77-78 Nose on 79 Trans Am

[EscapeRacing]

Okay, I have a feeling this post could trigger some folks. I fully appreciate and respect the fact that some people really hate it when a Trans Am gets frankenstein'd but that's what I did and just in case others have questions thought I would post some pics. Unfortunately, I am REALLY light on pics for this one. Sorry about that.

Back story is that I always wanted a 77-78 Trans Am. Not like, I wanted it for a few years, but like always wanted one! I put a picture of me, as a kid, with my bigwheel painted black and gold below that was taken in the late 70s or early 80s. So, yeah, since I was a kid.

I have a daughter now and she has been turning wrenches on this Trans Am with me every step of the way. For that I am blessed. I was looking around for a 77 or 78 for quite a while but they were either too pricey for me or in terrible shape. I needed something that was drivable, even if it looked like a mess. If I brought home a car that was not going to run for a long time, I surely would have lost my daughters interest (and maybe my own). Having a project car that you can upgrade and then drive again really keeps the motivation and happiness strong. Thus, I found a really decent 1979 up in Oregon and decided that was going to be the one. Then I went about fitting a 77-78 front end to it and there you have it.

This swap is pretty easy. For the most part the front ends are a direct replacement. If you are lucky enough, you can find a complete front end off a 77-78 and then you have all the parts you need. That was my route and the front end cost $500 from Second Gen Graveyard. I tried to list the parts you will need if you are starting from scratch. A google search can cross-check my work below but its a start.

Front bumper cover
Front bumper foam absorber
Front bumper reinforcement
Front bumper headlight mount
Right and left bumper mounting brackets
Center nose support bracket
Front spoiler center 1977-1978 (fiberglass)
Front spoiler side flares set 1977-1978 fiberglass with bracket pair
Trans Am Front Spoiler Kit (center and side flares)
Front spoiler backers (pair)
1978 Trans Am front grill - left hand (black)
1978 Trans Am front grill - right hand (black)
Headlight support
Front light wiring harness
Hardware to adapt front nose and tail lights (i didnt need this)
Front emblem panel crest gold

There are maybe a dozen or so bolts that hold the front clip to the quarter panels and chassis and all of them are fairly reachable. Just pay close attention to how many you removed and ideally draw some diagrams. I could go into detail here, but its really not needed. It really helps to have a friend when pulling the front end off and holding the new one in place. Dont tighten down all the nuts and bolts until the end so that you can line up the 78 front end as best as possible. Also, that nose support is fiberglass so unless you want to be really itchy wear long sleeves.

In my case, I still have the 79 spoilers but you could easily swap the 78s to make it look more like a clone. You can do the back bumper as well, but I have not attempted that...yet.

[737driver]

Looks great ! The nose swap looked liked it turned out quite well!
Jim

[roadking77]

Not a hater at all, besides, how many guys on here can claim to have had a 'bandit big wheel'?

Turned out really nice.

[Gene-73]

Love the Big Wheel photo. I shall call it "Smokey and the Bambino". 
All you needed was Snowman driving behind you in a Radio Flyer wagon loaded with Root Beer. 

[EscapeRacing]

Love the Big Wheel photo. I shall call it "Smokey and the Bambino". 
All you needed was Snowman driving behind you in a Radio Flyer wagon loaded with Root Beer. 

that would have been epic!

[JJ 109]

Support what makes you happy

[tiggershark]

I did the 77/78 nose on my 79 I like it way better.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMfsC5Xh0K3j9q4kVsAHFZR1vYUKGZGD3NmTrmr

[langss]

I'm kind of doing the opposite. I bought a wrecked 78, and I have the front clip from a 79. I would prefer the 77-78 nose, but finding anything in reasonable condition has not come my way.

[jugalo]

I'm kind of doing the opposite. I bought a wrecked 78, and I have the front clip from a 79. I would prefer the 77-78 nose, but finding anything in reasonable condition has not come my way.

I can't see the photo...

[langss]

I'm kind of doing the opposite. I bought a wrecked 78, and I have the front clip from a 79. I would prefer the 77-78 nose, but finding anything in reasonable condition has not come my way.

I can't see the photo...

Sorry....I was only commenting on what I am eventually going to be doing.

[5th T/A]

Your nose job turned out really nice.

While I own a 1980 TA, My preference goes to the earlier noses.

[79 Moneypit]

I'm working on doing the same thing with my '79.  Parts for a 77-78 front end are hard to find.

[81Blackbird]

Excellent job.  Definitely a head turner.

[roadking77]

Im on the opposite end. I have always loved firebirds, going back to moms 67 400. I got my DL in 1980 and wanted a trans am desperately. I thought the newly designed front (1979) was the cats meow! By then the pre 79 stuff just looked old and dated. I even had a 2 page ad with a nocturne blue 79 out of hot rod or something on my wall for inspiration. By the time I graduated and had money for a car the 82's had come out and boy did they put all the others to shame.
Fast forward a few years and my appreciation for the pre 79 came. 77 became my favorite style for the firebird, hence when I bought one I looked for a 77. Now that I have been restoring a 79 they have grown back on me, 77 is still my favorite though.

[scarebird]

I was given a 79 T/A but could not abide that nose.   I went thru a lot of trouble to change to a 71 style.  I also did the rear 71 as the 79 was too boxy for the front.

Were I to do it again I would have gone 74-75 as far less rear sheet metal would have to be changed.   My daughter wanted the hood bird too, so that is an issue.

[Wallington]

Best part wasn't the result, but having younger family members excitedly helping out, many will never experience that in anything they do. They will remember it as much as you do.

[76455sd]

The car looks great.  I don’t recall seeing one with the 79 spoiler, it integrates very nicely. Now just have fun with it.

[EscapeRacing]

Thank you 76455sd!

[Jack]

Very nice job, as far as noses go 70 to 78 had grills that improve airflow. I personally don't think the noses of any year look bad but I can't stand the 79 to 81 rear-end.

[Wallington]

You can see where they were preparing the next model in appearance for the last few years of 2nd gen. A new direction, classic shapes were out of date. Everything was sleek and tinted.

As for 79 noses being worse for airflow, air runs up and over a car that shape, not through. The grilles were at the bottom and effectively scooped air that rose up to go over. Moreso with front skirt and front hood seal. Same reason early 70-75 Formulas could scoop air through hood, albeit not very well, but 76-81 would let out more enginebay heat than suck air in when moving.

[78TA_In87]

Came out great!  Most casual car guys won't know it's not the original bumper.   Back in 1990 I purchased the 79-81 flairs for my 78 Firebird, and now my 2nd 78 (TA) will have it's stock flairs replaced with the 79s I have stored away.   I also like the 78 bumper > 79, as well as the rear spoiler. I'm not sure if you plan to change that out too, but I think it could be a little bit more challenging (not sure).  Either way, it's still a great looking bumper!  Enjoy!