86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Hi everyone ...This is a 1986 Trans Am LG4 305/V8 Auto. My dad bought her in 1989 and used it as a daily driver up until 2000 when he purchased a newer car. Therefore the car was parked in the backyard and left there for 11 years till about a month ago. The car was still in running condition and well maintained inside when it was parked. I myself have always loved all fbodys but really love the 3rd gens, but things happen and i ended up buying an integra, instead of fixing the bird :-? . About a month ago me and my dad decided to bring it back to life. We filled the tires with a air compressor and where surprised to find out that they held air (still have those tires on for now). The car did not start so we had it towed to my mechanic. The car was given a tune up, new timing chain, distributor, alternator, belts, hoses, brakes, thermostat and relay, Kyb Shocks, FloTech shorty Headers, 2.5inch piping no cat, 80 series Flowmaster. The interior is clean. The steering wheel has a little rust and the center lid is cracked. I removed the headliner, sail panel, and visor to get redone with black suede. I also found me a nice pair of 02 ws6 black leather seats for it. Used dash pad with no cracks. None of the interior is installed yet. We will be installing it after we finish painting the car(rustoleum lol). We just started sanding her down,the cars body is in good condition with some paint chips. (i am no professional nor is my dad) Hope this works. It cant come out worse than how it was . Future plans are to lower it on some sportlines with gta gold honeycombs, a cam( just want to swap out the stock cam in the Lg4), posi rear with a new set of gears and in the FUTURE a 350 swap. The pictures where it looks shiny is because the car was wet ,, but you can tell the difference when its all dried up. I'll keep the updates coming and any advice will help !

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

more pics

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

still needs some more sanding

l_dis_travlr

Welcome to the family, young Jedi,
and thanks for helping keep the breed alive.
Forgive my ignorance, but is the LG4 designation, carbed or TBI?

It's not clear how much the mechanic did, but
-- tune up: precisely what?
plugs, TBI/carb cleaned/serviced, fuel filter,
and possibly plug wires, are expectable things for a vehicle
situation as you described it.
-- new timing chain: how many miles?
unless you can verify that its stretched enough to jump a
tooth, this is a questionable expense, given the longer range
upgrades you've indicated
-- distributor:
If TBI, servicable parts (cap, rotor, sensor/control module)
would be cheaper than total replacement, since the performance
factors are imbedded in the ECM.
If carbed, than replacing/upgrading for more more performance
can be reasonable.
-- alternator:
Reasonable, but definitely testable at most major parts outlets
-- belts, hoses:
Definitely subject to dry-rot/deterioration.

Since you intend to make a 350 eng. swap, I personally would recommend
against any internal mods (like a cam). Focus on things that will
easily bolt directly onto the 350, like the exhaust upgrades.
As far as the posi/gear upgrades, there's several possibilities here.
Is the current axle a 9 or 10 bolt. A wide variety of opinions exist about
putting money into a 9 bolt, vs. finding a used 10 bolt configured more
closely to what you want.

Here you'll find a wealth of useful info from some very knowledgable
people, as well as BS from gas-bags. But in the end, its all worth
what you pay for it.

Do keep us posted with pics.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

-It is a Lg4 carb. The mechanic did a tune up, changed all filters, cleaned the carb
-The timing chain was needed to be replaced as it was loose and u can hear it. The car has 169k miles
-New distributor
-New alternator ( was not recieing enough juice to power even the brake lights when i braked )
-electric fuel pump
-New water pump
-new front disc brake and brake lines
-quick question...a cam for my 305 will not fit into a 350?
- as far as the rear goes idk if its a 9 bolt or 10 bolt. i kno i have the shitty 2.77 gears with the peg leg that came in the car. anything would be an upgrade.-
- also bought some ws6 16 inch formula rims, ill post pics up of those soon

ASE doc

A cam that would work in your stock LG4 will not be enough cam to produce any real power in a 350. To put it roughly, the cam is matched to the compression ratio, heads and intake.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Here is the car with the new rims and tires i just purchased ...i plan on polishing the lips on the rims...car is primed and reeady for paint.. ... I will be painting the cars interior black in the next 2 days to match the black leather seats i have and black headliner,sail panels and visors...then the outside ...everyone stay tuned

IROC#1

Why on earth would your dad park a perfectly running car in the backyard and let it sit for 11 years? I mean if your not going to drive it and you dont want to store it then why not sell it? Crazy!!

