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Thursday I finally replaced the tires haha! Obviously rides muuuuuuch better with these Falkens. The alignment is still a little off so no driving until this Thursday when I do the inner/outer tie rods and struts. Then alignment!
I also had the windshield changed due to 2 long cracks. It was not the original. It was changed to a PPG brand at some point. The replacement I got is a Carlex.
One thing I was never really a fan of was the stock 80s Pontiac parts bin steering wheel. I replaced it with a clean leather 3 spoke off a 84 this morning. What a difference. Due to time restraints I'll have to wait till next weekend to change the pass side outer window sweep and door weatherseals.
Did you keep the Gatorbacks? There are people that buy usable ones for show.
Maybe I shouldn't have put 250 test miles on them. One of them started leaking air on my way home. It was flat when I arrived. I put air in it and you can hear it leaking out of the dry rot. Tire is toast.
2 of the tires are from 1989 and worn out. 1 is a little younger but dry rotting and not too much thread. Last one still has a decent amount of tread but lots of cracking/dry rot everywhere.
They are not the best examples. Not sure if someone would lose points at a show with these tires. They are not the best. They aren't gone but are in the scrap pile at work.
I'd skip the champion plugs and use a delco or NGK.
Great pix and updates!!!
Thank you! For the plugs I'm going to go with the Champions, part #RV15YC4
I would have gone Delco but when I ordered them the Champions were the only ones I could add to my order from the same warehouse (rockauto). I have done my research on them and they seem to be ok.
I've been running NGK for years on my Mustangs they make a great plug.
Originally Posted by steves
If you haven't bought the suspension parts check this out
Light snag yesterday. It seems like I need a new idler arm as well. Didn't properly check the steering. Had to postpone everything. Ordered a new Delco piece that should arrive next week.
While the wheels were off we swapped in new pads and discs. Changed the brake hose on the pass side. We were going to do the drivers side but the bolt that holds it to the strut snapped. Seeing how new struts are going on said f#ck it, drilled a hole in the strut and did a quick temporary fix to hold down the line. Didn't bother taking pics of boring stuff.
Soooo, almost there haha. A couple of pics of my friend Rick's Camaro included.
Haven't driven her in a week but gave her a quick wash after giving the GT a very long overdue wash haha! Also changed the belt last weekend. Ordered a new one, procrastinated a bit and when I popped the hood saw I just barely made it ooops
Finally finished the suspension and steering! BIG BIG thanks to my buddy Rick who helped me out!
The executive decision was made to cut a 1/2 coil in the front. Ended up cutting about an inch more to make the re-install easier. In the rear the isos were removed and used 1/2 heater hose.
I wouldn't mind having the car a smidge lower but it still looks great! Eventually we will do a very small cut on the rear springs to make the drop even. There is a small rake right now.
Got an alignment at work today and that pretty much buttons everything up. Car rides very nice! Feels soooo much tighter than before and handles great. The original struts and springs were shotttt. I still haven't changed the sway bar bushings thinking of going poly.
Decided to remove the swaybar tag and tuck it away safely with all the other stickers/tags I've found on this car so far lol.
I can't get over this car haha! I love driving it. Slow as fuq but whatever lol. I SWORE I would keep it stock but I just can't. Got a heavy deal on a SLP dual/dual exhaust. Guy I bought it from had bought it new in the late 00s and it modified to fit his 91 Z28. It's still in great shape. Don't really expect any performance gain but to give the car more of a rumble. It's just too quiet! I went to a drive thru the other day. When I got to the window the girl serving me says "Hmmm, I thought your car would be louder than that!" hahaha
Also just ordered an Edelbrock 1223 air cleaner that should arrive in the next week or so.
Some fresh pics as promised and some updates as well
Since the suspension and alignment was done haven't really done anything else. Just really enjoying the car and driving her as much as possible!
I did get a heavyyyy deal the other night tho.... GOLD GTA wheels for $160!
Unfortunately when we installed them yesterday one of the fronts was a little bent. Luckily it balanced out! It's a very small bend so I'm confident the wheel can be repaired. I'll be sending it out over winter.
Also installed the SLP dual dual and it sounds..... 2% louder sighhh
I did do it a little bit on ghetto side and kept the stock 2.25 exhaust line. Whatever, I'm done playing with the exhaust for now. The GOOD news the car feels ever so slightly quicker on take off. Probably the nice fall air lolol!
If I can find time this weekend I'll install the Edelbrock air cleaner that arrived
Looks great! Love the black GTA look! Mine is pretty slow too with the motor all stock, but I kept the Magnaflow the previous owner had and had to replace my cat with one a little more open.. it rumbles good and growls nice when you get on it.. even if it’s not fast, it should sound good!
Looks great! Love the black GTA look! Mine is pretty slow too with the motor all stock, but I kept the Magnaflow the previous owner had and had to replace my cat with one a little more open.. it rumbles good and growls nice when you get on it.. even if it’s not fast, it should sound good!
Nice find!
Thank you sir! I find Magnaflow has a great sound on these cars. If i didn't find the SLP I probably would have bought one.
