i recently purchased a 82 trans am, in decent shape for 500$ no motor or trans. I am beginning to think I got ripped!
any how I need a trans crossmember, so i went to the local PULL a PART, and got one, it was too short, So i got another, Yet too short! i found out that the car only came with a 200c at that year, what do i do about a Xmember? I cannot find any 82s anywhere around here or on the net! those for the 700r is set back further.
help would be awsome!

 

A turbo 350 drops right in.

Coming up with the right crossmember and drive shaft though, is a bit of a problem; at least if you demand them "right now". Like all used parts, demanding doesn't do much good; you kind of have to just be patient and keep your eyes open, and sooner or later, one will surface.

I don't know about "ripped", if the car body is in decent shape, that's not too bad of a price. Finding those parts isn't easy, but it's not impossible either. You might want to try the classifieds on this site, and maybe some of the sponsors at the top of the page. Meanwhile, if there's not one around for you now today, one will eventually show up; and while you're waiting for that, you can go score a 350 core and get it built, and be ready to slap it in once you DO find the other parts. Just make sure you get a 350 that's the same length as the 200C, which a transmission shop can maybe tell you what that is; or somebody here. I think it's the short shaft (most common) 350, but I'm not positive.

 

Well i took one of those 700r crossmembers, and had it lengthened 2" on one side, It put the mount hole for the transmission in the center, and now bolts up to car, but still looking just incase this one dosent work. I have a local shop who offers a 200- 350 swap kit, new tailshaft for 350 with mounts for torque arm, dust cover, dip tube, and a few other things, for like 150.

 

I'm not too sure about the 200C, but a 9" tailshaft TH350 is almost the same length as a 700R4.
*edit* according to this threadTHREAD the 200C and 6" tailshaft TH350 are the same length.

You can check out TCI's transmission dimensions page for all your sizing issues: LINK

 

You should put in a 700r4 or 4L60e. The 4L60e is expensive to do but worth it. I just did it to my 82 Firebird. The orginal shifter in the car can be converted for the overdirve. Look for 4L60e post.

 

We came up with the same crossmember prob on my dad's 82 bird. We added to the lenght and fixed the prob right up.

Took 2 crossmembers, cut the end off one, and bolted it to the other one, then bolted that whole thing in place just like norm.

May sound like a "hack job" but it works and has been fine for 4K miles and ETs down into the high 12's

Now the set back your talking about is not in the crossmember, it's in the holes drilled in the car. The 1982 and some 83's used the 200c which had a diff face to mount lenght so the cars was drilled for the crossmember closer to the front. Some 83's through 92 used the 700r4 which called for the crossmember to be moved back more so they just drilled the holes closer to rear.

If you want to use a th-350 trans then it will all bolt right up, but if you want to use a 700r4 you will need a plate that will off set the trans mount to crossmember point. In other words an 1/8th inch thick steel plate with two holes drilled in it. One hole drilled to match the crossmember trans mount hole and another hole 2" fruther back towards rear. Bolt the plate to crossmember through the 1st hole, and trans mount stud/bolt will line up with the second hole.

For the driveshaft.. If you use a th-350 short shaft you will need an 82/83 200c driveshaft, if you use a th-350 long shaft then a reg. 84 to 92 700r4 driveshaft will fit


Here's a pic of how we lenghtened my dad's crossmember. (he's useing a long shaft th-350 so no plate needed in his car)

 

It's interesting that the '82s would be that different than the '83s.Are the threaded holes for the crossmember in the frame in a different location on the '82?The 200C was the only trans offered in '82 and continued for a few years as the optional base auto(NA in the Z after '82).On my '83 Z there's a 2 piece trans crossmember.The upper piece is sandwhiched between bushings and bolted to the crossmember that bolts to the frame.

 

No, that's just it; the 82s don't have the mount holes for the later transmissions.

No "features from the future", you know.

It's not beyond the average shade-tree kind of guy to add them though.

 

Spohn does sells conversion transmission cross-members for the 82 which will allow you to install the 700r4 and 4L60e transmissions. So the 82's are upgradaable.

 

yea, I think im going to go with Spohn kit, Heck it bolts there adjustable torque arm bar to the crossmember, i kinda like that, they have a kit for the th 350 and will bolt in the place of the original crossmember for the 200c. for $395 i believe, it would be the best way out, We have a transmission builder here where i live, His name is sid neal, He holds the record for worlds fastest shifting auto trans, He builds the th350 for 350$
www.nealtrans.com

 

If your car is a daily driver or is mainly driven on the highway, then uprading to the 700r4/4l60(e) is the better way to go. With the overdrive, you'l get better MPG.

 

this is yet another reason why i opted for a th350 into my 200c 82 t/a

simple and quick and easy nothing to modify

good luck