Hi all; been a lurker here for a year or so, and finally got around to signing up and joining the forums.

I bought an '84 Trans Am from a good friend of mine, and as far as Firebirds go, it's decently loaded with most every option you could put on one from the time. I am in the process of going through it and taking care of some things in order to get it ready to become a DD in the near future, and as such, I'd like to make it uniquely my own. It is a gold on black car, so it's the standard early 80s type of car.

The car came with the factory ground effects, which are in good shape, but I'd like to know if it's possible to remove them from a T/A to make it look like just a regular, base Firebird. IMO, the effects detract from the "sleekness" of the car, so to speak, but that's just my own opinion. I'm not turning this into a dragster or anything of the sort; it'll be as mild as it left the factory. That's the plan, anyway.

I'm told the front fascia is unique in that it's part of the air dam assy, so I'm assuming I'd have to source a bumper from a base model car to replace mine with. Is this correct?

I have already removed the lower effects from under the doors, but am troubled by the bracketry holding it to the body; is there a way to cleanly get these brackets off? Or do I have to cut them out?

Lastly, the wrap around on the bumper, can this also be taken off? I had it off at one point to do some wiring in the back, but didn't think to check, as I was fairly certain I was keeping the effects on the car. Funny how that works out.

 

I believe the brackets to hold the ground effects on are spot welded at the factory, so if you want them off you have to cut and grind followed by some paint.

The rear bumper is also different between base firebird and trans am.

 

Watching. I also have an 84 TA.

 

I just finished removing a set of ground effects brackets from a 91. An 84 should be similar. Get yourself a set of Rotabroach spot weld cutters such as Blair BLR 11090. You can use these with a standard battery powered drill and use a low speed. Find all of the "dimples" in the bracket where it attaches to the rocker. Center punch each one and drill until the metal releases. Use a cutting bit that's larger than the spot weld to help prevent going all the way through the rocker which you want to avoid. Use cutting oil or lube as well. I had 23 or 24 spot welds on each bracket. Once off, grind down the raised circles flush to the rocker, fill, prime and paint. Here's some pics to give you an idea:

 

84 is different,they are attached with a clip and the clip has a nut.The nuts are behind the door panels.And you'll have to remove the side panels in the back to get to the other nuts.Then your going to need to fill in the holes.

 

Thanks everyone for the information. Looks like I'll be sourcing some new bumpers here soon along with a few new tools.

Kentucky; that was the information I was wondering about. I was curious if the lower rocker brackets were spot welded or riveted to the body.

 

I'll take that kit if you're interested in selling. I have the front, but need the sides and rear. calvinw8379@yahoo.com

 

So are you selling the stuff that you're taking off?

 

I need the driver's side door mounted effect for what it's worth... lol