I own 2 cars, 1 suv and 2 motorcycles and I drive and ride them all! Nothing sits longer than a week or two without use (or at least being started and run to temp). My IROC is parked in the garage during the winter but I still start it twice a month and drive it once a month during the rainy season.

Jason E

Just make sure you do a decent job masking, wet sanding and painting. If you don't, your dad's cool old ride is gonna look like a trailer park cruiser

I admire your effort, and know how cool an 86 TA can be...I love mine. Take your time, and if you insist on painting it yourself, my advice is to do it right, and add some factory stickers to finish off the look. Good luck to you...its hard to do a good paint job on your own. Please stay away from spray bombs, BTW...they never look right.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

ok i just finished painting the interior black and installing the passenger and rear seats. The drivers seat is at a upholstry spot getting fixed, and i should have that back by thursday the latest.. i can say i actually like how the black interior paint job came out. Here is a pic of the car. I only painted the carpeted area on the door panels, i still had not finished the right on. I didnt get a chance to take some of it with the seats in it since by the time i installed them it was already dark. Idk if anyone noticed the gooseneck equalizer in the middle ,, i believe that what they were called. i feel like leaving it in since it matches the amber interior lights .. should I ? Ill try and have some new pics tomorrow. I should be done by tomorrow installing the sail panels, headliner and visors . My dad was installed some new foglights on today. Before all this i forgot to mention , The car needed new tie rods inner and outer, sleeves and the center link... This was done yesterday. car had some wheel play and felt like it slid front left to right on higher speeds i noticed this driving to get the alignment..got the alignment and felt way less play,,but still some,,,,but now the car didnt feel like it slid left to right as much,,just a tiny bit....,so this morning i took it to my friend who balanced the tires and told me the front 2 where slightly dent.....the car now feel good ,,,with a tiny i mean like less than half a inch of wheel play to the right. maybe its the SLIGHTLY bent rims up front ? :shock: But the car does not have that sliding feeling i felt now.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

only picture i could get before it got dark.

PAFORM350

Very nice.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

thanks

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Well here are some new pics of my newly painted interior with suede headliner,sail panels and visors, Its also missing the driviers seat , it should be done tomorrow, they still have me waiting. Came out pretty good i think. It still needs little details inside to make it complete..such as that clip on the top of the sail panel broke,need a center console, seatbelt guide and the shift boot :/...after thats done ill be happy, even though some music would be nice . Once i get my seat i shall begin to paint

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

cleaned them up real good , and painted them.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Wait... did you say you're painting it with rustoleum paint? I don't know man, if that's what you're gonna use then I'd wait for a little while because one day once you decide to have it painted professionally, I hear that the stuff will be a b**** to prep for the fresh paint. Some body shops might refuse the job all together. Just my , good luck with the rest of the project and thanks for bringing it back to life!

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

lol yes rustoleum i know

86blackbetty

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started laying down the first coat yesterday....and rolled the second one on today...next ill be wetsanding ,and another coat after. all together i should be laying down about 6 coats

86blackbetty

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i think im going to get some personalized plates saying Rusty86. Being that all the paint interior ,engine and outside is all rustoleum lol

87 transam

how are you paiting it i hope not with a roller and brush i am not all that up on panting term but you have me worried when you say rolled lol

Prokilllsx

It would be easy to knock some of your decisions..BUT..the car has come a long way and looks good. I like the father-son thing too, very similar to my own project. Keep up the good work. You seem to already realize the pro's and con's of your decisions and in the end I bet you will continue to improve the car over the years. There's no motivater like love. Enjoy it and be safe.
I really like your interior and have been wondering about what to do with my worn light gray interior in the GTA. 4th gen leather seats are in the works but didn't know what to do with interior plastics and headliner. Yours looks great! How much did the suede work cost you? Also, I have considered settling for worn 4th gen seats and having them redone since they would be cheaper and even an expensive set will still show some wear and I would likely have them recovered within a year or two. So, what repairs did you have done to your seat and what did that cost? I don't know what to expect to pay to have both fronts completely done over. The backs are generally in very good condition and shouldn't need anything so long as the new fronts match in color.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Yes with a roller ..wish I had a gun and compressor , but I do have a lot of free time . So I'm trying this out to see what kind of results I can expect ...I don't expect a show car finish

