All the regret - 81 Trans Am

[Blackbirdws6]

As some folks have seen, my father and I decided to go a bit old school and play with a 1981 Turbo TA. Who knows how long we will have it for but with the current fleet in good running order, we seem to always need a project to tinker with. The car has good "bones" and with some work, could be a real nice car. It fires right up and sounds perfect IMO (nice chop with deep tone).

The basics:

• 1981 Turbo Trans Am
• LS Swap with a custom comp turbo cam, Edel Carb, Edel Intake, Dual Valve Springs w/ titanium retainers, Fbody oil pan
• TH350 trans
• Stainless Headers, 3" dual exhaust
• MSD 6010 controller
• 140gph pump (too much)
• Aluminum 3 row rad w/ electric fan
• 4 wheel discs
• Limited slip diff

What is needs: The car runs and drives but needs a few simple items to make it OK for the road

• Tires
• Brakes bled (hopefully all it needs)
• Shocks, bushings

Fixes:

• Sagging doors (hopefully its just the bushings but prob will need new brackets)
• Re-align the body panels a bit
• Get radio working and other odds and ends

The Plan:
Not really sure at the moment. Since the car isn't original, a restoration per the book doesn't make sense and it's money I wouldn't want to throw at it anyway. Right now, I see this being a car to get on the road to enjoy as a fun cruiser. It has the right sound so we just need to bring the looks up to par. The fuel pump may need to go since it's pretty race car right now (noisy, too much for engine). The prior owners had plans to eventually turbo the car, convert to FI and a 4L60.

I'm thinking we toss some fun aftermarket seats, steering wheel, gauges and paint it to give it a fresh look. The rear gears are way too tall (2.73) so I think a step up in ratio will make it fun while turning somewhat reasonable RPMs on the highway. I'm debating on the color since I know the traditional is black/gold. I think this car would look cool in an impact color (B5 blue, admiral blue were some of my ideas). A bird will go on the hood of course.

[madness410]

awesome man ive always loved that model trans am. did you do the ls swap yourself or buy it like that? keep us posted on this project im interested to see where it goes.

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by madness410

awesome man ive always loved that model trans am. did you do the ls swap yourself or buy it like that? keep us posted on this project im interested to see where it goes.

We bought it already swapped. The original owner has a cylinder head shop near Forked River so they planned to do a modern interpretation of a Turbo TA. They have a few too many projects and limited space. They wanted to put money into a 1st gen Camaro they have (rightfully so). No 30+ year old car is perfect so I think for this one, my Dad and I just need to balance the $ vs resale should we get bored and want something different.

[BonzoHansen]

Sweet.

*Tires - If staying 15s run 245/60/15, Coopers, BFG or MTs.
*Shocks, bushings - look at the RideTech street grip system.
*4 wheel discs - make sure they actually work, and the e-brakes works properly. This is key to keeping those calipers working
*Sagging doors - rebuild the hinges. Fun! Hinge tool
*Get radio working - I have a single din NIB pioneer CD w/USB here, cheap $40

Black & gold is so over played it makes my head hurt! Silver looks **** on these cars. There was also a very cool blue in like 77 or 78. White is ok too

Get the AC working (maybe wait for EFI on that).
How does the metal under the t-top gaskets look?

If that fan doesn't keep up in the heat look at 4th gen fans. Fit right in.

Look at that fancy 81 only console. No map pocket - that is where the stock ECM was located.

TAs have excellent resale. Can't wait to see progress

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Sweet.

*Tires - If staying 15s run 245/60/15, Coopers, BFG or MTs.
*Shocks, bushings - look at the RideTech street grip system.
*4 wheel discs - make sure they actually work, and the e-brakes works properly. This is key to keeping those calipers working
*Sagging doors - rebuild the hinges. Fun! Hinge tool
*Get radio working - I have a single din NIB pioneer CD w/USB here, cheap $40

Black & gold is so over played it makes my head hurt! Silver looks **** on these cars. There was also a very cool blue in like 77 or 78. White is ok too

Get the AC working (maybe wait for EFI on that).
How does the metal under the t-top gaskets look?

If that fan doesn't keep up in the heat look at 4th gen fans. Fit right in.

Look at that fancy 81 only console. No map pocket - that is where the stock ECM was located.

TAs have excellent resale. Can't wait to see progress

Thanks for the info. We will keep these wheels and stock tire sizes (maybe go a touch wider if desired. For the doors, I've watched a few vids where they say the pin can oval the whole making them junk. Won't know until we take it apart!

As for color, I think going off the normal path is where we want to be with this. The fan did look rather small so we will see how it does.

The AC looks to be gutted so I will have to see how far they went with it. The car currently has no t-top seals ("Was ready for paint" LOL). We will put the seals on after it's painted but metal looks good.

[wretched73]

My friend's family owns Shout! Graphics up in Flemington. Let me know if you'd be interested in doing a wrap. They could always incorporate the bird into a hood graphic as well.