I had my wife drive the car so I can hear it and the SLP does definitely have a little more rumble than I thought!
For sure should have a nice sound even if it's not the fastest. Just doesn't suit it to be whisper quiet lol/
For the first time since spring 1990 she has a garage to be safe, dry and comfy in I store the Mustang at my parent's house and the E Class here but now the Trans AM has the spot from Nov - April. Both cars are on the road until the snow starts coming down, hopefully not any time soon.
I installed the Edelbrock air cleaner last week. Air cleaner was #1223 and I used spacer #8093. For the breather threw on a Spectre #4300. Has a really nice sound when I get on it, can't complain at all!
Engine bay looks like pure a$$ tho. Over winter I'll be taking a lot of stuff off, cleaning, detailing, light painting etc etc. Gotta make it mint!
Other than that weather has been really nice except for rain these past few days. Loving the fall cruises
same here post some details when you et it working. i like the way the car looks with those gold wheels!
I'll definitely do a little write up for you guys
Instro, I wasn't sure at first but once I put them on I was blown away. Now I gotta figure out a way to divert some cash for the Hawks 17" versions lolol.
Got her back out after winter hibernation. Finished up with the hatch motor/switch/guides and installed new struts for the hatch. Everything works so nice now haha! Performed a quick oil change yesterday as well. Looking forward to start tinkering with her again
Haven't updated in a while! Don't know where to start. Didn't take too many pictures because it's mostly boring stuff. Because I'm doing this on my phone I'm posting the pics in the end. Sorryyyyy
edit -- the pics in this post are with the paint worked on the most and from within a couple of weeks. The next posts are throughout the summer and spring.
I ended up performing a smaller tune up. Due to time constraints and no damn roon with all the smog stuff in the way we pulled a couple of plugs to assess. They were properly gapped and looked fine so we left them in along with the wires. I did change the cap, rotor and installed a D1943A module. Also installed a new Delphi coil. That day the original destroyed transmission mount was changed to a NAPA piece.
With these parts the HEAVY stumble/hesitation I had on somewhat aggressive acceleration when warm is completely gone. Happy it was ignition related.
My buddies IROC outgrew its Hedman headers and Y pipe so I scored those. Bought a new Walker 46669 intermediate pipe to go along. With my SLP dual/dual muffler I think I might just break 200HP hahaha! Reason I'm mentioning the headers is when we install them I'll be doing the plugs and wires then along with removing the smog pump and associated plumbing.
The pass side caliper was sticking so I went ahead some rebuilds and a new cheapie Stoptech pads. The rotors were pretty new so left those. Rear brakes looked good so left everything as is and the system was bled. Still feels like **** so I proper upgrade is in the future!
The factory starter had been acting up since last year. Whether cold or hot start sometimes I'd hit the key and just get a click. 2-3 tries later and it would start. Because of the headers going in a smaller starter made sense. Found a used unit from an 89 vette for cheap. Ordered the proper bolts and unclipped the wires to make a tight fit. Took a bit getting used to the new sound lol.
While on the lift installed poly away bar bushings and a TDS wonderbar. Super nice piece! Moving to the back J&M control arms with poly ball and fresh hardware went it. I immediately felt a difference with these arms. Much much tighter.
I got tired of burning CDs. Really tired. So I caved and got a radio. Just a simple deck, JVC KD-R490. For dash kit used an American international GM-K432. It's a nice dashkit and with some clearancing of the little "black box" in the radio pod we did a nice flush mount. I got everything from crutchfield and the price was right. Because they "choose" your dash kit I ordered for an 02 Grand Prix to get that one.
A few days later I found some new Pioneer 4x6 speakers for super cheap! Last thing I was expecting to find that day. Quickly installed them and was rewarded with a little better sound vs the Sunfire 4x6s I was running.
I've always been the fence about the decals/emblems. Since the gold wheels were installed they really didn't match. One sunny afternoon I made the executive decision to remove them. The fact that the bird on the bumper looked like **** made up my mind. With a heat gone and goo gone they all came off relatively easy except for the drivers side sail panel. It was virtually baked on!!! I rubber eraser wheel on the drill and 10 minutes helped with that.
I've tried to improve the paint to the best of my amateur abilities. While I've worked on the sides a lot I didn't work the hood too much or the roof ( between hatch and t tops) I used the clay bar on them again with a few applications of Meguiars ultimate compound and polish. For wax I did the whole car minus the bumpers with Chemical Guys Pete's 53. Very nice stuff. All the work I've done is by hand. I'm at the point where I feel like I've done what I can on my own. There are a few spots that can use a wet sand and a more experienced touch.
I haven't done much to the interior expect for some plain black ACC mats. Do NOT waste your money on the cheaper ones!!!! For what I spent I was disappointed. A cheapish set cut to size for a thirdgen.
The bad news this summer is that transmission seems to be on it's way out. Due to a buzzing noise at idle in R, OD and D I thought maybe the filter was clogged. Dropped the pan to see the filter not even attached. The oil was still red but old. That same night started lightly slipping 2-3 when warm. After a small launch the other night there now a clunk sometimes on the 2-3 shift as well. Oh well, **** happens. A few guys said "see a$$hole, told you not to change the fluid" whatever. I'm sure it was going to die eventually, I just maybe accelerated it's inevitable ending.
