Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Nice, mind doing me a favor? How is your louvers mounted? Mind taking a picture of the mounts? I bought some louvers for $20 plastic as well and dont have the hardware. I want to see if the plastic aftermarket hardware is the same as the alum hardware.

92Camaro25thRS

nice, reminds me of my first F-Body, some TLC and it will be a great ride,

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

I actually removed the louvers and no longer have them.. BUT- You may be in luck, as I kept all the mounting hardware because I know the hardware is ten times harder to find than the louvers themselves. If your interested I could sell you the hardware (Just PM me) I will try and dig it out and snap some pics..

Oh-

The louvers were the plastic kind, so it's probably the correct mounting hardware or interchangeable. I've had both styles and the mounting hardware is extremely similar, and can probably be swapped out for eachother with minimal effort.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks man. I had an 84 T/A a couple thirdgens before this and it was by far my favorite and most enjotable. I just had to have another early t/a, and when I saw this one I jumped on it.

Unfortunately, my progress has been halted while I try to save a little money to get another car to drive while I work on her the right way. I can't go without a car, and if I have something else to drive, I can take my time and make it look the best that I can!

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

I beleive the plastic & aluminum harware are different. Mines are aluminum, the top & bottom use brackets with 2 way adheaive tape & the sides use metal retainers the clip to the hatch.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

There might be variations between the metal ones' hardware. I had factory 88 metal louvers in the past, and the top two mounting locations were clipped around the hatch, as well as the middle/sides and the lowers had legs with foam padding on the bottom, that at one point could have possibly been adhesive, I am not sure. The plastic mounting hardware mounts the the inner top two hatch bolts via a thin sheet-metal strip with studs and nuts that hold the top on, and clips on the sides like the metal ones have. Its possible you have the cragar type which may have another way of mounting.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Yup thats how mines are attached.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

With the headers and spark plugs mocked up:

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Too long since an update.

Bought my new daily driver, and if you're a fan of Z cars, than you'd probably really like my new 300zx.



Pretty much all stock, except for the '05 350Z wheels I put on it. I get compliments on it almost everytime that I drive, its easily the best looking z31 I've ever come across, so I had to buy it..

Anyway, back to my T/A, I picked up a transmission for it, a TH350 with a 9" tailshaft so that I can still use the stock driveshaft, just gotta get a new trans crossmember or modify the stock one and mount the torque arm another way as well.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Gave the transmission the same treatment the engine got, wirewheeled, de-greased, etc, etc...

Hit it with some black:



All the roughness that you can see on the trans is from the casting, I never realized how rough the casting on these things was!

maks10

nice clean up man....engine looks spectacular...i see the DD is parked off the beautiful causway miss FL beaches

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks man!

I was on my way home from the clearwater LKQ, and decided to stop and enjoy the nice weather on the water, and snap a few pics. Too bad you're not down here anymore though..

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

car has come a long way. beautiful job. i think it needs a slight drop though

maks10

i know man never got to see the bird....funny how we only crossed paths at westchase...as long as u have a thirdgen we may cross paths again lol...good to see the progress on ur build

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

I used to have a 280z, wish I still had it.


Car is coming along nicely Bradley.
-Jim

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

that is a thing of beauty

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Yeah, I had actually seen you a few times before, I was just never in a third gen when it happened, lol.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks, Jim!

Ordered a TH350 Torque arm/trans mount from a fellow member off of here, and also just placed an order for a 3k stall torque converter. I cant wait to start working on the swap!

jesse21

wow car looks amazing.two thumbs up bro .mine is a 84 Trans am everythings original.dont know where to start.my first project

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

i gotta say i always like your car, but never knew why, and i knew something looked off. the ttops louvers and spoiler really give a good black accent and then the whole bottom like that is nice. then i figured what i didnt like was that door guard. always hated those

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

My 82 t/a had the same door guards and i also didn't like them.
When i got the car painted i used the newer style door guards
and color matched the paint instead of black. On Bradley's car
though, i would go with the newer style and keep them black.

Car is looking good Bradley.

Spaghett

iTrader: (1)

Just a question, how much would you say the new engine and transmission have cost you so far? I'm seriously contemplating some sort of engine build and swap, but money isn't exactly flowing into my hands, so I'd like to save as much as I can. The car is awesome by the way, I think seeing a picture of it a few months back is actually one of the main reasons I decided to find one for myself!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks man! Early third gens are the best in my opinion, you've got a good year. Just have fun and take your time with it.

Thank you! I have since removed the louvers, though.. They were cheap plastic ones that were broken, so I took em' off. When I get it repainted, I will most likely leave the ding gaurds off.

