Author Topic: 78 TA “Not a bandit”  (Read 1518 times)

JohnnyBertone

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78 TA “Not a bandit”
« on: March 23, 2021, 10:59:51 AM »
Hey guys had an account here mostly to lurk and gather info but decided it’s time to finally post up here! Currently restoring my 78 WS4 hard top TA with a 72 455 .060 over and 6x4 heads and a few other goodies! Looking to do a 5 speed swap soon. Anyone in the LI NY Area? Looking for others around near me.
Also “not a bandit” because I prefer to be a little different. Car is originally black but after bodywork I plan on painting it Martinique blue. Any suggestions or comments are always welcome!
78 468 TA Restore project

ryeguy2006a

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2021, 11:04:16 AM »
Great looking car! Not on LI, but am in Upstate, NY near Ithaca. Great color choice. What 5 speed swap are you looking at?

1976 Trans Am LS1 and much more...SOLD
1968 Camaro LSA, T56 Magnum, and much more...SOLD

Current Project: 1955 Nomad LC9, 4L80e, C5 brakes and etc...

b_hill_86

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2021, 01:32:12 PM »
Are those American Racing AR23s? Not in NY at all but I sure your sentiment regarding being a little different. Not that I dislike SE’s, but you see them a lot. My 77 was silver originally but in bad need of paint when I bought it. I just don’t care for silver on the 77/78s. I would've kept any other factory color but but decided on black. I went with the charcoal/red decals that would’ve been on the car when silver to be a little different plus I thought it would look good on the black car.

I’m jealous of your upcoming 5 speed swap and looking forward to seeing the progress
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

aussieta

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2021, 02:31:03 PM »
mine is a bandit, 1978 Y84, but always wanted a blue TA
my build is gone but my avatar remains
1978 Y84 W72 WS6
A Camaro looks like it could kick your ass.
A Trans Am looks like it's coming over to do it

Jack

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2021, 03:04:00 AM »
72 455 6x4 and one of the best colors on a second gen. Doesn't get any better than that.




Regards, Jack

Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2021, 03:04:00 AM »

blue81ta

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2021, 04:04:39 AM »
Welcome aboard. Martinique Blue is a great color choice. I agree about being a little different... don't see many blue with gold bird T/A's like mine out there. Good luck with your project.
Keith
1981 Trans Am....My safe haven from all of life's bs
One owner....Unrestored.... Original

roadking77

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2021, 07:33:36 AM »
Welcome,
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

RamblerRacer

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2021, 06:13:01 AM »
Mine was originally Martinique blue, but I am in the middle of painting mine a later GM silver. Itnthe same silver I painted the AMC bracket car.

There are a couple good options out there for a 5 speed, but with what Tremec has done with the new TKX I believe it is the only way to go. What rear gear are you running?  The TKX is available with both a .82 and .65 or so ratio so if you already have “highway gears” you can get by without swapping the rear. The 1st gear ratio is deep enough to make up the difference. I’m running a TKO600 with the .82 fifth gear ratio and 3.08s

Good to hear from you and good luck with your project
I live in Bergen County in NJ.

JT

JohnnyBertone

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2021, 05:27:57 PM »
Great looking car! Not on LI, but am in Upstate, NY near Ithaca. Great color choice. What 5 speed swap are you looking at?
silversport transmission makes the TKX 5 speed bolt in swap. retains factory clutch linkage and very close to factory shifter position, and includes a hurst shifter kit for the shifter.
Mine was originally Martinique blue, but I am in the middle of painting mine a later GM silver. Itnthe same silver I painted the AMC bracket car.

There are a couple good options out there for a 5 speed, but with what Tremec has done with the new TKX I believe it is the only way to go. What rear gear are you running?  The TKX is available with both a .82 and .65 or so ratio so if you already have “highway gears” you can get by without swapping the rear. The 1st gear ratio is deep enough to make up the difference. I’m running a TKO600 with the .82 fifth gear ratio and 3.08s

Good to hear from you and good luck with your project
I live in Bergen County in NJ.

JT

The TKX is mist likely what I'll be going after since thats all that SST offers now.
currently have factory 3.42s was up in the air between going to 3.08 and keeping the 4 speed or going 5 speed and staying 3.42s, but im on my 3rd T-10 now and think it's time for a stronger transmission.

Are those American Racing AR23s? Not in NY at all but I sure your sentiment regarding being a little different. Not that I dislike SE’s, but you see them a lot. My 77 was silver originally but in bad need of paint when I bought it. I just don’t care for silver on the 77/78s. I would've kept any other factory color but but decided on black. I went with the charcoal/red decals that would’ve been on the car when silver to be a little different plus I thought it would look good on the black car.

I’m jealous of your upcoming 5 speed swap and looking forward to seeing the progress

yes on the AR23s. they came on the car when I bought it from the PO, who had bought it from someone else that seems to have built it in the mid 90's. had these wheels, huge speaker box in the back package tray, kicker decal across the back window and street glow neon tubes running around the bottom of the car. can't knock them for it though because that was the 90's street style. I can however knock them for some of the hacked up wiring they left behind for me though  :-x
78 468 TA Restore project

RamblerRacer

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2021, 08:04:17 PM »
With the 3.42 you are running I’d go with the .65 fifth

JT

kentucky yeti

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Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2021, 11:03:15 PM »
Welcome back!  It’s good to see you again on here.
Mike (aka Yeti)

1977 Y82 W72 Auto
2015 F-150 Lariat 4x4 (twin turbo)
2016 Explorer Limited
2012 Mustang

Re: 78 TA “Not a bandit”
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2021, 11:03:15 PM »
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