I have an 88 GTA with the 350 TPI. It has around 120,000 miles on it. It runs okay but could probably use a rebuild. The paint on the roof is starting to peel and is also peeling in a few other places. My seats are cloth and don't look all that great in my opinion. My suspension is bad too. I want to take the automatic tranny out and put a 6 speed in. Anyways, I have four other cars to drive. I was thinking about tearing the entire car apart and refurbishing the whole thing. It would take a long time. Money wouldn't really be a problem. I'd like to tear it all down, take the motor and tranny out, gut the interior, sand all the paint off etc. I would have a really good paint job put on it with the motor and tranny out so they could paint the engine bay as well. I want to put a 383 in and a bunch of engine mods like headers, etc. I also want to put a 6 speed tranny in, 4th gen leather seats and an all new interior. I want to redo the entire suspension and replace any worn parts. I have all the time in the world. I like the car a lot and don't want to sell it. Has anybody else ever taken on a project like this? Thanks! Matt

 

18 months and counting for me. all that's left is paint work and interior finished up slightly after the cage. pics are on cardomain site in sig.

 

I haven't had the resources to do that yet, but thats how my car is looking now, everything needs to go, be replaced, or restored.

 

working on it now, makes it a little harder when you have to drive it to work every day tho..

 

My GTA took almost 2 years top to bottom to redo EVERYTHING. It was a very fun adventure though, learned so much it was crazy. I actually bought my IROC just before going overseas so I can do another when I get back stateside.

As of now the GTA is sleeping for 3 1/2 more years

 

That is something that I would like to do with my car as well. But I just finished redoing the suspension, and dropping in a 383. That took long enough! I think I will wait a few more years before I strip her completely.

 

I am re-doing my 86 Trans Am, 28 months and counting. For 12 of those 28 months I didn't touch the car, just bought parts for it.

 

3 years restoration coming to an end. did all the work myself even the paint didn;t go with new engine since i only have 73k on it and this project did not start as a total restore but turned that way.

so here is what i have done
gasketed engine
valve seals
rebuilt trans
spohns lca's lca relocation brackets
spohns adjustable panhard
spohns adjustable tourque arm
koni red struts and shocks
eibach pro springs
new front end parts
baer brakes
new brake lines
new ps pump
water pump

new hood
front fenders
front bumper cover
lower gfx front new
all stripped paint and repainted with hok candy cobalt blue
newer 4th gen seats
new carpet
new sail panels
new headliner
new switches windows locks trunk
new seals all
new t top bar
new rear bumper cover

polished plenum and runners
polished alt
polished tails and marker lights directionals
new stereo
new sub box

all thats is left i belive is the boyd riims (ordered) and tires. i'm sure i forget someting in the list but you get the idea.

jeff

 

here is a better pic

 

ok maybe this one is better.

you can see my paint process in thread "project resurection" just a quick search away

Jeff

 

Sweet! The only thing holding me back now is a place to do this job. I only have a carport right now. School is kind of time consuming as well. I'll have my BS degree in April. THEN I'll get a place with a garage and get er started! I'm sure my wife will just love that! I actually thought about selling this car. I put it on the auto lot here on base. Somebody called about it and I told them it wasn't for sale and I went and picked it up! HA! I KNOW I would regret it forever. My dad has a barn that I could do this job in, but he lives 15 miles away and currently, I have a 2003 S-10 that I'm cutting apart since it was destroyed in a tornado last year. Matt

 

i would say this has been one of the most fun i have had working on a car. don;t set any time limits and it remains fun. i learned how to paint change springs do valve springs ect ect... as it is going back together it is so rewarding knowing i did it all and did not just drop it off at macco for a quicky not that anything is wrong with that but now i have the car i always wanted.

Jeff

 

I can't wait to be able to do a complete restoration on my car. hopefully I can get started in a couple years after I graduate college and can afford to buy a house (obviously with a garage). I'll take my car apart, replace what needs replaced (or upgrade) and when its done hopefully I'll have a perfect car; well for me anyways.

 

jeffw sharp car...your time has well since been paid off, looks brand new!

 

thanks tobias

i;ll be happy when i do the here is my finished project post

 

let's see... 13 months and counting now. I do have a garage to work in though. MY T/A is about as torn down as it can get now, but finances dictate that I attack the restoration in phases. If only money wasn't a problem!

Phase 1 will be complete in the spring when I have the new (100k mile old actually) 350 TPI residing between the fenders and i'm able to drive it in the spring. I'm also redoing the interior over the winter, installing subframe connectors, and undercoating the floor pans. The engine compartment is already repainted.

Phase 2 (planned for next year or two) will be adding a Ram Air 1 hood, a few select body modifications, and full repaint including new weatherstripping all around. Lower ride height about 1". Then some black leather 4th gen Camaro seats to upgrade from the gray cloth GTA seats I'll initially be using.

Phase 3- (3 or 4 years down the road) Upgrade suspension (LCAs, Panhard rod, Torque Arm)Rebuild or replace the L98 block. Settle on choice of induction system. Install 6-speed tranny.

Damn, I better get a good paying job when i get my degree this spring! Good luck if you decide to undertake the project. There is tons of info to be found here, so if you're dedicated you'll get it done.. eventually. Honestly, I don't think I would've considered doing this project if it weren't for Thirdgen.org

 

jeremy nyr

i agree with you 100%

tgo rocks the info here is endless and you can find everything you need here,

Jeff

 

I've done an overhaul x 10, Motor, tranny, complete drivetrain & suspension.. I think i've replace everything except the original frame and body. lol
Heres a sample..
Motor:


Interior:




Suspension:

Rear Disk Brake Conversion (1997 Z28 disks)