I hope you enjoyed the read!
Last edited by George Klass; Sep 4, 2018 at 10:12 PM.
Lol, I was really happy when I took that pic. It actually looks even better now with the Pete's 53.
I go see the original owner from time to time. He only lives about 4 minutes away. I have this feeling like I'm almost bringing the car "home" when I pass by. A few of the neighbors came out that day, super excited to see the car back in action haha.
Just stumbled onto this thread, really cool that you saved that TA from rotting in that driveway until the end of time and have brought it back to life. I saved mine from sitting for about a year in a yard but that's nothing compared to your car.
She's doing great! Minus some leaking oil sighhh. It looks like the rear main seal but can be many other things. Need to put her up on a lift to see. This is super recent because my garage was spotless last week.
Besides that this year I've done the following
New window sweeps
New door seals
Hushmat sound deadening in the doors
New headliner
Painted the metal trim around the hatch window
Painted the t tops
Rebuilt the headlight motors
GE Nighthawks -- Horrible
Edit-- LOL keep on forgetting things I've done. Also did an Energy Suspension trans mount and changed the output shaft seal on the trans.
Half coil cut off the rear springs - Rides exactly the same, it's linear spring the rate barely increased if it did at all.
Also tried some spacers in the back. I don't know why but I can't remember how wide but I'm almost positive 1".
Russell brake hoses -- Started with the rear. Next week I'm redoing the front brakes with Centric Premium rotors and Powerstop Z23 pads.
Haven't really taken many pics of the work tho. Hopefully by end of July- early August the diff is getting redone. Waiting for her are a Yukon Dura Grip -- Got it brand new for about $265 USD BRAND NEW on Amazon last year!! A friend gave me some stock 3.42s to throw in. Also bought new stock cover tcovers buddybis going to shoot a nice metallic black next time they paint a black car at the shop. Probably already done lol.
Also waiting are some 20 year old but still clean Hedman shorties and matching Y pipe same friend's IROC outgrew along with a 46669 exhaust pipe. I think with the SLP dual/muffler already on it will sound perfect.
Here's some pics, enjoy
Back in a showroom after 30 years lol
Last edited by George Klass; Jul 4, 2020 at 09:34 AM.
You have done a lot of work to that car and it looks great, love the black with the GTA wheels. With the mods you have done and are planning that should be a pretty respectable 305 when it’s finished.
Thank you sir. My plan for this car is to keep it as 305 TBI until the engine expires which will probably never happen.
I got a set of World 42750 heads given to me a couple of months ago. Those with an LT1 cam, bigger injectors and some tuning I'm hoping for around 230-240 hp and 300-310ish torque.
94-95 Cobra valve covers on them because I'm out of room in here haha
That's awesome! Glad to see she's really doing good! Still looks beautiful! Those 305's are really hard to kill. They may not make a ton of power, but they are about as durable as an anvil. I have those heddman headers on my '86 IROC-Z, with the lb9 (305 TPI) and they really helped the car. Sound much better, too. What really made my car so much better, was a really "built" 700R4. Now she's just a little bit faster than a built 305/5-speed car, or a stockish 350/auto car. I have a 5.3 (lm7, I think?) I am toying with the idea of installing. That should be pretty fast, with the built 700R4 I already have.
DR.K.
She was parked for almost 3 weeks but we got a lot done! She needs a heavy wash now lol.
New Yukon posi and 3.42 gears installed made a difference for sure! No pics of that tho. Just got a Dakota Digital SGI 100-BT box to recalibrate the speedo, installing shortly.
Decided to spoil her and myself with some Hawks 17" GTA wheels. 275/40R17 General G Max RS tires all around. Looks wild I wish I got them sooner lol.
When I first put the wheels on I wasn't happy with the ride height. The executive decision was made to cut a full coil in front and full coil in the rear. I was previously running with 1/2 coil cut. The front looks amazing, rear could be lower so I'll be
buying a set of lowering springs. With 1/2 coil the car rode exactly the same but with a full coil I can tell the KYB Excel-Gs are not up to the task. Next on my list are UMI strut mounts. Maybe with that little extra travel will feel a little better
until I can spring (pun intended) for some Konis. I also scored a Steinjager adjustable panhard for almost nothing installed that as well.
Front brakes replaced with Centric premium rotors, Powerstop Z23 pads and Russell hoses. Still nothing crazy but the car finally stops somewhat decent. The pedal is firmer and I do feel a little more confident. When putting the diff back together the plan was to install new wheel cylinders and shoes but decided last moment to just run the current stuff (still good) and do an LT1 disc conversion this winter. Torque arm bushing was changing to an Energy Suspension piece.
Bonus mod -- Brian from Tuned Performance burnt me a chip to clean up the stock tune and the car a little more aggressive. Also turned off AIR due to new high flow cat going in soon along with previously mentioned headers and y pipe.
i was confused to see snow when I saw an update lol
