Florida Gathering!!
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Well. I got my motor installed and ready, now I have to replace my fuel pump so I can start it and make sure all is well. Getting my baby ready for this gathering!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 7
From: Casselberry, FLA
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: Florida Gathering!!
ditto on the fuel pump install
I should be up and running soon. I might even have the wife follow in our parts car IROC!
Can't wait!
I should be up and running soon. I might even have the wife follow in our parts car IROC!
Can't wait!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Took the car to the USF car meet on friday night. Was nice to finally get the car out. Drove home at night with the windows down cruising on the highway. Made me realize how much I miss doing that.
Good to hear some of you are close to being up and running and still have a few months till the event. I purchased the ground effect piece that had been knocked off by the trash. My wife's cousin will be painting it as well as repainting part of my front bumper. I will be ready! Will need to do a more indepth detail to the car.
-Jim
Good to hear some of you are close to being up and running and still have a few months till the event. I purchased the ground effect piece that had been knocked off by the trash. My wife's cousin will be painting it as well as repainting part of my front bumper. I will be ready! Will need to do a more indepth detail to the car.
-Jim
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
I finally got my harness back from Pocket this weekend. So I am planning on having the engine back in my GTA by the end of July. And I will hopefully even have it running by then. Getting my baby ready for this gathering as well!
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 504
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Well I guess I'm not the only one trying and working hard to get my car up and running for the gathering lol. Its really motivating though, it gives me a due date to look forward to.
Supreme Member
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Yep, same here David. We can do it!
Hmmm, that doesn't sound right! You know what I meant. lol
Hmmm, that doesn't sound right! You know what I meant. lol Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 2
From: Orlando
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Took the car to the USF car meet on friday night. Was nice to finally get the car out. Drove home at night with the windows down cruising on the highway. Made me realize how much I miss doing that.
Good to hear some of you are close to being up and running and still have a few months till the event. I purchased the ground effect piece that had been knocked off by the trash. My wife's cousin will be painting it as well as repainting part of my front bumper. I will be ready! Will need to do a more indepth detail to the car.
-Jim
Good to hear some of you are close to being up and running and still have a few months till the event. I purchased the ground effect piece that had been knocked off by the trash. My wife's cousin will be painting it as well as repainting part of my front bumper. I will be ready! Will need to do a more indepth detail to the car.
-Jim
Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 2
From: Orlando
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Thank you! The motor is about to get pulled and the engine bay and block painted a bright metallic blue. I'm also going to sand down and re-polish every piece of aluminum under the hood. Which almost everything is aluminum. I dont like chrome. It will look much better for the meet than it does now.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Good to hear dprest...i've had pictures of your car saved on my computer for years. Can't wait to see it in person, especially with the LS swap done.
built, I don't have a stereo in the car so all I can hear is the wind and the car itself...wish I had something more than just the V6, would enjoy it more.
David, will you be traveling with anyone? If not, maybe you can get with the Ft. Myers guys and meet up with them to cruise up here. Always nice to have others with you incase something happens.
built, I don't have a stereo in the car so all I can hear is the wind and the car itself...wish I had something more than just the V6, would enjoy it more.
David, will you be traveling with anyone? If not, maybe you can get with the Ft. Myers guys and meet up with them to cruise up here. Always nice to have others with you incase something happens.
Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 2
From: Orlando
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Florida Gathering!!
I dont have a radio either. Listening to the motor was fun for the first year, but now its boring too. I'm hoping to have at least a basic radio in the car within the next month or so.
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
You know what? I had not thought of that yet. But its definitely a good idea. I'm sure my wife is going with me and at least one of my sons. But we also have two vans and 5 kids in total, they may want to go too and that way we could take one of the vans loaded with tools and stuff just in case plus give ourselves a little time off, which we haven't had in a while.
Supreme Member
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,237
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
I have a turbo sitting in my garage that you could put on your car to make it feel like a V8.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,237
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Seminole, FL
Car: 88 trans am
Engine: 350sb
Transmission: t400
Axle/Gears: 7.5/2.73
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Bottom end of the motor is getting built at Godwin-Singer for $150. My trans am might be making this meet .
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,237
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
That's great Buffalo, good call.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 239
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From: Seminole, FL
Car: 88 trans am
Engine: 350sb
Transmission: t400
Axle/Gears: 7.5/2.73
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Florida Gathering!!
You have 3 months. There should be some cooler days from now until then.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Finally got around to swapping in the T56. I definitely will be making this meet
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Well as for me I got the motor swapped and the fuel pump replaced. I hear it priming and I've got fuel pressure in the fuel rail now but the VATS is not letting me start my car now. When it stops raining I'll go out there and fool with it some more.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
How do you know it's VATS that's not letting the car start?
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Because the "Security" light is not turning off after a few seconds like it always does. Its happened before so I'm not new to this problem. It was late yesterday and I was exhausted and dirty so I didn't want to fool with it any more last night. The funny thing is that I had been turning the engine for several days just to get the oil around the motor and the vats didn't give any problems then when the fuel pump was messed up, now that its ready to start the vats acts up. Its always something! Lol
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Put a resistor the same value as your key across the ign terminals to bypass it. No one wants to steal our cars now anyways lol.
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Posts: 504
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Yeah I know. Right? Lol. That's what I was planning on doing once and for all 'cause I've had this issue before
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
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Posts: 504
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
I like them and I think it's a great idea. Kids love things like that too.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 239
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From: Seminole, FL
Car: 88 trans am
Engine: 350sb
Transmission: t400
Axle/Gears: 7.5/2.73
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Because the "Security" light is not turning off after a few seconds like it always does. Its happened before so I'm not new to this problem. It was late yesterday and I was exhausted and dirty so I didn't want to fool with it any more last night. The funny thing is that I had been turning the engine for several days just to get the oil around the motor and the vats didn't give any problems then when the fuel pump was messed up, now that its ready to start the vats acts up. Its always something! Lol