And what do you mean by the fuel pump is too much? Is it flooding the carb over? Whats the fuel pressure at the carb?

[BonzoHansen]

Excellent. That roof metal is one reason i parted the 81Z i had. All the rot was hidden. I think they make the w/s for those tops. Not the aluminum m trim around them though. They look like gm/fisher tops.

Yes the hinges can do that, but normally bushings do the trick.

Stock 225/70/15 are too tall and narrow. Thats why I like the 245/60s, wider and about 1/2"+ shorter, not a lot but enough.

Not sure how soon paint will make the to do list, but going off the charts too much can hurt resale. Just because you mentioned resale earlier. What color was it new? Got a pic of the cowl tag?

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Excellent. That roof metal is one reason i parted the 81Z i had. All the rot was hidden. I think they make the w/s for those tops. Not the aluminum m trim around them though. They look like gm/fisher tops.

Yes the hinges can do that, but normally bushings do the trick.

Stock 225/70/15 are too tall and narrow. Thats why I like the 245/60s, wider and about 1/2"+ shorter, not a lot but enough.

Not sure how soon paint will make the to do list, but going off the charts too much can hurt resale. Just because you mentioned resale earlier. What color was it new? Got a pic of the cowl tag?

Hopefully the tires come in a little cheaper. I was a bit surprised at the cost of the stock size. No decisions on paint will be made hastily. The color new looks to be a dark metallic blue. The underside of the trunk lid shows the color. Tough to see in the pic. As for the cowl tag, I don't have a pic but can grab it later.

[BonzoHansen]

Yes, stupid old tires aren't cheap. I'd look at the coopers to be honest.

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Yes, stupid old tires aren't cheap. I'd look at the coopers to be honest.

Thanks. That Ridetech suspension isn't too cheap..... LOL.

[BonzoHansen]

no but you get high quality shocks & bushings, no need for tubular arms or such. On the value side you can check out customworks.

although if it has the big TA sway bars you really don't need to replace them at all.

[PolarBear]

Customworks! If you want the car to handle see Keith, prices are really reasonable too.
SFCs are a must like 3rd and 4th gens. And put in solid body bushings

[LS1ow]

why not just make it the elder, turbo'd LS off spring of your car? Black with tan gut on CCWs

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by LS1ow

why not just make it the elder, turbo'd LS off spring of your car? Black with tan gut on CCWs

Variety is the spice of life and I'm not sure how much $ we want to put into the car just yet. The current bird is a perpetual money pit. The new cars are just that, new. This one needs to be fun but within a budget that should we want to part with it, not lose our ass.

[edpontiac91]

In regard to the Black and Gold design, that's the color setup where ALL the top redone Trans Am are looking like. Just watch Velocity (channel 150) and also Overhaulen' to check out how these cars POP when done. I know it's overkill, but if your thinking about resale, go with what SELLS. A wrap is another thought, as it can be made with all the Gold stripes built in just like the Bandit.

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

In regard to the Black and Gold design, that's the color setup where ALL the top redone Trans Am are looking like. Just watch Velocity (channel 150) and also Overhaulen' to check out how these cars POP when done. I know it's overkill, but if your thinking about resale, go with what SELLS. A wrap is another thought, as it can be made with all the Gold stripes built in just like the Bandit.

We won't be taking this to that level. If it was a special rare car signed by Burt, then sure it may be worth it. Black paint will require the most prep and love afterward so just kind of a time vs reward thing. Friend has a hood and shaker that might be fun to toss on here.

[BonzoHansen]

Keep the turbo hood!!

[BonzoHansen]

oh yeah, great TA used parts guy on FB called "Second Gen Graveyard". I'll tag you

[PolarBear]

What ever you do DO NOT BUY PARTS FROM PRO-TOURING F-BODY.COM Dave can't run a business and you will probably not get your parts

[WildBillyT]

Looks good!

Honestly, I'd T56 swap it. Just me though.

[Blackbirdws6]

Not looking to blow 15-20k guys. If I was going to do that, I would have built the Supra and maybe got a bigger return lol.

This will get done in steps with the intent of keeping it a solid, running/driving car. Tires, brakes and suspension will be addressed first.

Anyone happen to know the measurements to know if the car has the "big" sway bars?

[BonzoHansen]

1.25" up front, I think 3/4" out back, maybe 5/8

[ThoR294]

don't see many of these around anymore. looks like fun! I'd paint it the blue that is in the trunk, that would look nice with a matching eagle on the hood.

[sweetbmxrider]

I love white with blue bird setup. I would put blue metallic in the paint also.

Keep the turbo hood, its rare and cool. Shakers are played out and worth less.

Big ole burnout before you replace tires is required

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by ThoR294

don't see many of these around anymore. looks like fun! I'd paint it the blue that is in the trunk, that would look nice with a matching eagle on the hood.

that blue with gold is nice