Author Topic: My 1981 T/A  (Read 2409 times)

rvanbel78

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My 1981 T/A
« on: March 24, 2021, 01:56:38 PM »
Near completion
« Last Edit: March 24, 2021, 02:05:55 PM by rvanbel78 »

jonathonar89

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2021, 03:45:34 PM »
Wilwood calipers, coilovers, rear disc, etc.  Looking good!
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MNBob

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2021, 05:57:32 PM »
Ditto above, can you give us some background on this car?  I like that serpentine system.
1979 TATA Extreme TKO .64
Hedman elite; Pypes 2.5; Borla XS; MSD 6A; Performer intake; open scoop; Sniper QJ;  110 Amp Alt; 4 core radiator/Mark VIII fan; RobbMc mini starter; subframe connectors; solid body mounts; fiberglass rear springs; poly sway bar and link bushings; 81 master; D52’s; Blazer disks; 225/60 & 235/60 17's TrueContact's; relays for PW, PDL, lights; keyless entry

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2021, 07:26:05 AM »
Sure, its a 1981 Trans Am (fisher T-Tops) Black and Fire Thorn Red Interior with a Chevy 350 crate motor. The previous owner had replaced the original 4.9 with the crate motor. I purchased the car based on the condition of the body and interior, which was in great condition. The body was painted a few years back by the previous owner. Upon purchase I knew the performance was lacking, the suspension soft and non-responsive and most electronics didn't work. So I worked with a local shop and had them do a complete tear down to the body. I have replaced all the wiring, gauges, controls and fuel lines. I upgraded the complete brake system to a 4 wheel disc system and stainless lines. New suspension including BMR control arms, QA1 coilers, sway bar, link kit, bushings, Detroit speed heavy-duty shackles and rear leaf springs. Engine was tore down to the block, machined and polished. The engine includes MSD ignition kit, Hooker headers, Edlebrock performer, new high-volume water pump, harmonic balancer, CVF serpentine kit with alternator and A/C compressor. New Cold Case Aluminum Radiator. TCI Street Rodder TH350 Transmission, B&M Quicksilver Kit & Line lock. Pypes Street Pro exhaust. New Year One 17" Black Snow Flake wheels with Nitto NT555 tires. Interior includes new Dakota Digital gauges, Custom Autosound bluetooth headunit, kick panel speakers, Pioneer 6x9s, Kicker sub, alpine 5-way amp. I replaced the dash, center console, rear sail panels, rear side panels, door panels, carpet and rear deck lid to all be black. I kept the steering wheel, grab bar and seats the original Fire Thorn red. Basically everything fuel, electronics, drivetrain and mechanical parts have all been upgraded and replaced.

RamblerRacer

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2021, 07:37:33 AM »
Very clean and nicely detailed

JT

Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2021, 07:37:33 AM »

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2021, 08:36:18 AM »
Some updated pics from yesterday

MNBob

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2021, 10:04:48 AM »
Congratulations, you have completed a lot of work in a short time and and everything looks very tidy.  Have you driven it yet after all these changes or are you just finishing it?

I hope to get the tubular control arms some day as they look a lot cleaner.  Is that an oil catch can mounted next to the compressor?
1979 TATA Extreme TKO .64
Hedman elite; Pypes 2.5; Borla XS; MSD 6A; Performer intake; open scoop; Sniper QJ;  110 Amp Alt; 4 core radiator/Mark VIII fan; RobbMc mini starter; subframe connectors; solid body mounts; fiberglass rear springs; poly sway bar and link bushings; 81 master; D52’s; Blazer disks; 225/60 & 235/60 17's TrueContact's; relays for PW, PDL, lights; keyless entry

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2021, 10:07:40 AM »
No I haven't driven it yet. We're finishing it up right now. Should have it ready to drive in a month or so. Yes, I agree about the control arms. Yes, that is an oil catch can.

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2021, 09:41:40 AM »
Here's the updated progress

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2021, 09:44:11 AM »
More pics

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2021, 09:45:51 AM »
and more pics

roadking77

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2021, 02:26:16 PM »
WOW! Thats a lot of work and sounds like some great upgrades. 
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

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2021, 02:31:24 PM »
Ya, we’re at the home stretch now. Should be completed and road ready in a couple weeks

TATurbo

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2021, 10:15:57 PM »
Wow! It looks like you covered everything! Those are a LOT of nice parts installed very nicely! 
I love the Red '81 'Custom Pimlico' seats!   I wanted so badly to restore my red interior with that original material.  But things took a turn.   Those seats were one of the things that made me fall in love my car back in the day.  Your's look so good...Sounds like the PO had them restored?  Do you know how he accomplished that?

Keep the pics coming!  Can't wait to see it out in the sun.
Congrats on the progress. Looks like you'll have a fun summer!


 
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

roadking77

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2021, 06:38:57 AM »
When I started reading this thread I thought, 'looks like a good match to Toms car'.
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

Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2021, 06:38:57 AM »

5th T/A

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #15 on: April 14, 2021, 07:37:49 AM »
That’s a beautiful high end build, would probably make Herb Adams proud.

Out of curiosity, how much time do you have in it? You
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

jugalo

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2021, 07:40:38 AM »
Very nice work!
1980 Turbo Trans Am Restomod (in work)
Fiero Bronze 400/200-4r

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #17 on: April 14, 2021, 07:44:40 AM »
Thank you All.

@ TATurbo - Actually those are the original seats. We just cleaned them up using a fabric cleaner.

@ roadking77 - Thank you. I'll have to check out Toms car.

@ 5th T/A - I have about 100 hours (give or take) since I'm limited on time, but the shop has a few hundred hours.

I'll keep you all updated

TATurbo

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #18 on: April 14, 2021, 07:54:23 PM »
Well, they(the original seats) look awesome. 
I'm pretty sure I'm the 'Tom' Roadking was referring to in his post. My Project thread was recently lost in the Great TAC Crash of '21. But I'd been documenting the build of my black & red '81 TA here.
I just realized there's not much in the way of recent pics of my car in my 'new' build thread(link in signature below).  I'll get some recent pics posted once I'm done being mad at my car for being uncooperative for the past few weeks.

Anyway, congrats on the progress and project.  I hope you get to spend a lot of time enjoying the new-found power and prowess this summer!  Great car! 

I'll be following along as you finish it up.   
Tom
King of Prussia, PA

1981 Turbo Trans-Am
Build thread - http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83354.0

rvanbel78

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #19 on: April 15, 2021, 09:07:23 AM »
Thanks so much. I'll look for your pics when you upload them.

Jack

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Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #20 on: April 15, 2021, 04:10:23 PM »
Very nice and good progress.




Regards, Jack

Re: My 1981 T/A
« Reply #20 on: April 15, 2021, 04:10:23 PM »
You can help support TAC!