Hi all, I am new to the forum. Found a lot of info on this site and wanted to join. 3 months ago I bought a 86 T/A, black, t-top, 4 wheel disk brakes, 350 TPI motor with crane cam, and has 5 speed trans. Also found out it has motorvation chip. Haven't really got into it any more because it's in storage at the moment. Figured I'd share a couple pictures, does need a little work, while I work on it I'll post more in the future. Thank you for looking.

 

Good looking car, lots you can do with that. Engine been replaced, or did someone put a stick behind the 5.7?

 

No 5.7's in 86'.. That looks like a well put together car though at least from that pic. Stance is perfect, the wheels look great, and I dig that 5.7 decal on the gfx. Subtle touch without looking childish. How is it inside?

 

even if I weren't paying attention to the heading, shouda seen the third brake light tit on the back window.....

 

Thank you. Originally it was a 305 automatic, but was converted over. Originality wise it's really not, but I purchased it because it has every feature I've been hunting around for a while. Interior is good I'll have to get a pic of that.

 

here's an interior pic

 

Those seat covers must be a dream when it's roasting hot outside...

 

Yea but I tell ya, they're comfortable as can be lol

 

The plans I do have though consists of new clutch, subframe connectors, new gaskets, and another rear wing. One on it now isn't healthy at all.

 

Interesting car. Congrats, and welcome to TGO

 

Thank you, I look forward to workin on the T/A and being part of the forum. Been really wanting one of these since I was 10 watching knight rider, just the body style and sleek look of these third Gen firebirds are my favorite.

 

Good looking car

 

Cool car my man!

 

Thank you, here's an engine shot. I straightened a few things out before I put it away, things like how there was no pcv valve just a breather hose dangling over the hole on valve cover. Plan on freshening everything up when spring hits.

 

So I guess blue was the previous owners favourite colour eh

 

So I know its been a while since I posted, can't believe I owned the T/A for over 2 years already. Gonna try to make this my build thread. But car has come a long way. Usually when you buy a car, especially for a cheap price, you tend to have their problems. On the outside when I bought it, it was beautiful.
So it wasn't that bad, but enough to where id have to consider the car to be a slow "restoration." My first heartbreak was the fact that the car was originally blue with silver ground effects. I bought it for 2 reasons. One, it was solid for the age, 2 it was black (I'm not a body guy, anything else but body.) So that was depressing, but really, the paint job was so good I couldn't tell til I was underneath looking at it.
So after storing it, pulled it out end of March, drove it to my house. I won't bore everyone with details, but decided I'm pulling the motor and trans out. The 350 (i made sure it was from the block numbers) got all new gaskets/seals, timing chain and gears, oil pump/screen, brass freeze plugs, etc with a good deep cleaning and paint, along with all the externals. T5 Transmission got new centerforce clutch with new seals and a few bearings. 9 bolt posi rear end got new fluid, pinion bearing and seal. Dont get me started on the wiring and mouse nests in between the fun. Car got all new sensors, switches, etc as well.
After it was all put back together, it ran exactly how it did before I stored it, better, but the same (idle was all over, high, etc.) It was TPI with a cam, so decided to check out the ecm. Sure enough it had a motorvation chip in it. Tried new ecm, prom, etc. All the same. I mean it was driving good, just embarrassing how it idled. So left it for the time being.
The saga continues, will post more later on..

 

 

So I drove the car during the rest of the summer last year. Tinkered with it more, new champion radiator, switched out electric fan for a mechanical flex fan (because i put an electric one in myself in front of the new radiator), so bought a shroud and stuff, rerouted the maf. Then put it away again last winter. Oh, also vacuumed the heat ducts and found more mouse nests. No damage, just nests.

 

So after last winter.... I decided to make a change, for driveability purposes. I didn't want to mess with tuning, I was basically done with having iding issues. I literally went thru the entire thing right down to timing and modules and everything else. So.....