Godwin-Singer just finished up the bottom end, gunna go pick it up today if I can get a truck.
Last edited by thebuffalo; Jul 11, 2012 at 11:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Florida Gathering!!
When I had a problem with VATS I had it disabled in the computer as well as permanently grounded the relay switch and that fixed it. The resistor works also.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 42
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From: orlando florida
Car: 1989 camaro RS convertible
Engine: 305 TBI stock
Transmission: 700-r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Florida Gathering!!
hey all, kinda new to the site and new to the third gens...never been to one of these gatherings but sounds pretty fun. i dont really have anything special(yet) compared to what some of you have lol. just got my stock 89 RS convertible to bring with me.
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Welcome to TGO!!! Honestly I've never been to a gathering either although I've had my car for over 10 years now. But I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun. My car is nothing special to most people but it is to me and that's what counts. lol
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iTrader: (2)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 504
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Sorry guys, I forgot to mention that I finally got my car running. It's amazing to hear my baby running again after almost 4 years since the 305 threw a rod at 80 mph down the turnpike.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 504
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Pwdbychevy thanks. Actually my son was driving it and he had my daughter with him too. They said it just died, 'course doing 80 with the windows down and the music on full blast I'm sure none of them heard a knck or anything else lol. But its fixed now I have to get to other details to get her all legal and back on the road again.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,237
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 7
From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Motobooks, it's sounds like you have done this before!

Pwdbychevy, your car looks real sharp! Hopefully you will be at this gathering so that I can see it in person.
Last edited by dprest68; Jul 12, 2012 at 07:59 AM.
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Man this is really exciting! Everybody is so into fixing their cars and getting to stuff we hadn't done in years. I can't wait to "finish" mine to where it at least looks decent to stand next to some of your rides. Now I need to not only improve the looks of the GTA but get busy with the Camaro and see if we can take them both but $$ is always an issue for me
Last edited by Davidgou; Jul 12, 2012 at 08:16 AM. Reason: typo
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Florida Gathering!!
Man this is really exciting! Everybody is so into fixing their cars and getting to stuff we hadn't done in years. I can't wait to "finish" mine to where it at least looks decent to stand next to some of your rides. Now I need to not only improve the looks of the GTA but get busy with the Camaro and see if we can take them both but $$ is always an issue for me 

I hope those of you planning to camp have already reserved a campsite. Don't know if there are any left or not.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,435
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From: Central Florida
Car: 89 Camaro RS running MS2X
Engine: .48/.60AR T3/T4 2.8L V6
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: Next to break...
Re: Florida Gathering!!
hey charcoal, thanks for the heads up on this, I hope I can make it out there. Car is running and running great, got my gas mileage back. Unfortunately I still have yet to find a job, Ins and Registration just ran out so its off the road for now. I make sure to take it down the street once a week.
Hopefully I find something before the meet so I can put it back on the road and make the meet
Hopefully I find something before the meet so I can put it back on the road and make the meet
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Posts: 227
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From: New Port Richey, Fl
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 6.6 at least
Transmission: T-56 (waiting)
Axle/Gears: 9" w/4.56 & spool (4 now)
Re: Florida Gathering!!
this is what im work'n with....nice polished vvvv timing cover.....
Member
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Posts: 227
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From: New Port Richey, Fl
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 6.6 at least
Transmission: T-56 (waiting)
Axle/Gears: 9" w/4.56 & spool (4 now)
Re: Florida Gathering!!
and a few more.........and thats mini me get'n his hands grezzy....
Member
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Posts: 227
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From: New Port Richey, Fl
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 6.6 at least
Transmission: T-56 (waiting)
Axle/Gears: 9" w/4.56 & spool (4 now)
Re: Florida Gathering!!
well......I was making good progress, (on the motor at least) about 80% done on motor, next on the list would be.....
tranny
rear end
k-member/tranny mount/torqe arm/subframes/LCA's
exhaust
guages
odds & ends
NOW....AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!.......F$%K
everything is on hold, because of this....
tranny
rear end
k-member/tranny mount/torqe arm/subframes/LCA's
exhaust
guages
odds & ends
NOW....AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!.......F$%K
everything is on hold, because of this....





