1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
#1
1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Added this to the collection around Christmas. However 2 days later I suffered some serious damage to my residence. So I have been busy. To say the least. The car has the GIT Kit level two. Meaning the basic kit plus true duel exhaust from Mecham. Level 3 added a cam swap. Boosting power up to 330 hp. The P.O added some 2nd gen Recaros which are in insane shape.
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#3
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Sweet car!
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#6
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Here are some picture of my car. These I took from my website I'm working on. You can see the true duels coming out of the tri-y headers (yes, a decade before SLP). OEM mufflers, and even a H pipe from MSE. Some very impressive turns. I will post a git git level 1 car without true duels in the next post
Last edited by t/aws61985; 03-19-2023 at 06:32 AM.
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#9
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Great example.
You're going to have to go down Route 66 to Pontiac, MI and get yourself a small museum space near the Pontiac Transportation Museum to show these things off!
Sorry to hear about the home damage. I had a small garage fire 2 years ago, from which I am still recovering, spending all my free time (including this weekend) out int he shop, trying to restore it to the condition it was before the fire.
You're going to have to go down Route 66 to Pontiac, MI and get yourself a small museum space near the Pontiac Transportation Museum to show these things off!
Sorry to hear about the home damage. I had a small garage fire 2 years ago, from which I am still recovering, spending all my free time (including this weekend) out int he shop, trying to restore it to the condition it was before the fire.
#10
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Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 L98
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9 bolt 3.27
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
That’s a really nice Mecham car, those seats really tie it together. Very few talk about the performance of these, that’s a lot of power for the 80s.
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WildCard600 (03-19-2023)
#11
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Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Cool car! How many MSEs do you own now??
I'd love to have one someday, but first I need a bigger garage. Only have a 2 car and it's filled with 2 thirdgens. For now I'll just have to settle for my custom build having an original MSE rear spoiler.
I'd love to have one someday, but first I need a bigger garage. Only have a 2 car and it's filled with 2 thirdgens. For now I'll just have to settle for my custom build having an original MSE rear spoiler.
#12
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Great example.
You're going to have to go down Route 66 to Pontiac, MI and get yourself a small museum space near the Pontiac Transportation Museum to show these things off!
Sorry to hear about the home damage. I had a small garage fire 2 years ago, from which I am still recovering, spending all my free time (including this weekend) out int he shop, trying to restore it to the condition it was before the fire.
You're going to have to go down Route 66 to Pontiac, MI and get yourself a small museum space near the Pontiac Transportation Museum to show these things off!
Sorry to hear about the home damage. I had a small garage fire 2 years ago, from which I am still recovering, spending all my free time (including this weekend) out int he shop, trying to restore it to the condition it was before the fire.
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#14
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Also have 2 clones in working on right now. A daytona MSE clone (only 2 real ones made), and a 15th anniversary MSE car (never produced). Basically just collecting all the MSE Aesthetic parts. Adding them to the Special editions. The daytona has the wheels off the 1 of the 2 real Daytonas however.
82-36
83-123
86-12
If you ever want to part with the wing lmk.
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t/aws61985 (04-24-2023)
#18
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Nice MSE. Glad to see it's still in nice condition. I used to own this car. Bought it in '96 and sold it around early '02 ish.. It's been a while. My wife and I were just talking about it, the exhaust had the best sound of all the cars I've owned. I had to look and see if it popped up anywhere. Found this post and had to comment.
Looks to be in about the same condition with the exception of the seats and the wreath added to the pillar.
Looks to be in about the same condition with the exception of the seats and the wreath added to the pillar.
#19
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Nice MSE. Glad to see it's still in nice condition. I used to own this car. Bought it in '96 and sold it around early '02 ish.. It's been a while. My wife and I were just talking about it, the exhaust had the best sound of all the cars I've owned. I had to look and see if it popped up anywhere. Found this post and had to comment.
Looks to be in about the same condition with the exception of the seats and the wreath added to the pillar.
Looks to be in about the same condition with the exception of the seats and the wreath added to the pillar.
about the car
#20
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
It is a small word, I've tried searching a couple times to see where this ended up. If found one other thread, but the site went down. I keep wondering if it's the same car. Small details tell me it is. I remeber the armrest curling, the cracked screw holes near the number plate and funny enough the clamper around the echaust to keep them from vibrating. Does it still have a Clifford Alarm and Kenwood CD player?
I wondered about the decals. From my research after I thought the early cars didn't have the wreath since that was pre SCCA wins. Interesting about the wing. I was the 3rd owner, second owner had it most of it life until '96. From there info the wing was always red. I did have the car repainted in '97 when I lived in Az where I bought it. Everything was the was it was "oringinally" with the exception of small black and silver stripes underlining the MSE emblem on the B pillar.
Funny you mention finding paper work.. Not sure I want to mention... I used to have all the paper work from Mecham when it was ordered. Receipts for the Git Kit and everything else. It's a shame that all that was lost. I'll have to search for pics I have of it. Pre digital camera days, but I may have some scanned.
I wondered about the decals. From my research after I thought the early cars didn't have the wreath since that was pre SCCA wins. Interesting about the wing. I was the 3rd owner, second owner had it most of it life until '96. From there info the wing was always red. I did have the car repainted in '97 when I lived in Az where I bought it. Everything was the was it was "oringinally" with the exception of small black and silver stripes underlining the MSE emblem on the B pillar.
Funny you mention finding paper work.. Not sure I want to mention... I used to have all the paper work from Mecham when it was ordered. Receipts for the Git Kit and everything else. It's a shame that all that was lost. I'll have to search for pics I have of it. Pre digital camera days, but I may have some scanned.
