the most common car in these junkyards. Kinda makes you feel good that its such a popular car.... or mabe just alot of people cant drive. Anyway if you cant find one the same color just wetsand it your self and I would say call as many body shops as possible and see how much they want to just paint one fender that is not attached to the car. Hehe I have a hook up over here. Cost me about 60-70 bucks cause my dad knows some painters. You know what some painters have a compressor in thire garage. You can pay them the same and that money goes right in their pocket. This way you dont have to deal with paying some BS company. Around 100.00 buck to fix that fender doesnt sound that bad does it? Just pay for the metal and paint cause thats all you really get.

 

Looka good to me man. Awesome ride.

 

I know..off topic, but Tifton is a good town....not much party wise, but a good solid town.

 

85TPITransAM, My step-brother lives in Tifton. Actually he is in Ty Ty. Congrats on your TA.

 

Congrats one the ride it seems to be in decent shape. do you have any pics of the interior. It looks to me like you have a nice ride.