I have 2 cars one is a 1983 trans am ,the other a 1987 formula ,the TA has no drive train , I do have a 350 for it ,and the body is pretty much rust free ,except suface rust on the driver side outer wheel well ,also needs paint and interior and is a T-top car , the formula has a 305 ,5 spd ,disc brake posi rear ,engine has over 157k miles on it , floorpans are shot ,also rear quarter is shot on pass side ,and is a hard top , should I junk the 87 formula,and strip parts off it ,like the transmission, interior, posi disc brake rear,and wheels,and have one good Trans Am out of it , guess the question is which one would be a better car ,a 83 TA with a 350 ,and 5 spd with T-tops ,or an 87 Formula with a 350 ,5 spd ,hardtop,either way I'll be switching motors

 

I'd say sell the '83, and your 350, and take the $$ and put it back into the Formula. Rebuild the 305, weld in new floorpans, and then you're on your way to a respectable, original car...but thats the view of someone who likes original cars.

The EASIER thing to do would be to swap the tranny from the Formula, drop in the 350, paint it and keep the '83. But then, IMO, you have just another old 3rd gen with a 350 swapped in it. The t-tops from the '83 are nice, but then again they may do nothing more than squeak, rattle and leak...

Its up to you, but I say make the Formula nice. It has the right drivetrain options...now just put it all back together

 

Id suggest keeping the T/A and stripping the Formy (sorry Jason E)

Sounds like the T/A is more solid and would be an easier project.

 

I have to agree with TAdan, (I'm sorry too, Jason). An engine swap and brake job is a heck of a lot easier than trying to repair a rusted out car, unless your a body/paint guy, then it doesn't really matter. But in general, rust and body repairs = big bucks$$$, whereas you have most of the stuff to turn your '83 into a sweet ride. Your call dude.

 

Ignore them!! One owns a Dodge, and the other owns 4 T/As...tell me he's not biased

J/K guys...in all seriousness, there is no doubt the TA is an easier project car...as I said above. But if I was facing this project, I know what I'd do

 

Rust sucks. Trust me, look at my projects....a lot of rust between the the lot. It never oges away, it just pope up in different spots. Automotive cancer is what it is.

Stick with the TA. I'll be a much more solid car.

 

I would personally do the formula but I am Biased

I would go with which ever car is more solid, and go from there a 157K Formula that has holes in the floor pan and rust thru the fenders is not worth a whole lot.

I would suspect that in 30 years the Formula might have slightly more value just because it was probably faster from the factory (assuming it has TPI)

I dunno

John

 

not fast at all , it has a LG4 with rochester 4bbl, all stock . Thanks for the reply's . I was kind of leaning toward the TA from the start , I don't really care what's stock or original on it ,cause who makes money on theese cars anyway I just want something that will be pretty quick when I'm done , ohh and obnoxiouslly loud Plus I do like the T-tops also ,and it wont be a daily driver ! Thanks again for all the relpys , I may just drive the ***** off the formula for the summer ,and start this project in the fall

 

may be getting another Trans Am ! A friend of mine is getting a 84 TA for $200 plus a TH350 , all he wants is the 5 speed in it , the motor in it is blown , the body is really good shape , some floorpan rot on driver's side ,but I'm gonna buy if for $100 and through my tranny,and motor in it . Now I just have to figure out how to get rid of the 2 other F-bodies . Hopefully when I'm all done I'll have one solid Trans Am . Thinking about parting out the formula , or just sell the whole thing for parts ,and keep the 83 for a parts car . Begining to think I'm nuts here , but gotta go for the TA with T-Tops ,and a 5spd .