Thanks Jupiter, I have always admired your t/a, and its high on my list of favorite third gens on this site.

I believe I have somewhere around $1800 into the engine so far, and it still needs a few odds and ends. I have $425 into the transmission, converter, and torque arm adapter. I am pretty good at bargain hunting for my parts, it just takes alot more time to gather them up, because you have to wait for the parts to come to market at a good price.

Spaghett

iTrader: (1)

Oh goodness. I was afraid of that haha. I guess I'll just start buying engine parts and take my time haha, I still need to paint my car first.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Put her up on ramps to be torn down today:



The last pics of the old 305:





The motor torn down:



I did get the motor pulled out, but it got dark, and I couldnt take pics.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

After removing wiring and misc pieces:



After cleaning/degreasing:



Hit it with some flat black:



Goin for the 4x4 look :

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Flat Black??? The before pic looked like the engine bay was good, maybe that is just the picture though. What was bad with it? Get it finished up!!! Hopefully I will have my car on the road by the time you are done with your bird. Could have some decent Tampa 3rd gen meets.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

The silver was in okay condition, a bit beat up, and there was some asphalt or something that splashed up into one of the sides of the wheel wells, so I painted it. I like the contrast of a shiny/silver engine against a flat black surrounding, it just makes the motor stand out so much more.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

3k Stall torque converter and a new flexplate:



I couldn't seem to locate a 153 tooth stock replacement flexplate that accepted the 10.5" pattern my new converter uses, I had to get a 168 tooth flexplate, and need to pick up a staggered bolt-pattern starter. Which is fine because I was going to buy a mini starter anyway, just have to get a different kind, is all.

Just got the wiring harness all thinned out. It seemed stupid to do all this work with shiny engine parts, cleaning and repainting the engine bay, and keep the crappy, redundant, ECM wiring in-tact. Since I have an early third gen, this engine harness was in two major pieces, the C100 side, and the ECM side, which makes it much simpler to thin out. I got them seperated and thinned out the rest of the c100 harness, while retaing the air conditioning wiring, becuse I plan on keeping AC in this car.

Before:



(That's just gross..)

After:



Nice and pretty.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

i have a 300zx and a firebird too! mines a 1987 both are actually lol The z was in a accident and im fixing it at the moment. Its a rust free texas car too, as of right now i put a new strut on it.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Cool man!

I love my t/a, but since I have been driving my 300zx around, I have gotten to really like that car as well. The 300z's are built very well, and I love the way it looks, and am always getting compliments on it, too! Get yours all fixed up and I am sure you'll enjoy it like I enjoy mine.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Cleaned up all the accessory brackets and waterpump and got them painted up. It's dark now, but I'll snap a couple pics of them. I am hoping to get the motor dropped in on saturday, if I can find someone to transport my buddies lift to my house so I can bum it.. lol

It's killing me inside to see my T/A sitting in the driveway with no motor/tranny..

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

The motor/trans bolted together ready to go in:



And set into place:



The firewall got all scratched up while putting it in, so I will try to re-spray that part. The engine is sitting a little tilted back because the trans mount adapter for the th350 wont fit onto the trans. Once I get that figured out, it will sit level and hopefully the headers will go in, because I could not get them in as it sits.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Getting the motor put together, now it's starting to look like something:



Bought this cool throttle return spring bracket, which sure beats the old coat-hanger/random spring jalopy that was on it before.



And I've got to somehow get a fitting to this hole for vacuum to the modulator valve on the TH350.. Looks like fun!



Slowly but surely..

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

dude that is an awesome 350. what is your estimate for horsepower?

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks man!

Hoping for somewhere in the neighborhood of 375-400 hp.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Went through round 2 trying to install the headers, and its still a no-go. I cant get them even close to seated in where they should be. I purposely left off any parts that would hinder/get in the way of the header install (IE: Coolant temp sensors, plugs, starter) and they still wont slip in. It seems that on the drivers side, the brake master/booster is in the way and wont allow me to fully set it down in its spot, and when I finally get it close, it just hits up against the engine block/car and wont move. I will try again another day so I don't get frustrated.

On a better note, I got the transmission mount in place and solidly mounted in the car. The adapter plate that I got with the Torque arm kit did not work at all, so I just modified the factory crossmember and got it bolted down. Nothing really picture worthy, though...

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

so how long before you can drive it

3318RS

Wow I just saw this thread. Nice find & nice job Bradley!!!

I'm subscribed!!!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thanks buddy, I am really trying to make this swap as nice/neat as I can. Only the final product will tell!