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Thanks man...As far as the interior goes i paid $35 for 3 yards of black suede. This is enough for the sail panel headliner and visors. It was $100 for the headliner and visors. We saved 50$ doing the sail panels . This is simple,just trace the old one , and use some sort of adheasive for headliner to attach the suede to the sail panel. The seats i think were a good deal. They were 300 ,They are in really good condition,,BUT the drivers side had about a 6 inch tear going down the side(near by were your elbow would be) It was taken to the same spot that they did my headliner and he charged $120. Are you planning on leather or cloth? This would make the price differ,but either way i would imagine it to be somewhat expensive if i paid $120f or a 6 inch tear. Im still searching for some black inerior pieces myself. theses are painted, but its for now. It doesnt look bad , looks good.

Prokilllsx

leather

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

youll probably be better of buying some in somewhat good condition where u wouldnt have to reupholster the whole thing. Im in Jersey so prices i think would be higher here. Just call a shop up and get a quote

87 transam

Ok well for being painted with a roller it looks good i have a weak spot for the 1986 trans am my pop pop had a new one and i used to love to cruise with him with the tops off i was like 10 years old he picked me up for a ride one day droped me off at home and he passed away that night ever since then i wanted a 86 t/a maroon ext with gray and red int just like the one he had keep up the good work

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Im trying. Sorry to hear that. That color combo is a beauty

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Ok this is some more pics of the paint. I sanded with 600 then rolled the 3rd coat on. Came out better .Nowhere near perfect . Has some reflection to it. Im still not even half way done,need more coats. I expect better results tomorrow with a 1000 grit sand down and the 4th coat.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Ok i didnt sand after the third coat. I decided to add one more coat and then sanded down with 800 grit. I then layed this 5th coat and its coming out much smoother and better reflection with way less orange peel. Just a couple more coats and sand downs remaining.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Ok i layed down the 6th coat and tomorrow i will sand with 1000 grit. What do you guys think so far? The vents im going to take out and paint separate,kinda hard to get to with the roller

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Looks better in the bigger pics original size. I would post bigger pics, BUT idk how to post them in here without having u have to click on to enlarge it. Anyone care to help

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

This is my oth coat with only 800 grit... just found out how to put up pics on here in bigger size.
I need to paint the vents seperate, or i might just paint them over on my last 2 coats

86blackbetty

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86blackbetty

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Drew

iTrader: (58)

It doesn't look bad, just be ready to buff and wax the paint every 6 months. It probably won't hold up to UV exposure.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Can you even buff rustoleum?

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

yea its ok considering this is only with 800 grit,,and ill be smoothing it out to 2000 grit. as far as waxing it...i always wax my car atleast twice a year, a wax job is easy compared to this process im going through

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Ill be using meguiars ultimate compound.
By the way nice camaro man..has to be one of my favs on this site... love the color and tires/rim with that stance. sportlines?

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Yep, Sportlines. Glad I didn't waste time with the Pro-Kit.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

I'm debating on the prokit or sportlines ...I live in jersey so I'm thinking sportlines are to low ...I have some Kybs on it already ...how many fingers can u fit in the gaps?

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Finished laying the 7th and 8th coat and well all my neighbors seem to think its coming along great and cant believe its the product of a roller and some rustoleum. Im anxious to finish sanding then compound. If things go as planned, it SHOULD look better than what it already is. I should be done by the end of this week

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

So i been getting somewhat lazy to give it its last color sanding and compound it... I wanted to enjoy it so i took it out for a spin and put air in the tire.. It sure is a head tuner. I went to go put air in the tire when the owner of a pizza shop across the gas station approached me and asked if i was selling it, and offered me 6k for her..i was surprised, but still would not even think about selling her. Here is a picture of it with the 8th coat..car has a rubberized wing. havent made up my mind if i want another rubber one or fiberglass one. Remember still havent color sanded with 2000 grit or compounded it. It also snowed on the car during the storm , but nothing happened to the paint.

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

Has a dent on front fender..i was not able to pop it all out

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

2-3 but my hands aren't big/thick.

mmadden55

Looks good!

86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

that seems like what im looking for,,my hands arent so big either,, 3 fingers seems about what i want.. i feel the prokit might just be as low as the stock ones ive had since factory

86blackbetty

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86blackbetty

iTrader: (2)

86blackbetty

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some older pics made bigger

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Are you going to put the stripes back on it?

http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/transam/8586ta.htm