I just bought an '83 Trans Am with a stock 305 LG4.
It needs a new exhaust system, new shocks, and a carburetor. What type of shocks to buy?? What type of carburetor should I buy?
Also, Id like to replace all the spark plugs and get new ignition wires. Id like to have top of the line stuff but suited for a stock LG4.

Oh, and one more question. Since its an older car, what type of gas do you guys use? Should I start using a higher octane?


PS, Sorry for all the newbie questions.

 

Welcome to the board. Go to the forums, use the search engines, learn and enjoy!

 

I have an 85 lg4 TA and for the exhaust I bought the Dynomax catback from Jegs and have been very pleased with it as far as plugs are concerned that is pretty much your personal preference but for the wires I would definately reccomend some good high temp wires don`t buy the cheap store brand they try to sell you as they are crap I replaced the set that was put on my car right before I bought it about three months later because they were already bad I bought a set of accel super stock wires and have not had a problem since as far as the carb goes just rebuild the stock one it does the job just fine I can`t be of any help with the shocks and struts as I have not had to replace mine yet and as long as the timing is set right you should have no problem running 87 octane gas.

 

I like the Bilstein shocks/struts. Autozone sells them for a resonable price. Koni shocks/struts are a tad bit better but a lot more expensive.

For the fuel type, just start with regular. If it pings, switch to a higher octane, or retard the timing a little. Every car is different. Just have to experiment.

The Q-jets carbs are good carbs. I'd just re-build the one you already have. Most tune-up shops can re-build carbs if your not able to.

Welcome to the boards.

 

I have an 83 TA as well - recently installed Koni Yellows and Eibach Prokit - works real good on this car. Set the rears shocks at the softest and put a half turn on the front struts. The ride is not harsh IMO.

My car has no computer so I set the timing at 11 therefore I'm using 94 - Your motor like mine is low compression so any good gas should be OK - I just had to go high octane because of the timing.

Hedman headers and Hooker cat-back are nice to.

Welcome to the board.

 

I also have an 83 T/A w/LG-4 305, it has 105,000 miles and runs fine on 87 octane. On the other hand, my 85 Chevy P/U stock 305 w/225,000 miles won't run without pinging inless I use 93 octane, adjusting timing has had no effect
As far as the exhaust goes, I am in the process of an engine swap to a Vortec 350 and have Hedman Headers / y-pipe and Dynomax cat-back w/97 WS-6 tips no cat
I still haven't gotten into the suspention yet, that will come after she's up and running again.

 

I also have an 83 T/A w/LG-4 305, it has 105,000 miles and runs fine on 87 octane. On the other hand, my 85 Chevy P/U stock 305 w/225,000 miles won't run without pinging inless I use 93 octane, adjusting timing has had no effect
As far as the exhaust goes, I am in the process of an engine swap to a Vortec 350 and have Hedman Headers / y-pipe and Dynomax cat-back w/97 WS-6 tips no cat
I still haven't gotten into the suspention yet, that will come after she's up and running again.

 

sorry about that second post