#21
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
It is a small word, I've tried searching a couple times to see where this ended up. If found one other thread, but the site went down. I keep wondering if it's the same car. Small details tell me it is. I remeber the armrest curling, the cracked screw holes near the number plate and funny enough the clamper around the echaust to keep them from vibrating. Does it still have a Clifford Alarm and Kenwood CD player?
I wondered about the decals. From my research after I thought the early cars didn't have the wreath since that was pre SCCA wins. Interesting about the wing. I was the 3rd owner, second owner had it most of it life until '96. From there info the wing was always red. I did have the car repainted in '97 when I lived in Az where I bought it. Everything was the was it was "oringinally" with the exception of small black and silver stripes underlining the MSE emblem on the B pillar.
Funny you mention finding paper work.. Not sure I want to mention... I used to have all the paper work from Mecham when it was ordered. Receipts for the Git Kit and everything else. It's a shame that all that was lost. I'll have to search for pics I have of it. Pre digital camera days, but I may have some scanned.
I wondered about the decals. From my research after I thought the early cars didn't have the wreath since that was pre SCCA wins. Interesting about the wing. I was the 3rd owner, second owner had it most of it life until '96. From there info the wing was always red. I did have the car repainted in '97 when I lived in Az where I bought it. Everything was the was it was "oringinally" with the exception of small black and silver stripes underlining the MSE emblem on the B pillar.
Funny you mention finding paper work.. Not sure I want to mention... I used to have all the paper work from Mecham when it was ordered. Receipts for the Git Kit and everything else. It's a shame that all that was lost. I'll have to search for pics I have of it. Pre digital camera days, but I may have some scanned.
I removed the alarm system as my plan was to make it as simple and clean as possible. Plus my buddy really really wanted it for sentimental reasons. So I took it all out for him minus the light on the dash. So the car did have the stripes under the badges on the sails? Any info you have even old pictures of you and the car would be great.
#22
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Nice addition!
Just curious about moddern mods vs originality.
with them being what they are, wouldn't originality win over or are they not original enough to worry about?
not knocking or bashing, just genuinely curious because i have noooooo clue about them an market values
Just curious about moddern mods vs originality.
with them being what they are, wouldn't originality win over or are they not original enough to worry about?
not knocking or bashing, just genuinely curious because i have noooooo clue about them an market values
#23
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Nice addition!
Just curious about moddern mods vs originality.
with them being what they are, wouldn't originality win over or are they not original enough to worry about?
not knocking or bashing, just genuinely curious because i have noooooo clue about them an market values
Just curious about moddern mods vs originality.
with them being what they are, wouldn't originality win over or are they not original enough to worry about?
not knocking or bashing, just genuinely curious because i have noooooo clue about them an market values
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TTOP350 (08-13-2023)
#24
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
I was able to find some pics. This was just after I purchased it, maybe a week or two. Shortly after these pictures were taken it was stolen from the parking where I worked, Luckily it was recovered and no major damage was done. Mostly steering column and dent on the passenger fender from a police cruiser.
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#25
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Those are absolutely incredible, Thank you. Happy to see that she has made it this long so close to how she came. Seems like I have changed more than the last owners lol. I will be sure to add the stripes back to the sail panel.
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird s/e
Engine: 305 Chevy
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 for now
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
Any one know the specs of the Mechman 305 engines,especially the cam duration and cam specs were? I saw one of these in a Alamogordo GM dealer, and tired everything to get it. That engine had a lope and some power for the late 80's.
#28
Re: 1982 Mecham Racing Trans Am #36
In 1982, There were 5 levels
1. Stock with nothing done
2. OEM 305 with Git kit (Holley 4 Barrel, Edelbrock intake, Tri-y Headers/ Y-pipe, Champion Plugs, Mallory Distributor/coil) 175 HP (50 over stock)
3 Git Kit Level 2 (Everything above but with true duel exhaust) 200-215 HP (90 over stock) (Seen/own articles saying both numbers)
4.Git kit level 3 (Everything above but with a cam and gear swap. 300 HP (175 over stock)
5. Macho 5.7L Engine Swap with everything above HP unknown.
Here's the thing, in 1982 the Macho 5.7 was not a advertised thing. It came out in 1983. Seeing a macho 5.7 swap car before 1984-1986 is very rare. I talked with Dennis on this. The R for example on the center console doesn't just mean red it means replica. I asked him if he did 350 swaps in the 82s. He told me only a few. He was shocked that I had a red one with all that it has as the Red replica cars were just supposed to be appearance cars. But here she sits.
Also, the so called "Cam and gear swap " cars which ARE mentioned in magazine articles from the time. I personally believe to be 350 cars. No way you are making 300 HP out of a 82 305 with those heads (in my opinion). But anything is possible.
I have not pulled the cam to check. However, A buddy of mine with a 1984 Macho 5.7 car had his 350 rebuilt. The cam that was in there was A Clay Smith H-6474-4-B. He bought the car new with the 350 in there. Only cam spec I was ever able to find. Not many 350 cars made. However. #36 is one of them.
Also good to note is that all true H.O engine swaps got a updated trans. In the later years the H.O auto was a TH350. The Macho 5.7 Swap became standard in 1984. 85-86 production was 2x cars per year. The 406 was then, the true most H.O engine produced (Non experimental that is). Car 1985-#3 recently poped up. With a 406 with the performance Trans. Which is a TH350. Rather rat hole of a way to find info. But what we can find is what makes the trend. Which only helps to authenticate #36 with its Macho 5.7 Th350 swap. As the Th200 couldn't handle the 1982 305, Let alone a Git kit 350. Th350 was needed.
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