 

I ended up cutting the hood, but realized it looked dumb. I mean I cut it perfect, with little molding strips and stuff. But I just didn't like the look, so wasted money..... but ran excellent with the carb. So taking off the top air cleaner, left me with a hole in the hood. I always wanted a power bulge hood, and found one, no rust, for a really good price. And.... it was black. With a smaller air cleaner, buffing, and tweeking, fit like a glove.

 

My next dilemma before storing it this winter was the rear wing. Here i have a beautiful car with a rusty ugly wing. So from the same doner car from a guy I know, I got myself a wing from a 92. Needed a good buff as well. But wasn't the hard rubber one so don't have to worry about cracking anymore. With a little drilling and mods, got myself a good condition wing.

 

So in between the changes, I also installed subframe connectors and a wonder bar. I'm now building a sound system for it. I put a deck in last year with new speakers all around, but I'm working on a new setup. I'm sure I'm missing alot as I've done alot more including brakes and new front suspension, and kits for rear calipers. More to come....... thank you for looking.

 

That fuel line is a recipe for disaster...

 

Looks great, I love those hoods. You're lucky you found one in nice shape!

 

Thank you, yea I enjoy staring at the bulge while driving. I removed the plastic insert and put in a mesh one, so it actually serves a purpose as well.

The fuel line i routed differently after that pic, when I realized the A/C compressor went on in that same spot lol. Also, when converted to carb, switched out the pump and put a holley returnable fuel pressure regulator on.

Not gonna lie though, I really like the look of the TPI, but its a night and day difference with idling and driving. Its not like I gutted the thing though, I took out the whole ecm harness all in one piece carefully, and tucked it away with the intake and ecm and connectors, (you know just in case I make another impulse decision)..... lol

 

Yesterday was decent outside so decided to tinker around with the T/A. Took the tail lights out to check out what the previous owner did before I bought it few years ago. Found a dead mouse, looked like it was few years old, along with chewed wiring. So spent the day rewiring and cleaning it up. Also there were 4 different bulbs on the sockets, installed new correct ones. How can you take time to paint a car, but then hack stuff like this.

 

Good looking T/A man! Nice to know I'm not the only one who stares at their power bulge, while driving...

 

Thanks man. Yea mine is a work in progress. But, my pride and joy. Previous owner(s) should be ashamed, all the things I've ran acrossed.

 

Start of building a sound system. Built the sun box myself, glued screwed and liquid nails on all edges. Then used spray adhesive for the covering. Little tight with the dimensions I did, but fits like a glove. Sprayed vinyl fabric black and put covering I used for sub box on back panel. Looks better. I have the cargo cover to cover it all up under the T-top bag. More to come with it when its warmer out. Don't mind the dryer sheets. I use those and peppermint oil spray to keep rodents away.

 

sound system getting there. Been cold and haven't touched the car since December. Still need to install new head unit and equalizer.

 

Hopefully all my wiring is right, but worst part is done.

 

Nice! subscribed

 

So with hours of time and effort, I installed the new head unit, equalizer, and cassette deck in my T/A. Ran into a few snags, basically did a rewire. Multiple speaker wires front to back because of the amps, also added tweeters which definitely made a difference in voice. Ran the system too long and killed my cheapo battery, so had to buy a new better one. On top of it, I ordered and installed a capacitor for the bass amp. Then I noticed my alternator wasn't cutting it and was very whiny. So upgraded and installed a new one. Added and upgraded alt and ground cables. Ill have to take a few pictures, but came out good after all said and done.

 

It’s been a while since I’ve posted the T/A, but it’s been a very busy summer. I took it out maybe 3 times, one of them being in a local show. I have some big plans for it next year.

 

Had a good friend of mine custom bend and weld new exhaust pipe, 2 reasons. One is because I cobbed it after I did the engine/tranny swap just to get it moving. Two, because I feel 3 inch hugging the floor looks 100% better than 4 different sizes dragging on the ground.