Hello everyone, this is my first post but I have been reading allot over the past few weeks.

I recently purchased an 87 Trans Am for my daughter. It has the 305 TPI with an automatic. The car has 166,000 miles on it and in overall is in good condition. I got it for 500 bucks and drove it home. Unfortunately the fuel pump went out about two weeks after getting home.

The first things I did was a general inspection and some note taking. I swapped the pump with a Delco unit and then the sender assembly since the fuel gauge did not work. I noticed a miss and found out the pickup was torn up in a bad way. In goes a new pickup, and stock spark plugs. I did test the rest of the ignition and it all is good.

The valve cover gaskets were leaking and it was smoking at startup. I installed new cover gaskets and replaced the valve seals. I checked the fuel pressure and it was set at 100 psi (had and AFPR installed). I dial pressure down to 45. I did do an oil and filter change.

I checked the engine codes and found out the MAF was "high". I checked that and the wire was broken in the MAF, got a reman MAF.

I removed the air system since the air pump was seized. I also replaced about 8 feet of rotted vacuum line

I have a new radiator on order (original was cracked and leaking). I changed the thermostat back to a 195 from the 160 that was in it. I then swapped the fan switch in the block as the fans were running all the time and it appears the switch was grounded.

The last things I am going to change are the sway bar bushings and end links as they are cracked. The rears are in good shape and look to be almost new. The person I got the car from did swap in a disk brake rear end. He also told me the car would need some work so I knew getting into it I would need to put a little money in it and am not worried about that part.

Sorry for such a long post but I want to know if there is anything I am missing and have over looked, any ideas or comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Eric

 

Welcome to thirdgen!
Didnt see that you replaced fuel filter?but the pressure is great.Youll prolly just have to see how it goes and fix has needed,but what do you want a stock thirdgen or do you have a goal in mind? Maybe some stage 1,2 or 3 mods to start with.thers a thread on it here in the forums,the search engine is very helpful.

 

make sure you have the right porpotioning valve for the new rear brakes it's different between discs and drums IIRC. otherwise, sounds like a cool car.

 

Thanks for the reply's.

Yeah, I have a new fuel filter but have not put it in yet. I will get to that in the next few days. I have been working on it a few hours after work when I get the chance. I have been using the search tab like crazy, got it marked on the iPhone too.

I thought the proportioning valves might be different for bias, I will call the guy I got the car from and ask. Do you know where I can get the valve if I need it.

I have been building up Fords, and my own is a 93 GT with a built 70mm turbo motor in it. I am new to the GM stuff, not that I don't know them, I have a GMC truck with the 5.7 in it. None of my cars have been to a shop, not that I dont trust a shop, but I figure if you want it done right might as well do it yourself. I am kind of a perfectionist, so attention to detail is important to me.

The car is for my daughter and I am going stock for now, dont want her to get hurt with it, and the car is plenty fast enough. I want it to be as sound on the road as possible but dont want break neck speed. She loves the car, it does have T-tops, which I like alot.

There is some rust around the tops. Do you think it would be better for a body shop to handle that. I can do the drivetrain all day long. Body stuff, not so good at.

Eric

 

Sounds like you're well on your way to having a very nice third gen T/A. The next thing you will probably want to do is take of the air intake and clean the throttle plates and throttle body REALLY well. These get extremely dirty over time on the TPI system due to the location of the EGR valve. I bought an 88 in similar condition and this is one of the easy maintenence things I did that made a huge difference that was noticeable immediately. Fuel filter is a must too.

 

Throttle plate, will do. I even have the gaskets since the last owner had some that he gave me. Do I just use carb cleaner or should I scrub it?