Man, I'm not really sure, honestly. I am currently relying on my wheeling n' dealing abilities to fund my third gen project, so it all depends on how many parts/items I can sell, ya know.. I hope it won't take too awful long, though..

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

I tallied up all the reciepts I have on-hand, and made up a list of parts and how much I paid for them. I like to keep on top of things like this, just so I know where I'm at, as far as fundage goes..

Engine Swap Parts
-Short block - $200.00
-Procomp aluminum cylinder heads - $625.00
-Performer RPM intake - $30.00
-Lifters - $50.00
-Timing gasket kit - $3.55
-Chrome fuel filter - $6.00
-Hedman Headers - $175.00
-Zinc Plated oil pan - $39.00
-NGK Spark Plugs - $15.00
-Proform Roller-Tipped Rocker Arms - $68.00
-Howards Camshaft - $99.99
*-Sales Tax up until this point: $31.96
-Melling Oil Pump - $24.00
-Oil Pump screen assembly - $7.00
-Cloyes Double Roller Timing gear set - $20
*-Sales tax up until this point: $3.57
-Percy's Aluminum Header Gaskets - $36.50
-Taylor Spiro-Pro Spark Plug Wires - $58.50
-Oil Pump Pickup Retainer - $15.50
*-Sales Tax up until this point: $7.74
-Fel-Pro 1-piece Oil Pan gasket - $29.95
-Flex Plate Bolts - $8.99
-Valve Cover Grommets - $3.99
-Chrome Oil Filler Plug - $5.99
-Carburetor Studs - $5.99
-Intake Bolt set - $9.99
*-Sales Tax up until this point: $2.45
-Aluminum Colored Engine Paint - $6.63
-Timing Cover Bolts - $6.26
-Head/Intake Gaskets, and Head bolts - $109.95
-Fabricated Aluminum valve covers - $64.50
-Aluminum Timing chain cover - $20.95
-Elgin Hardened Pushrods +.100 length - $29.99
-Throttle return spring assembly - $10.14
-Carburetor Base Gasket - $6.41
-Coolant Temperature Sender - $9.62
-Flexplate - $25.67

Total: $1873.78

Transmission Related Parts
-TH350 Transmission - $150.00
-3000 Stall Torque converter - $219.99
-Torque arm adapter - $40

Total: $209.99

This is not counting all of the Sealants, some misc bolts and seals, and anything else I don't have a reciept for or can't remember. If anyone is thinking of an engine swap, your money paid out will vary, some things I bought may be cheaper/more expensive for you depending on where/how you obtain them. I think I am pretty good at bargain shopping when I have to, so this number could've been much higher.

SKELITOR117

iTrader: (3)

WOW. So for about $2500-3,000 you got all that?

Keep up the good work man.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Not to sound wierd or anything, but today marks the one year anniversary since I bought my T/A! lol

I am hopefully get going to get some work done to her, so I can start showing her off around town. :P

SKELITOR117

iTrader: (3)

Happy Aniversary!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Lmao, thanks!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Just ordered:
-Mini Starter
-Dynomax Bullet mufflers
-Turndowns
-Th350 braided dipstick
-Torque converter/Flexplate bolts (Extended length)
-Comp cams break in oil
-ZDDPlus oil additive

I also picked up an oil catch can, and a right angled PCV valve than I am going to run for crankcase evacuation. I figure its better than simply running right back into the intake, and certainly better than just running an open breather to cover everything in oil.

I am going to really try to get her up and running before christmas, I want to enjoy my T/A again! :P

jesse21

Hey there Bradley been keeping up with it progress and man I gotta say I'm impressed but I had a favor to ask...I'm knew to restoration but were did u purchase your louvers and grill because mine broke they were really brittle
Thanks Jesse

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

The louvers were on the car when I bought it, they were cheap plastic ones, and the grills I got from a member on here for free.

silentkillzr

iTrader: (2)

What Torque arm bracket did you get for the longer tailshaft, or does the regular one from hawks or w/e work?

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

It is supposedly an older B&M unit, but it looks exactly like the Hurst version they sell currently. I bought I second hand off of a member here, so I can't be positive. It did not bolt right on, and I had made a thread about its fitment issues. I had to put it on the long tailshaft, and mark where it hit and keep cutting/grinding parts off until it sat flush. The metal I removed didn't seem to weaken the structure of it, so I am sure it'll be fine. As for the small transmission mount adapter plate, it didnt even come close to fitting, it hit the torque arm bracket. I ended up having to install the 700r4 mount in the front-most position (Towards the motor) on the transmission mounting pad, and slot the mounting hole on the factory 700r4 crossmember.